Outline
Introduction
Alhamdulillah… Thanks and praises are due to Allah, Who has entrusted child[ren] upon every parent, as an Amanah which must be kept (raised) righteously. May His Peace and Blessings be upon the Most Trustworthy, Habibi Muhammad, his household, his companions and all those who follow his guided path, till the Day of Judgment.
This morning, I had a ‘Teh Tarek' (Tea) session with a good friend of mine. Our chit-chat covered various issues, mainly the challenges teachers face and those parents encounter as they thrive to raise righteous children, and responsible individuals towards the Ummah. The idea of this article, therefore, emerged.
This article aims to encourage parents, especially young parents, to motivate their school-going children to appreciate the paramount of Islam, especially children who attend secular schools.
The Question and the Answer
As we enjoyed the Teh Tarek, my friend asked a question, and it goes:
“What is the one question you ask your son, anytime he comes back from school?”
Honestly, I've never expected to be asked this question, at any point of time, as a parent. But without the need to think, my answer to him was,
“The first question my wife or I ask our son, whenever our son returns from school is: Have you prayed (your Zuhr)?”
I also added:
“We've made it known to him, that it's important to work hard and achieve high scores as far as studies (results) are concerned. But what is more important is to ensure we are good Muslims. To be good Muslims, we must be Allah-conscious, at all times. Allah-consciousness begins with punctuality in Solat, from young age.”
How did We Make it Practical?
After our tea session was over, I took five minutes to reflect on our discussion and this particular question conquered my thoughts.
The fact that the answer came out instantly, means that it's part of our daily life as parents. It also means that, we have prepared the child to embrace his prayers, and to take it seriously, wherever he goes. This is because that sets his identity as a Muslim.
We believe that, the one who observes his prayers, freely, as a Muslim, will find lots of ease to observe any other religious requirements, insha Allah.
For parents who want to follow this footsteps, and would like to instill unconscious alert to Solat, in the spiritual growth of their children, they have to ensure that, the sense for establishing Solat become essential need for the child, just like food and water is, to him. In other words, food and water is essential for the physical growth of human body, likewise, Solat, which represents Zikr (remembrance of Allah), is essential for spiritual growth of the human body.
The Prophet Muhammad, salla Allahu ‘alaihi wasallam, has taught us, Muslim parents and educators, to teach our children to pray from the age of seven years. He also added, that we should discipline them, if they fail to observe it, when they turn ten. This is some of what parents have to do, in order to bring up righteous children.
In a Hadeeth narrated by Imam Abu Dawud, authenticated by Shaikh Al-Albany, the Prophet, salla Allahu ‘alaihi wasallam,said:
مُرُوا أَوْلادَكُمْ بِالصَّلاةِ وَهُمْ أَبْنَاءُ سَبْعِ سِنِينَ، وَاضْرِبُوهُمْ عَلَيْهَا وَهُمْ أَبْنَاءُ عَشْرٍ، وَفَرِّقُوا بَيْنَهُمْ فِي المَضَاجِعِ
It means, “Instruct your children to establish Solat, when they are seven years old, and discipline them for it, when they are ten years old, and separate them in bed.”
The easiest way to achieve this is to turn the house into a mini mosque, where the child sees his parents pray regularly and punctually, from the moment he opens his eyes to this beautiful world.
Fathers may not always pray at home, as they work outside the house, and as they pray in congregations, at the mosques. But mothers do pray at home, most of the time. In the cases where both parents work, outside the house, I believe grandparents who take care of the children also do observe their Solat punctually, and they become the role models with regards, to our subject matter.
Where Would the Child Pray, at School?
By default, every clean piece of land, is a suitable place for performing Solat, with or without a praying mat. But when we are in a public domain, it's always wise to do the right thing rightly. So to say, if the school does not have special prayer room, then the parents can help their child to search for a place in the school, conducive, for him to pray. Most common places used are staircases.
