How to protect our families from the Fire (1/6)

Raising  and  caring  for  a family  is putting the order  of Allah the Exalted  into   action,  when   He  the   Exalted  Said   (what means):

 "O you, who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire." [Qur’an, Surah At-Tahrim, 66:6]

It is a  way that one  can  follow  in  the  footsteps of  the  noble prophets  of   Allah   the  Exalted  whom   Allah   the   Exalted ordered us to follow when He Said (what  means):

 "So from their guidance take an example." [Qur’an, Surah Al-An'am, 6:90]

The example of the prophets being  keen  on safeguarding their families  is evident in what Allah the Exalted Said regarding his prophet  Isma`eel  (Ishmael), may Allah exalt  his mention, (what  means): "And mention in the Book, Ishmael. Indeed, he was true to his promise, and he was a messenger and a prophet. And he used to enjoin on his people prayer and Zakah and was to his Lord pleasing." [Qur’an, Surah Maryam, 19:54-55]

The first obligation of the  Muslim  is to base  the  foundation of his household on the  fear  of Allah  the  Exalted and  on proof and  evidence.  They  must  make   their household  a  Muslim household  in  the  true   sense  of  the  word. They should guide their family to performing the obligations that allow them to reach Allah the Exalted and make them closer to Paradise.

A believer  is  responsible for  guiding   their  family  by  showing them  the  way and reforming their household, just as they are responsible for guiding  themselves and  reforming their  homes, because the  Prophet, sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam, said:  “All of you are guardians, and all of you are held accountable. So, a leader is a guardian, and they are responsible for things under their guard. A man is a guardian of his family, and he is responsible for that. A woman is a guardian over the house of her husband, and she is responsible for that. A slave is a guardian over the wealth of their master, and they are responsible for that. All of you are guardians, and all of you are responsible and are held accountable.”[1] This text shows us the responsibility of the Muslim and the general responsibility that no one is free of and that has no exceptions.

The responsibility a believer has regarding their own selves and family is a heavy   and intimidating one. Hellfire has been prepared for the unjust, and a believer and their family might be susceptible to entering it. They must protect themselves and their families from it.

In  order  to  protect our  families  from  the  Fire,  we  must pay attention to several  issues, including:

First: Keenness on teaching them the Book of Allah the Exalted and the matters pertaining to their religion:

Religious knowledge is a means of fearing Allah the Exalted. Out of  all  the  slaves  of  Allah  the  Exalted, the  scholars   are those  who fear Allah the  Exalted the most. When the  leader  of the  household  is  keen  on  teaching their  family  the  Book  of Allah  the   Exalted  and  Islamic   knowledge that  pertains to them, then  they  have  placed  them  on the  first path  of safety from the Fire.

The Haneef  religion  (i.e., religion  that inclines  away from polytheism) urges  people  to  teach their  womenfolk  and  guide them to correct manners. Al-Bukhari, may Allah have mercy on him, named a chapter: “Chapter: A man should teach their slave-girl and wife.” In this  chapter, he placed  the  Hadeeth of Abu  Moosa  Al-Ash’ari, may  Allah  be  pleased  with  him,  who said  that Allah’s  Messenger,  sallAllahu ‘alayhi  wa  sallam, said:  “There are three  individuals who have two rewards… A man who has a slave-girl, teaches her good manners in a good way, teaches her in a good way, then frees her and marries her, such a person has two rewards.”[2] Ibn Hajar, may Allah  have  mercy  on him,  said:  “The  relation of the  Hadeeth to  the  chapter heading and  mentioning a slave-girl  is through the  obvious  text, but it  applies  to  the  wife  through analogy, since  keenness regarding one’s free  wives in teaching them  the obligations  of  Allah  and  the  traditions of  His  Messenger  is more important than keenness regarding one’s slave-girl.”[3].

Adh-Dhahhaak, may Allah have mercy on him, and Muqaatil, may Allah have mercy on him, said: “It is a right on the Muslim to teach their family, such as their relatives, slave-girls, and servants, what Allah the Exalted has made obligatory on them and what He the Exalted has prohibited for them.”[4].

So, we must teach the religion, good things, and manners that they must learn to our children and families.

The religion has given women the right to being accorded special care in teaching. Al-Bukhari, may Allah have mercy on him, said:  “Chapter: Can women be given a day in solitude with knowledge?”  Then, he mentioned the Hadeeth of Abu Sa`eed Al-Khudri,  may  Allah  be  pleased with  him,  who said: “Women  said  to  the  Prophet,  sallAllahu ‘alayhi  wa  sallam: ‘The men have overtaken us in benefitting from you, so give us a day that is convenient for you.’ At that, he appointed them a day when he would meet them, and would admonish them and enjoin them.”[5].

In the  narration of Sahl  ibn Saalih, may Allah have  mercy  on him,  who reported from  his father, may Allah  have  mercy  on him,  who reported from  Abu  Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with   him,   something  similar to  this   story,   and   in  it,   the Prophet,  sallAllahu  ‘alayhi  wa  sallam,  said:   “Your appointment is in the home of so-and-so woman.”[6] So, he went there and taught them. So, the Prophet, sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, gave them a specific timing and place wherein he would teach them.

Ibn  ‘Abbaas, may  Allah  be  pleased with  him,  reported: “I went  with  the  Prophet,  sallAllahu `alayhi wa  sallam, during the  day of (‘Eed) Al-Fitr or Adha,  and he prayed, then  gave a sermon, then  went to the  women, admonished them, reminded them, and ordered them  to give charity.”[7].

Ibn Hajar, may  Allah  have  mercy  on  him, mentioned some benefits  of this Hadeeth, saying: “It is recommended to admonish women, teach them  the rulings  of Islam, and remind them  regarding the  matters that are  obligated on  them. It is recommended to urge them to give charity, and to do so in a specific sitting. All of this should be done if there is no fear of Fitnah or corruption.”[8]