Educating and Protecting Children with the Qur’an

Abstract

This article examines the values of the Qur’an related to the protection of children through the approach of tafsir maudhu’i. This research identifies Qur’anic terms related to children such as ibn, walad, bint, shabi, thifl, and gulam to uncover the concept of child protection in Islam. The Qur’an describes human development through several stages from sulalat min al-thin, nuthfat, alaqat, mudhgat, iksa al-lahm, to the period of birth, childhood, adulthood, and old age. From this disclosure, elements related to the basic needs of children were obtained, including physical-biological, psychological, sociological, and religious needs. The research uses the method of maudhu’i interpretation and critical-comparative analysis with a philosophical-qualitative approach. The results of the study show that the Qur’an strongly emphasizes the importance of maintaining children’s lives and maintaining their survival through the fulfillment of physical and non-physical needs. The Qur’an provides a progressive view by removing discriminatory practices against girls that occurred during the period of jahiliyah. Girls get their rights on par with boys including the right to inheritance, education, and a decent life. The emphasis of the Qur’an is awareness in the household as the initial environment for children’s growth and development, the role of society in nurturing and respecting children, and the responsibility of the state in protecting children’s rights as a fulfillment of Allah’s commands.