MUI: Islam Permits Day Care, But Parental Responsibility Remains Paramount

In response to growing concerns about violence in childcare facilities, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) in Surakarta has clarified Islam's stance on day care. Chairman of the MUI Fatwa Commission, KH Ahmad Muhamad Mustain Nasoha, affirmed that entrusting children to day care is permissible within Islamic teachings, provided it does not supplant the fundamental duties of parents.

Islamic doctrine underscores that children are a sacred trust (amanah) from Allah SWT, requiring diligent care, nurturing, and upbringing. This principle is rooted in the Quranic injunction in Surah At-Tahrim (66:6): "O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a fire whose fuel is people and stones." Furthermore, the Quran, specifically in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:233), outlines the parental obligation, particularly for fathers, to provide for the child's needs.

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Entrusting children to day care is fundamentally permissible in Islam, as long as it does not replace the primary responsibility of parents.

According to Tafsir Jami' al-Bayan by Imam Ibnu Jarir At-Thabari, fathers bear the primary responsibility for ensuring the well-being of both mother and child, encompassing sustenance, clothing, and all aspects supporting the child's development. Therefore, day care can be viewed as a modern solution to assist parents facing time constraints due to work or other circumstances. However, the council stresses that utilizing day care services does not absolve parents of their core responsibilities.

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Day care is merely a means (wasilah), not a substitute for the primary role of parents. The responsibility for upbringing remains fully with the father and mother.

"Day care is merely a means (wasilah), not a substitute for the primary role of parents. The responsibility for upbringing remains fully with the father and mother," stated Gus Mustain. The concept of 'bil ma'ruf' (in a good and recognized way), mentioned in the Quran, serves as a crucial standard for evaluating day care facilities. They must provide a safe, healthy, and nurturing environment that supports the child's holistic development – physical, mental, and emotional. Any instance of negligence, violence, or an unhealthy environment would contraindicate Islamic principles, violating the mandate of 'hifzh al-nafs' (protection of the soul).

From an Indonesian perspective, this clarification is vital. While modern life often necessitates dual-income households, the sanctity of family and parental responsibility remains paramount in our cultural and religious values. The MUI's guidance ensures that while we embrace modern conveniences like day care, we do not compromise the core tenets of Islamic upbringing. This nuanced approach allows parents to seek external help while maintaining their ultimate accountability, reflecting a balance between contemporary needs and enduring religious principles.

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If there is violence or neglect, then it clearly violates the trust of upbringing and contradicts the principle of protecting the soul (hifzh al-nafs).