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The
Need for Relevant and Effective Education
By Dr. Norlain Dindang Mababaya
The
world has been beleaguered with perplexing problems of various sorts from all
aspects of life. People from all
walks of life in all countries recognize and feel the effects of mass poverty
and destitution, the high disparity between the rich and the poor, graft and
corruptions, bribery, swindling, dirty politics, lack of peace and order, human
rights violation, homicides, murders and wanton killings of any sort,
pornography, rapes, prostitution, adultery, pre-marital relations, drug
addiction, deadly diseases such as the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
(AIDS), alcoholism, gambling, family break-ups, juvenile delinquency, suicides,
and other economic,
political, social, moral and spiritual
tribulations in life.
What has education done to solve or at least to minimize the prevailing
perplexing problems? What is wrong with our educational system? Why should we work to make our education more relevant and
effective to our needs? Why strive
to educate our children with the
best knowledge? What kind of
educational system should we guide our children?
How can we guide or educate our children to be successful both in this
world and in the Hereafter? Questions
such as these need rational answers and that answers can only come from the
Islamic viewpoint. We must ponder
upon them and search for the best answers based on the Qur’an and the Sunnah.
The following excerpts from the Saudi Gazzette dated Monday September
8, 1997 p. 8, “Back to School from the MIMBAR, Jeddah Sept 7 (SPA) show the
dire need to correct the present educational system:
Sheikh
Saleh Humeid, Imam and Khatib of the Grand Mosque in Makkah on Friday called on
Muslims to fear Allah, i.e., observe taqwa, in public and privacy.
In the Jum’a khutbah, Sheik Bin Humeid, confirmed that it is the true
religion and monotheism (tawheed) that protect the nation (Ummah) and create
miracles. It is the true beliefs
that enlightens the minds with reason and refine the manners with wisdom.
In
his khutba, Sheik Bin Humeid focused on the issues of education and its sound
foundations emanating from well-established principles and the values of Islam.
He said, “The denominations, sectarianism and materialism surrounding humanity
and the phenomena of moral decadence, degradation of women’s dignity, juvenile
delinquency of women’s dignity, juvenile delinquency and family breakup that
have become manifest in modern life, prove that the education they are receiving
requires reorientation.”
His
Eminence drew the attention of the Muslims top the fact that the education
syllabi in many Muslim countries have been subjected to Orientalism and
Westernization with the result that the intellectual danger posed a threat to
their sons’ beliefs and that social indiscipline threatened their generations.
In this way, duality in the education syllabi became a characteristic of many of
their schools and institutes.
Sheik
Bin Humeid called upon educators and education officials in the Muslim world to
correct the syllabi and systems of education and confront the ideological
invasion directed against this nation (Ummah).
From the above very important Khutbah (Friday Sermons), we can reflect
on three important points: First,
the educational curricula in many Muslim countries are insufficient to meet the
moral and spiritual requirements of Muslims, because of western or non-Islamic
influences. Second, there is the
pressing need to redirect and correct the curriculum in our educational system
in order to make it more responsive to the needs and demands of the Muslims. And
third, Islam being the true Religion is the only system and way of life that
offers solutions to the pressing problems. All these call for the need to
correct and strengthen the educational system by making it Islamic, one that is
free from western ideologies directed against the Muslim ummah.
While it is true that there are existing universities (both in Muslim
and non-Muslim countries) that offer Islamic Studies, it must be noted that the
subjects or syllabi they offer are far from molding the learners to be
responsible Muslims who perform their duties to Allah out of sincerity, fear,
trust and love of Him. The books
and reference materials being used in the schools and universities do not
necessarily reflect the authentic Islamic knowledge and teachings.
Thus, in many cases we hear of graduates from such universities who are
unmindful of their daily prayers and other basic duties as Muslims.
We observe them celebrating the Prophet's birthday, although we know that
never did the Prophet r nor
any of his Companions did it. We see women with bachelors or masters
degree whose physical appearance do not differ from the non-Muslims because they
never bother wearing hijjab. How
much more, if we ask them to do Da’wah?
Why
strive to educate our children with the
best knowledge?
