[seeker]

Assalaamu alaykum,

If you were about to die, what would be the last three pieces of advice you would give to your child(/ren)? (But may Allah give you all long lives!)

I saw this question and it made me think about the things that form the basis of a good Muslim or the most important good qualities. (Obviously, the answer will depend on your personal situation - for instance I don't have children but a younger sister, so I would tailor my advices based on what I see as the dangers to a young Muslim girl in the West. So if you do have this kind of influence please mention it.)

I haven't quite decided mine, but the first one would definitely be...

1. Salah, Salah, Salah!!! Never abandon a single one, because a missed prayer can never be regained even with 1000 nafl prayers.

[raza89]

Make the religion I practiced grow in your heart

That's all I would say

[arzooemadinah]

Make your emaan strong everyday and Lova of Rasool saw.

Respect your parents.

Thank Allah subhan every moment.

[seeker]

You have given beautiful things, but - maybe it's just the way I am! - they are not very practical? Maybe I'm taking the question more seriously than I should lol.

[Fekay]

Don't lie
earn halal
avoid junk food

[seeker]

Hmm... Don't lie is quite a profound one, it was the 1 advice the Prophet pbuh gave to a man who said "I can only do ONE thing"!

So yes, I think my (2) would be: Never lie or speak untruths, but be accurate in all your words; do not come NEAR an action that may give you cause to lie, and do not leave an action that will give you cause to lie.

[Fekay]

seeker, on 15 April 2012 - 04:43 PM, said:

Hmm... Don't lie is quite a profound one, it was the 1 advice the Prophet pbuh gave to a man who said "I can only do ONE thing"!

So yes, I think my (2) would be: Never lie or speak untruths, but be accurate in all your words; do not come NEAR an action that may give you cause to lie, and do not leave an action that will give you cause to lie.

It was also a single piece of advice given to Hz Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani(by mother) before they set off on their journey(kafalah). A story famous in primary school books in pakistan.

[Malaaikah]

If I ever have children first Id have to get married so thats a big IF the 3 pieces of advice I would give are:

1) Dont be a hypocrite (i.e tell people to do something you dont do yourself)

2) Before you act check your intentions are correct and that all your actions are for the sake of Allah.

3) Yes, I would agree with bro Fekay dont lie.

[seeker]

sinner123, on 15 April 2012 - 05:09 PM, said:

If I ever have children first Id have to get married so thats a big IF the 3 pieces of advice I would give are:

1) Dont be a hypocrite (i.e tell people to do something you dont do yourself)

2) Before you act check your intentions are correct and that all your actions are for the sake of Allah.

3) Yes, I would agree with bro Fekay dont lie.

I like the number one... That might be my third one then I guess, although I do want something else in there about not wasting time or being lazy or having no ambition etc.

Anyway so I think I finally have my three:

1. Salah, Salah, Salah!!! Never abandon a single prayer, because a missed prayer can never be regained even with 1000 nawafil, and make praying the Sunnahs a matter of utmost priority, for it is the essence of loving him (salAllahu alayhi wasallam).
2. Never lie or speak untruths, but be accurate in all your words; do not come NEAR an action that may give you cause to lie, and do not leave an action that will give you cause to lie.
3. Beware of hypocrisy - try to give advice that you yourself practise, but if you must say that which you do not do then strive to correct that immediately.

[Malaaikah]

seeker, on 15 April 2012 - 04:43 PM, said:

Hmm... Don't lie is quite a profound one, it was the 1 advice the Prophet pbuh gave to a man who said "I can only do ONE thing"!

So yes, I think my (2) would be: Never lie or speak untruths, but be accurate in all your words; do not come NEAR an action that may give you cause to lie, and do not leave an action that will give you cause to lie.

I think this is what you are referring to?

