You Will Be Accountable O Parents and Teachers

“O you who believe! Save yourselves and your families from the Hellfire.” [Surah al-Tahrim 66:6]

Mothers, fathers, teachers, and the society as a whole, will all be accountable in front of Allah about the tarbiyyah (education and upbringing) of this generation. If its tarbiyah is good, then there will be happiness – both in this world and the Hereafter. If it is not, then there will be misery, and it will be a rope around your necks – since there occurs in the hadith: “Each of you is a shepherd, and each of you will be questioned about those who you are responsible for.” [Related by al-Bukhari (13/111) and Muslim (no. 1829)]

But – O teachers – rejoice in the saying of the Prophet (Sallallahu alayhi wassallam), who said: “By Allah! That Allah guides through you even a single person, is better for you than the most precious of camels.” [Related by al-Bukhari (7/57) and Muslim (no. 2406)]

And – O parents – rejoice in the authentic hadith: “When a person dies, his actions are terminated except for three; a recurring charity, or knowledge that he leaves which is benefited from, or a pious offspring who supplicates for him.” [Related by Muslim (no. 1631)]

So you must first of all reform yourselves, since good results from the good that you do, and bad results from the bad that you do. So good conduct from teachers and parents in front of the children is the best form of education and upbringing for them.” [Kayfa Nurabbee Awladunaa (p. 2) of Shaykh Jamil Zaynu]