Motherhood is always the focus of discussion and attention, rightfully so, but few pause to consider the role a father plays in shaping his children. A father is not merely an ATM, a shadow in a family photo, or a seasonal presence during holidays. Rather, he holds a vital role in his children's lives, refining and nurturing them. Can absent or misguided fatherhood cast its children into confusion and brokenness? And how does righteous fatherhood raise generations that illuminate the earth with the light of the message of Allah?

Numerous studies have demonstrated the pivotal role of fathers in shaping their children's psychological, social, and behavioral development. Research shows that active father involvement in children's lives significantly contributes to improved academic performance and general behavior. Children who feel emotionally close to their fathers are 43% more likely to earn mostly A's in school, 33% less likely to repeat a grade, 75% less likely to experience teen pregnancy, and 80% less likely to spend time in jail. Father presence is also associated with enhanced social and emotional skills and fewer behavioral problems, especially in low-income families.

Conversely, father absence has detrimental effects on children. Youth from father-absent households account for 71% of all high school dropouts. Additionally, the absence of a father increases the risk of criminal behavior, substance abuse, and alcohol use, and it doubles the likelihood of mental health issues such as depression and aggression. It also negatively impacts emotional relationship stability, particularly among girls, who face higher rates of early pregnancy and involvement in unstable relationships.

Thus, the Noble Quran gives special attention to fatherhood and presents remarkable models of righteous fatherhood, emphasizing the father’s role in raising his children on a firm, unwavering faith and instilling noble values, while warning against Shaitan’s schemes to corrupt these bonds. Among these models is the fatherhood of Prophet Yaqub, peace be upon him, toward his son Yusuf and his brothers. His wisdom was evident in how he dealt with Yusuf’s dream, cautioning him against his brothers’ envy, due to the divine not worldly preference, Yusuf received, as Allah says, “When Joseph said to his father, ‘O my father, indeed I have seen [in a dream] eleven stars and the sun and the moon; I saw them prostrating to me.’ He said, ‘O my son, do not relate your vision to your brothers or they will contrive against you a plan. Indeed Satan, to man, is a manifest enemy.’” (Yusuf: 4-5)

The Quran also presents the model of Luqman the Wise in his advice to his son, combining faith, gratitude, and morals: “And [mention, O Muhammad], when Luqman said to his son while he was instructing him, ‘O my son, do not associate [anything] with Allah. Indeed, association [with him] is great injustice.’” (Luqman :13)

The Quran further emphasizes the prophets’ dedication to passing down the creed to their children, such as Yaqub’s advice to his sons, stressing the importance of pure monotheism: “And Abraham instructed his sons [to do the same], and [so did] Jacob, [saying], ‘O my sons, indeed Allah has chosen for you this religion, so do not die except while you are Muslims.’” (Al-Baqarah: 132)

In contrast, the Quran depicts misguided fatherhood in the story of Prophet Ibrahim, peace be upon him, and his father Azar, who stubbornly worshipped idols, blindly following his ancestors without guidance: “Indeed, we found our fathers upon a religion, and we are, in their footsteps, following.’” (Az-Zukhruf: 23)

Misguided fatherhood is built on blind imitation of forefathers in misguidance and rejecting the truth even when evidence is clear, as seen when Ibrahim denounced idol worship, only for his father and people to accuse him of folly, relying on their severe ignorance. The Quran warns against this: “O my father, do not worship Satan.” (Maryam: 44)

Thus, the Quran guides us to the consequences of following righteous or misguided fatherhood in this life and the hereafter:

First: The Effects of Following Righteous Fatherhood

1. In This World:

• Marital Happiness: As seen in the story of Prophet Musa’s marriage, where a righteous father raised a modest, well-mannered daughter, resulting in her noble character and shyness: “Then one of the two women came to him walking with shyness. She said, ‘Indeed, my father invites you that he may reward you for having watered for us.” (Al-Qasas: 25)
• Hastening Relief: As in Prophet Ismail’s obedience to his father Ibrahim’s command, where his unparalleled patience was met with grave divine intervention: “And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice.” (As-Saffat: 107)
• Family Reunion: Like Yusuf’s reunion with his father and family after years of separation and earning honor and dignity: “And he raised his parents upon the throne, and they bowed to him in prostration. And he said, ‘O my father, this is the explanation of my vision of before.’” (Yusuf: 100)
• Forgiveness for Children’s Sins: When Yusuf’s brothers asked their father to seek forgiveness for their wrongdoing against their brother Yusuf: “They said, ‘O our father, ask for us forgiveness of our sins; indeed, we have been sinners.’” (Yusuf: 97)
• Righteous Example: As in Prophet Adam’s warning to his children against Shaitan’s temptations: “O children of Adam, let not Satan tempt you as he removed your parents from Paradise.” (Al-Araf:27)

2.  In the Hereafter:

• Salvation from Allah’s Wrath: For those who uphold Allah’s commands for themselves and their families: “O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire.” (At-Tahrim: 6)
• Children Joining Their Parents in Paradise: A great blessing Allah reserves for the righteous. “And those who believed and whose descendants followed them in faith—We will join with them their descendants.” (At-Tur: 21)

Second: The Effects of Misguided Fatherhood

1. In This World:

• Rejecting Truth Due to Blind Adherence to Ancestral Traditions: “Then have they not reflected over the Qur'an, or has there come to them that which had not come to their forefathers?” (Al-Mu’minun: 68)
• Distorting Truth and Rejecting Monotheism Under the Pretext of Preserving Traditions: “They said, ‘Have you come to us to turn us away from that upon which we found our fathers?’” (Yunus: 78)
• Following Emotion Over Reason Without Scrutiny or Evidence: “And when it is said to them, ‘Follow what Allah has revealed,’ they say, ‘Rather, we will follow that upon which we found our fathers.’” (Al-Baqarah: 170)
• Falsely Attributing Lies to Allah: “And when they commit an immorality, they say, ‘We found our fathers doing it, and Allah has ordered us to do it.’” (Al-Araf: 28)
• Blind Imitation in Polytheism Without Proof: “They said, ‘Rather, we found our fathers doing thus.’” (Ash-Shu‘ara: 74)

2. In the Hereafter:

• Entering Hellfire for following Shaitan’s Call: “And when it is said to them, ‘Follow what Allah has revealed,’ they say, ‘Rather, we will follow that upon which we found our fathers.’ Even if Satan is inviting them to the punishment of the Blaze?” (Luqman: 21)

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• Mahasin al-Islam Encyclopedia.
• Tafsir Modoee Encyclopedia.