THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN IN ISLAM
By: KHALID DHORAT STUDENT NO: 9440836
Dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the degree Master Of Arts in Isliimic Studies, Faculty Of Arts at the Rand Afrikaans University of South Africa
January1996
So ervlsora Professor A .11. I. Del Professor J .F. J. Vii MI■SM■rg ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
All praises are due to Allah Ta who inspired me to study the unique and distinguished religion al-Islam, and salutations and benedictions be upon his chosen and celebrated Rastil. Muhammad bin 'Abdullah (SAW).
My heartfelt gratitude goes to my inspirational tutor, Prof Dr. 'Abd al-Rahman I Doi, for his invaluable guidance, practical suggestions and meaningful comments upon this dissertation. Also, to my second Professor, Prof. J F J Van Rensburg; who painstakingly went through this thesis with a fine tooth-comb, and made invaluable suggestions for its improvement. Many extended thanks to the board members of the Dar al-Salem Islamic Research Centre, Laudium for allowing me access to the Centre to utilise the computer and library facilities, especially to it's most devoted patron, Maulana Ashraf Ebrahim Dockrat
I fully appreciate the kind helping gestures of my fellow research-workers at the Centre for their assistance in operating the computer, Maulana Mubin Cassim and Maulana 'Abdullah Jeenah. To my computer specialist, Veresh Sita who aided me immeasurably whenever the computer and the disks gave problems.
Abundance of appreciation to my cherished and beloved wife, Farzanah bint Maulana Rafiq Hathurani for her support, enthusiasm and for keeping vigil with me for the better part of many a night.
Lastly, I once again thank all the above as well as those whom I might have overlooked. May you attain the best of rewards in the Hereafter for your concern and interest in a project which is meant to create a better understanding of Islam in the eyes of all. iv
ABBREVIATIONS
A.H After the year of the Hijrah of the Prophet. B.0 before Christ. before the common era. C. E Christian era. Cf Confer ( = compare ) d. died. ed. editor e,g. exempli gratis (= for instance) etc. et cetera f (Pl. ff.) following page n. note n. d. no date q. v quod vide (= which see) s.a.w Allah's salutation and peace be upon him r.a May Allah be pleased with him. s. v. sub voce (= under the word or title) S. Surah (Chapter) V./ v verse. Videlicet (= namely). ii
NOTES ON THE TRANSLITERATION OF ARABIC WORDS
The system of transliteration followed in this dissertation is as follows:
LETTERS OF THE ALPHABET:
1) ' 2) b 3) t 4) th j 6) h with (.) below it 7) Ich 8) d 9) dh 10) r 11) z 12) s 13) sh 14) s with ()below it. d with (.) below it t with (.) below it. z with (.) below it. ' 19) 20) f 21) q 22) k 23) 1 24) m 25) n 26) h 27) w 28) y
VOWELS AND DIPHTHONGS: