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Importance Of A Home: An Islamic House based on the Qur’an & Sunnah.
The Home is the source to a person’s comfort
They say: “There’s no place like home…” The home is a place that gives solace and comfort, protecting its inhabitants from dangers of the outside. The home is one of the biggest blessings one can attain, if the home is peaceful, filled with love and basic necessities. Allah SWT mentions in Surah al-Nahl verse 80:
وَٱللَّهُ جَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنۢ بُيُوتِكُمْ
“And Allah has made for you from your homes a place of rest…”
Ibn Kathir, in his interpretation of the verse says that Allah is mentioning that He has given them (His people) homes as a peaceful abode for them, where they may retreat. It is also a haven that protects and a sanctuary that gives benefits.
The hidden blessing of having a home
The home is said to be a place of dwelling that protects its inhabitants and is one of the biggest blessings on this Earth. Mentioned in numerous Hadiths, the Prophet SAW says:
“Blessed is the one who controls his tongue, whose house is sufficient for him, and who weeps over his mistakes.”
[Grade: Hasan (Fair)]
A home is meant to also be a place of safety and shelter from tangible and intangible dangers. The Prophet SAW said:
“The safety of a man at a time of fitnah (trials) is in his staying home.”
[Grade: Sahih (Authentic)]
A comfortable home is not in its size, but what’s within
In a materialistic society, a comfortable home is seen as one that is ‘big’, ‘aesthetic’, ‘state-of-the-art’ and the like. While it is not entirely false, a true comfortable home is one that is filled with the remembrance of Allah.
This was prostulated by the Prophet SAW himself in a Hadith:
“The house in which remembrance of Allah is made and the house in which Allah is not remembered are like the living and the dead.” [Sahih Muslim]
A Muslim home should be one filled with the remembrance of Allah, recitation of the Qur’an discussing of Islamic issues and giving good advice to its members.
Being kind at home is an essential feat of Islam
The home is a place of comfort for us, and at times we can be too comfortable, that it affects our mannerisms to the rest of the members. In Islam, it is absolutely important for us to be kind to all members of the family, especially the parents. This is mentioned in the Hadith of the Prophet SAW:
“When Allah SWT wills some good towards the people of a household, He introduces kindness to them,”
[Reported by Ahmad, in his Musnad]
The explanation for this is that a household is blessed when its members start becoming kind to one another. This kindness comes from love and care, and never through harshness.
Helping with the housework in the home
This was the exact Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad SAW. It was mentioned in the Hadith of A’ishah RA when she was asked about the affairs of the Prophet at home:
“sew his own clothes, mend his own shoes, and do whatever other work men do in their own homes.”
[Reported by Ahmad in his Musnad]
In another report, A’ishah RA also said:
“He used to serve his family, then when the time for prayer came, he would go out to pray.”
[Sahih i.e Authentic according to Bukhari]
Make the home a place to play
A religious household can be balanced with play and joy, as this was the practice of the Prophet SAW. The Prophet SAW said:
“Everything in which Allah’s name is not mentioned is idleness and play, except for four things: a man playing with his wife…”
(part of a longer narration) [Sahih Al-Jami’]
Discipline children, not torture them
To raise good children, we must be vigilant of their mannerisms, conduct and speech. It may be that a child has certain traits that they must learn. This comes with a set of rules and disciplining tactics. This is as exemplified by the Prophet himself. In some narrations, the Prophet SAW hanged a whip in the house. In a Hadith, the Prophet SAW said:
“Hang up the whip where the members of the household can see it, for this is more effective in disciplining them.”
[At-Tabrani in Al-Silsilah As-Sahihah]
This may sound like an opportunity to beat. This assumption can be refuted in an explanation by scholars themselves.
Ibn Al-Anbari mentions: “There is nothing to suggest that it should be used for hitting, because [the Prophet SAW] did not command anyone to do that. What he meant was: keep on disciplining them.” [Fayd Al-Qadir by al-Mannawi]
There is also, the Hadith:
“Order your children to pray when they are seven years old and hit them if they do not do so when they are ten.”
In explanations to this Hadith, it must be noted that aggression is forbidden in Islam and the hitting should not at all lead to abuse and harm.
The home is where a pious generation comes from
The home is an important growing ground to nurture and build pious generations. This comes from the adults and caregivers who have a responsibility to raise these children. This comes from a religious upbringing coupled with a loving culture and not one that contains unwarranted harshness and distrust. A healthy household is one that looks into being firm against evil in the house itself, while instilling affection to every member of the house.
May Allah SWT allow us to build or be a part of families that love Allah and prioritise the Sunnah of the Prophet SAW.
Disclaimer
The views, opinions, findings, and conclusions expressed in these articles are strictly those of the authors. Furthermore, Al-Falah Mosque does not endorse any of the personal views of the authors on any platform. Our team is diverse on all fronts, allowing for constant, enriching dialogue that helps us produce high-quality content.
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