The Necessity of Forming Guardianship in the Family Environment - Session 3

Strengthening Guardianship in the Home

Video:

Audio:

Original Audio from Sheikh Ali Reza Panahian's Website

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The Foundation of Faith

The central question for a religious family is not merely how to achieve worldly success, but how to raise children who possess Wilayat (Guardianship and Loyalty). This concept is so fundamental that it is described as the very basis of religion. Religious acts performed without this foundation lack substance; indeed, prayer without Wilayat is likened to worship without ablution—ultimately unaccepted.

The history of humanity contains a critical lesson regarding this: Satan, despite his history of worship, fell because he refused to accept the Wilayat (superiority) of Adam. This refusal was the primary “knot” in the story of human creation, illustrating that even devout worship is futile if one rejects divinely appointed leadership.

The Root and the Branches

While schools and society play a role in shaping character, they are merely the places where the “branches and leaves” are pruned. The family, however, is the “root” where the human spirit is watered and fed.

If the root is dry or corrupt, no amount of pruning on the branches can save the tree. The home is the only environment where the deep-seated trait of Wilayat can be truly cultivated before the child enters society. Therefore, the primary focus for spiritual growth must be within the household.

The Geopolitical Strategy Against the Home

There is a calculated effort by opposing powers to dismantle the family unit to maintain control. Their strategy is based on the idea that if a society respects a strong leader (Velayat), it cannot be dominated.

To achieve this domination, they aim to damage the relationship between parents and children within the home. If children stop respecting their parents, they will never learn to respect divine leadership, rendering the society weak and easily controlled by the “1%” ruling over the “99%”. The disruption of parental respect is a key tactic to fracture the community’s spiritual and social strength.

The Most Beloved Sanctuary

In the view of Islam, the formation of a family is not a mundane contract but a divine institution. The Prophet of Islam is quoted as saying that no structure built in Islam is more beloved and precious to God than marriage.

It is the “most valuable building”. Consequently, marriage should be viewed as a spiritual partnership for servitude to God, rather than a mere partnership for worldly living or fulfilling instincts. Even the physical attraction and “worship of marriage” are designed to keep humans from sin and lead them toward the divine.

Dignity and Spiritual Sovereignty

To raise a spiritually healthy family, parents must never humiliate their children. A child must feel valued and dignified, like a “prince,” because those who feel worthless are more prone to sin and error.

Furthermore, the role of the mother is redefined. She is not merely someone working in a kitchen; she sits on a “throne of spiritual sovereignty,” managing the spiritual atmosphere of the home. The home is a sacred place, and those within it must recognise their own value and the value of their family members.

The Emotional Anchor

The necessity of the father figure as a protector is highlighted by the tragedy of Karbala, specifically through the story of the three-year-old daughter of Imam Hussein. Psychological insights suggest that for a young child, the parent represents absolute power and security—they believe their parent can lift any ceiling.

The ultimate heartbreak is described not just as orphanhood, but the shattering of that security. When a child witnesses the destruction or humiliation of their protector, it leads to total despair. This narrative reinforces that the presence, strength, and respect of parents are the anchors of a child’s world.

Original: Voice | The Guardianship Seedling in the Family Institution | panahian.ir