Strong, kind fathering gives kids a 'winning edge'

Have you ever seen a grown man cry?  Or seen a real he-man, dude, become putty in the hands of his little girl? Well I have. Ask any man who has seen his baby son or daughter for the first time, if they cried — I’m sure 100 per cent of them will say a resounding ‘yes’. And we all know about daddy’s little girls. Yes, indeed, daddy, dad, father, or whatever you call him … when he is acting in his proper role, he is phenomenal.

I thank God for my father; they say I’m just like him… nay, I’m not nearly so lovely.

A strong exterior, but a heart of kindness describes my dad … I am ever so thankful for him and the influence he had over my life.

I remember as a teenager though, hanging with all my girls, Rosalie, Sophie, Dionne, Sandra, Cherilyn, Bepsi and Caroldey; I could have done without him. My, he was a nuisance, on my back like white on rice, making sure we girls weren’t up to mischief, coming to my school unexpectedly to make sure I was doing what students are supposed to do. 

I was not so appreciative of his fathering skills then, but boy, after I gained some sense and maturity, I realized that if it was not for his relentlessness I might be in a real pickle today.

I thank him for being so untiring in his parenting skills, because I can tell you I gave him a run for his money. Leonard Abdullah Ming invented tough love for sure.

That’s what children need. Strong parents, kind parents, parents who will not give up on them, parents who won’t stop parenting.  I squirm when I hear parents say they have thrown in the towel when it comes to their children. No, as parents we have to have perseverance compiled with prayer. We have to do what we have to do. 

Fathers especially play a pivotal role in parenting.

The father is the head of his household and his family.

He is the provider and the protector, the one to be looked up to and respected. I remember all my mother had to say for me to straighten up was that she was going to “tell your father.” I notice that to with my own children, and even with my grandchildren right up to today, all I have to say are those famous words “I’ll tell your father”. Boy what miraculous results I get.

Fathers know your worth; embrace your value. Children who have strong, kind fathers have a winning edge in the game of life. 

The ties of kinship are very important in Islam, with emphasis given to the relationship between children and parents. Children are required to respect and obey their parents. Adult children must continue to honour, respect and show gratitude to their elderly parents, and are expected to care for and support them.

The Noble Qur’an in surah 17:23 says: “And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honour. And out of kindness lower to them the wing of humility and say: ‘My Lord! Bestow on them Thy Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood.’”

In Islam, there is no special day to honour fathers, as every day we should be honouring them; however, I do take this opportunity to wish all fathers a blessed and prosperous relationship with their children this day and beyond. It’s vital for our future.