I saw a news documentary a while ago which I wanted to discuss. It reported on the rise of drug trafficking and gangs, especially amongst the Muslim youth. In most cases, the first people that need to take responsibility and prevent this occurring are parents. Unfortunately, many parents point fingers and claim that school teachers, the police or the Imams of Mosques must keep the youth away from gangs and dealing drugs. Even though, they all have a duty but the primary and biggest duty lies with the parents.
Parents must educate their children continuously on the bad effects of gangs and illegal drugs. How it ruins the lives of the people involved and those who are connected to them, such as their families. It is just like the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, advised in a Hadith found in Sahih Bukhari, number 2101. A bad friend is like a bad smell which infects their friends as well as others.
The key to keeping the youth away from gangs is education from parents primarily and then from others, such as siblings and teachers. Parents must question the whereabouts of their children in a gentle way. They must enquire about who they are going out with, where they are going and about their activities. They should even meet their children’s’ friends to ensure they are suitable for companionship. If their children are in possession of expensive things which the parents did not purchase they must question this. If children are questioned like this from a young age they will get familiar with it and not become upset when they are questioned later on in their lives. This is the duty of parents as indicated by the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, in a Hadith found in Sunan Abu Dawud, number 2928.
Unfortunately, some parents believe their duty is only to earn wealth for their children. So they busy themselves with this and neglect the more important duty of rightly guiding and keeping an eye on their children. Yes, earning wealth is important but it cannot take priority over educating one’s children on the difference between right and wrong.
This news documentary also discussed how some drug dealers fabricate or misinterpret the verses of the Holy Quran and the Hadith of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, in order to justify what they do. This is absurd as Islam clearly prohibits anything which causes harm to oneself and others, such as dealing illegal drugs. They even claim that selling illegal drugs to non-muslims is acceptable. But this completely challenges the teachings of Islam as a muslim must treat everyone with kindness and respect, irrespective of their faith. If a muslim does not have permission to disrespect the gods of other religions how can Islam encourage muslims to mistreat people from other faiths? Chapter 6 Al An’am, verse 108:
“And do not insult those they invoke other than Allah, lest they insult Allah in enmity without knowledge…”
If the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, stressed the good treatment of animals in many Hadith, such as the one found in Sahih Bukhari, number 3318, how can Islam give permission to mistreat humans?
Educating one’s children will prevent them from being duped into believing and acting on evil statements and advice. This education begins at home; parents must step up and fulfil this duty. Only then does this duty extend to others, such as school teachers.
A parent will be exonerated on the Day of Judgement if they fulfil this duty irrespective of how their child chooses to behave. But if they fail this duty they will be held accountable in both this world and the next.
PodNews: Youth and Gangs: https://youtu.be/ezyH0Kj9w9w
PodNews: Youth and Gangs: https://fb.watch/3GnDFsMykb/
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