"Guardianship and Belief: Can a Christian Family Raise Muslim Children? Trusting Family with Your Child’s Faith"

Family Beliefs

When life takes unexpected turns, who would you trust with the care of your children if something were to happen to you and your spouse? Our children are our most precious gifts from God, and ensuring they are raised with love, faith, and strong values is a concern for every parent. But what happens when religious differences within the family come into play?

Imagine you are a Muslim, and your extended family is Christian. Would a Christian family raise a Muslim child in accordance with their faith, and vice versa? It's a valid and thought-provoking question. Many Christians celebrate holidays such as Christmas, Easter, and Halloween—holidays that Muslims refrain from due to their Pagan origins. On the other hand, Muslims follow Islamic teachings, which emphasize submission to the will of God. But do both faiths truly differ as much as we think when it comes to submission?

Islam is not exclusive to Arabs; it is a way of life built on submission to the will of God, much like the biblical teachings of obedience to God’s commandments. Many of our ancestors, whether Israelites or Muslim, practiced a form of worship that was far removed from the Christianity that emerged through colonial influence and slavery. As a result, many interpretations of the Bible have been influenced by external forces, leading to variations in practice.

If the roles were reversed, and Christian parents had to entrust their children to a

Muslim family, the children might have questions about why they are celebrating holidays that were not part of their upbringing. Would the caretakers respect their faith, or would they assimilate them into their own traditions?

This brings us to an essential point: how do we resolve these differences? Do we react emotionally, or do we study our faiths more deeply to find a common ground? The truth is, the laws of the Torah are reflected in the Quran, and both texts emphasize the importance of worshiping the one true God. The Quran speaks highly of Mary and Jesus (known as Isa in Islam), and Muslims believe in Jesus as a prophet and messenger of God. Likewise, the Bible contains numerous passages that discourage the celebration of Pagan holidays, which many Christians still observe today.

For example, Jeremiah 10:2-4 warns against following the customs of the nations, describing a practice that closely resembles Christmas trees: “Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.” (Jeremiah 10:2-4, KJV)

Likewise, in the Quran, Allah warns believers to follow His guidance alone and not add to the religion what He has not ordained: “And they say, ‘The Most Merciful has taken a son.’ You have done an atrocious thing. The heavens almost rupture therefrom and the earth splits open and the mountains collapse in devastation that they attribute to the Most Merciful a son.” (Quran 19:88-91)

Jesus himself emphasized worshiping God, not himself, as seen in John 5:30:

“I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” (John 5:30, KJV)

This demonstrates that submission to the will of God is a principle found in both the Bible and the Quran. With this in mind, can we find a middle ground where submission to God is the common denominator?

Another key consideration is the dietary laws found in both scriptures. Many Christians eat pork, despite Leviticus 11:7 stating: “And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you.” (Leviticus 11:7, KJV)

Similarly, the Quran reinforces this in Surah Al-Baqarah 2:173: “He has only forbidden you dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah.” (Quran 2:173). This is an important matter, as dietary practices in Islam are strictly followed, and raising a child in a household where pork is consumed may present challenges.

Furthermore, the concept of modesty is emphasized in both faiths. Muslim women traditionally wear modest clothing and coverings, following the Quranic command:

“And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their chastity, and not to reveal their adornments except what normally appears. Let them draw their veils over their chests...” (Quran 24:31)

Similarly, the Bible supports modesty, as seen in 1 Timothy 2:9: “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array.”

With these similarities in mind, the question remains: could a family of one faith ensure that the values of another are upheld when raising children? If you had to choose a guardian for your children in the event of an unexpected tragedy, could you have an honest and respectful conversation with family members of a different faith? Could both sides commit to raising the children with a deep respect for God and the principles of righteousness?

This discussion is not meant to create division or debate which religion is superior. Instead, it is an opportunity to study both the Quran and the Bible with sincerity, learning from one another. It allows us to reflect on how we can become better students of faith and bridge the gaps between our differences. If we can meet at the foundation of submission to God, we may find that our beliefs are not as distant as we once thought.

So, if you were in this position, how would you handle it? Would you be open to seeking knowledge from both perspectives? Would you prioritize your child's spiritual well-being over religious differences? These are the conversations worth having, not just for ourselves, but for the generations to come.