A man came to the messenger of Allah saying ‘are you the person who is claiming the oneness of Allah. And, also that you do not allow adultery? if you are this man then I accept your teachings but, I cannot leave adultery. I like it a lot and am fond of it. Other than that, I will become a muslim. Except adultery, i am willing to leave something else in its place. So advice me’…The messenger of Allah (saw) replied ‘yes i am the messenger of Allah and if you say you are willing to become muslim then start by leaving behind lying, and all the sins related to the tongue’. The man thereafter left and went his family and friends. After a while, the chance to commit adultery arose. However, the thought of the messenger of Allah (saw) entered the mind of the man. He then thought of how embarrassing it will be to lie in front of the messenger (saw). ‘how can I lie to the messenger of Allah when he asks me what I did’. Thought the man. Out of shyness and with a feeling of trust as he took the promise not to lie, the man did not commit the sin of adultery.
When he went back to the messenger of Allah (saw) he said ‘o messenger of Allah (saw) through telling me to stop one thing, you helped me stop sinning with everything’. – the wisdom in this is that sometimes a person has to take things at a step at a time. Just like how the purification of the heart teaches a person.

[seeker]

sinner123, on 15 April 2012 - 06:08 PM, said:

I think this is what you are referring to?

A man came to the messenger of Allah saying ‘are you the person who is claiming the oneness of Allah. And, also that you do not allow adultery? if you are this man then I accept your teachings but, I cannot leave adultery. I like it a lot and am fond of it. Other than that, I will become a muslim. Except adultery, i am willing to leave something else in its place. So advice me’…The messenger of Allah (saw) replied ‘yes i am the messenger of Allah and if you say you are willing to become muslim then start by leaving behind lying, and all the sins related to the tongue’. The man thereafter left and went his family and friends. After a while, the chance to commit adultery arose. However, the thought of the messenger of Allah (saw) entered the mind of the man. He then thought of how embarrassing it will be to lie in front of the messenger (saw). ‘how can I lie to the messenger of Allah when he asks me what I did’. Thought the man. Out of shyness and with a feeling of trust as he took the promise not to lie, the man did not commit the sin of adultery.
When he went back to the messenger of Allah (saw) he said ‘o messenger of Allah (saw) through telling me to stop one thing, you helped me stop sinning with everything’. – the wisdom in this is that sometimes a person has to take things at a step at a time. Just like how the purification of the heart teaches a person.

Yes, exactly alhamdulillah! I think there were some other things as well that he found truthfulness protected him from... I would find that detailed narration for you but my Facebook isn't working (is that just me?) so... meh.. later maybe!

[Husayni]

1) Never lose faith
2) Be the best you can be
3) Never do anyone down

[Mudassar-Rana]

great post - even the thought of death takes you to discovering the core of our existence.

My advice to my children would be:

1) Look for allah within your conscience
2) Rasool Allah is closest to believers - so make sure your actions would not upset him

If the above 2 dont help - then my life was a waste - so pray for my salvation.

[Fatema-the-resplendent]

1. Never forget Allah.
2. Love the Holy prophet and his family with all your heart.
3. Be kind to everyone.

Some great responses so far, Br Mudassar your advice is golden!

[Malaaikah]

seeker, on 15 April 2012 - 03:55 PM, said:

You have given beautiful things, but - maybe it's just the way I am! - they are not very practical? Maybe I'm taking the question more seriously than I should lol.

Stand up for what you believe in!

[Fekay]

Refraining from just lying is such a simple but profound deed that annihilates all evil in it's path. It does this by holding a guilt trigger to our conscience which essentially is worst kind of punishment a conscious being can suffer, that-only if we cross it.

Earning halal I believe, keeps the heart purified which in the longrun will ensure your sincerity to deed, your Allah and your Rasoallah(SAW).

Avoiding junk food is somewhat a symbolic gesture for a fit and healthy mind,body to stay proactive in the above goals.
SO overall It's a good formula for becoming a better muslim and human being.

[seeker]

You know what the biggest challenge is now? To live by the advices we ourselves have given!

Just took this from brother Fekay's sig - it's golden and quite... well, just listen:

[badman]

Salams,

Explore Hazrat Prophet Muhammad S.A.W Blessed Vast Life and try to understand Him.
Be Proud of your Religion and Heritage.
Dont lie OR share what you have with the less unfortunate

[Khalid_the_Warrior]

1. Let GOD be the judge
2. Show Mercy to Allah's creation same as you expect Mercy from Allah
3. Do not stop learning
4. Don't look down on others, always remember where you came from and where you gonna go.

[pukhtoonz]

1. always tell the truth even if you will be punished for it.
2. DONT fear Anyone except Allah.
3.desire for others what you want for yourself