My Father Figure

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When I was a young child, I thought my best friend’s father was the perfect father. He always seemed to be around. On Fridays, he gave each of his children money to get treats from the local shop, and if I was there, I’d qualify too. During sleepovers, he would tell my friend and I imaginative bedtime stories that featured us as the central characters. One day he took us to the circus – it was a day of excitement and buzz. I recall it was bitterly cold and he kindly lent me his coat.

My own father was different. He occasionally made up bedtime tales, though they were predictable and I was all too quick to tell him they weren’t a patch on those of my friend’s father. If we forgot to wear the right clothing, we had to learn the hard way. He often worked late to provide for our family. As a child, that wasn’t nearly as fun as sweets, stories, and a circus. Yet he showed me the value of hard work and service to others. I was fortunate to have had both my father and my friend’s father present in my early childhood.

Prophet Muhammad - whom Muslims consider to be the last Prophet sent by God to mankind – lost his father before he was even born. His grandfather took care of him until he too passed away. While Muhammad was still a child and after two tragic losses, his uncle looked after him. As a Muslim, I’ve read how both these men protected, supported and guided him. I believe it was through these two father figures, no doubt with different personalities and approaches, that Muhammad learned his first lessons about compassion and patience. It was the love and care he received from them both which helped Muhammad grow into a wise and respected leader.

I believe each of these father figures was able to bring their own unique qualities to guide and inspire the young children entrusted to their care, no matter how transient that time was. I’m learning that having a variety of influences in those early years can benefit children for life. Although being an eternal optimist about the British weather, I still often forget to wear a coat.

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