What Would You Do If Your Child Became A Muslims

How would you react if your child became nonreligious?

One of my children is officially atheist (officially, since this ‘kid’ is an adult). Another one is a devotee of Krishna, who thinks Krishna, Buddha and Christ preached the same things (is philosophically driven and wants to be a painter-artist after having finally decided that everything in science is an art, and hence wants to study representation of art).The atheist child has a particular type of scientific temperament which I cannot figure out yet, but questioned everything since the age of 7. This became one of the reasons due to which I began approaching, and exploring, religion in ways I would never have done so on my own.Perhaps it is not a good idea for parents to react. We just listen to their views.There were many reasons for becoming non-religious and atheist. Perhaps the death of loved ones had a profound effect on my child. The belief in God, as a creator or as a personal entity, just disappeared. It was replaced by belief in random mutations and very scientific approach. But nobody knows if views may change, or get shaped differently, in future.One striking thing about my atheist child is that despite being atheist, the belief in after-life cropped up. We were driving through a winding hilly road near one city of the south island (nz). Suddenly, there were cries ‘daddy stop the car, stop the car’. We stopped a little ahead. My child cried for a while saying ‘I had died here’. The place looked quite accident-prone. We just sat there for a while. It was a very sombre experience.My child was pressurizing all of us to visit this particular place in south island for a long time (without realizing why the subconscious desire to visit that place existed). My child is more like a Buddhist, but does not follow Buddhism officially. Was also drawn to the concept of wairua for a while, but now does not follow it either. Got officially registered under Atheist category. In very near future, wants to settle in one city nearest to that hilly area (wants to keep visiting a village nearby to it for a few years, perhaps trying to find loved ones from before).We have no issues with lack of religiosity or with atheism. We do not expect our children to visit temples, or worship God at home. We believe it is more important to be honest with oneself and live a life as it suits one best (perhaps, allowing expectations, opinions, desires, to reduce with age and time).

As a Muslim parent, what would you do if your child one day renounced Islam?

I am an atheist with a Muslim family background living in a country where the majority are Muslims. My grandmother was a believer, she read the Koran and prayed. Her son, my father, is a non-believer. My grandmother has always been proud of him and never did anything about him or us being non-believers. We don’t challenge her faith either.The Islam that I know has an emphasis on the idea that “religion should be a choice, we’ve become Muslims because we found it to be the best belief”, which should have a place for others to choose not to become a Muslim. It is also said nobody should be forced to convert to Islam, etc (though I think that’s just the discourse, in reality the non-muslims haven’t really been treated as equals by Muslims, at least in Turkey and the Ottoman Empire ..)My grandmother is very old now and she doesn’t remember much. About ten years ago, when she was fine, she taught me about a practice. This might not be directly related to Islam, but I think it is a faith-related custom. She told me that when someone dies, you should put a green leaf into a glass of water, and put the glass by the bedside of the deceased. I knew this was her wish from me, to do when she passes away. After learning this I did put the leaf into a glass of water for some beloved ones.And as a parent, my own children may believe in whatever they want.

What would you, as a Muslim, do if your child said they're going to leave Islam?

I will first ask my child why is he or she saying something like that and what made them get that thought so I would know if there is a problem or something they don't understand that needs explanation.I would then start giving my child advice and telling him that I'm not forcing him to believe in Islam but I'm only educating you and giving you 1 out of 10 so you may think and choose one of these 10 that you would like and even if that didn't work and he did join another religion or became an athiest, I won't beat him or insult him but I will treat him well, just like how i would do if he said as a Muslim but before I die, my only wish for him is going to be to think and seek the truth, because I fear hell fire for him as he is my other self and a piece of me.Allah knows best and I hope this answered your question.

What would you do as a non-Muslim Australian if your child converted or wanted to convert to Islam?

The other two answers I've seen so far deal with children who are already adults.What about children who aren't old enough to do so?The parents or their legal guardians should have a say in what their child believes until they have become less impressionable by any religion’s proselytes and are able to deal with the consequences of adult decisions. In other words, until they can think for themselves.I as a Christian firmly believe that the apostates of any religion are worth looking into. Why did so and so stop believing in XYZ? What were their reasons for doing so? I think this is important as most people would want to be a follower of a religion for as long as they can, and more importantly, face no pressure from other followers if the religion no longer feels like the right one. Nobody who is interested in converting should view any criticism they may have about the religion as a politically incorrect taboo. Concerning Islam, most Muslims recognise Western countries’ laws that protect freedom of religion, even if one leaves Islam. It is hoped that Muslims living there abide by those laws, given what happens to religious minorities living in Muslim majority countries.In this respect, if my child wanted to convert, I'd have a discussion with him about the reasons for his desire to convert and find out if he has considered his choice from all angles and whether he feels that the choice is completely his. I say this as someone who doesn't want his child to make the same mistake I made, which was having accepted my religion partly due to peer pressure. I would also assure him that religion can be studied as much as one pleases without ever having to shoulder the responsibilities of conversion.

If your child converts to Islam, what would you do to him/her?

“So, you converted to Islam? You better follow the rules of that religion since you don’t want to follow Catholic rules.”“Did you book an appointment for your circumcision yet? Book me one as well, I have an old problem that I’m surprised didn’t get in the way of you getting conceived…”“Oy! It’s five in the morning! Go say your prayers!”“Oy! It’s Friday afternoon, go attend your Mosque service!”“It’s Sunday and we’re off to Church. See you later for lunch. Sushi?”“Stop smoking! Doesn’t Islam say you can’t smoke or drink? Put that beer can down!”“Have a fun time at the Haj! Mum and I’ll be waiting for you in Dubai. Want me to get you anything?”“How was the Haj? Mum got you a new cap cos we remembered how you hid your shaved head back during your army time. Unless you want to show your faith or… ok, enjoy your new cap.”“Yes, it’s turkey bacon. What do you take me for?”“What are you doing with that sandwich? It’s Ramadan! Yes, I eat, but I don’t have to fast. And I eat up in my room behind closed doors with your mum. No, I have not noticed how she walks funny after lunch. She doesn’t.”“Boy, I didn’t purposely eat in front of you during Ramadan, so knock it off during Lent.”I’d still be a Catholic while my theoretical child is a Muslim. I would try my best to make sure he practices his faith, well, faithfully. If not, I’d have a talk with his imam and my parish priest to see about dragging his unfaithful butt back to Church.