Prophet Ya`qub`s parenting style : a thematic study

Abstract

In these modern times, Muslim communities are faced with the issue of implementing effective parenting skills. The increasing number of social problems is associated with parents’ failure in applying parental responsibility to their children. In addressing this issue, Islam has provided applicable resolutions through the narratives of the Prophets in the Qur´an. In the theme of parenting, Almighty Allah has presented the figure of Prophet Yaqub as an exemplary father as he applied effective parenting style in dealing with sibling conflicts among his children. Hence, this study focuses on Prophet Yaqub’s parenting style through his narrative with his children in the Qur´an, especially in Surat Yusuf. A qualitative study by content analysis was done in this study. 21 Qur´anic verses were analyzed to identify the ideal principles of Prophet Ya´qub in his parenting style, with special reference to four tafsir which are Tafsir al-Tabari, Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Tafsir al-Azhar and Tafsir Al-Misbah. As a result, this study identifies 10 ideal principles in Prophet Yaqub’s parenting style: love, concern, wisdom, patience, optimism, continuous guidance, hopefulness, integration of human effort and divine will, great paternal instinct, and forgiveness. Finally, this study discusses the relevance of Prophet Ya`qub’s parenting style in contemporary Muslim society.