Islamic Teachings and Child Nurturing An Ethical and Jurisprudential Perspective on Corporal Punishment

Abstract

This paper discusses the Islam view on child education and how corporal punishment fits in the modern Muslim societies, based on the teachings of the Quran, the traditions of Prophet Mohammed and the schools of fiqh. It starts by describing the basic tenets of raising children within the Islamic faith, and the emphasis on instilling morals, character, and religion through the stages of the process that should be done by both parents and teachers. The notion of corporal punishment is analysed in linguistic, historical and comparative terms in both Islamic and non-Islamic societies, indicating that it was common in the previous education systems. In Quran practices, gentleness, compassion and prudence are emphasized, and it encourages counseling and gradual change instead of punishment as seen in other surahs such as Al-Imran and Luqman. The relationship of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) with children emphasizes mercy and respect, as well as the absence of physical harm as the main principle of promoting love. The views of the Hanafi, Malik, Shafi and Hanbali schools on fiqh allow some disciplinary punishment with severe restrictions to harm others to align with ethical balances of justice and mercy. The article criticizes the psychological effects of corporal punishment using lens of modern psychology and human rights including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) which prohibits the punishment in totality. Corporal punishment is still practiced in madrasas and households within the contemporary Muslim society because of cultural pressures, although it is banned by state law to a differing extent in practice. The differences between punitive and reformative type of punishment are explained through such concepts as la darar wa la dirar (no harm, no reciprocal harm). The alternatives that are positive are dialogue, rewards and ethical-spiritual approaches such as Quranic recitation and prophetic stories. The conclusion summarizes the findings, and it suggests that corporal punishment should not be practiced but humanitarian approaches should be used to bring up healthy and loyal citizens in the current societies. This will be a way of balancing Islamic morals with international norms, and protecting the welfare of children and harmony in the society.

Keywords

Islam child education, corporal punishment, Quranic reform, Prophetic mercy, fiqh schools, human rights, positive discipline, Muslim societies, ethical balance, spiritual training.