Securing Our Children from Hidden Threats

Every parent has deep love for their child, causing them to constantly feel concerned over the safety, well-being and progress of the child. Such is the concern of the parents that if they hear of any threat in the neighbourhood, such as kidnappings, they will immediately caution their children and keep them housebound, out of the fear that they should not become victims. Furthermore, when leaving the home, the parents will not allow the child out of their sight, and may even go to the extent of holding their hand the entire time. However, this is as far as visible threats are concerned.

Just as there are visible people who are threats to our young children, there is also an unseen or invisible danger that threatens our children. This is the threat of shayaateen and jinn that cast their evil influence over young children, thus harming and affecting them.

Sayyiduna Jaabir bin ‘Abdillah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “When the night comes in, then hold back your children (i.e. keep them indoors). When some portion of the night has passed then you may leave them (to come out of the home).”

The hadeeth further explains that the reason for this is that the evil jinn are especially active and roam about at that time. Hence, there is a fear that they may harm or affect young children (who are more vulnerable to these types of attacks. (Sahih Bukhari)

Ibnul Jowzi (rahimahullah) has mentioned that one of the reasons for young children being more vulnerable is that they generally cannot read the Duas of protection. (Fathul Baari vol. 6, pg. 420)

Hence, we should make a concerted effort to teach our children the Duas of protection, as soon as they are able to learn them, as well as inculcate in them the habit to recite these Duas regularly. By doing so, insha-Allah our children will remain safeguarded from the attacks and evil influence of the jinn.

We should also make Dua to Allah Ta‘ala for their protection. Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbaas (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) would recite the following Dua for the protection of his grandsons, Sayyiduna Hasan and Sayyiduna Husain (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma):

 أَعُوْذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللهِ التَّامَّةِ ، مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْطَانٍ وَهَامَّةِ ، وَمِنْ كُلِّ عَيْنٍ لَامَّة 

“I seek protection (for the two of you), in the complete and perfect words of Allah Ta‘ala, from every shaitaan and poisonous (or harmful) creature, and from every eye that causes harm.”

Furthermore, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mentioned that Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) would recite this very same dua and seek protection for his sons, Nabi Ismaa‘eel (‘alaihis salaam) and Nabi Ishaaq (‘alaihis salaam). (Sahih Bukhari)

May Allah Ta‘ala keep us and our children in the shade of His Divine protection, Ameen. 

Uswatul Muslimah 

Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) 

Council of Muslim Theologians 

223 Alpine Road, Overport 

Durban, South Africa 

Tel : +27 (0) 31 2077099 

Fax : +27(0) 31 2074163 

Website : www.jamiat.org.za