Identity, as a stable and distinguishing characteristic of an individual, is one of the fundamental human rights, the weakening of which often begins in childhood. Islam, as a pioneering school in law and education, has emphasized the child's right to a positive and dignity-centered identity long before contemporary legal systems. The main research question is: From a jurisprudential-educational perspective, what rights do the teachings of the Quran and Hadith delineate for identity formation in children, and how are parents the primary audience of these teachings?
This research, employing a descriptive-analytical method and exploring Quranic verses and authentic Hadith, investigates this issue. The findings reveal that Islam addresses parents through five key rights to strengthen the child's positive identity: 1) acknowledgment of lineage and responsible guardianship, 2) bestowal of a good name (Tasmiyah), 3) pursuit of knowledge and education, 4) preservation of human dignity and respect for personality, and 5) observance of justice among children. These rights are directly derived from relevant Quranic verses and numerous Hadith (from the Prophet (PBUH) and the Imams (AS)), aiming to safeguard the child's dignity and identity.
The results indicate that Iran's educational system, despite initial steps toward preserving Islamic identity in children, requires greater attention to these rich teachings for a more robust future structure. This research emphasizes revising educational programs by relying on authentic Islamic sources.