The need to correct and redirect our education is not only a challenge
that must be addressed to all educators and education officials in the Muslim
world but to all, especially the parents and the youths who would be parents in
the future.
We,
parents, should strive to educate our respective children because we are
accountable to the success and failure of our own children.
In an authentic Hâdîth compiled
by Imam Bukhari, it was reported that Abdullah bin Umar heard the Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh) saying:
“Every
one of you is a guardian, and responsible for what is in his custody.
The ruler is a guardian of his subjects and responsible for them. A husband is a guardian of his family and is responsible for
it. A lady is a guardian of her
husband’s house and is responsible for it. And a servant is a guardian of his
master’s property and is responsible for it.
A man is a guardian of his father’s property and is responsible for it;
so all of you are guardians and responsible for your wards and things under your
care.” (Bukhari, 3/592)
Being accountable to our children, it is
then our duty to give our children good education. In fact, the Prophet (pbuh)
emphasized the importance of
imparting our children with good
education when he said:
“A
father gives his child nothing better than a good education.”
(Mishkat, 4977, transmitted by Tirmidhi and Baihaqi)
When we guide our children to have good
education, we expect reward from Allah the Almighty. The Prophet (pbuh)
said:
“Whoever
guides somebody to what is good will have a reward similar to the rewards of the
doer of that good deed to whom he has guided to it.”
(Muslim, Abu Daud and Tirmidhi)
“He
who called (people) to righteousness there will be a reward (assured) for him
like the reward of those who adhered to it, without their rewards being
diminished in any way. And who
called (people) to error, shall carry (the burden) of its sin, like those who
committed it, without their sins being diminished in any way.”
(Muslim)
Good education develops our children to be
righteous. When we guide our
children toward righteousness through good education their prayers to Allah for
our own benefit continue even when we die. The Prophet (pbuh) said:
“When
a man dies, accrual of merit in his favor from good deeds ceases except from
three actions: 1. a charity which continues after his death; 2. knowledge left
behind from which men continue to benefit; and 3. righteous offspring who pray
for him.” (Muslim)
“A
man will be raised some degrees in Paradise and he will say, `For what reason I
am receiving this?’ He will be told, `Because of your son asking forgiveness for
you.’” (Muslim)
Furthermore, Allah not only commands mankind
to seek knowledge but also commends those who are knowledgeable.
He encourages the learned by
promising them rewards. The
following ayat state:
“He
grants wisdom to whom He pleases; and he to whom wisdom is granted receives
indeed a benefit overflowing; but none will grasp the Message but men of
understanding.” (2: 269)
“...Allah
will raise up, to (suitable) ranks (and degrees), those of you who believe and
have been granted Knowledge. And
Allah is well-acquainted with all you do.”
(58:11)
According to Shayk ‘Abdul ‘Azeez bin
‘Abdullaah bin Baaz (may Allah bless his soul) in his book entitled, “Knowledge”
which was translated by Ahmar bin Muhammad Iqbal, published by Al-Hidaayah
Publishing and Distribution in Birmingham, United Kingdom in 1995, “Allah has
honored and extolled the people who possess this knowledge, and He has raised
their status high. He made them
bear witness to His Oneness with sincere devotion.”
According to him the people of knowledge together with the angels bear
witness that Allah is the Only God worthy to be worshipped. (1995, p.5-6).
The eminent Muslim scholar quoted the following verse in the Qur’an:
“Allah
bears witness that none has the right to be worshipped but He, and the angels,
and those having knowledge (also
bear witness to this); (He is always) maintaining His Creation in justice.
None has the right to be worshipped but He, the All-Mighty the All-Wise.
(3:18)
In another verse, Allah tells us that
“only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allah...” (35:28).
In return for their being god-fearing, Allah is pleased with them.
They receive Allah’s admonition. Allah
tells us in His Book:
Is
then one who does know that, that which has been Revealed unto you from your
Lord is the Truth, like the one who is blind?
It is those who are endued with understanding that receive admonition;...
We have bestowed for their sustenance, secretly and openly; and turn off Evil
with good: for such there is the final attainment of the (eternal) Home.
