A man once came to Hazrat ‘Umar رضي الله عنه  and complained of his son’s disobedience. Hazrat ‘Umar رضي الله عنه , who was the Khalifa at the time, called for the boy and apprized him of his disobedience and his neglect of his father’s rights.

The boy asked Hazrat ‘Umar رضي الله عنه  : “O Ameerul Mumineen, does a child have any rights over his father?”

Hazrat ‘Umar رضي الله عنه,  replied : “Yes, of course.”

On inquiry as to what they were, Hazrat ‘Umar رضي الله عنه, explained: “He should choose the mother of his children, give him a good name and teach him Deen (religion).”

The boy then said : “O Ameerul Mumineen, my father has done none of this. My mother was a woman of ill repute. The name given to me by my father is Ju’al(which had a derogatory connotation) and he has not taught me Deen.”

Hazrat ‘Umar رضي الله عنه  then addressed the father : “You complain
to me about the disobedience of your son, yet you failed in your duty to him before he failed in his duty to you. You wronged him before he wronged you.”

Our responsibility to our children demands from us, far more
consideration, concern and effort. Directing our children to the obedience of Allah Ta’ala is an obligation which we will, inevitably have to render an account for on the Day of Judgement. The Qur'aan Sharief and Ahadith instruct and
exhort the fulfilment of these rights.

Allah Ta’ala states :

“O PEOPLE OF IMAAN! SAVE YOURSELVES AND YOUR FAMILIES FROM A FIRE WHOSE FUEL IS MEN AND STONES…”
[SURAH AT-TAHREEM 66 : 6]

Protection and salvation from the fire of Jahannum lies in teaching our children Aqaa-id, Qur'aan, Fiqh, Sunnats and other necessary tenets of Islam which form their Tarbiyyah
(correct upbringing). Accompanied with du’aa, this will, Insha-Allah, be the means of their Hidayat (guidance) and Istiqaamat (steadfastness).

In the Tafseer of the Ayat, Hazrat Ali رضي الله عنه  had stated : “Teach your family acts of virtue.”

Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم  also emphasized these obligations : “Each one of you is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock…A man is a ruler in his family, and he will be questioned about those under his care. A woman is a ruler in the house of her husband and she will be questioned about those under her care…”