Part - The Quran Blog - Enlighten Yourself

heavens or the earth that is hidden from Him. This thinking is possible only when the child istrained to have faith in Allah, His power over all things and to be submissive before Him in allaffairs. The child then will be always conscious of the fact that he is accountable to Allah in allmatters. The guardian must make him realise the majesty of Allah so that he develops thequalities of humility, devotion and submission. He must stress upon him the need to offerritual prayers and recite the Qur`ªan with humility so that he enters the fold of the closefriends of Allah.137 [137]Accustom the child from an early age to offer ritual prayers. When he is seven years oldcommand him to do so. When he has attained a proper age and is capable of it, see that hefasts. If he is strong enough, and monetarily able to do it, make him perform Hajj. Accustomhim to offer sadaqah and charity. Imbibe in him the habit of zikr (remembrance of Allah) andworship. Take him along to gatherings where religious knowledge is imparted. Teach him torecite the Qur`ªan (tilªawat) and the exegesis of the Qur`ªan. Narrate to him events from thelives of pious people. Habituate him to psychological and spiritual endeavour. Grow in himthe virtue of endorsing approved acts and disallowing disapproved deeds, of disciplining hisown base desires and combating enemies. Let him have in him the Qur`ªan and the sword,religion and government, and devotion and politics. At the same time, teach himrecommended supplication prescribed for different occasions and times of day and night,while sleeping and awakening, eating and drinking, entering the house and going out of it,and journeying. Teach him also to seek Alah’s guidance when confronted with a choice inimportant affairs138 [138] , and supplications on sighting the moon, for prevention of illnesses,and at the time of worry and sadness. This will create in him fear of Allah and augmentdevotion. He will keep his affairs under check and will be like an angel treading on earth.5. Punishment.The aim behind the promulgation of the injunctions and basic rules ofShari‘ahis to grantthose basic necessities without which no man can do. These necessities are five and aretermed, The Five Necessities. They are the defence of creed, guarding oneself, shieldinghonour, maintaining intellect, and safeguarding wealth.The injunctions ofShari‘ahand its basic rules are there to see after these necessities. Severepunishment is prescribed against violation of these injunctions and rules. These punishmentsare known as Hudood andTa‘zªirªat. The punishments under Hudood are detailed below.(i) The punishment against apostasy is death by killing. If a Muslim turns apostate and isadamant on his audacity refusing to repent, he should be killed. His body will not be given137 [137] Yªunus, 10:62-63.138 [138] this is known as istikhªarah.