2016 kids 786 World event

This year, Hijaz Community dedicated an entire day to children’s learning. Children from youth forums in various cities nationally, attended a day of fun activities and personal learning.

They covered the following topic:

A day to explore the relationships we keep and how to improve them

Honouring Parents

Growing up means learning to become independent and think for yourself. When you enter your teens, you are encouraged to start thinking about what subjects you want to study at college and university and think about the career you want. You start deciding for yourself the clothes you want to wear and the friends you want to keep. This is all part of becoming a young adult. As a Muslim growing up in the UK, this means having to face a generation gap with parents from a different mindset. When there is a clash, is it better to obey and go against your own wishes? Or should you disregard your parents’ views and scoff at the thought that they could possibly know what is best for you? Usually, there is a middle ground that allows you to grow in to a free person whilst maintaining a respectful relationship with your parents and maintaining their honour.

“And your Lord has decreed that you should not worship any except Him (only) and (to show) fairest companionship to parents; in case ever one or both of them reaches old age in your presence, do not say to them, “Fie!” nor scold them; and speak to them respectfully.” (Holy Quran, 17:23)

Whilst it is challenging at times, there are many blessings in having a loving, peaceful relationship with parents. 786 Club encourages that you discuss the big topical issues that sometimes cause rifts between the generations to see if there are constructive ways to solve problems and to enhance the existing loving bond between parents and children.

Loving siblings

Growing up with siblings can be very hard work and comes with lots of challenges. Especially when our siblings do everything in their capacity to wind you. Maturity is befriending and loving your siblings:

“So give to the kinsman his due, and to the needy, and to the wayfarer. That is best for those who seek Allah’s Countenance. And such are they who are successful.” (Holy Quran, Surah al-Rum, 37-38)

Allah Almighty grants success to those who are loving towards their close family members, and this can sometimes come naturally, but at other times it can be hard work. It is important to try our best with brothers and sisters as this will set the foundation to how you treat others as an adult.

Boy-Girl Relationships before Marriage

Growing up in the UK, it is common to see that most teenagers, whether they are religious or not, haveboyfriend/girlfriend relationships. These usually seem harmless on the face of it, especially if they have intentions of getting married eventually. However, more often than not these sadly lead to disasters, including unexpected pregnancies, disease, heartbreak and lots of family problems. This is why we are advised to not even look at the opposite gender and to lower our gaze:

“Tell believers to lower their gaze, and tell the believing women to lower their gaze.” (Holy Quran, 24:30-31)

We know that the soul is damaged through having anything that is haram for it, so what is the best type of relationship to keep with the opposite gender to safeguard our purity? Should we have friendships at all? Friendships also lead to haram. 786 Club give advice about how to keep a good acquaintance with everyone without compromising and damaging your spirit.