A story I heard from my father thirty-five years ago that remains engraved in memory: My father, may Allah have mercy o…

A story I heard from my father thirty-five years ago that remains engraved in memory:

My father, may Allah have mercy on him, was employed as deputy principal in a private school, and heard many complaints from teachers about one of the boys' classes-rebellious troublemakers with little respect for teachers.

My father went to this class, entered upon them, and saw a number of them sitting disrespectfully "slouching" in their chairs. My father did not ask anyone to correct their seating, but rather said to them: "Peace be upon you young men, today I will speak to you about the topic of human value in Islam". My father was not a student of Islamic knowledge, nor did he memorize many verses and hadiths, but nevertheless he spoke to them with what came to him on this topic.

Gradually, the "slouching" students began to correct their seating and listen attentively... Time passed, and my father came to end his lesson and leave, but the students stopped him and begged him to continue with them...so he promised to return to them later.

"Your value as a Muslim" was the key by which my father entered the hearts of these boys and corrected something of their behavior...and it is one of the keys we need to address Muslim youth with today.

Many influences around us make our youth feel low value, and this is a hidden cause behind many intellectual and behavioral deviations, even sins. For one who does not value himself and does not respect himself has nothing to lose, and there is no respectable self-image to maintain, and there is nothing he is keen on other than satisfying his desires...

Whereas when a youth looks at himself with respect, he rises above base words and deeds, and feels the greatness of his mission as a vicegerent on earth guided by the revelation of the Lord of the worlds.

The "destroyers of upbringing" that educators talk about destroy our children's self-respect-shouting, threatening, cursing, mocking, neglecting, not listening, interrupting...and some "religious" people who are keen on teaching their children worship and keeping them away from sins may practice them. Build in your son his self-esteem, and teach him that this is from Islam as Allah the Almighty said: (And We have certainly honored the children of Adam), for this is a foundation upon which you build correct belief and virtuous character.