Physically punishing a child, beyond something as light as pinching your son's ear for secretly staying up playing video games until 4 a.m., does not contribute positively to changing a child's behavior.
Advocates of corporal punishment often believe in it because they were subjected to it themselves and think they turned out "fine." However, it’s important to realize that their resilience and success came not because of physical punishment, but in spite of it.
There are zero positive outcomes from corporal punishment. Studies consistently link it to a decline in physical and mental health, impaired cognitive and socio-emotional development, poor educational outcomes, and increased aggression and violence. The evidence against it is overwhelming.
For many, accepting this research creates a mental barrier. If you were physically punished as a child, acknowledging its harm might feel like admitting your parents were "bad." However, this isn’t about assigning blame, it’s about recognizing that even well-meaning parents can pass on generational misinformation. Most parents act with good intentions, and it’s the responsibility of their more informed, educated children to remove harmful practices like corporal punishment from our culture.
A father beating his child to the point of tears and resentment can never be justified. A light flick on the ear for being late is one thing, but using physical punishment to vent frustration or assert control crosses a line that breeds fear and resentment instead of discipline. Too many household has all the children hearts collectively sink to their stomach the moment their father comes home.
"It goes without saying that simply because Sharī`ah has allowed corporal punishment to be inflicted, one may not use it to infer that every sort of beating to any extent is permissible."
Islamic scholars outline strict guidelines for corporal punishment, which include:
Advocates of corporal punishment often believe in it because they were subjected to it themselves and think they turned out "fine." However, it’s important to realize that their resilience and success came not because of physical punishment, but in spite of it.
There are zero positive outcomes from corporal punishment. Studies consistently link it to a decline in physical and mental health, impaired cognitive and socio-emotional development, poor educational outcomes, and increased aggression and violence. The evidence against it is overwhelming.
For many, accepting this research creates a mental barrier. If you were physically punished as a child, acknowledging its harm might feel like admitting your parents were "bad." However, this isn’t about assigning blame, it’s about recognizing that even well-meaning parents can pass on generational misinformation. Most parents act with good intentions, and it’s the responsibility of their more informed, educated children to remove harmful practices like corporal punishment from our culture.
A father beating his child to the point of tears and resentment can never be justified. A light flick on the ear for being late is one thing, but using physical punishment to vent frustration or assert control crosses a line that breeds fear and resentment instead of discipline. Too many household has all the children hearts collectively sink to their stomach the moment their father comes home.
A citation."It goes without saying that simply because Sharī`ah has allowed corporal punishment to be inflicted, one may not use it to infer that every sort of beating to any extent is permissible."
Islamic scholars outline strict guidelines for corporal punishment, which include:
- It should serve a genuine need for discipline.
- It must not cause severe physical harm.
- It should not lead to resentment or ill feelings.
- It must not provoke the child to run away.
- Teachers require permission from the child's guardian.
- Punishment should be proportional and tolerable.
- The use of sticks, cables, or objects is prohibited—only hands may be used.
- The face and head must be avoided.
- It must never stem from anger or revenge.
