UPBRINGING OF CHILDREN

people who are all ready to bear witness to the fault of others, but who cannot, or will not acknowledge their own shortcomings. It is all too easy to recount anecdotes relating to the acknowledgement of truth by Islamic personalities of bygone days, because the telling of such tales does not in any way detract from one’s own moral standing. But when it comes to making an avowal of one’s own errors, that is a very different matter because it shows up one’s personality in an unattractive light. Thus, a man who successfully projects another’s acknowledgement of truth is a total failure when it comes to acknowledging his own mistakes. This is mainly why people formulate principles, but do not act upon them. They feel that in acting upon principles, their own interests are harmed. The ego comes under attack, much unpleasantness ensues and with all that they are still obliged to return good for evil. Sometimes, people find themselves in the position of having to bow to their enemies and forsake their friends—all for the sake of principles. Equally unpleasant is the relinquishing to its rightful owner of an object which has been procured and kept by force, or by some other unlawful means. Principles mean nothing unless their formulators refuse to compromise on them. This is undoubtedly an extremely difficult task. But the creation of an atmosphere at home which suggests that there can be no compromise on principles is the only effective way to train children. If you do not put principles into practice in your private and public life, nothing can prevent your children from receiving bad influences—even if you keep reciting the Quran day and night, and even if you send your children to the most prestigious Islamic schools for their education. o An atmosphere at home which suggests that there can be no compromise on principles is the only effective way to train children. If you do not put principles into practice in your private and public life, nothing can prevent your children from receiving bad influences.