It was only when I could see that he would’ve understood many of the trials and griefs I go through, only when I learned of his character in the sense of, this is applicable to me and an example expected of me, instead of the sense of, wow our religious leader is so amazing that he’s beyond me and everyone, and the depth of his concern for me without having met or known me, simply because I am human, then I understood that this man could not possibly have told us to love him or give him salawat etc. because of his self-concern, or simply ‘just because’ – it must be because doing so will save *me*, so that I am saved from the love of myself, and on the Day that matters, perhaps that love will compel me to find him successfully in the tumult and be counted among his flock. So it is now and only now, can I begin to love my Prophet.

Yes, all of the above required many years, because I am a child of this age, this age full of false prophets and impostors, and so needed to ask “why”.

Jazakallah khayrun. All guidance is from Allah and through the example of His Messenger (peace be upon him).
1.Parenting begins with the parent. First, we have to continuously work on our love of Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him.) It is important to be on the path of learning together. Our daily life experiences can be contextualized in the light of the Quran and the Sunnah so the relationship with the Book of Allah has to be nurtured. Children should be familiar with the lives of all of the Prophets and the Sahabah and sahabiyaat from a young age.
“O you who have believed, why do you say what you do not do?
Most hateful it is with Allah that you say that which you do not do.” (61:2-3)
2. Patience, patience, patience
“…Only those who are patient shall receive their rewards in full, without reckoning.” (39:10)
3. They are our children, not our clones. Give them the parameters of the deen and then let them develop and grow as they please.
4. Treat them as you would like them to treat you in your old age when you are going to be dependent on them.
“And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, “My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small.” (17:24)
5. Keep good company and make sure your children have good friends
“And keep yourself patient [by being] with those who call upon their Lord in the morning and the evening, seeking His countenance. And let not your eyes pass beyond them, desiring adornments of the worldly life, and do not obey one whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance and who follows his desire and whose affair is ever [in] neglect.” (18:28)
6. Learn to forgive and forget because you will be severely tested:
“O you who have believed, indeed, among your wives and your children are enemies to you, so beware of them. But if you pardon and overlook and forgive – then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
Your wealth and your children are but a trial, and Allah has with Him a great reward.” (64:14-15)
May Allah (swt) make our children a sadaqah jariyah (continuous charity) for us.

The parents should be role models for their kids but in certain families it is the other way around with the younger generation being more religiously observant than their parents. Parents (imperfect ones also)”deserve” respect and not rudeness. There is an unprecedented trend to question and flaunt authority; not just of parents, but adults in general including teachers and other superiors. This creates a general attitude of arrogance which is contrary to the spirit of submission to Allah and obedience and love for His Messenger.

In this time when so much is taken for granted, the mere realization that we are indebted to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) is truly a gift from Allah(ﷺ).
Jazakallah khayrun

Ameen!

Jazakallah Khairun. Inshallah, we are of those that are able to experience this love and pass it on to our children.