Page 80 - The Truth of the Life of This World

to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in your lifetime, say
not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms
of honour. And, out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility, and say:
"My Lord! Bestow on them your mercy even as they cherished me in child-
hood." (Surat al-Isra: 23-24)
As we understand from the verses, rearing a child in the light of Qur'anic
values is something honourable for believers to do. Yet, if unbelieving peo-
ple who force the children to adopt the mentality of an ignorant society rear
them, then this is a vain effort both in this world and the next. Furthermore,
believers still attain the good pleasure of Allah even if the child does not
adopt the Qur'anic teaching he is given. Parents are only held responsible
to give the Qur'anic teaching to their children and then put their trust in
Allah. Besides Allah, people have no other protector or helper.
Those who seek worldly benefits from their children will receive no
help from them either in this world or in the next.

When the Deafening Blast comes, the Day a man will flee from his brother
and his mother and his father, and his wife and his children: on that Day
every man among them will have concerns enough of his own. (Surah
'Abasa: 33-37)
As stated earlier, man is only created to serve his Creator. Everything
surrounding him, all his life only exists to test him. After death, a person
will only be judged according to his deeds. In return for his deeds, he will
be rewarded with paradise or punished in hell. In brief, wealth, beauty or
sons are not worthwhile, but taqwa, the "Fear of Allah" is worthwhile.
It is neither your wealth nor your sons that will bring you nearer to Us in
degree: but only those who believe and work right actions, these are the
ones for whom there is a multiplied reward for their deeds, while secure they
(reside) in the dwellings on high! (Surah Saba: 37)
Those who reject faith, neither their possessions nor their (numerous) prog-
eny will avail them aught against Allah: they will be companions of hell,
dwelling therein (forever). (Surah Ali-'Imran: 116)
Of no profit whatever to them, against Allah, will be their riches or their sons:
they will be companions of hell, to dwell therein (for aye)! (Surat al-
Mujadilah: 17)

78 The Lure of Worldly Goods