TheRamadhanBaby 13: Our Future

There is one part of us often ignored. We mistake their innocence for lack of wisdom instead of looking at them through lens that see their potential. We carry on as if eve got other people to hand over our Deen to? Who would bury us, take care of us in old age and continue our legacy? Our children!

Let this be a call to include them. When we organize lectures, we could make sure there is a section for them not only to play but learn what is being taught in a way they can understand. Let’s inculcate our morals and values in them. Have them know what this world entails and teach them so they can take the right path, have great judgement and make good decisions.

Can we achieve all this without being kind? Definitely not.
“ He is not of us , one who does not show mercy to the children and the old”- Hadith
First we must understand they are a gift from Allah (Q42:49). We have also been enjoined to care, safeguard the property of and raise for those of them who have no one to do so. Q17:34
For they are our future, the Imams, judges, mothers, teachers, doctors, nurses and all important components of our Ummah tomorrow.

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MUYIWA

Dedicated to a child who, like a meteor passed through this planet in a flash. Like a radiant star, he left an impact greater than that left by people who spent a dozen times more years than he did. To his mother who is a living example of patience and uncommon resilience.

Also to all the world’s children that die before the age of five and their mothers who I respect for their fortitude and courage.

* * * * *

i do not know enough about you

we spent time together only once

even then we couldn’t talk because you were still a baby

my memory of you is so hazy I’m ashamed

Of one thing I’m certain

you are an innocent little child

your life revolved around play and tantrums

you had happy moments when life was hard

all the times you laughed,cried,

sang,prayed,smiled,ate and slept

are gone forever

you fought sickness bravely

so short a life

so sudden an exit

what’s more painful is the fact that

we can’t fathom the cause of your death

our tears,pools of them cannot bring you back

i think of all the times i wasn’t too far away

when i could easily have come to visit

and shared a part of your childhood

not a hug,not a kiss, not a sweet did i give

i doubt if you knew you had a big cousin

who thought a lot about you

all those dreams i had for you

all the hopes i kept alive

have just been evaporated

i can’t believe i will never get to see you again

i never thought anyone could spend such a brief time

one minute you were getting ready for a haircut

the next you were no more

they say it was just a fall

the doctors were themselves helpless

your siblings have been robbed of a kid brother

your friends at school have lost a playmate

your departure has raised a lot of questions

but i’ll be strong and try not to ask them

for i know Allah has a reason for your creation

and He knows best why He took you away

i feel so much for my poor auntie

now that you’ve gone without so much as a goodbye

i can only imagine her grief

what fills me is regret

i never spoke to you

i never bought a chocolate for you

i do not have a photograph of you

i did not teach you A B C or 1 2 3

i do not even know your birthday

i guess its just enough that you are my cousin

i promise you with all sincerity

i will not let your memory fade away

for as long as i draw every precious breath

i will always miss you………..

* * * * *
A year since and it still hurts like yesterday. Taking consolation in the words,”Verily we are from Him and verily, to Him is our return.”

Nigeria’s best WAEC result

Miss Tolulope Fatokun, pupil of St. Louis Girls School,Akure,Ondo State emerged the best in West African Examinations Council in Nigeria.
She had nine distinctions and has already been admitted to the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife to study Law.
This is a laudable achievement that goes to show that academic success depends on a student’s determination and not totally on the amount of money spent educating the child.
It is hoped that other Nigerian pupils pay more attention to their studies and write their names in gold just as Tolulope has done.

We are the future

You can see me hawking in the streets

In my tattered uniform i trek long distances to school

When I get back i have housework to do

Tired i struggle through my homework

………………………………………………………..

This is the way of life for many children across the globe.

Child trafficking, being forced into slavery ,prostitution, and unpaid labour; millions of children have been stripped of their innocence.

It’s past time to stop this terrible treatment of the child. Don’t we realize that the children of today are the citizens,leaders, decision makers, doctors ,lawyers,teachers,engineers… of tomorrow. If we do not invest in them today,showing them love and care, what kind of future are looking at?

Let me help you, it’s a very bleak future.Protect the rights of the child today, and the world will be better for it.