The children of prophets, Imams, and religious scholars are human, like all other individuals in society. They are shaped by both positive and negative influences, living amidst a constant conflict where positive forces confront negative ones.
Therefore, it is not inevitable that a prophet's child will be righteous, nor that the child of an Imam, scholar, or activist will follow their parent's path. A father is only one part of his child's social environment—a single factor among many that shape the child's personality.
In many cases, a father may face significant problems that make him unstable or weak, preventing him from exerting a strong positive influence on his family. External burdens, especially those that are prolonged and intense, can hamper a father's ability to positively impact his children. This is particularly true when these burdens involve the demanding task of religious preaching (da'wa). Prophets, guardians, and scholars are prime examples of this dynamic.
Indeed, the challenging mission of inviting others to faith, particularly in Islam, can consume a person's full attention and effort, often at the expense of his household. Such a lifestyle can distance him from personal matters, including his family.
Furthermore, the community exerts a powerful influence, even on the household of a prophet, guardian, or scholar. A deviant society possesses the ability to sway a household, potentially destroying the effects of a prophetic message in their souls. Some prophets, scholars, and saints have been tested through their own spouses, who took a stance opposing the prophetic mission. The Quran illustrates this with the wives of Noah and Lot:
"Allah presents an example of those who disbelieved: the wife of Noah and the wife of Lot. They were under two of Our righteous servants, but they betrayed them, so they [i.e., the prophets] did not avail them from Allah at all, and it was said, 'Enter the Fire with those who enter.'" Surah at-Tahrim (66:10)
Naturally, a situation where a wife rejects her husband's message has a negative effect on the children. This demonstrates the mother's profound influence, which can be detrimental if she is swayed by corrupt and faithless trends. She brings these ideas into the household, creating a source of conflict for the prophet within his own home. He may be unable to protect it, as his own wife is part of that environment and can greatly impact the children's upbringing.
The Quran opens the door to a wide discussion of this issue in the case of Noah's son. Noah urges his son to board the ark:
"And [Noah] said, 'Embark therein; in the name of Allah is its course and its anchorage. Indeed, my Lord is Forgiving and Merciful.'"
Surah Hud (11:41)
He pleads with him:
"O my son, come aboard with us and do not be with the disbelievers."
Surah Hud (11:42)
Yet, the son is rebellious, disrespecting his father and ignoring his warnings. He does not believe in his father's knowledge or capabilities, replying:
"I will take refuge on a mountain to protect me from the water." Surah Hud (11:43)
Noah, losing hope, answers:
"There is no protector today from the decree of Allah, except for whom He gives mercy." Surah Hud (11:43)
When Noah later supplicates to his Lord, mentioning his son, God replies:
"O Noah, indeed he is not of your family; indeed, his was an unrighteous deed."
Surah Hud (11:46)
Why did Noah's son not believe? The Quranic narrative suggests the son was more influenced by his mother and the disbelieving community than by his father. Noah was isolated with a small band of believers, weighed down by his responsibilities, and thus unable to counter the dominant influence on his son.
This contrasts with the case of Ismael, who lived in an environment where his father, Abraham, could isolate him from societal pressures. Ismael's mother was also a righteous believer. In one case, the child's learning process was protected; in the other, it was not.
This is why Islam places great emphasis on marriage, advising believers to marry those who are religiously observant. A hadith recounts that a man once asked the Prophet, peace be upon him, "Who should I marry?" The Prophet replied, "Marry a religious woman." The righteousness of the household is paramount. A child should be raised in a wholesome Islamic environment, so his senses and perceptions are molded to be immune to corruption.
However, when opposing forces exist within the household—where one parent pulls towards faith and the other towards disbelief—the necessary harmony is broken.
From the story of Noah, we learn that a father cannot be confident his child will be righteous simply because he is. It is the father's duty to be cautious, recognizing that a lack of righteousness in his wife could adversely affect his child.
At the same time, a father should not bear all the blame for his child's corruption. People should avoid automatically judging a parent by their child's misdeeds and saying, "Look at your son!" While God charges a person with responsibility for his family, this responsibility is proportional to the abilities and means he possesses; it is not the sole factor determining the outcome for those around him.