Religion of children whose mother has embraced Islam
Question
I am 33 years old and I recently converted to Islam. I have five children...18, 15, 13, 11 and 6. They, along with my self, were raised as Christians. Do I make them all (except for the oldest two) change to Islam and how do I go about doing that? I'm really not sure what to do and I don't have an example to go by.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.
First of all, we congratulate you for embracing Islam which is the true religion, and it is one of the greatest bounties. This requires one to be grateful to Allaah, by being steadfast on this religion by performing its obligations and refraining from what it prohibited, seeking beneficial (religious) knowledge and performing good deeds.
You have to know that your children who are below the age of puberty are Muslims by lineage to you, as young children follow the parent who is upon the best religion. As regards the children who reached the age of puberty, then it depends on whichever religion they choose. In any case you have a duty towards these children, as Allaah Says (what means): {O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people andstones.}[Quran 66:6]. Therefore, we advise you to treat your children kindly especially the young ones, as it is easy to influence them. The Prophet http://www.islamweb.net/ver2/Archive/images/icon--1.gifsaid: "Every child is born on Fitrah (human disposition to worship Allaah alone). It is his parents who make him/her a Jew, a Christian or a Magi." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim] Even your eldest children (i.e. those aged 18 and 15), they are still in an age that is possible to be influenced in general. Here are some directives which could help you cultivate your children upon the religion of Islam:
1) You should set a good example in treating them kindly, and showing them the good aspects of Islam through such conduct.
2) You should teach them the principles of Islamic creed, while drawing their attention to the signs in this universe that reflect the greatness of Allaah. You should also teach them the biography of the Prophet http://www.islamweb.net/ver2/Archive/images/icon--1.gif and his great stances and status.
3) Preparing a pious environment at home and enrolling them at Muslim schools if any, and choosing a pious and good company for them.
4) Seeking the help of pious and righteous people, and the help of the brothers who are running Islamic centres, and the help of pious women.
5) Traveling to reside in a Muslim country, if possible. This could help you cultivate them according to Islamic principles, morals and creed.
For more benefit, please refer to Fataawa 90602, 88649 and 83178.
Allaah Knows best.
