How to protect our families from the Fire

[ابوالوليد المسلم]

How to protect our families from the Fire (1/6)

Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid



Raising and caring for a family is putting the order of Allah the Exalted into action, when He the Exalted Said (what means):
"O you, who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire." [Qur’an, Surah At-Tahrim, 66:6]

It is a way that one can follow in the footsteps of the noble prophets of Allah the Exalted whom Allah the Exalted ordered us to follow when He Said (what means):
"So from their guidance take an example." [Qur’an, Surah Al-An'am, 6:90]

The example of the prophets being keen on safeguarding their families is evident in what Allah the Exalted Said regarding his prophet Isma`eel (Ishmael), may Allah exalt his mention, (what means): "And mention in the Book, Ishmael. Indeed, he was true to his promise, and he was a messenger and a prophet. And he used to enjoin on his people prayer and Zakah and was to his Lord pleasing." [Qur’an, Surah Maryam, 19:54-55]

The first obligation of the Muslim is to base the foundation of his household on the fear of Allah the Exalted and on proof and evidence. They must make their household a Muslim household in the true sense of the word. They should guide their family to performing the obligations that allow them to reach Allah the Exalted and make them closer to Paradise.

A believer is responsible for guiding their family by showing them the way and reforming their household, just as they are responsible for guiding themselves and reforming their homes, because the Prophet, sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam, said: “All of you are guardians, and all of you are held accountable. So, a leader is a guardian, and they are responsible for things under their guard. A man is a guardian of his family, and he is responsible for that. A woman is a guardian over the house of her husband, and she is responsible for that. A slave is a guardian over the wealth of their master, and they are responsible for that. All of you are guardians, and all of you are responsible and are held accountable.”[1] This text shows us the responsibility of the Muslim and the general responsibility that no one is free of and that has no exceptions.

The responsibility a believer has regarding their own selves and family is a heavy and intimidating one. Hellfire has been prepared for the unjust, and a believer and their family might be susceptible to entering it. They must protect themselves and their families from it.

In order to protect our families from the Fire, we must pay attention to several issues, including:

First: Keenness on teaching them the Book of Allah the Exalted and the matters pertaining to their religion:
Religious knowledge is a means of fearing Allah the Exalted. Out of all the slaves of Allah the Exalted, the scholars are those who fear Allah the Exalted the most. When the leader of the household is keen on teaching their family the Book of Allah the Exalted and Islamic knowledge that pertains to them, then they have placed them on the first path of safety from the Fire.

The Haneef religion (i.e., religion that inclines away from polytheism) urges people to teach their womenfolk and guide them to correct manners. Al-Bukhari, may Allah have mercy on him, named a chapter: “Chapter: A man should teach their slave-girl and wife.” In this chapter, he placed the Hadeeth of Abu Moosa Al-Ash’ari, may Allah be pleased with him, who said that Allah’s Messenger, sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “There are three individuals who have two rewards… A man who has a slave-girl, teaches her good manners in a good way, teaches her in a good way, then frees her and marries her, such a person has two rewards.”[2] Ibn Hajar, may Allah have mercy on him, said: “The relation of the Hadeeth to the chapter heading and mentioning a slave-girl is through the obvious text, but it applies to the wife through analogy, since keenness regarding one’s free wives in teaching them the obligations of Allah and the traditions of His Messenger is more important than keenness regarding one’s slave-girl.”[3].

Adh-Dhahhaak, may Allah have mercy on him, and Muqaatil, may Allah have mercy on him, said: “It is a right on the Muslim to teach their family, such as their relatives, slave-girls, and servants, what Allah the Exalted has made obligatory on them and what He the Exalted has prohibited for them.”[4].

So, we must teach the religion, good things, and manners that they must learn to our children and families.

The religion has given women the right to being accorded special care in teaching. Al-Bukhari, may Allah have mercy on him, said: “Chapter: Can women be given a day in solitude with knowledge?” Then, he mentioned the Hadeeth of Abu Sa`eed Al-Khudri, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: “Women said to the Prophet, sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam: ‘The men have overtaken us in benefitting from you, so give us a day that is convenient for you.’ At that, he appointed them a day when he would meet them, and would admonish them and enjoin them.”[5].

In the narration of Sahl ibn Saalih, may Allah have mercy on him, who reported from his father, may Allah have mercy on him, who reported from Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, something similar to this story, and in it, the Prophet, sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Your appointment is in the home of so-and-so woman.”[6] So, he went there and taught them. So, the Prophet, sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, gave them a specific timing and place wherein he would teach them.

Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him, reported: “I went with the Prophet, sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam, during the day of (‘Eed) Al-Fitr or Adha, and he prayed, then gave a sermon, then went to the women, admonished them, reminded them, and ordered them to give charity.”[7].

Ibn Hajar, may Allah have mercy on him, mentioned some benefits of this Hadeeth, saying: “It is recommended to admonish women, teach them the rulings of Islam, and remind them regarding the matters that are obligated on them. It is recommended to urge them to give charity, and to do so in a specific sitting. All of this should be done if there is no fear of Fitnah or corruption.”[8]


[1] Reported by Al-Bukhari (5188) and the wording is his, and Muslim (1829).

[2] Reported by Al-Bukhari (97) and Muslim (154).

[3] Fat-h Al-Baari (1/190).

[4] Tafseer Ibn Katheer (4/502).

[5] Reported by Al-Bukhari (102) and Muslim (2634).

[6] Reported by An-Nasaa’i in Al-Kubra (3/452), Ibn Hibbaan in his Saheeh (3003) and Al-Humaydi in his Musnad (1067). Shu`ayb Al-Arnaa’oot said: “The chain of narration is authentic according to the conditions stipulated by Muslim.”

[7] Reported by Al-Bukhari (932) and Muslim (884).

[8] Fath Al-Baari (3/407).