08/06/2026
His Excellency Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al Alsheikh, issued a directive today, Monday, 22 Dhul-Hijjah 1447 AH, to Friday mosque katibes throughout all regions of the Kingdom, instructing them to dedicate next Friday’s sermon (26/12/1447 AH) to the topic: “Caring for Children, the Responsibility of Raising Them, and Protecting Them from the Causes of Deviance.”
The sermon should clarify the obligations that Allah has placed upon fathers and mothers regarding proper upbringing, care, and supervision of their children, while warning against negligence in this regard. The sermon should address the following themes:
1. Children Are a Great Trust and Responsibility
Remind worshippers that children are a great trust and a religious responsibility entrusted to their parents, and that Allah will hold them accountable for this trust.
Allah Almighty says: (O you who believe! Protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones.) And on the authority of Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both), the Prophet peace and blessings be upon him said: (Each of you is a shepherd, and each of you is responsible for his flock.)
The sermon should explain that righteous children are among the greatest blessings, while neglecting their upbringing is among the greatest causes of regret and remorse in this life and the Hereafter.
2. Raising Children upon Sound Faith
Clarify that one of the greatest rights children have over their parents is to be raised upon the correct Islamic creed, reverence for Allah, love of Him, and awareness of His constant watchfulness. Parents should instill monotheism (Tawheed) in their children from an early age, following the example of the prophets and righteous people. Allah says: (And Abraham instructed his sons [to do the same], and so did Jacob, saying, ‘O my sons, indeed Allah has chosen for you this religion, so do not die except while you are Muslims.’) And Allah says regarding Luqman’s advice to his son: (O my son, do not associate anything with Allah. Indeed, associating others with Allah is a great injustice.)
The sermon should emphasize that the greatest inheritance parents can leave to their children is faith, piety, steadfastness upon Allah’s religion, observance of religious obligations, and adherence to Islamic morals and noble character.
3. Warning Against Neglecting Children’s Guidance
Warn against failing to monitor children and leaving them vulnerable to deviant intellectual and behavioral influences. Parents must know their children’s companions, monitor their social and digital environments, including social media, and protect them from sources of corruption and deviation. They should not leave them exposed to influences that target their religion, morals, and values. The sermon should also warn against bad companions because of their harmful effect on one’s religion, morals, and conduct, and encourage choosing righteous companions.
Abu Musa Al-Ash‘ari (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet peace and blessings be upon him said: (The example of a good companion and a bad companion is like that of the seller of musk and the blacksmith’s bellows.)