Gardens of perpetual bliss: they shall enter there... how excellent is
the final Home! (13:19-24)
When we acquire knowledge we learn not only
the divine purpose why Allah created us but also understand the meaning of this
temporary world and how we should prepare our lives to enjoy the everlasting
life in the hereafter. We know that
only when we peacefully and completely submit to Allah, believe and fear in Him,
follow His commands, do righteous deeds for the sole purpose to please Him
alone, and subsequently refrain from committing sins do we attain salvation.
When we acquire knowledge we are assured of Allah’s everlasting reward.
We gain Allah’s protection from the terrible punishments in the hell-fire that
await those who do not believe because they are devoid of wisdom.
For our own benefit we should strive to acquire knowledge of Islam and
educate our children with the said best knowledge because Allah makes it very
clear that those who know are not equal with those who do not know.
He tells us:
Is
one who worships devoutly during the hours of the night prostrating himself or
standing (in adoration), who takes heed of the Hereafter, and who places his
hope in the Mercy of his God—like one who does not)?
Say: “Are those equal, those who know and those who do not know?”
It is those who are endued with understanding that receive admonition.
(39:9)
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) also inspires those who are knowledgeable.
He says:
“People
are mines like mines of gold and silver, the more excellent of them in the days
of ignorance are the more excellent of them in Islam when they attain
knowledge.” (Muslim)
“The
learned ones are the heirs of the prophets, they leave knowledge as their
inheritance; he who inherits it, inherits a great fortune.”
(Abu Daud, Tirmidhi and Ibn Maja)
Just how many of us know what kind of
education we should provide our children? What
should constitute the key factor that should guide us in coming up with the
so-called good education?
To answer these questions, we should ask
ourselves the following: What is
our ultimate goal in life? How can
we attain our ultimate goal?
It is sad to note that many parents, devoid
of in depth knowledge of Islam, confine their goal to this worldly life. A
Muslim scholar, Norma Tazi in her book entitled. “The Child in Islam: A
Muslim Parent’s Handbook” published in Indiana by the American Trust
Publications in 1995 wrote:
In
general, the goals of many parents in the world today are probably something
like this: to rear a child to be a contributing member of society,
to have a
“good education
and get a
“good” job, and eventually settle down to rear a family of his own.
The “good” job and education are usually defined as those which lead
to wealth and material comfort. Practically all parents want these things for
their children, and it would be ungracious and ungrateful to refuse any wealth
and comfort Allah grants us in this world.
But while these goals are reasonable, we find better goals mentioned in
the Qur’an and advice of the prophets and other great men of Allah for their
children. (p.51)
Allah, through the Qur’an, guides us to
the (right) Way of Religion and directs us to follow it, and follow not the
desires of those who know not (45:18). He
guides us to a balanced way of life which provides both material and spiritual
well-being both in this life and the world to come. He says:
"But
seek, with the
wealth which Allah has bestowed on thee, the Home of the Hereafter, nor forget
thy portion in this World: But do you good, as Allah has been good to thee, and
seek not (occasions for) mischief in the land: for Allah loves not those who do
mischief." (28:77)
“And
when the prayer is finished, then may you disperse through the land, and seek of
the Bounty of Allah: and remember Allah frequently that you may prosper.”
(62:10)
Though we are to seek a good life here on
earth and in the world to come, Allah guides us to prefer the latter life.
The life in the Hereafter is eternal and lasting compared to this
temporal world. Our Rabb tells us:
“Nothing
is the life of this world but play and amusement.
But best is the Home in the
Hereafter, for those who are righteous. Will
you not then understand?” (6:32)
"O
you who believe! What is the matter
with you, that, when you are asked to go forth in the Cause of Allah, you cling
heavily to the earth? Do you prefer the life of this world to the Hereafter?
But little is the comfort of this life, as compared with the
Hereafter." (9:38)
“Allah
does enlarge,
or grant
by (strict) measure,
the Sustenance (which He gives) to whom so He pleases.
(The worldly) rejoice in the life of this world: But the life of this
world is but little comfort compared to the Hereafter.”
