Question:

How can I keep my kids out of trouble and sins during the vacation according to
the Quran?
Fatwa:
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is
none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa
sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.
The Muslim youth should know that the free time is a grace bestowed on him by Al
lah. He should also know that he will be asked about it on the Day of Resurrecti
on. Our Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt hi
s mention ) said: Many people are prejudiced by two blessings: Health and Free-ti
me. [Al-Bukhari]
Our Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) a
lso said: Every person will remain standing on the Day of Resurrection until he i
s asked about four (things); of which he told: 'How he spent his life'. And in an
other narration he sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his ment
ion ) said: On what he frayed his youth.
Furthermore, the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt hi
s mention ) said: Take advantage of five before five; of which He told: One's fre
e-time before getting busy, one's youthhood before getting old. [Al-Haakim] He s
allallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) also said: Allah
will shelter in His shade seven (types of people) on the Day of Resurrection" (
of which he counted:) A youth who grew up worshipping Allah. [Al-Bukhari and Musli
m]
A Muslim youth should know that time is his capital and if he does not make good
use of it he will regret that. It is not good for a Muslim youth to have leisur
e time in his life. Instead, he should utilize his time on what benefits him in
this world as well as in the Hereafter. And of these the benefits we cite: to le
arn Quran by heart, to attend lessons of Quran, to memorize the Prophet's Ahadee
th, to learn more of the religious knowledge, to visit the good scholars, to ben
efit (read) from the Islamic newspapers and from the Islamic cassettes, to parti
cipate in religious activities, such as summer camps, picnics, etc. The youth sh
ould organize his time and make a program for himself that he follows.
As for children, the best thing on which they should spend their time during hol
idays is attending circles of memorization of the Quran. The Prophet sallallaah
u `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said: "The best of you a
re those who learn Quran and teach it." [Al-Bukhari]
Moreover, giving recreation to children by letting them do permissible entertain
ment is something needed, as this renews their motivation, urges them to be ener
getic, and makes them welcome studies with a high interest and motivation. So th
ere is no harm in taking them to parks and children play areas provided that the
se places are free from prohibitions, like music and the like; this is something
possible if a person chooses the right time of taking them.
The parents could also advise their children to practice any type of sport which
will make them fit and healthy, or teach them a craft that suits their age and
bodily strength. If children organize their time well, they would be able to gra
sp much of what is mentioned, the most important of which is attending circles o
f memorization of the Quran.
Allah knows best