Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim.
Today, I want to talk about something very close to my heart. Parenting. Or rather… Parenting in today’s world.
Before I begin, I seek strength and knowledge in the presence of the Imam of the Time, through the respect and blessings of my teachers and spiritual guides. Ya Imam-e-Zaman, from your treasure of knowledge, bless us with drops of wisdom. Ameen.
Nearly forty years ago, Hazrat Imam Shah Karim al-Hussaini, alaihi salam, gave a Farman that feels more relevant today than ever before. He warned us that a time would come when materialism would dominate. A time when people would begin questioning the importance of faith itself. But the Imam also gave hope. He said that if we recognize our intellect not as our own creation, but as belonging to the Creator, then true happiness will never be taken away from us.
Look at our lives today. Every moment, every thought, is about worldly success. Money. Career. Status. Prayer has slowly become a formality. And when our children ask us… “Why do we do this?” “What does this really mean?” We often have no answers. Only stories.
But how long can stories protect our children? Because the hunger of the soul is worship. And the hunger of the intellect is knowledge.
That is why the Imam once said:
“We do not want you to only recite prayers. We want you to understand their meaning.”
And meaning does not mean just translation. Meaning is esoteric understanding. Inner wisdom.
When someone asks… “Why are there three daily prayers?” We often reply: “Because the Imam said so.” And the question ends there. But when the intellect is not fed, it searches elsewhere. And it finds science.
Science is not the enemy. Science is a miracle of God. The Qur’an itself says that Allah will show His signs within ourselves and in the universe.
We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the Truth.
Surah Fussilat (41:53)
Science is essential for external progress. But esoteric knowledge is essential for inner progress. When one grows and the other is ignored, the human being becomes unbalanced.
Today, parents dream of success for their children. And yes… May they succeed. Ameen. But what if that success comes at the cost of the soul? What if ambition slowly turns into emptiness?
That is why anxiety, depression, panic attacks, are becoming normal in the 21st century. Homes are filled with stress. Some seek doctors. Some seek meditation. Some seek escape through smoking, alcohol, or drugs. But none of these heal the root.
Pressure today is not only from work. It is from comparison. “My friend has this phone.” “That lifestyle.” “This success.” Slowly, values disappear. Simplicity is mocked. Cunning is praised. And youth loses direction.
This is where the Imam’s warning becomes real. When faith is not understood, the world occupies the heart completely. We see smoke everywhere. Cigarettes on roads. Alcohol in hands. And destruction accepted with laughter.
Allah clearly says:
“Do not throw yourselves into destruction with your own hands.”
“And do not throw yourselves with your own hands into destruction.”
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:195)
And yet… We now run blindly behind AI. Technology is not wrong. But forgetting Ali-e-Zaman while chasing AI… That is dangerous. If Ali can grant intellect, can He not grant skills?
Today, people have started doubting even human capability. Not just God. AI in schools. AI in places of worship. Even during moments meant for reflection.
But the Imam speaks in signs. Only those who reflect will understand. This blind race continues because parents themselves have stopped seeing. A time may come when immorality feels normal. And values feel outdated.
Is this the world we want to raise our children in?
Even Deedar has become a formality. Instead of reflection, questions, and practice.
Parenting is already hard. If we do not awaken today, tomorrow it may become impossible.
We must educate ourselves first. Say Ali more than AI. Seek the inner rank of Ali. Strive for true recognition. Then Ali Himself will become your true intelligence.
Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah, alaihi salam, said:
“It is the duty of parents
to teach their children matters of faith.”
O Mawla, forgive us. Bless us with Your inner knowledge. Let our future have science, let it have technology, but above all, let it have You. Because without You, even mercy feels like hell.
Ameen.
Ya Ali Madad
