No more fibbing! Respect, please!

How often do we use our power and superiority over children and try to manipulate, trick or deceive them.

But have we ever considered the impact on children when we lie to them? Don't children deserve to be respected and treated with dignity?

We often say, "Come on, hurry up, and I'll give you a lollipop later in the car," even though we know full well that we don't have one. Or we say, "Come on, eat those vegetables, and you'll grow strong muscles right away," even though we know full well that a child won't get muscles from eating a few peas.

But these little deceptions and lies have a significant impact.

First, lying is forbidden in Islam (even for fun), but above all, one should not lie to the weak, the sick, or the young. Second, if we repeatedly tell lies to our children, they will later imitate us and do the same to us and others. They will become liars. And our children will lose respect and trust in us.

But we should be role models for them. Because children don't do what we tell them; they do what they see and experience.

It is narrated that Abdullah ibn Aamir ( r ) said: “My mother called me one day while the Messenger of Allah ( sws ) was sitting in our house and said to me: “Come here, and I will give you something.” The Messenger of Allah (sws) then said: “And what did you want to give him?” She said: “I will give him a date.” The Messenger of Allah (sws) then replied: “If you had not given him anything, it would have been recorded for you as a lie.” (Ahmad, Abu Dawud)

Lying is only permitted in two cases in Islam: in war and to bring quarreling people together, for example in marriage .

“And know that your wealth and your children are only a trial, but with Allah is a great reward.” (Quran, 8:28)

Our children are one of Allah's greatest gifts, but also our test. They are not just a gift from Allah. They are a difficult and important test, a lifelong task. We have the responsibility to raise them and teach them good manners. Allah will hold us accountable for this responsibility, to test whether or not we have fulfilled our duty as parents. Thus, Allah states in the Quran that those who fulfill their responsibility toward their children will receive an infinite reward: "And know that your wealth and your children are only a trial, but with Allah is a tremendous reward." (Quran 8:28)

May Allah make us good parents and pass our exams, Amin