Father figures can play many roles within the family system. Fathers put in the effort to balance their careers to be loving, involved fathers. Unbeknownst to many, he struggles with guilt when his career advances at the expense of his spouse and children. Father is not only the breadwinner of his family. he also strives to keep alive and happy. Fathers are the first role model for their children. Allah says:

جَنَّاتُ عَدْنٍ يَدْخُلُونَهَا وَمَن صَلَحَ مِنْ آبَائِهِمْ وَأَزْوَاجِهِمْ وَذُرِّيَّاتِهِمْ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ يَدْخُلُونَ عَلَيْهِم مِّن كُلِّ بَابٍ

“Gardens of Eden, they will enter them and whoever (were) righteous among their fathers and their spouses, and their offsprings. And the Angels will enter upon them from every gate.” (Surah Ar-Ra`d 13:23)

Fathers play a role in every child’s life that cannot be filled by others. This role can have a large impact on a child and help shape them into the person they become. Fathers not only influence who we are inside but how we have relationships with people as we grow. Friends, lovers, and spouses will all be chosen based on how the child perceived the meaning of the relationship with his or her father. The patterns a father sets in the relationships with his children will dictate how his children relate with other people. Allah says:

وَلِكُلٍّ جَعَلْنَا مَوَالِيَ مِمَّا تَرَكَ الْوَالِدَانِ وَالْأَقْرَبُونَ وَالَّذِينَ عَقَدَتْ أَيْمَانُكُمْ فَآتُوهُمْ نَصِيبَهُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ شَهِيدًا

“And for all We heirs of what (is) left (by) the parents and the relatives. And those who pledged your right hands – then give them their share. Indeed, Allah is over everything a Witness.” (Surah An-Nisa` 4:33)

Fathers, like mothers, are pillars in the development of a child’s emotional well-being. Children look to their fathers to lay down the rules and enforce them. They also look to their fathers to provide a feeling of security, both physical and emotional. Children want to make their fathers proud, and an involved father promotes inner growth and strength. Studies have shown that when fathers are affectionate and supportive, it greatly affects a child’s cognitive and social development. It also instils an overall sense of well-being and self-confidence.

Here are a few ways that God designed dads to have a unique influence on their families:

1. A father’s guidance can be life-changing and foundational
2. A father is like a lighthouse standing tall above the seas
3. A father tends to see in relation to the rest of the world
4. A father leads you through life as a respected person
5. A father protect their children from external dangers
6. A father is at times a helper, a coach, and a friend
7. A father sets the bar for relationships with others
8. A father figure has a significant impact on family
9. A father’s words can be fueling and inspirational
10. A father figure can be involved in healthy ways
11. A father’s smile can instil joy and confidence
12. A father evaluates the environment of family
13. A father may trade-off in terms of responsibilities
14. A father’s strength is a powerful value for a family
15. A father’s techniques work well for raising children
16. A father’s correction can be life-saving and life-giving
17. A father providing services that aim to increase family
18. A father can bring many amazing things to their family
19. A father has positive skills and reduces the risk to family
20. A father guarantees their child’s safety by shaping the environment

In everybody’s life, the father is the first teacher who teaches us about good and bad evils. The role of a father in the family is incredibly important to their child or children’s psychological and physical well-being. When a child has a healthy relationship with a father figure, they tend to grow up to have higher levels of psychological health, as well as better quality relationships. Allah says:

قَالُوا سَنُرَاوِدُ عَنْهُ أَبَاهُ وَإِنَّا لَفَاعِلُونَ

They said, “We will try to get permission for him (from) his father, and indeed we, surely will do.” (Surah Yusuf 12:61)

A father is someone you can rely on, someone who is your role model, someone who is strong, determined, and obligated to do the best for his family. A father is like sand in a desert. A father has four responsibilities — one, to influence and impart values; two, to confer a healthy identity; three, to provide security, especially emotional security; four, to affirm potential.

Importance of a Father in Creating Essential Momentum in Our Lives:

• Father held your hand when you took your first stumbling steps
• Father bring a specific type of feel, action, and movement
• Father grieved over your loss more than he admitted
• Fathers care both by choice and by compulsion
• Father is the strongest member of the family
• Father is a pillar of support
• Fathe picked you up when you fell
• Father is the protector of the family
• Father always helps you look for the best job
• Father is always ready to help out from all trials
• Father bring essential momentum in all areas of life
• Father might not say much, but you mean the world to him

Fathers are there to make sure that values and morals are instilled into a child so that they grow up respectful individuals that are also respected by others. Fathers teach their children the ability to face adversity with courage and to never compromise their beliefs to please others. Fathers are the protectors and the strength behind a confident, independent child who knows how to protect himself.

Allah Almighty says in The Holy Quran:

• “…Do not worship except Allah, and to parents do good…” (Quran 2:83)
• “And We have enjoined on man goodness to his parents.” (Ankabut 29:8)
• “And dutiful to his parents, and not he was a tyrant disobedient.” (Quran 19:14)
• “Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination.” (Quran 31:14)
• “Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good …” (Quran 4:36)
• ” …My Lord and Sustainer! Be kind and have mercy on them as they cherished, nurtured and sustained me in childhood.” (Quran 17:24)
• “…No mother should be harmed through her child and no father through his child…” (Quran 2: 233)
• “Our Lord! Forgive me and my parents and believers on the day when the account is cast.” (Quran 14:41)

Father provide physical and emotional comfort in tough times and help build self-esteem. The status of parents in Islam is very high. We as Muslims should give respect and love to our parents. Parents should be treated well at all times this is a virtuous kind of action in the sight of Allah. Parents and children in Islam are bonded together by mutual obligations. Islam instructs us to honour our parents, abide by them, follow their commands, and to respect their comments. Allah says:

وَاعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَلَا تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا ۖ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانً

“Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him and be good to parents.” (Surah An-Nisa 4:36)

Fathers act strict and disciplined to teach children how to live in the real world. A father’s gifts of quality time, life-giving words, and positive actions have a long-lasting impact on his children. In the role of provider, a father’s ability to provide for his family is related to his sense of duty, his sense of identity, and his manhood. Different cultures have different messages about what it means to be a man, a husband, and a father. Allah says:

رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيَّ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَوْمَ يَقُومُ الْحِسَابُ

“Our Lord! Forgive me and my parents and the believers (on) the Day will (be) established the account.” (Ibrahim 14:41)

A father figure can significantly influence the life and well-being of their child. In families where the father figure is present, the father serves as one of the first male role models and male relationships the child will encounter. Father is the main enforcer of family rules and boundaries at home. In almost every studied culture, fathers have assumed three primary roles: the protector, the provider, and the disciplinarian.