(13:26)
Know
you (all), that the
life of this
world is but
play and a past
time, adornment
and mutual boasting and multiplying, (in rivalry) among yourselves,
riches and children. Here
is a similitude; how rain and the growth, which it brings forth, delight (the
hearts of) the tillers; soon it withers; you will see it grow yellow; then it
becomes dry and crumbles away. But
in the Hereafter is a Penalty severe (for
the devotees of wrong). And
forgiveness from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure (for the devotees of Allah). And what is the life of this world, but goods and
chattels of deception? (57:20)
Allah the Exalted makes it clear to us that
the life of this world is deceiving (6:130).
Many people love this fleeting life and neglect the Hereafter (75:20-21).
Those who desire the life of the Present and its glitter will suffer in
the Fire in the Hereafter (11:15-16). Those
who wish for the transitory things (of this life),
Allah will grant
them such things as He
wills, to such persons as He wills. But
in the end, He has provided for them punishment in Hell.
They will burn therein, disgraced and rejected (17:18).
In deciding what kind of education we should
give to our children we should bear in mind the very purpose of our existence in
this world— i.e., to worship Allah. Allah
the Exalted says:
“I
created not the jinn and men except that they should worship Me (Alone).
I seek not any provision from them nor do I ask that they should feed
Me.” (51:56-57)
The concept of worship in Islam does not
only mean the performance of ritual acts such as prayers, fasting, payment of
zakat, pilgrimage and the like; but also covers everything that we believe,
think, say and do that pleases our Creator. It includes our attitudes, behavior,
and performance of the teachings and guidance that Allah and His Messenger
r
have commanded us to do and
the avoidance of the things which refrain us to do (as mentioned in the Qur’an
and Sunnah) ¾
all for the pleasure of Allah.
Allah promises everlasting rewards for those
who worship Him (23:1-2, 9-11) with Peace and Security (50:34) in the Gardens of
Paradise as the final abode (25:15-16). They will be rewarded with the greatest bliss and that is the
Good Pleasure of Allah: that is the supreme triumph (9:72).
Allah is the final Goal of all. He
says:
“(Both)
the Jews and the Christians say: `We are sons of Allah, and His beloved.’
Say: `Why then does He punish you for your sins?
Nay, you are but men—of the men He has created:
He forgives whom He pleases, and He punishes whom He pleases:
And to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and all
that is between: and unto Him is the Final Goal (of all).”
(5:18)
“That
man can have nothing but what he strives for; that (the fruit of) his striving
will soon come in sight; then will he be rewarded with a reward complete; that
to your God is the Final Goal...” (53:39-42)
For the best guidance of our children we
should, therefore, educate them with Islamic knowledge.
We should understand that knowledge according to Prophet Muhammad r means nothing but Islamic knowledge. According to him:
“Knowledge
consists of three things: the decisive verses (Qur’an), authentic hadith and
prescriptions rightly deduced from the two.
What is beside them is superfluous.”
(Abu Daud and Ibn Majah)
Shayk ‘Abdul ‘Azeez bin Baaz defines
knowledge very comprehensively when he said:
"Knowledge
consists of many branches, but according to the scholars of Islam: “What is
meant by knowledge in the absolute sense is Islamic knowledge.”
This
is the intended meaning of knowledge in the book of Allah and the Sunnah of His
Messenger (pbuh).
In the absolute sense, it is knowledge regarding Allah, His names and
attributes, knowledge of His rights over His creation, and what He, the One free
from all defects, the Most High, has prescribed for them. It is the detailed
knowledge of the path that leads to Allah;
knowledge of
the purpose of
our creation; and the end which the slave will result in, in the
Hereafter.
...The
greatest and most excellent knowledge is
that which pertains to Allah, His names, and His attributes, and this knowledge
is known as `aqeedah (belief). Indeed
to Allah, the exalted and Supreme, belongs the best example which is the highest
description in every aspect of His essence, names, attributes and actions.
Following
this is that which is related to Allah’s right over His creation, what He has
prescribed upon them. Following this is what supports and bonds it in understanding
such as knowledge of the principles of Arabic, Islamic terminology, principles
of fiq, haadeeth (and its) methodology and other sciences which are connected to
this knowledge, which assist it in both understanding and precision.
