🧒 Raising children (tarbiyah) · #30
Our child has been diagnosed with autism or a disability. How should we understand this trial, and what help is available?
The child is an equally honoured trust, and this trial is not a punishment; focus on early intervention, support and the parents' own wellbeing.
Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity (al-Baqarah 2:286), and Allah corrected the Prophet ﷺ when he turned away from a blind man, ʿAbdullah ibn Umm Maktum (ʿAbasa 80:1–4) — a sign that a person's worth is not measured by physical ability. In practice: get an assessment from a child specialist, start speech or occupational therapy as early as possible, register the child as a person with disabilities (OKU) with the Social Welfare Department to access support, and ask the school about the Special Education Programme. Contact parent support groups. Share the load between husband and wife and do not blame each other. See Zakat & welfare assistance and Mental health.
Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity (al-Baqarah 2:286), and Allah corrected the Prophet ﷺ when he turned away from a blind man, ʿAbdullah ibn Umm Maktum (ʿAbasa 80:1–4) — a sign that a person's worth is not measured by physical ability. In practice: get an assessment from a child specialist, start speech or occupational therapy as early as possible, register the child as a person with disabilities (OKU) with the Social Welfare Department to access support, and ask the school about the Special Education Programme. Contact parent support groups. Share the load between husband and wife and do not blame each other. See Zakat & welfare assistance and Mental health.
Sources
Surah al-Baqarah 2:286Surah 'Abasa 80:1Surah at-Taghabun 64:15