The Quran mentions fatherhood in various places and gives examples of different types of fathers. Among them, we find some unique characteristics:
1. The principle of diversity of ideology and honesty
The Quran mainly portrays the image of righteous and ideal fathers, such as Noah, Abraham, Jacob, and Luqman (peace be upon them).
However, in contrast, the example of an unjust or misguided father is also given, namely, Azar, the father of Ibrahim (AS). This indicates that the fundamental basis of fatherhood is honesty and goodness.
2. Active participation in tarbiyah
Every father mentioned in the Quran has a direct role in shaping the upbringing of his child. Noah (AS)’s (AS) eagerness to save his disobedient son until the last moment of the flood; Jacob’s (AS) constant guidance to his children; and Luqman the Wise’s teaching of monotheism and morality to his son are great evidence of this.
The prevailing idea in our society—’It is only the mother’s job to take care of children and the father’s job to earn money’—has no basis in the light of the Quran.
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How the word ‘father’ is used in the Quran
The prevailing idea in our society—’It is only the mother’s job to take care of children and the father’s job to earn money’—has no basis in the light of the Quran.
3. Fatherhood means sacrifice and tolerance
Turning the pages of the Quran, we see that the other name of fatherhood is struggle and hardship. The great sacrifices that a father makes between keeping his children on the right path and correcting their behavior can be understood only by looking at the lives of Noah, Abraham, and Jacob (peace be upon them).
4. The gratitude of the child in return for the father’s sacrifice
Because of this limitless sacrifice of the father, Allah Almighty has made it obligatory upon the child to be loyal to his parents.Read more
5 qualities of an ideal father
Even if Allah had not mentioned the rights of parents in the Quran, a person’s common sense would still tell them that it is important to be grateful to them.
Faqih Abu Lais Samarqandi (may Allah have mercy on him)
Abu Lais Samarqandi wrote, “Even if Allah had not mentioned the rights of parents in the Quran, a person’s common sense would have told him that it is important to be grateful to them.” (Abu Lais Samarqandi, Tanbihul Ghafeleen, page 124, Darul Hijrah, Damascus, 1993)
5. Dialogue and reason, not flogging
No ideal father is seen in the Quran physically abusing or oppressing his child.
When Jacob (peace be upon him) learned that his sons were lying about Joseph, he did not get angry and said, “No, your hearts have invented a story. So patience is better.” (Surah Yusuf, verse: 18)
Again, when Abraham (peace be upon him) had a dream about sacrificing his son, he did not force Ismail; instead, he asked, ‘What is your opinion?’
That is, from the perspective of the Quran, fatherhood is not a blind dictatorship or despotic power; it is a supreme school of mutual discussion and love.