The
biography of the Prophet (pbuh)
Islamic
history, biography of the narrators of hadeeth and of the scholars of Islam are
also part of this knowledge (pp. 4-5).
In brief, Shayk bin Baaz defines knowledge
as “Allah said...” and “The Messenger said...” which is called Ilm
Shar; it is the knowledge of the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His
Messenger (pbuh) and all that assist its understanding (1995, p.15).
From the Islamic point of view we can,
therefore, say that knowledge means the knowledge of the Qur’an and the Sunnah
and all that we can deduce from the two as well as those that assist us in
understanding them. When we follow
the divine commandment to read and, hence, search for knowledge we learn the
truth that of all books only the Glorious Qur’an and the Books on Ahadith and
Sunnah (Teachings and Traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) could
completely guide us as to what kind of knowledge we are supposed to learn and
what kind of education we are supposed to give to our children.
We Muslims need not waste our time reading books on psychology and
guidance written by human beings in order to come up with the right and the best
guidance pertaining to the “whats”,
“whys” and “hows” of raising our children.
There is no substitute for the Glorious Qur’an and the Books on the
Ahadit and Sunnah of His Messenger r
.
We parents must seriously think of the ways
of educating our children with Islamic knowledge. This is a must especially if we do not have access to schools
and universities that offer quality Islamic education. Except in few Islamic-oriented communities, the current
education system that are made available to Muslims, in general, do not provide
learners both with the proper training that can qualify them for employment
after graduation and the Islamic knowledge that can guide them to be successful
in the eternal world to come. The
Muslim children either have to go to the Madrasah schools where they only learn
about Islam and face low income or unemployment problem after graduation or
enrolled in the western schools where they acquire skills, training and values
alien to Islam, but hope for a better employment and decent income after
graduation. Dr. Taha Jabir Al
Alwani in his occasional papers entitled, “Outlines of a Cultural Strategy”,
published by the International Institute of Islamic Thought, Herndon, Virginia
in 1989 made the following general observation:
The
current system of education in the Muslim world has failed to instill any such
belief, sound vision, standards or motives in the Muslim.
As a result of this failure, the aim of education for the Muslim, at
various levels, is to obtain decent employment with a decent income. Materialism
has become widespread among the educated who have lost any sense of a clear
purpose in life. Academic
syllabi have failed to establish a sound purpose in the Muslim conscience. (pp.
11-12)
To guide our children toward a balanced way
of life, Muslim scholars particularly those based in the International Institute
of Islamic Thought, Herndon, Virginia, USA propose the idea of the Islamization
of knowledge. Dr. Alwani proposes a
cultural strategy which must firmly establish Islam and its vision, not through
limited classes on `religion’ but throughout the entire education system.
According to him every syllabus and program must aim at forming and establishing
this belief; we must clear every syllabus of anything that contradicts or
opposes this belief. This could be
done by reorganizing the education system in all Muslim countries and removing
the negative influences of the disparity between religious, secular, civil and
military education... to end the segmentation of knowledge.
This could be achieved by integrating all existing systems and creating
one single system based on the teachings, spirit and vision of Islam. The new
education system, its syllabi and methods, and those responsible for it, should
all be infused with the principles and aims of Islam (1989, p. 12).
The Islamization of knowledge if implemented
in the entire Muslim world, insha Allah (God willing), will free the
Muslim children whose parents prefer this worldly life for materialistic
interest. At the same time, those who give importance to the eternal life in the
hereafter will enjoy Allah’s blessings in this temporal world.
There will be no disparity between and among Muslim learners; thereby,
promoting unity, brotherhood and success among Muslims.
For the Ummah to be strong and
unified all Muslim scholars and Muslim leaders should support the noble idea of
Islamization of knowledge. They
should work for its immediate implementation in order to make education an
effective instrument for us to attain success both in this world and in the
world to come and achieve our ultimate goal in life.
The rich among us Muslims must invest in
building quality Islamic schools, colleges and universities where learners from
nursery stage learn Arabic language, Qur'an and the basic teachings of
Islam, especially Tawheed. This is
essential to instill in them the value of taqwa (fear)
and trust in Allah. If
the educational system will succeed building these two important traits to our
children, then education will become a tool for their success, which means our
success too. Allah the Almighty
says:
“And
He provides for him from (sources) he never could expect.
And if any one puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him.
For Allah will surely accomplish His purpose.
Verily, for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion.”
(65:3)
“O
you who believe! If you fear Allah,
He will grant you a criterion (to judge between right and wrong) remove from you
(all) evil (that may afflict) you and forgive you: for Allah is the Rabb of
grace unbounded.” (8:29)
“As
for those who fear their Rabb Unseen, for them is Forgiveness and a great
Reward.” (67:12)
Educators who are responsible for curriculum
development in colleges and universities must see to it that students in all
disciplines (i.e., either in the field of engineering, education, medical, law,
business or management, etc.) must know during their general education stage or
first two years of college the basic teachings of Islam like Tawheed, Pillars
and Articles of Islam, Halal and Haram in Islam, Etiquettes of Life in Islam,
Muslim Character and Da’wah according to the Qur’an and the Sunnah.
This means, to require all students to take Islamic subjects that will
develop their characters as God-fearing, righteous and responsible Muslims. In this way, they become assets to their society, the ummah
and the world at large because they practice Islam and subsequently enjoin
others to righteousness. Islamic
character building is a must because Allah has commanded us to follow His
Messenger (pbuh) who has the best character and that His Messenger likewise
encourages us to have good character. The following Ahadith teach us the
importance of good character:
Abu
Darda (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (pbuh) said,
“There is nothing heavier than good character put in the scale of a believer
on the Day of Resurrection.” (Abu
Dawud 4781)
Abu
Darda narrated that the Prophet (pbuh) said, “Nothing is
weightier in the scales of a believer on the Day of Judgment than his good
behavior. Allâh treats with
displeasure a person who is given to loose and vulgar talk.”
(Tirmidhi 626)
Abu
Umamah narrated
that the Prophet (pbuh) said “I guarantee a house
in the surroundings of Paradise for a man who avoids quarrelling even if he were
in the right, a house in the middle of Paradise for a man who avoids lying even
if he were joking, and a house in the upper part of Paradise for a man who made
his character good..” (Abu
Dawud 4782)
From the above authentic Ahâdîth,
we can say that good character is an important factor to salvation,
which means the realization of ultimate success.
An educational system that succeeds in building learners’ character
according to the Qur’an and the Sunnah actually achieves its role of
developing successful learners who are assets to the society.
This is a noble goal which our educational system must plan and achieve,
in order to be responsive to the needs of mankind.
Under the present educational system with
all its weaknesses and limitations, parents can have the following alternative
choices to give their children more or less a well-balanced education:
· 1. If possible, send their children to schools whose
curricula include Islamic Studies, Qur’an and Arabic.
· 2. To send their children to madrasah that offers a
subject in English as a second language. (Note,
that English language is necessary for us to convey Islam to non-Arabic
speakers.)
· 3. To send their children to madrasah even without
English subject and hire qualified tutor to teach them English after their
madrasah classes or make use of English as their medium of communication at
home.
· 4. To send their children in a western school but they
should hire tutors to teach them Islamic Studies, Qur’an and Arabic after
their classes. This option will
pose problem or difficulty on the part of our children as they will be learning
so many subjects. It will be too
much for them but they have to sacrifice if they really want to succeed in this
life and in the Hereafter.
· 5. To send their children in a western school but organize
Islamic schools or madaaris where their children can study Islamic Studies,
Qur’an and Arabic language during week-ends.
· 6.
Offer courses in Islamic Studies, Qur’an and Arabic language during summer
vacations.
In addition to the above options, it is a
must that we parents should keep acquiring knowledge of Islam and implement
every authentic Islamic knowledge that we learn in our daily lives.
We should remember that good education starts at home; and that we
are supposed to be the best teachers of our own children.
