THE TRUST IN OUR HANDS

 

FAJR REMINDER: THE TRUST IN OUR HANDS

By: Umm Affān

Rabīʿ Al-Akhīr 19, 1448 AH | 1 October 2026

With the Permission of Allāh, I dedicate today's FAJR REMINDER to all parents, especially those who have recently been blessed with the precious gift of a child.

Parenthood is far greater than the joy of hearing a little voice call out, “Mum” or “Dad.” It is an amanah—a trust that will one day be presented before Allāh.

Those little hands we cherish today will one day stand before their Creator. And we will be questioned about how we fulfilled the trust He placed in our hands.

As we celebrate our children, let us also pause and reflect:

Are we nurturing children who will become a source of ongoing reward for us, or are we neglecting a trust for which we will be held accountable?

Here are a few reflections for myself first, and then for every parent.

(1) A Child Is a Gift Before Being a Responsibility

Every parent should begin this journey with gratitude to Allāh, recognising that children are among His blessings. Allāh describes them as an adornment of the worldly life:

“Wealth and children are the adornment of the life of this world...”
— Sūrah Al-Kahf (18): 46

The phrase zīnat al-ḥayāt ad-dunyā—“the adornment of the life of this world”—reminds us that children are among the beautiful blessings with which Allāh adorns our worldly existence.

Allāh (ﷻ) further says:

“To Allāh belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. He creates what He wills. He bestows female offspring upon whom He wills, and bestows male offspring upon whom He wills. Or He gives both males and females, and He renders barren whom He wills. Verily, He is All-Knower and Able to do all things.”
— Sūrah Ash-Shūrā (42): 49–50

Notice the beautiful word يَهَبُ (yahabu)—He grants, bestows, and gives as a gift.

Children, therefore, are not merely the result of human effort. They are gifts from Allāh, granted according to His Wisdom and Decree.

(2) A Child Is a Blessing Received With Gratitude, but That Blessing Carries Responsibility

The same child who brings joy, laughter and happiness into your home will also be part of your test before Allāh.

Allāh (ﷻ) says:

“Your wealth and your children are only a trial.”
— Sūrah At-Taghābun (64): 15

Therefore, the responsibility of a parent is not simply to celebrate a child's birth, provide food, clothing and education, and watch the child grow.

What truly matters is how we raise that child.

What kind of Muslim are we preparing this child to become?

Children begin learning about Islām long before they fully understand it. They watch us and imitate us.

They learn about Ṣalāt by watching us pray.

They learn honesty by listening to our words and observing our actions.

They experience mercy through the way we treat them and others.

They develop love for the Qur’ān by seeing our relationship with it.

The home is their first school, and the parents are their first teachers.

(3) Parents Are Accountable for Their Responsibilities

The responsibility placed upon parents is immense.

Allāh (ﷻ) commands:

“O you who believe! Save yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is men and stones, over which are appointed angels, stern and severe, who do not flinch from executing the Commands they receive from Allāh, but do precisely what they are commanded.”
— Sūrah At-Taḥrīm (66): 6

The Messenger of Allāh (ﷺ) also said:

“Every one of you is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock... A man is the guardian of his family and is responsible for them. A woman is the guardian of her husband's home and his children, and she is responsible for them...”

— Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 7138; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1829

This is a serious reminder.

Parenthood is not merely a privilege. It is accountability.

One day, the question will not simply be, “How much did you provide for your child?”

We must also ask ourselves:

What did I teach my child?

What example did I give?

Did I help my child know Allāh?

Did I nurture Ṣalāt, good character and righteousness?

(4) Make Your Children Worthy of Praying for You—Especially After You Have Departed

Every parent hopes for righteous children.

But righteous children do not simply appear by chance. They are nurtured through good homes, good examples, sincere supplication, patience and consistent Tarbiyah.

The benefit of having a righteous child extends beyond this worldly life.

Abū Hurayrah (Raḍiyallāhu ʿAnhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allāh (ﷺ) said:

“When the human being dies, his deeds end except for three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for him.”

— Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1631

Dear parents!

One day, your child will stand before Allāh with the upbringing you provided and the example you set.

Perhaps the greatest legacy you can leave behind is not wealth, property, businesses or possessions.

It is a child who knows his or her Lord.

A child who loves Ṣalāt.

A child who carries the Qur’ān in the heart.

A child who remembers you in sincere Duʿā after you have returned to Allāh.

So, while your children are still small enough to hold your hands, hold their hearts as well.

Teach them.

Guide them.

Pray for them.

Be patient with them.

And most importantly, show them Islām through your own life.

May the day never come when our children become witnesses against us because of the trust we neglected.

Instead, may they become among the greatest reasons for our happiness in this world and our reward in the Hereafter.

DUʿĀ

I beseech Allāh (ﷻ) to make our children the coolness of our eyes, the strength of our hearts, and a continual source of reward for us after our demise.

May He protect them from every path that displeases Him.

May He fill their hearts with love for Ṣalāt, the Qur’ān, righteousness and obedience to Him.

May He grant us the wisdom, patience, mercy and sincerity required to raise them upon Islām.

And may He make us parents who fulfil this precious amanah before the day we return to Him.

Āmīn Yā Rabbal-ʿĀlamīn.