| Hakim Hayat |

HIS Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office yesterday highlighted the importance of the family institution in instilling Islamic values among the current young generation, so that they have an excellent grasp of Al-Quran and are able to thrive in an environment that is guided by the Al-Quran and Hadith.

His Royal Highness made these remarks in a sabda delivered at the opening of the finals for the National Al-Quran Reading Competition for Adults 1440 Hijrah, at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas.

“The theme taken for this year’s competition, ‘Empowering Al-Quran Learning’, is timely, especially in our efforts of strengthening and enhancing Al-Quran skills, particularly among students and the public,” said His Royal Highness.

His Royal Highness also called on all parties to come together in enhancing Al-Quran recitation with a specific focus on its interpretation and wisdom, especially those closely linked to self-development and moral values for the youth, as well as their obligations towards the community and country.

His Royal Highness further said that a study of the Hadiths by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is essential, for a more clear understanding of the content in Al-Quran: “What we want to see is an Al-Quran and Hadith generation that can think, act and perform worship based on guidance from Al-Quran and Hadith.

“Firstly, this can be achieved by monitoring our food and drink sources, to ensure that they are Halal and not Syubhat (dubious). This is the role of parents and guardians in seeing to it that they feed their children and other members of the family with food from a Halal source that is nutritious and far from dubious. Ideally, all families are encouraged to eat together and practise good table manners as taught by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

“Secondly, parents and guardians must always observe the five daily prayers together with their families, whether at the mosque or in their homes. The practice is not only encouraged by Islam, but also fosters closer family ties, teaches time discipline and also instils good moral values, in addition to multiple rewards and blessings in performing congregational prayers as a family.

“Finally, parents should also emphasise and practise the learning, study and reading of Al-Quran by allocating time with their children and other family members through gatherings that enable them to enhance their skills collectively.”

His Royal Highness added that such religious gatherings would be more meaningful and beneficial if they could be expanded to include the interpretation of passages from Al-Quran, for a better appreciation of its wisdom and lessons.

“Such a practice is very effective if carried out consistently, whether in increasing one’s faith and also the spirit of family ties,” he said.

His Royal Highness concluded his sabda on the hope that more efforts would be made to strengthen Al-Quran recitation in Brunei, so that the country would be constantly blessed by Allah the Almighty.