His Eminence Imam and Khatib of the Prophet's Mosque, Sheikh Dr. Abdulmohsen Al-Qasim, spoke in Friday's sermon about the blessing of children, explaining that they are among the greatest blessings God has bestowed upon His servants, a divine gift that God bestowed upon several of His prophets, citing God Almighty's words concerning Zachariah, peace be upon him: 'And We granted him John.' He affirmed that the righteousness of children is achieved through good upbringing, instilling faith and values in their souls, and caring for them in accordance with the guidance of the Book and the Sunnah.

His Eminence explained that children are glad tidings that bring joy and happiness to the hearts of parents, citing God's glad tiding to Abraham, peace be upon him, saying, 'So We gave him good tidings of a forbearing boy.' He pointed to their great status, as God Almighty swore by the parent and offspring in His words: 'And [by] the parent and that which was born [of him],' and made them an adornment of worldly life, as He said: 'Wealth and children are adornment of the worldly life.'

He clarified that children are a trust upon the necks of parents, consisting of preserving their religion, building their morals, guiding their behavior, and safeguarding their innate nature. He explained that the prophets, peace be upon them, used to ask God for the righteousness of their offspring before their existence. Abraham, peace be upon him, supplicated to his Lord, saying, 'My Lord, make me an establisher of prayer, and [many] from my descendants.' And Zachariah, peace be upon him, supplicated, saying, 'My Lord, grant me from Yourself a good offspring.'

He added that it is from God's grace that He created children with an innate disposition towards faith in Him, citing the Prophet's saying, peace be upon him: 'Every child is born upon the fitrah.' He affirmed that the first steps in their upbringing consist of establishing monotheism in their souls, strengthening faith in their hearts, teaching them the Book of God Almighty, accustoming them to prayer, connecting their hearts to God Almighty, and instilling reliance and trust in Him in all their affairs.

The Imam and Khatib of the Prophet's Mosque explained that part of complete upbringing is making them aware of the rights of others, foremost being dutifulness to parents, and raising them with determination and high aspiration, citing God's words: 'O John, take the Scripture with strength. And We gave him judgment [while yet] a boy.'

He pointed out that part of perfect upbringing is good treatment of children, gentleness with them, and making them feel love and care, citing the Prophet's, peace be upon him, kindness towards children, greeting them, joking with them, and teaching them manners and morals, as in his saying to Umar ibn Abi Salama, may God be pleased with them: 'O young boy, mention God's name, 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 youth and develop them, and he 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 so the prophets and righteous people were keen on it, including the Prophet's supplication for Ibn Abbas, may God be pleased with them both, while he was a young boy: 'O God, teach him the Scripture' - narrated by Al-Bukhari.

He pointed out that the righteousness of children is a comfort to parents' eyes, and its effect extends to them in this world and the hereafter, stating that among the greatest things parents benefit from after their death is a righteous child who supplicates for them, citing the Prophet's saying, peace be upon him: 'When a human being dies, his deeds cease except for three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who supplicates for him.' He explained that God Almighty raises the ranks of parents in Paradise due to their children's righteousness and their seeking forgiveness for them, and He brings together the righteous among parents and children.

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

He concluded his sermon by calling for patience in raising children and not despairing of reforming and correcting them, warning against supplicating against them due to the great danger in that, citing the Prophet's saying, peace be upon him: 'Do not supplicate against yourselves, do not supplicate against your children, and do not supplicate against your wealth; lest you coincide with an hour from God in which something is asked and He grants it to you' - narrated by Muslim.