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وَلَدُ السُّوءِ يَهْدِمُ الشَّرَفَ، ويَشينُ السَّلَفَ۔

An evil child destroys one’s honour and disgraces one’s ancestors.

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An evil child destroys one’s honour and disgraces one’s ancestors.

— Imam Ali a.s.
(Ghurar al-Hikam: The Child)

Personal Reflection

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns us about the consequences of having an evil child. The word (waladu) "وَلَدُ" refers to a child, while (as-su') "السُّوءِ" means evil. The word (yahdimu) "يَهْدِمُ" means to destroy, and (ash-sharaf) "الشَّرَفَ" refers to one's honor. Additionally, (yashinu) "يَشينُ" means to disgrace, and (as-salaf) "السَّلَفَ" refers to one's ancestors.

To understand the impactful message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of maintaining honor and dignity in Surah Al-Isra (17:70), where He says,

And We have certainly honored the children of Adam and carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things and preferred them over much of what We have created, with [definite] preference.

This verse reminds us that Allah has bestowed honor upon every human being, and it is our responsibility to protect and preserve this honor. However, an evil child can bring shame and disgrace not only to themselves but also to their parents and ancestors. This is because a child is seen as a reflection of their upbringing and the values instilled in them by their parents.

Furthermore, the Quran highlights the importance of maintaining good character and righteousness. In Surah Al-Qasas (28:14), Allah says,

And he entered the city at a time of inattention by its people and found therein two men fighting: one from his faction and one from among his enemy. And the one from his faction called for help to him against the one from his enemy, so Moses struck him and [unintentionally] killed him. [Moses] said, 'This is from the work of Satan. Indeed, he is a manifest, misleading enemy.'

This verse narrates the story of Prophet Musa (Moses) when he accidentally killed a man. Despite his noble intentions, this incident caused him great distress and led him to seek forgiveness from Allah. It serves as a reminder that even unintentional actions can have severe consequences, and the actions of our children can reflect upon our own honor and reputation.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a warning to Muslims about the importance of raising righteous and morally upright children. An evil child not only destroys their own honor but also brings shame and disgrace to their family and ancestors. It is a reminder for parents to instill good values, ethics, and morals in their children from a young age.

Parents must strive to provide a nurturing environment that promotes love, compassion, and the teachings of Islam. They should lead by example, demonstrating good character and righteousness in their own lives. By doing so, they can guide their children towards the path of righteousness and protect their honor and reputation.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder to Muslims about the importance of raising righteous children. It warns us about the consequences of having an evil child, as it not only destroys their own honor but also brings shame and disgrace to their family and ancestors. It is a call for parents to fulfill their responsibility of nurturing their children with love, compassion, and the teachings of Islam, in order to protect their honor and reputation. May Allah guide us all in raising righteous children and grant us success in this life and the hereafter.

. : . (Readers are advised to verify the sources mentioned above, and to independently research for an accurate understanding of Hadith. Remember, personal research and seeking guidance from scholars are essential in gaining a better insight. Please, do contact us if you find any wrong citations or explanations.)

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