Eid-ul-Adha is one of the two happiest festivals for all the muslims around the world. It is not only considered as a day of joy and happiness but also gives us the message of sacrifice of our most precious belongings in the way of ALLAH. On this very occasion, we must never forget the principles and sacred traditions of parenting regarding Eid-ul-Azha. The custom of performing the sacrifice on 10th Zilhaj of every Lunar calendar is performed in the memory of Prophet Ibrahim’s (Abraham’s) willingness to sacrifice his beloved son for the ALLAH Alighty who is the most loving and the most merciful. It is expected that all the parents must never forget the responsibilities of parenting regarding Eid-ul-Azha and keep on telling their off-springs about this holy tradition so that they may develop deepest affection towards the customs and traditions of our sacred religion Islam.
As a parent, one needs to be fully conscious of parenting regarding Eid-ul-Azha and set the parameters for the religious education of his/her children regarding what celebration meant to them: willingness to sacrifice for the Lord, charity, sharing with then needy people of the society, getting away with malpractices and misbehaviors.
The principles of parenting regarding Eid-ul-Azha also demand us to teach our children not to lose some of the simplicity around the celebration, for it is a prerequisite for a Muslim to be a true Mumin. Unfortunately, due to the extreme carelessness ignorance of the parenting regarding Eid-ul-Azha, the occasion of Eid seems to have become far more about expensive gifts, new expensive clothes, lots of special food, special get-togethers and parties. Parenting regarding Eid-ul-Azha demands all of us to teach our children not to adopt those habits and festivities which are absolutely contrary to the limitations set by Shariah. In the name of fun, following the customs of other classes and groups, which may appear to be very charming on such occasions of happiness as Eid, is totally prohibited and unethical. There is a saying of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that:
“Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” (Narrated by Abu Dawood).
As a Muslim, everyone wants to raise his children in the true faith, but he should not adopt an extreme and hardest line in his techniques of parenting regarding Eid-ul-Azha. The most appropriate and appealing rule is that if you want to discourage your children about something, you have to replace it with something better. You may join your children in the celebrations and instead of making it harder over them to remain nice, decent and simple; we may go the extra mile for this happy and sacred occasion. Good parenting regarding Eid-ul-Azha requires that you join hands with your children in making cards to distribute and banners and bunting for the house. In order to teach your children better ways of enjoying such occasions, you may put up lights and balloons in the house. You may also send little gifts, sweets and chocolates to each of your children’s classes. Following such techniques of parenting regarding Eid-ul-Azha will surely give your children a most charming annual Eid party, full of joys and happiness all around.
Islam does not stop us from enjoying ourselves at all, but it encourages us to follow the path of simplicity. Parenting regarding Eid-ul-Azha demands that all the parents try their level best to inculcate the true spirit of sacrifice, simplicity and charity among our children so that they may never forget the teachings of our Lord and carry these sacred traditions throughout their lives.
Parenting plays a leading role in determining the path children adopt to live their lives. Parenting regarding Eid-ul-Azha demands all of us not to forget the true teachings of Islam and to make our children learn the true spirit of this sacred occasion.
