Chapter 7

Fathers Responsibilities

Notonlyarefathersresponsibleforsavingtheirdependants’alimon-
iesandfiscalnecessities,butalsotheyarerequiredtoprovideeducation,
discipline,morals,andguidance. Theymust ensure thehigh traitsand
warnagainstevil.ImamZeinul-abidin(a)says,“Yoursons’rightisthat
youshouldrealizetheirbeingpartsofyouandattachedtoyouingood
andevil.Youareresponsibleforprovidingthenoble traits,conducting
themtotheirLord,andbackingtheminworshippingHimasacompli-
ancewithyou.Theyentirelyberewardedorpunished.Youshouldactto
yoursonsasseekersofthe goodremunerationinthisworld,andjusti-
fied to the Lord through the acceptable supervision and training.”.

Imam Zeinul-abidin(a) wasusedto supplicating tothe Lord forhis
sonbysaying,“OLord!Makethemfilialpious,godly,aware,listeners,
andobedientfor Thee,andadherentsandadvisersforThysaints, and
mutinous and antipathetic of Thy foes.”.

Fathersaresubjecttobringforththechasteeducationforthesonsto
guaranteetheirsincerity.TheImamsoftheProphet’sprogenyregarded
thistopichighly.ImamAli(a),thefirstIslamiceducationist,saystohis
son,Imamal-Hassan,“Iconsideryoubeingapartofme,beingmeallin
all.Anythingthatstrikesyouisactuallystrikingme.Deathwhendraws
near to you is drawing to me. Your affairs are as same as mine.”

Yes indeed, sons are not only parts of their fathers. They are truly
their fathers’ all in all.They expose theirfathers’ existence andentity.
Fromthiscause,fathersshouldcarefortheirsons’education,edification,
andperfectioninorderthattheywilltakeprideinthemmagnificently.
Ontheotherhand,sonsmaybeevilandmischievoustotheirfathersif