Question: As Salaamu Alaikum,
I have two questions I’d like to ask,
1) I understand children are ma’soom and free from sin. Therefore is it true that children are therefore Awliya Allah or Wali Allah?
2) There is a hadith which I have read which I have quoted here:
“Abadah Ibn As-Samit narrated, the Messenger of Allah (صلی اللہ علیھ وآلھ وسلم) said: He who does not respect our elders, and does not have mercy on our children, and does not honor our scholars, is not of my Ummah. (Ahmad Ibn Hanbal; At-Tabarani; Al-Hakim; Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani)”.
Can it be derived from this that disrespecting our elders would lead one to leave Islam?
Thank you.
Answer: Wa Alaikum As Salaam,
- Children are sinless since they are born in a state of purity and are not yet obligated to observe the precepts of religion. This is the state of ‘Fitrah’ which Allah Has created them to be in. Their state is not one which they have chosen, but Allah has placed them in that state of ‘Fitrah’ because they are innocent. They cannot be considered as Awliyaa Allah or a Wali of Allah. This is a state of closeness which a believer achieves on account of his piety and righteousness. He lives his life in a state of obedience and total submission to Allah, and refrains from sins, wrongdoings and transgressions. In this way, he becomes beloved to Allah, and receives the special blessings and honour from Allah.
- Disrespecting elders is sinful, and against the teachings of Islam. It is unbecoming of a Muslim to disrespect the elders and to cause injury to them through one’s speech. This act brings about the displeasure of Allah and causes one’s Taqwa (piety) to be affected. However, it does not cause one to be out of Islam. If one continues to do it without paying attention to its grave nature, then it may cause one’s Imaan to be taken away eventually, on account of his constant repetition of an act which is deemed to be a grave and serious matter in Islam.
And Allah Knows Best.
Mufti Waseem Khan.
15/4/2015