How to raise children - as per Islamic principles

Teaching good manners is better than charity in the path of Allah

There is a Hadith in Jame’ Tirmidhi about teachings good manners to children and instructing them in Islamic culture:

Translation: It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Jabir bin Samurah (May Allah be well pleased with him) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  A man instructing his children in good manners is better than giving 1 Sa’a (a unit of measure) of charity.  (Jame’ Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 2078)

People spend money on various beneficial works as a virtue.  They participate a lot in charities and donations.  Spending 1 Sa’a worth of money is undoubtedly a good deed, but for a father a far better and excellent deed would be to teach good manners to his child and to direct his child’s attention to acquiring good manners.

There is another Hadith in the same regard:

Translation: Hadhrat Ayub bin Moosa (May Allah be well pleased with him) narrates on the authority of his grandfather from his father:  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  No father gave his child a better gift than good manners.  (Jame’ Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 2079)