Definition
Aulād (أولاد): Refers to children in Arabic. There are various practices and teachings in Islam regarding their upbringing which combine spiritual, ethical, and cultural elements.
Etymology and Background
The term Aulād (أولاد) is the plural form of Walad (ولد), meaning child. The Islamic worldview on children is not strictly defined within the Qurʾān but widely involving tradition and Hadiths (Prophet Muhammad’s sayings and practices).
Cultural Differences and Similarities
Islamic customs around the birth and upbringing of children often cross cultural boundaries with local traditions. In many Muslim societies, some practices blend Islamic injunctions with local customs, much like seen among Muslim communities in India, which share similarities with certain Hindu practices, particularly in rituals surrounding childbirth and upbringing.
Synonyms
- Tifl (طفل): Infant or child
- Ibn (ابن): Son
- Bint (بنت): Daughter
Antonyms
- Kibir (كبر): Adult
Related Terms with Definitions
- Aqīqah (عقيقة): A sacrificial ceremony observed by Muslims in gratitude for the birth of a child, traditionally involving the slaughter of two goats for a boy and one goat for a girl.
- Bismillah (بسم الله): The opening phrase in the Qurʾān meaning “In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful,” often one of the first phrases taught to children to recite.
- Circumcision (Khitan): Although not mentioned in the Qurʾān, it is widely practiced among Muslim boys following the example of Prophet Muhammad.
- Puberty (Baligh): The age at which a child is considered an adult and responsible for fulfilling Islamic duties such as the five daily prayers.
Exciting Facts
- First Words: The tradition includes reciting the Aẕān (call to prayer) in the newborn’s ear, paralleling the spiritual beginning.
- Spiritual Cleansing: Islamic teachings emphasize the importance of ritual purity, from birth through adulthood.
Quotations from Notable Writers
“This is a significant and celebrated juncture in a Muslim family’s spiritual journey—the foundation of faith being whispered into the ear of a fresh soul.” – Jalaluddin As-Suyuti
References and Suggested Literature
- Mishkāt al-Masābīh – Traditional Islamic hadith collection
- Akhlāq-i-Jalālī, translated by W.F. Thompson - Foundational text on Islamic ethics.
- Ethics in Islam: An Overview by Toshihiko Izutsu – Comprehensive exploration of ethical principles in Islam
Quizzes
To all those who tread the path of knowledge and reverence, may your journey find depth in understanding and breadth in compassion.
Fatimah Hasan (October 3, 2023)
