Desiring The Forbidden

It is said:
‎كل ممنوع مرغوب
‘All forbidden things are desired.’

Parents who are too strict with their children, end up with children who are too liberal.

If you constantly warn children against something, it increases their curiosity.

It’s like a painted wall … if it’s written on it: “Wet: don’t touch”… everyone will touch it. If nothing is written on the wall, nobody will touch it.

Don’t be too strict, nor too lenient. Balance is key. If you restrict them too much, they will show you piety and behind your back they will go wild.

By all means forbid evil, but don’t create an obsession… also be very flexible within the halal realm. Let them relax and enjoy the halal. Don’t take away their childhood by making them study 24/7. There is time for seriousness and there is time for entertainment.

ساعة وساعة

Ibn al-Jawzi said:
‎تأملت حرص النفس على ما مُنِعت منه ، فرأيتُ حرصها يزيد على قدر قوة المنع ‎وفي الأمثال : المرء حريصٌ على ما مُنع ‎ولهذا لو قعد الإنسان في بيته شهراً لم يصعب عليه ، ولو قيل له : لا تخرج من بيتك يوماً طال عليه ‎أنها يشق عليها الدخول تحت حُكمٍ ، ولهذا تستلذ الحرام ، ولا تكاد تستطيب المباح
‘I contemplated about the craving of the soul towards what it was prevented from, and I realised that its craving increases with the strength of the prohibition!
A proverb says: ‘a person craves what it is prevented from.’
For this reason, if a person stays in his house for a month, it will not be difficult for him, but if it is said to him: ‘Do not leave your house’, even a day will feel too long for him.
It is difficult for the soul to submit to authority, and that is why it enjoys the forbidden, and accepts the permissible with difficulty.’
[‘Said al-Khatir’, 87-88].