Islam attaches much importance to the training of children and has made the parents formally responsible in this behalf.

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) of Islam says:

“The parents are responsible with regard to their children in the same manner in which the children are responsible with regard to their parents” Ref: al- Furu’al-Kafi, vol.II, pp.94 “Allah blesses those who assist their children in doing the good things which they do themselves.” Ref: Ibid. At times the burden of this responsibility has been placed more on the shoulders of the parents and had been declare to be even prior to the right of father.

Imam Ali (P) says:

“The child has a right on his father and the father too has a right on his child.” Ref: Nahj al-Balagah, pp. 1264 Islam considers training during young age to be very important because the mind of the young person is ready to accept every impression.

As Imam Ali (P) says : “The mind of the newly-born is like a vacant land which accepts every seed that is sown in it.” Ref: Nahj al-Balagha, pp 903. It considers the selection of a nice name for the child and giving him proper training and selection of proper and good profession for him to be the educational responsibilities (of the parents). Ref: al-Furu’al-Kafi, vol.II, pp.94.

There is no doubt about the fact that from the psychological point of view the name of a person has special effect on his mentality and thinking and throughout his life he remains under the influence of the suggestions which take shape every day and night by means of his name. It is for this reason that Islam takes so much care in the matter of selection of a name and says: “The most appropriate name is one which makes man remember that he is the servant of Allah and similar is the case with the name of the prophet which are the collection of the sublime qualities of humanity and prominent examples of a perfect man.” Ref: IBID, PP.86. Islam hates the names, which make man egoistic, proud and negligent (for examples Haris, Malik, Khalid etc.) Ref Ibid, pp. 87. Islam considers people with good names to be entitled to respect.

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) says :

“When you name a child ‘Muhammad’ give him respect, make room for him in the assemblies and do not be peevish towards him.” Ref al-Wassail al-Shiah, vol. III, pp. 123. It also attaches much importance to religious instruction. Imam Ali (P) says: “One of the rights of the child is that his father should teach him the Holy Quran. Ref: Nahj al- Balagah, pp.1264. It also orders that: “When the children complete their five years age can distinguish between their right and left hands make them sit facing the Qiblah and order them to perform Sajdah (to prostrate). When they complete the six years teach them the entire prayers. And after they have attained the seventh year make them learn the preliminaries of Wuzu. And when they become nine years old make them learn Wuzu and prayer in full and be harsh upon them on this account.” Ref: al-Makaram al-Akhalq, pp. 252. Islam also considers archery and swimming to be important things

Imam Ali (P) says:

“Make your children learn swimming and archery.” Ref: al-Furu’al- kafi, vol. II, pp. 94. Although from one view-point Islam considers the first seven years to be the period of playing for the children and orders that they should be given full independence in this regard. Imam al Sadiq (P) says: For seven years the child should play, for another seven years he should be taught how to read and write and for still another seven years he should learn about the lawful and unlawful things. Ref: Ibid. In fact these seven years also form a part of his training period. And the order given by it that, on the very day of the birth of a child. Azan and Iqamah, which consisted of declaration of the Unity of Allah and invitation to Islam and good deeds, should be recited in his ears, points to this very reality. Ref: al- Furu’al-Kafi. Vol. II, pp.88. In order to ensure that the children acquire full independence in life during youth Islam believes in two periods of their upbringing viz. After the first seven years which is the playing period of child the next seven years ‘period is considered by it to be the period of his complete absorption in learning and acquisition of knowledge about various affairs of life and the period of still next seven years to be an independent half for participation in life.

It is as the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) says:

“A child is the master for seven years, a slave for another seven years and minister for next seven years. Ref: al- Mukaram al-Akhlaq, pp. 255. Islam lays much stress on being kind to the children.

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) says:

“A good act is written (i.e. in the Book O deeds) for one who kisses his child.” Ref: al-Furu’al-Kafi, vol., pp.95. A person came before the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and said: “I have never kissed a child.” When he turned and left, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) (P) said to those present: “This stone- hearted person is one of the people of fire.”(I.e. he will go to Hell) Ref: Ibid. Islam has forbidden beating a child who is crying. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) says: “Do not beat a child who is crying because till four months the crying of a child is the testimony of the Unity of Allah and for the following four months it is a for the blessings on the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) of Islam and his progeny and for the next four months it is an invocations for the parents.” Ref: al-Wasail al-Shiah, vol. III, pp.130. Islam orders that the male children should be circumcised as early as possible.

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) says:

“Purify (circumcise) your sons on the seventh day because the flesh then grows quickly and the wound heals up.” Ref: Ibid. Science and experience has proved that ‘milk’ has a great effect on morals and mentality of a child. Islam has, therefore, prescribed special conditions for wet nurse.

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) says:

“Keep your children away from the milk of women who are insane or adulteresses, because the milk makes their base qualities penetrate into the child.” Ref: al-Mukaram al-Akhlaq, pp.256. In order that the ears of the child should become acquainted with the remembrance of Allah and the realities of Islam from the moment of his birth.

Imam al Sadiq (P) says:

“When a child arrives in the world, recite Azan in its right ears and Iqamah in its left ears.” Ref: Ibid, pp. 261. Islam orders that the Aqiqa should be performed for the child i.e an animal should be slaughtered for its sake by way of alms.

Imam al Sadiq (P) says:

“Aqiqa is necessary for a well-to-do man. As regards a poor person he should also give it when his circumstances permit. And in case if it is not possible for him to give it, he is under no obligation in this behalf. Every child that is born is under pledge in respect of his Aqiqa.” Ref: al-Makaram al-Akhalq, pp. 260. In this manner the person of a newly-born child has been made a means of help to the poor. In order to keep the spirit of the children perpetually vigorous and fresh and to protect them from psychological problems, which take birth from lack of quality between them, Islam has forbidden from treating one of them to be superior to the other.

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) says:

“Observe justice in dealing with your children in the same manner in which you wish that they should observe in being kind and good to you.” Ref: Ibid. pp. 252. However, in contrast with the vicious practice of the age of ignorance, when the daughters were buried alive, Islam permits that the daughters may be given preference over sons. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) of Islam says: “Whoever goes to the bazaar and purchases a present for the members of his family and brings it to them is like one who spends on the needy. However, (at the time of division) he should prefer daughters to sons, because whoever pleases is daughter is like one who frees a slave from among the descendants of Ishmael

(P).”