Every person in this world has something about which he is passionate and most enthusiastic. For some people it may be a certain food, while for others it may be a particular holiday, some item of clothing, a piece of literature, etc.

What is noticed is that when a person has a deep passion in their heart for something, then often that passion is contagious. When the person passionately describes their favourite food, then while in their company listening to them, their very words will cause your mouth to flood with saliva and your tummy to grumble in anticipation. If describing their favourite holiday destination, they will create such a desire in the heart of the listener that before he realizes it, he will be viewing ticket options and making other traveling arrangements.

What is important to note, however, is that the abovementioned passions are worldly related and do not earn one any position in the sight of Allah Ta‘ala. Hence, a believer should aspire for the higher objectives and goals of the Hereafter which Allah Ta‘ala has created him for.

Therefore, a believer should look up to those people whose passions are passions of Deen and the Hereafter (such as the passion to recite the Quraan Majeed, engage in zikr, attend the programs of the pious ‘Ulama etc.), as these passions are also contagious. How many a youngster developed a passion for qiraat due to one of his friends sharing this passion with him?

Similarly, how many people met a friend who returned from forty days out in jamaat totally transformed, and on seeing the transformation, and hearing him speak of his positive experience, and how going out changed his life, the listener is inspired to follow in his footsteps? In fact, some people are so affected by this passion that they give their name ‘cash’ (i.e. go out in jamaat immediately)!

Nevertheless, having understood the above, it is vital for parents to ensure that their children are only exposed to people who have the correct passions in life – passions which are pleasing to Allah Ta‘ala and conform to the blessed sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).

At present, we find many parents complaining that they want their children to become huffaaz of the Quraan Majeed, or ‘Ulama, or tread the path of piety and righteousness, but to their disappointment the children do not show any interest. Rather, their interest is in sports, entertainment, eating out, socializing with friends, fast cars, and the money required to live this type of lifestyle.

Undoubtedly, many parents did try their best to instil the correct values in their children. However, if we look into our hearts and lives, some of us may realize that the reason our children do not have a passion for salaah, Quraan, the masjid, attending the programs of the pious, etc. is that we ourselves do not have a true passion for these things. Perhaps we do have some passion, but the passion is not complete and all the time.

When on holiday, we ourselves give preference to touring, shopping, etc. over recitation of the Quraan Majeed, going to the masjid for salaah, attending the programs of the pious, etc. From this, our children subconsciously learn that the ‘main’ passion, to be accorded complete priority, is our holidays, entertainment, etc.

Furthermore, when a fast, exotic car drives past and the father turns his head and exclaims in excitement, or when he hears the soccer score and pays attention, then this behaviour also subconsciously programs the child to view these as passions in life. After all, do we not see that the child who grows up in a home supporting a particular soccer team also tends to support the very same team? It is obvious that the child learnt this passion from his father, brothers, etc.

Is it then any surprise that the child exposed to so many conflicting passions will not show true enthusiasm and passion for salaah, the masjid, zikr, recitation of the Quraan Majeed and other acts of piety?

In essence, passion spreads from heart to heart. If we possess true passion for Deen, and our children are protected from bad influences, then insha-Allah, they will also grow up with a passion for Deen and piety. We would not need to encourage them and push them – they themselves would be motivated and powered by passion.

Do we not see that when the father sits with his Quraan Majeed and recites, then his small toddler stumbles towards him, sits with his own ‘quraan’, and also tries to read like his father? This passion is initially there, but at some point, when it is not protected, it fades away and is replaced with the passion of the material world.

May Allah Ta‘ala bless us all with the true passion for Deen, aameen.