Daud Olatunji
In a bid to tackle the moral decline and rising societal ills plaguing Nigeria, the Dawah Front Ummu Forum , Abeokuta chapter, recently organised a thought-provoking session.
The event, headlined by some experts include ; the lead discussant, Dr. Muibat Shittu from the Federal University of Agriculture,Abeokuta, Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun State, Dr Mutiu Agboke, the Administrator of Al-Ma’ruf Academy, Mr Maknun Adekunle and a young female advocate, Kabirah Indarabi, all shared their thoughts on the theme “Intentional Parenting: Youth Reformation.”
The session drew insights from Islamic teachings to propose effective parenting strategies aimed at raising morally upright and responsible youth.
Dr. Muiba Modupe Shittu, in her remarks, emphasised the crucial role of deliberate and intentional parenting in shaping the future generation.
At the core of the session was a comprehensive definition of parenting. Dr. Shittu described the essence of Parenting, as the process of raising children and providing them with the necessary protection and care to ensure their healthy development—physically, emotionally, socially, spiritually, and intellectually—from birth to adulthood.
She explained that parents are the first role models for their children, wielding significant influence through their actions and words.
She said this influence necessitates that parents exemplify positive behavior and serve as beacons of moral guidance.
Drawing from the prophetic teachings, Dr. Shittu highlighted a hadith from Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that emphasises selecting a spouse based on religious piety as the cornerstone of a successful marriage and effective parenting.
She stressed that intentional parenting is rooted in the right intentions (niyah), maturity, and mutual respect, which are vital in raising well-rounded and virtuous children.
The discussant said the home environment plays a pivotal role in a child’s personality development.
She added that a nurturing and positive home fosters growth and character building, whereas a dysfunctional environment can impair a child’s development and lead to societal issues such as crime and moral decline.
Dr. Shittu reiterated the need for parents to create a supportive and loving atmosphere to tackle the negative outcomes.
Presentinh the Islamic perspective on parenting, Dr. Shittu said parenting is viewed as a trust (Amanah) from Allah.
She said parents are responsible for raising children who are hardworking, productive, and God-fearing, stressinh the importance of instilling strong Islamic values such as the oneness of Allah (Tawhid), sincerity (Ikhlas), good character (Akhlaq), and proper etiquette (Adab) in children. These values form the bedrock of a child’s spiritual and moral development.
Dr. Shittu provided several practical strategies for parents such as spending Quality Time, asking parents to engage in activities that promote learning and personal growth.
Prioritising duties where she called for balanced nurturing social skills and Western education with Islamic values.
Dr. Shittu concluded by emphasising that intentional parenting rooted in Islamic teachings can successfully shape children into responsible, God-fearing individuals who contribute positively to society.
… Agboke Urges Parents To Preserve Children’s ‘Fitrah’ Amid Social Media Dangers
Barrister Dr. Mutiu Agboke, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State, provided profound insights into the crucial role of parent in the upbringing of children.
Dr. Agboke stressed the preservation of “Fitrah” (conscience and consciousness) and the detrimental impact of early social media exposure on children’s development, urging parents to instil commitment, companionship, and appreciation in their children from a young age.
On the Concept of Fitrah, the discussant began by elucidating the concept which refers to the innate purity and moral consciousness present in every child.
According to him, every child is born with an inherent sense of right and wrong.
The role of parents is to nurture and maintain this natural disposition, guiding their children to become morally upright and God-conscious individuals.
“Fitrah is the natural disposition that Allah has instilled in every human being. It is our responsibility as parents to preserve this purity and nurture it through intentional and conscious parenting,” Dr. Agboke stated.
Dr Agboke highlighted the alarming impact of early exposure to social media on children’s development.
He pointed out that unfiltered social media content often exposes children to inappropriate influences and activities that can erode their moral and spiritual foundation.
Dr. Agboke urged parents to teach their children the value of commitment and dedication to their responsibilities. This includes commitment to their faith, education, and personal development.
He highlighted the significance of building strong, positive relationships with children.
Parents should strive to be companions to their children, creating a supportive and loving environment where children feel valued and understood
Dr. Agboke stressed the importance of appreciating children’s efforts and achievements
Dr. Agboke placed particular emphasis on the role of mothers in the upbringing of children.
He urged mothers to instill these values of commitment, companionship, and appreciation in their children from a young age.
Mothers play a pivotal role in shaping a child’s character and moral foundation, and their influence is crucial in the early stages of development.
“Mothers are the primary caregivers and have a profound impact on their children’s development. It is essential for mothers to instil these values in their children, creating a strong foundation for their future growth,” Dr. Agboke emphasised.
… Modern Parenting Dynamics: Kabirat Indarabi’s Call To Action
Kabirat Indarabi, a passionate young advocate, urged parents to make a conscious effort to understand their children’s feelings and adapt to contemporary dynamics.
She pinpointed the rise of individuality as a root cause of societal deformities and advocated for a revival of community parenting, where the entire community plays a role in raising children.
Indarabi also emphasised the importance of bridging the parent-child relationship gap, particularly with daughters.
She urged fathers to spend more time with their daughters to protect them from negative influences, and mothers to educate their children about sex and women’s health issues, and to foster friendships with their children’s friends.
… Addressing Societal Influences: Insights from Mr. Maknun Adekunle
Maknun Adekunle, Administrator of Al-Ma’ruf Academy, highlighted the ongoing battle parents face against societal influences that undermine the moral, spiritual, and religious foundations laid for their children.
He stressed the importance of parents being the primary educators and creating a safe space for open communication.
Adekunle warned against the complacency of relying solely on schools and community members for children’s development and urged parents to remain vigilant, especially during their children’s adolescence.
He advocated for graceful discipline and open dialogue to build trust and understanding between parents and children.
Conclusion: A Call To Action
The session concluded with a call to action for parents to reclaim their pivotal role in their children’s lives. Intentional parenting, rooted in strong moral and religious values, is essential in raising a generation of responsible, God-fearing individuals.
Welcoming the gathering, the Ameenah of the Forum, Hajia Aisha Adedeji, emphasized the critical role of deliberate parenting in shaping the future of the Ummah.
Opening with a prayer for Allah’s blessings, Hajia Adedeji underlined the importance of nurturing children who bring comfort and pride to their parents.
She invoked Quranic verse Q3:102, reminding attendees of their duty to fear Allah and live in submission to His will.
Highlighting the societal challenges of moral decay and neglect in parenting, she stressed the need for raising valued, cultured, and religious children through intentional and purposeful approaches.
“The importance of raising a valued, cultured, and religious children with a conscious and purposeful approach cannot be overstated, as they are our future Ummah and torchbearers of our faith,” she stated.
Hajia Adedeji emphasized the family’s role in societal development, citing Quranic verse Q66:6 to highlight the parental responsibility to protect families from spiritual and moral degradation.
She described Intentional Parenting as a mindful approach involving conscious decisions about parenting practices, values, and goals, aimed at fostering a nurturing environment for children’s development.
The benefits of Intentional Parenting, according to her speech, include modeling positive behavior, setting clear boundaries, encouraging personal growth, building self-esteem, and providing emotional support.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that the programme was attended many prominent personalities who include Alhaj Adedamola Oke, the CEO, Dambold Petroleum, former Deputy National Coordinator of Dawah Front of Nigeria, Alhaji Afeez Ejio and ex-officio and deputy coordinator of Dawah Front of Nigeria, Abeokuta chapter, Alhaj Abdul Rahman Maku among others .
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