Enumerate four rights of children in Islam and explain how they could be abused.
Islam gives children definite rights that parents and society must fulfil. Four of these rights, and how they may be abused, are outlined below.
Right of the child
How it may be abused
1. Right to life and good lineage: The child has the right to be born of a lawful marriage, to be given a good name, and to have its life protected. Islam forbids killing children (Q.17:31).
Abused through abortion, infanticide, denial of paternity, or giving the child a bad or shameful name.
2. Right to proper care and maintenance: The child is entitled to food, clothing, shelter, and being suckled and nurtured, especially in early years.
Abused through neglect, starvation, abandonment, child labour, or leaving the child to fend for itself.
3. Right to sound moral and religious upbringing: Parents must teach the child faith (iman), worship, good conduct and the Qur'an.
Abused when parents fail to guide the child, expose it to bad company, or bring it up without religion and discipline.
4. Right to education and useful skill: The child should be taught knowledge and a means of lawful livelihood.
Abused through denial of schooling, forcing the child into begging or hawking, or preventing girls from being educated.
Other rights include justice and equal treatment among children and the right to inheritance. Fulfilling these rights produces upright, responsible members of society, while abusing them corrupts both the child and the community.
Islam gives children definite rights that parents and society must fulfil. Four of these rights, and how they may be abused, are outlined below.
Right of the child
How it may be abused
1. Right to life and good lineage: The child has the right to be born of a lawful marriage, to be given a good name, and to have its life protected. Islam forbids killing children (Q.17:31).
Abused through abortion, infanticide, denial of paternity, or giving the child a bad or shameful name.
2. Right to proper care and maintenance: The child is entitled to food, clothing, shelter, and being suckled and nurtured, especially in early years.
Abused through neglect, starvation, abandonment, child labour, or leaving the child to fend for itself.
3. Right to sound moral and religious upbringing: Parents must teach the child faith (iman), worship, good conduct and the Qur'an.
Abused when parents fail to guide the child, expose it to bad company, or bring it up without religion and discipline.
4. Right to education and useful skill: The child should be taught knowledge and a means of lawful livelihood.
Abused through denial of schooling, forcing the child into begging or hawking, or preventing girls from being educated.
Other rights include justice and equal treatment among children and the right to inheritance. Fulfilling these rights produces upright, responsible members of society, while abusing them corrupts both the child and the community.