Children and Toys
When a child wants a toy which is of an animate object or a musical instrument, then gently explain to the child that Allah Ta’ala is displeased with such a toy and that the presence of such toys in our homes deprives us of the presence of the Malaa'ikah (angels) of Rahmah (Mercy).
After having explained this, buy something better, if it is within one’s means, of the ‘mubah’ (permissible) category —without being extravagant and wasteful.
Considering the fact that most children have all kinds of animate, musical and Haram (forbidden) toys, do not let the child feel as if they are being deprived of play. Make the child happy with Halal so they will grow up loving the beautiful Deen (religion) of Islam.
The same applies to children’s clothing and accessories which are on the market; many of which have cartoon characters, etc. which would captivate and charm little children but which the Shariah does not permit.
Muslims today consider these restrictions trivial and irrelevant, whereas there is great wisdom in all the ‘Muharramaat’ (prohibitions) of Islam.
One of the reasons why children have nightmares is due to the photographs that we bring into our homes, the cartoons and other programmes we allow and encourage them to view, or the use of such clothing and toys that are impermissible for them to use. Sometimes, the walls of the room are plastered with cartoon characters, huge teddy bears, dolls, and stuffed animals all around the room, which results in frightful dreams.
There are angels that are deputed to look after our children, but these angels do not enter that home where there are pictures of animate objects. This deprives our children of the presence and protection of the angels, who also play with babies.
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
“Angels do not enter a house in which there is a dog or a picture.” [1]
We claim that we are Believers in Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). If the claim is true and sincere, then it is not acceptable that as believers in Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), we debate, argue or reject the clear injunctions of Shariah. The person who does so has clearly strayed from the right path.
وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤۡمِنٍ وَّلَا مُؤۡمِنَةٍ اِذَا قَضَى اللّٰهُ وَرَسُوۡلُهٗۤ اَمۡرًا اَنۡ يَّكُوۡنَ لَهُمُ الۡخِيَرَةُ مِنۡ اَمۡرِهِمۡ ؕ وَمَنۡ يَّعۡصِ اللّٰهَ وَرَسُوۡلَهٗ فَقَدۡ ضَلَّ ضَلٰلًا مُّبِيۡنًا
It is not for a believing man or woman—when Allah and His Messenger decree a matter— to have any other choice in that matter. Indeed, whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger has clearly gone far astray.
[Surah Ahzab 33:36]
Allah Ta’ala mentions the response of His sincere servants:
اِنَّمَا كَانَ قَوۡلَ الۡمُؤۡمِنِيۡنَ اِذَا دُعُوۡۤا اِلَى اللّٰهِ وَرَسُوۡلِهٖ لِيَحۡكُمَ بَيۡنَهُمۡ اَنۡ يَّقُوۡلُوۡا سَمِعۡنَا وَاَطَعۡنَاؕ وَاُولٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمُ الۡمُفۡلِحُوۡنَ (٥١)
وَمَنۡ يُّطِعِ اللّٰهَ وَرَسُوۡلَهٗ وَيَخۡشَ اللّٰهَ وَيَتَّقۡهِ فَاُولٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمُ الۡفَآٮِٕزُوۡنَ (٥٢)
The only response of the true believers, when they are called to Allah and His Messenger so he may judge between them, is to say, “We hear and obey.” It is they who will truly succeed.
[Surah Noor 24:51/52]
[1] Sahih Al-Bukhari