Everyone is Responsible (Hadith No. 2089)

Bismillah.

Volume 3, Book 41, Number 592:
Narrated Abdullah bin ‘Umar (radiallaahu `anhu):
I heard Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) saying, “Everyone of you is a guardian, and responsible for what is in his custody. The ruler is a guardian of his subjects and responsible for them; a husband is a guardian of his family and is responsible for it; a lady is a guardian of her husband’s house and is responsible for it, and a servant is a guardian of his master’s property and is responsible for it.” I heard that from Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) and I think that the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) also said, “A man is a guardian of is father’s property and is responsible for it, so all of you are guardians and responsible for your wards and things under your care.”

Friday Khutbah (Sermon) : Everyone Is a Shepherd and Responsible for his Flock
– by Imam Al-Haramain Sheikh Usaamah Khayyat
from the Masjid Al-Haram in Makkah, Rabee ath Thaani 18, 1429 (April 25, 2008)

Oh Muslims, in explaining the obligatory responsibility upon every member of the Muslim community, the role of the man and the woman is mentioned as those whose responsibility that they cannot escape, whether it is for those who are under their care. ‘Abdullah ibn Masud (Radiallahu Anhu) has narrated that he heard the Messenger of Allah (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) say “Each one of you is a shepherd. And each of you will be asked about your flock. A ruler also is a shepherd and he will be asked about his flock. And every man is a shepherd to his family. And every woman is the custodian of her husband’s house and his children. Thus each one of you is a shepherd and each one will be asked about his flock.” [Sahih Bukhari and Muslim]

Specifically, a man’s responsibility over his household entails that he provides for the necessary needs of his family and providing them with that which will keep them happy and successful in this world as well as in the hereafter. Thus, not only does he provide them that which is necessary, but he grants them that which is virtuous and prohibits them from engaging in harmful deeds. From the greatest responsibilities which he is entrusted with is he upholds the prayer and is consistant with it.

Allah Ta’ala says: “And enjoin As-Salat on your family, and be patient in offering them. We ask not of you a provision; We provide for you. And the good end is for the Muttaqun.” [Surah Taha : Ayaah 132]

It is only unacceptable to anyone with sound reasoning that a person who ordains prayer as a means of correcting and disciplining his children and his family that he becomes neglectful and ignores the components that will lead them to a life of failure and misery.

Allah says: “Oh you who believe, Protect yourselves and your families from a fire whose fuel is men and stones.” [Surah Tahreem : Ayaah 6]

Allah has put over Jahannam angels who protect it, who do not disobey Him, but rather they obey every command of His.

Every parent ought to be alert and pay attention to these warnings, which if they fail to take heed to they only risk the failure of their children’s future and the threat of their children facing a punishment in the hereafter. Some parents are negligent and leave their children behind closed doors in their rooms not knowing what they are doing, what web sites they are visiting, who they are chatting with in chat rooms or on the phone, or what pictures they are looking at. This is in fact negligence and allowing our children to be exposed to threats and being irresponsible towards them. What is required is that parents provide a balanced and wise approach in safeguarding and monitoring their children’s activities. The one who falls short of fulfilling his responsibility, then he be held responsible with Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) and indeed Allah is not unjust with His servants. As far as his role in the community where he is responsible for bringing up upright children who contribute positively to the society and not become a burden in it, he needs to pay attention to raising his children from these angles as well.

As for the woman, she has been entrusted with the responsibilty of the care of her children and the house of her husband. It is necessary that she makes sure that her children are provided with the education and an environment that is needed for children to grow up as upright adults. A mother ought to not cover up and overlook her child’s mistakes and weaknesses, thinking that her actions are beneficial to them. Rather, she is only contributing to their destruction and misguidance. Sometimes parents, especially the mother, resorts to protecting their children from accountability and even if their children fall into something that is clearly wrong and shameful. They fail to see that this action can become monstrous later in their life. Similarly, raising children in a good environment and granting them the neccesary education increases the chances of them becoming productive adults. These children will also in turn supplicate for their parents.

If a parent does raise their children to the best of their ability and spend from their wealth on them, and the children still fall into the path misguidance, then indeed the parents are free. Surely Allah does not hold one accountable for that which we are not able deliver upon. We find great comfort in the story of Nuuh (Alayhi Salaam) when he had warned his people of a great flooding that would befall them, and his son replied by saying that “I will betake myself for refuge to a mountain that shall protect me from the water.”[Surah Huud : Ayaah 43] But Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) sent down the rain, and the flooding overwhelmed them and his son was drowned.

Oh you Believe, do not try to deceive Allah and His Messenger and let them down on the trust that has been bestowed upon you. Oh Muslims, strive to live up to your responsibilities as it has been ordained by Allah and in the Sunnah.

Taken from navedz.com

Further reading: In the Early Hours: Reflections on Spiritual and Self Development (Chapter 6) by Khurram Murad

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