Question

I have heard the following quotation during a parenting conference, and I believe it may have been attributed to Ibn al-Qayyim. I cannot find it. Please give me the reference and Arabic if available.

“Whoever neglects their child’s education, leaving them without benefit has indeed committed a grave injustice against them. Most children’s corruption arises from their parents’ actions, their neglect, and their failure to teach them the religious duties and practices.”

Answer

Imam Ibnul Qayyim (rahimahullah) has indeed discussed this in his work titled “Tuhfatul Mawdud,” a book dedicated to the principles and laws of raising children.

He writes, “Whoever neglects their child’s education, leaving them without guidance, has committed a grave disservice of the highest order. For the corruption that often afflicts many offspring stems primarily from the negligence and disregard shown to them by their parents and not teaching them the obligatory and supererogatory aspects of Din. The parents squandered the opportunity when the children were young resulting in these children neither benefiting themselves nor being of any benefit to their parents as they grow older.”

(Tuhfatul Mawdud, pg. 185)

Kindly find the Arabic text below.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

__________

التخريج من المصادر العربية

تحفة المودود بأحكام المولود: (ص: ١٨٥)
وقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: «اعدلوا بين أولادكم، فوصية الله للآباء بأولادهم سابقة على وصية الأولاد بآبائهم» قال الله تعالى {ولا تقتلوا أولادكم خشية إملاق} (الاسراء: ٣١) فمن أهمل تعليم ولده ما ينفعه وتركه سدى، فقد أساء إليه غاية الإساءة، وأكثر الأولاد إنما جاء فسادهم من قبل الآباء وإهمالهم لهم، وترك تعليمهم فرائض الدين وسننه، فأضاعوهم صغارا، فلم ينتفعوا بأنفسهم ولم ينفعوا آباءهم كبارا. كما عاتب بعضهم ولده على العقوق فقال: يا أبت إنك عققتني صغيرا فعققتك كبيرا وأضعتني وليدا فأضعتك شيخا.