Generation Gap

Writer: Sadia Shakeel

Hamilton

In the biography of Prophet Ibrahim, where is the generation gap? Our children are our most valuable asset in this world. Prophet Ibrahim wanted a child even in his older age. He prayed to Allah, saying, “Lord, grant me a righteous son.” Why? Did he want to leave behind a man with all his money? No, he wanted to leave behind a leader and an imam for the pious. His son was born when he was 80 years old, and there was a huge difference in their ages. However, when Ismail heard his father’s dream, he bowed his head without asking any questions or expressing hesitation. He said, “If Allah wills, you will find me among the patient.” This shows that there was no generation gap between father and son, even though they were so far apart in age. Ismail was so attached to his father that he understood every word without his father having to say it. This kind of bonding is essential for any great purpose, whether it is between a father and son, or between brothers.
We cannot overlook the character of Mother Hajra in all of this. Ismail was just a child, so how would Hajra have felt when she heard about the dream? What were her thoughts? Did she ask any questions? Did she try to dissuade her son? No, she did not. She simply accepted her husband’s decision and prepared to obey Allah’s command.
Nobody ever thought that Ismail would be replaced with a lamb. Did Hajra never mention to her son, “Your father left me alone in the wilderness with no sign of water. I ran like crazy between the mountains, looking for any sign of travelers.” Did she ever tell him that her struggle and those running around would be marked for all of humanity? No, she did not. She never once complained or made her son feel guilty about what had happened.
This is the household of the Prophets. Here, the standard of living is not based on materialistic beliefs. We in our times have become so obsessed with worldly possessions that we are not even on the same page with our own families. Today, our biggest challenge is the generation gap. Children do not listen to their parents. One of the signs of the Day of Judgment is that a son will be distant from his father and closer to his friends.
What kind of father was Ibrahim, whose bonding with his son set an example in history? Sometimes, mothers also play a role in the gap between fathers and sons. We as parents often have that apologetic attitude, saying, “We couldn’t provide you with the best education, or do more for you.”
How to raise our children best? We learn that from the life story of Ibrahim and Hajra. Caring for our children’s Aakhira (hereafter) should be our top priority and top responsibility. Prophet Ibrahim not only broke those idols to spread the message of “There is no god but Allah,” but he also raised his son Ismail in that manner to leave behind a legacy.
Here is a lesson for us: Reduce the generation gap between our children. Raise them to be leaders of the Muslim Ummah. Read the Quran and see how Allah praised them and their household. He called their household His own. There is an example in the Seerah (biography) of Ibrahim. He is our role model.