Components of Children’s Citizenship Rights in the Conduct of Imam al-Rida

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of Islamic Teachings, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran.

2 Associate Professor, Department of Law, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Citizenship rights constitute a universal and comprehensive concept encompassing political, economic, social, cultural, and civil dimensions, and they extend to all age and gender groups. Children, as an essential segment of society, also possess specific rights, which are recognized in international instruments, most notably the Convention on the Rights of the Child. In this regard, certain aspects of children’s rights in Islam may be understood in terms of citizenship rights. The primary objective of this study is to examine the components of children’s citizenship rights within the conduct (sīra) of Imam al-Rida. The central question is: What are the manifestations and components of children’s citizenship rights in the Imam al-Rida’s conduct? This investigation demonstrates that children’s rights—including health (through principles of nutrition, personal hygiene, and family hygiene), the provision of tranquility and comfort in the home, religiosity and emphasis on spiritual and religious dimensions in child-rearing, rational education and training of children, and affectionate and compassionate treatment—are all evident in the practical conduct and hadiths narrated from Imam al-Rida. The Radawi tradition’s emphasis on children’s specific rights may be regarded as a model for Islamic approaches to citizenship rights, which can also be articulated within binding legal instruments.

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References

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Razavi Heritage
Volume 1, Issue 2 - Serial Number 2
September 2025
Pages 93-108

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