His Eminence Imam and Khatib of the Prophet's Mosque, Sheikh Dr. Abdulmohsen Al-Qasim, spoke in the Friday sermon about the blessing of children, explaining that they are among the greatest blessings that Allah has bestowed upon His servants, a divine gift that Allah has granted to several of His prophets, citing the verse concerning Zakariya, peace be upon him: (And We granted him Yahya), affirming that the righteousness of children is achieved through their proper upbringing, instilling faith and values in their hearts, and caring for them according to the guidance of the Quran and Sunnah.

His Eminence explained that children are glad tidings that bring joy and happiness to the hearts of fathers and mothers, citing Allah's glad tidings to Ibrahim, peace be upon him: (So We gave him glad tidings of a forbearing boy), pointing out their great status, as Allah swore by the parent and offspring in His saying: (And by the parent and that which he begets), and made them an adornment of the worldly life, as He said: (Wealth and children are the adornment of the worldly life).

He clarified that children are a trust upon the parents, manifest in preserving their religion, building their morals, guiding their behavior, and safeguarding their innate disposition, explaining that the prophets, peace be upon them, used to ask Allah for the righteousness of their offspring even before their existence. Ibrahim, peace be upon him, supplicated to his Lord saying: (My Lord, make me an establisher of prayer, and [many] from my offspring), and Zakariya, peace be upon him, supplicated saying: (My Lord, grant me from Yourself a good offspring).

He added that among Allah's favors is that children are born with the innate disposition of faith in Him, citing the saying of the Prophet, peace be upon him: (Every child is born upon the fitrah), affirming that the first steps in their upbringing are to establish Tawheed in their hearts, strengthen faith in their hearts, teach them the Book of Allah, Almighty, accustom them to prayer, tie their hearts to Allah, and instill reliance and trust in Him in all their affairs. His Eminence, Imam and Khatib of the Prophet's Mosque, explained that part of their complete upbringing is to make them aware of the rights of others, foremost among them being dutifulness to parents, and raising them with determination and high aspiration, citing the saying of Allah: (O Yahya, take the Book with strength; and We gave him judgement [while yet] a boy).

He pointed out that complete upbringing includes treating children well, being gentle with them, and making them feel love and care, citing the Prophet's, peace be upon him, kindness to boys, greeting them, showing affection, and teaching them manners and morals, as in his saying to Umar ibn Abi Salamah, may Allah be pleased with them: (O boy, mention the name of Allah, eat with your right hand, and eat from what is in front of you).

He explained that the Prophet, peace be upon him, used to discover the talents of the youth and develop them, and was keen to teach them matters of their religion, honor them, and elevate their status, emphasizing the status of children and the importance of caring for them and building their personalities. He affirmed that supplication for the righteousness of children is among the greatest things that benefit them, and therefore the prophets and righteous people were keen on it. Among that is the Prophet's, peace be upon him, supplication for Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them, while he was a boy: (O Allah, teach him the Book) narrated by Bukhari.

He pointed out that the righteousness of children is a comfort to the eyes of parents, and its effect extends to them in this world and the Hereafter, explaining that among the greatest things parents benefit from after their death is a righteous child who prays for them, citing the saying of the Prophet, peace be upon him: (When a person dies, his deeds are cut off except from three: ongoing charity, knowledge from which benefit is derived, or a righteous child who prays for him), clarifying that Allah raises the ranks of parents in Paradise due to the righteousness of their children and their asking for forgiveness for them, and He brings together the righteous among fathers and children.

His Eminence, Imam and Khatib of the Prophet's Mosque, affirmed that caring for children is a shared responsibility between the parents; their righteousness is the fruit of the family's cooperation in upbringing and care, citing the saying of the Prophet, peace be upon him: (The woman is a shepherd in her husband's house and is responsible for her flock) agreed upon.

His Eminence concluded the sermon by calling for patience in raising children, and not to despair of their reform and rectification, warning against supplicating against them, as that carries great danger, citing the saying of the Prophet, peace be upon him: (Do not supplicate against yourselves, nor against your children, nor against your wealth; lest it coincides with a time from Allah in which a request is granted, and He responds to you) narrated by Muslim.