This is exactly what my wife and I did. During the orientation of our son (before commencement of his Primary 1), we searched for a place, and found a staircase, beneath which the child can pray. He agreed to use that place.
On the first day of his school (Primary 1) we emphasized with him and ensured that he knew where he would use for his ‘permanent' prayers, when at school. Alhamdulillah… So far, he's consistent.
We didn't involve any (Muslim) teacher, because we understand that, in secular schools, some principals will (and they do) dislike to see teachers assisting students to observe religious activities. Teachers who volunteer to help, may do so at their own risk. And you know what that means.
My son is familiar with using staircase for prayers. This is because, when we go out, and prayer time catches us outside, we use the staircase, when we don't find any mosque nearby. With that, he doesn't find it difficult to pray outside, and under staircase, if the need be.
How Would He Do it?
Some primary schools are double-session schools. If your child is in a morning session, then you wouldn't face any challenges, as he may perform his Zuhr prayers at home, unless he's held at school for co-curricular activities (CCA). I also understand that, Muslim students are released earlier on Fridays, to go for Friday prayers.
If your child is in an afternoon session, then he's likely to report to school before Zuhr prayers. Another likelihood is that, he will have recess before it's Asr time. Their recess is usually 30 minutes. Your child can spend 10 minutes for his prayer. Honestly, he will do it in 3 minutes. Most importantly, let him do it. Don't expect him to do it, (similarly or better than) the way you would.
What if He Fails to Pray?
There will be days, when your child will come back home, without performing his prayer. That may happen with or without a valid reason. If he was unable to, due to some uncontrolled reasons, you don't have to blame him. Rather, encourage him. But get him to do it, at home, with Asr.
If he failed to do it for no reason (and it happens), you should remind him, of the importance of Solat in the life of a Muslim, whether he's young or adult. We don't punish (discipline) him for failing to perform Solat (if he's under the age of 10 years).
The bottom line is: Whether he failed to pray in school, with or without a valid reason, we should make sure we get him to do it, and also to do his Asr, before it's Maghrib time.
How do I Verify the Honesty of My Child?
It's important to let your child know, that you trust him. So when he says he had prayed, appreciate it and praise him. If he knows you trust him, he won't lie when he fails to pray.
Just don't ever lie in his presence! To achieve that, we shouldn't lie in our whole life, intentionally. This spirit is likely to transfer to the child, insha Allah.
If your child is not used to telling lies, he will find it not worth it, to lie to you, whether he prays at school or not. The point is; trust him!
Conclusion
Training our children can be fun, but it's certainly challenging at the same time. Your child will automatically fall in love with prayers, when they know that you take it seriously. They also want to see consistency in our concern, and practices.
As we do that, we may remember, that Allah requires one thing from us, and in return he guarantees our provision. He, subhanahu wata'alaa, requires us to enjoin our family to Solat, and to steadily adhere to it, and He will take care of our subsistence (Rizq). For that He said in Surah Taha, 20:132:
وَأْمُرْ أَهْلَكَ بِالصَّلاةِ وَاصْطَبِرْ عَلَيْهَا، لا نَسْأَلُكَ رِزْقًا، نَّحْنُ نَرْزُقُكَ، وَالعَاقِبَةُ لِلتَّقْوَىٰ
It means, “And enjoin Solat upon your family [and people] and be steadfast therein. We ask you not for provision; We provide for you, and the [best] outcome is for [those of] righteousness.”
We have to train our children to appreciate Solat, not because it's an obligation upon them, while they are yet to be matured, but it's because, if they embrace it successfully, from their childhood, it sticks permanently in their hearts.
May Allah bless the brother (friend) who unknowingly caused this article. May Allah bless the one who spends his time reading this article. May Allah bless the one who finds this article useful, as his children. And may Allah accept from the writer. Ameen.
What is the one question you ask your child when he returns from school? Feel free to share with us. I welcome your comments, and would like to hear from you.
Allahu Hafiz 
This is an amazing article indeed. I have learnt a lot. Jazaakal Laahu khair brother