A Non-Muslim For A Day?

Through my walk in this life, I have often heard a more or less similar statement on dressing our children in attire that is not according to the Islamic dress code.

Reasons pertaining to why we should do so, sing in more or less the same tune. The fear that as the children grow up to be young adults, they would like to fulfill their “desire” to dress like the non-Muslims. Thus having “exposed” them to such clothing at a younger age, as compared to a “restrictive” upbringing, would help curb such a yearning when they mature in years.

Maybe we could throw the blame on the media, social influences, peer pressure and everything else under the sun. But more importantly, when did it occur to Muslim youths that it was acceptable to dress in “devil-may-care attire” and thus selectively discard a part of their religious beliefs? What’s more dastardly is to note that within our own circle there are those who have labeled Islam as “restrictive”.

No, I am not saying we are to force our children to wear what we parents say is acceptable. Ramming rules down curious minds won’t hold. Instead we need to instill in our children the understanding of Islam and the love for Allah, fundamentals that play a major role in our guidance to the right path in life.

Through understanding, love is instilled; and acknowledging His Greatness leads to total submission. Even loyal subjects bow down to the King, what more the Almighty Creator!

Let us find a quiet moment within and ask ourselves whether as a parent we portray a good enough role model for our children? Have we not sung them praises of Allah, describing how beautiful the religion is and most importantly that Islam is a way of life?
Or are we ourselves lacking in our daily practice and understanding of Islam as a way of life.