Bismillah بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
As a mother, watching my daughter Maryam grow fills me with pride and wonder. She’ll soon turn two, and while I marvel at her growth, I also find myself slightly anxious. She’s blossoming into a smart, capable, and independent soul. I imagine she’ll be like me—strong-willed yet adaptable, someone who fiercely stands by her values. And though that thought can be overwhelming, I embrace it wholeheartedly.
My role as her mother is simple yet profound: to guide her and show her the truth to the best of my ability. Ultimately, her decisions and life choices are hers to make, but I trust that Allah’s hidayah (guidance) will accompany her through every step of her journey, insyaAllah. I pray Allah protects my little girl always.
Cherishing Every Moment of Growth
I carried her, gave birth to her, fed her, and cared for her every single day—all for the hope of seeing her grow into an amazing woman, maybe even a great syeikha, insyaAllah. From the very beginning, I encouraged her to express herself. Contrary to some eastern parenting methods, I believe in nurturing her ability to voice her preferences rather than blindly accepting what’s presented to her.
This approach has its challenges. My husband worries about her becoming so independent that she may struggle to follow rules or work harmoniously with others. But I see it differently. I believe in the power of fitrah, the pure and natural disposition Allah has placed in all of us.
Quran Evidence: “So direct your face toward the religion, inclining to truth. [Adhere to] the fitrah of Allah upon which He has created [all] people. No change should there be in the creation of Allah. That is the correct religion, but most of the people do not know.” (Surah Ar-Rum, 30:30)
Trusting the Fitrah of Your Child
As a mother, I am not threatened by my child’s inner consciousness. In fact, I embrace it fully. Many parents feel the need to manipulate or suppress their children into obedience, believing it will make their child easier to “handle.” But I believe that when we suppress our child’s autonomy, we risk tainting their natural moral compass—their fitrah.
Each one of us is born upon fitrah, the innate disposition to recognize and worship Allah, and to love what is good. Even when people stray from the path, their fitrah remains intact deep down. Consider this: even a person who commits wrongdoings often advises others to do better. A father who cheats won’t want his child to follow in his footsteps; instead, he’ll guide him towards honesty.
Hadith Evidence: “Every child is born upon fitrah (natural disposition), but his parents make him a Jew or a Christian or a Magian.” (Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)
The Conscience as a Gift from Allah
The fact that we feel regret after committing a sin is proof of our strong conscience. It’s Allah’s gift to us—a built-in compass urging us to seek His mercy and return to the straight path.
Islam’s beauty lies in the clarity Allah has given us. Right and wrong are distinctly laid out in the Quran. With a sound conscience, we can navigate life while continuously seeking knowledge to draw closer to Allah.
Quran Evidence: “Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds—their Lord will guide them because of their faith.” (Surah Yunus, 10:9)
Introducing Allah to Young Hearts
As Maryam approaches her second birthday, I strive to introduce her to Allah every single day. I talk to her about who Allah is, and I remind her that remembering Allah brings peace to the heart. My hope is that these small, consistent efforts will form a foundation that guides her throughout her life.
Even when I’m not physically present with her, I find comfort in knowing Allah is always by her side. After all, He is closer to her than her jugular vein.
Quran Evidence: “And We have already created man and know what his soul whispers to him, and We are closer to him than [his] jugular vein.” (Surah Qaf, 50:16)
A Message to Fellow Parents
To my fellow parents, don’t be afraid to embrace your child’s inner voice. Encourage them to express themselves and make their preferences known. They are born pure, like a white cloth, untainted by the distractions and challenges of this world. Allow them to guide you back to your true conscience, for their innocence holds immense wisdom.
At the same time, prioritize teaching them tawhid (the Oneness of Allah) from an early age. This is the best armor you can give them before the world tries to pull them away with its distractions.
Hadith Evidence: “Be kind to your children and perfect their manners.” (Sunan Ibn Majah)
Conclusion
As I reflect on Maryam turning two, I am filled with gratitude and a deep sense of responsibility. I gave birth to her, nurtured her, and continue to care for her so that she may grow into a strong, capable, and faithful servant of Allah.
My role as her mother is not to control her but to guide her with love and trust in Allah’s wisdom. Fitrah, the natural compass within every human being, is her greatest gift from Allah, and my duty is to preserve it by teaching her about her Creator.
To every parent reading this, embrace your child’s voice, guide them with tawhid, and entrust them to Allah’s care. May He guide all our children and grant us the strength to nurture their faith. Ameen.
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