TEACHING HOW TO WORSHIP

Learning the different types of worship and how to practice them are an important part of Islam, as is practicing what one has learned. Apart from teaching the information related to the religion, the Prophet (pbuh) not only was an example for others by practicing the religion, but he also stressed the importance of the worship of those around him.

In this respect, we can see from the following practices and hadiths that the Prophet showed the same awareness to the teaching of religion to children as he did to caring for and guiding them from an early age in order that they would become people who worshipped willingly and eagerly in their adulthood.

Anas reports:

"The first piece of advice that the Prophet gave me was: "Do not tell anyone the secrets I have told you. Be a reliable person" For that reason, I would never tell anything to my mother or my wives when they asked about the secrets of the Holy Prophet.'

He advised me: ‘My son, make your ablution totally and carefully so that you have a long life. May the angels guarding you love you and protect you. '

Another piece of advice was: ‘Anas! Bathe well when making your greater ablution. Wet your hair well and wash your skin, cleaning it well. If you do so, you will become purified from your sins and mistakes as soon as you leave the bathing place.'

He said: ‘My son, keep your ablution as long as you can. He who dies in a state of ablution is given the rewards of martyrdom.' Finally, he said: ‘Anas! Hold your knees tight with your hands when making the ruku (bow) during prayer. Separate your fingers from each other. Do not hold your elbows close to your sides. My son, when you stand from the ruku make sure that all your limbs are in the correct place, as Allah will show no mercy for those who have not straightened their back between the ruku and prostration. My son, place your forehead and hands firmly when making the prostration. Do not lift yourself from prostration quickly like a rooster pecking at the ground. Do not rest your arms on the ground while in prostration. Do not look to the right and left during prayer.'

Finally he told me: ‘My Son, show care to perform your prayer regularly... If you do so, the angels will wish grace for you. Show respect for elderly Muslims and affection for the little ones....'"

(Bukhari, "Wasaya" 25; Abu Davud "Adab" 1; Tirmizi, "Birr" 69, "Ilm" 16).

Hasan revealed that Prophet Muhammad gave him the following advice: "Hasan! Perform your prayer five times a day without interruption. Abandon everything that is questionable. Head towards that about which you have no doubts, for the truth gives tranquility to the heart. Lying leads to agitation."(Tirmizi, "Qiyamah" 61). He also told him: "Teach your children how to pray when they reach the age of seven..."

(Abu Davud, "Salât" 25; Tirmizi, "Mawaqit" 182)

We see that during the era of Prophet Muhammad children were encouraged to fast from early ages and they became accustomed to these practices. It is striking that strong children who were eager to fast were encouraged and that they were provided with amusement before the time for breaking the fast so that they would find their hunger easier to bear. In addition to such forms of worship as prayer, fasting and pilgrimage, we see that children were trained to follow the path of Allah.