How does a Father Teach his Children Tawheed?

Mu’adh bin Jabal narrates that the Prophet (Sallallahu alayhi wassallam) said:

“O Mu’adh! Do you know what Allah’s Right upon His slaves is?”

I said, “Allah and His Apostle know best.”

The Prophet said, “To worship Him (Allah) Alone and to join none in worship with Him (Allah). Do you know what their right upon Him is?”

I replied, “Allah and His Apostle know best.”

The Prophet said, “Not to punish them (if they do so).” [Sahih Bukhari, Book #93, Hadith #470]

Shaykh Allama Muhammad bin Salih al-Uthaymeen –Rahimullaah– was asked:

How does a father teach his children Tawheed?

He answered:

“He teaches them Tawheed just like he teaches them other matters of the Deen. From the best of what is in this subject is the book ‘The Three Principles’ by Shaykh-ul-Islaam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahab. If he makes them memorise it by heart and explains to them its meanings appropriately to their understanding and their intellects.

Then there comes a lot of goodness from this. This is because this book is built upon questions and answers, and clear easy expressions, which have no complexity.

Then the father shows them the Ayaat of Allah (His signs) so that he can practically implement what is mentioned in this small book.

For example, the sun, the father asks, who created it? Likewise the moon, the stars, the night and day, you say to them:

‘The sun, who created it? Allah.

The moon? Allah, the night? Allah, the day? Allah.

Allah –Azza wa Jal– created all of these. This is so that one can water the tree of the Fitrah (the natural disposition) because the human himself has been created with his natural disposition upon Tawheed of Allah –Azza wa Jal.

Like the Prophet (Sallallahu alayhi wassallam) said:

“Every newborn is born upon the Fitrah (natural disposition), so it is his parents who either make him into a Jew or into a Christian or into a Majoos (fire worshipper).”

Also he teaches them Wudhu (ablution), how to make Wudhu by demonstration and saying: This is how one does Wudhu, and he performs the Wudhu in front of him.

Likewise the Salah (prayer), along with taking aid with Allah (Subhanahu Ta’ala), and asking Allah –Azza wa Jal– for guidance for them. Also, that one keeps away from any statement which opposes good behaviour or every prohibited action, so he should not get them used to lying, cheating and treachery, nor lowly manners.

Even if the father was trialled by prohibited actions, like if he was trialled by smoking, he should not smoke in front of them because they will get used to it and it will become easy upon them to do it as well.

One should know that every man of a household is responsible for the people of the house, due to the saying of Allah (Subhanahu Ta’ala):

“O you who believe! Ward off from yourselves and your families a Fire (Hell)…” [Surah al-Tahrim, 66:6]

Our protecting them from the fire cannot be except if we get them used to righteous actions and to leave off bad actions. The Messenger of Allah –Sallallahu alayhi wassallam– affirmed that in his saying:

“A man is a shepherd for his family and he is responsible for his flock.”

A father should know that their being righteous is beneficial to him in this world and the hereafter Indeed from the closest of people to their fathers and mothers are the righteous children, male and female.

“When a person dies his actions cease except for three: continuous charity, or knowledge people benefit from, or a righteous child who supplicates for him.”

We ask Allah Subhanahu Ta’ala to aid all of us upon carrying out the trust and responsibility.”

[Silsilah Noor ala Darb. Tape: 350 side A, Translated By Abbas Abu Yahya]