They tend to imitate whatever they see in us. Let us see to it that what
we teach them conform with what we do. We
should bear in mind that Allah hates those who merely enjoin what is right and
forbid what is wrong without actually practicing them. Allah the Almighty says:
“Do
you enjoin right conduct on the people, and forget (to practice it) yourselves,
and yet you study the scripture? Will you not understand?”
(2: 44)
“O
you who believe! Why say you that which you do not? Grievously hateful is it in
the sight of Allah that you say that which you do not.”
(61: 2-3)
Let us continue to seek knowledge in order
to fully follow the Qur’an and Sunnah.
We should remember that Allah commands us to believe and follow the whole
of the Qur’an. We cannot consider ourselves to be true believers if we doubt
some parts of the Revelation. If we
reject any part of it, we will suffer grievous punishment in the Hereafter.
Allah warns:
.
. . Then is it only a part of the Book that you believe in.
And do you reject the rest? But
what is the reward for those among you who behave like this but disgrace in this
life? And on the Day of Judgment they shall be consigned to the
most grievous chastisement
for Allah is not unmindful of what you do.
These are the people who buy the life of this world at the price of the
Hereafter: their chastisement shall not be lightened nor shall they be helped.
(2:85-86)
Aside from believing and following the
Qur’an, we must also believe and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad
(pbuh). Allah tells
us that he who obeys His Messenger obeys Him (4:80). For our guidance, it is a must for us to believe and obey
Allah’s Messenger. Allah
commands:
"O
mankind! The Messenger has come to
you in truth from Allah: believe in him: it is best for you.
But if you reject Faith, to Allah belong all things in the heavens and on
earth: and Allah is All-knowing, All Wise."
(4:170)
“You
who believe! Obey Allah, and obey
the Messenger, and make not vain your deeds!”
(47:33)
Knowledge of Islam is very comprehensive
that we can not acquire it in a given few period of time even if we have formal
education of it. For those who did
not graduate in the madrasah, it is a must to attend in any of the
learning centers intended for Muslims in order to have sufficient knowledge of
Islam. If there is none, time has
come for parents to organize series of Islamic lectures during week-ends.
They should invite resource speakers on Islam who will share them correct
knowledge of Islam. We need to attend and listen to lectures on Islam to remind
us of our duties as Muslims especially on how to develop ihsan
and taqwa in order to please our Creator.
We need to keep on reading the Qur’an, the
authentic Ahâdîth and books and other reading materials
written on Islam. Let us fill our
family library with Islamic books and set time to read them so our children can
also develop the habit of reading them. Let us update ourselves with the current
educational programs using the computer. An example of this is the Alim Program copyright by Shahid N.
Shah where we can have access to the Qur’an in Arabic, its translation
and commentary in English, the Hadith by Bukhari, the Hadith Qudsi, the
Bibliographies of the companions of the Prophet (pbuh) and
his family, Islamic history and the like. Alhamdullillah,
there are other Islamic learning programs and institutions that are made
available worldwide on the Net. However, cautions must be made for parents to
select the contents of such learning programs.
A program may claim to be based according to the Qur’an and the Sunnah
but it may incorporate teachings that are bid’ah (innovation) or
Ahâdîth that are not at all authentic.
Muslim parents can search on them and invest time, money and
efforts to acquire the best
knowledge and share the same to our children. For the most comprehensive, easy,
interesting and effective way of acquiring authentic Islamic knowledge, we have
the World Islamic Service for Developing Outstanding Muslims (WISDOM)
International Islamic Learning Program. All
the learning modules are designed to develop the participant’s total
personality development. It hopes
to provide the learners with authentic Islamic knowledge and other useful
“extra” knowledge that can at the same time train them to become effective
Muslim writers, speakers and
leaders at very minimal costs.
For the money we spend in educating our
children with the best knowledge, let us remember that whatever amount we spent
for the sake of Allah is the money we spent for our own soul.
In other words, it is the best investment.
Allah, the Most Gracious and the Most Merciful, will in return reward us
for it. Our Rabb says:
“And
spend of your substance in the cause of Allah, and make not your own hands
contribute to (your) destruction; but do good; for Allah loves those who do
good.” (2: 195)
“The
parable of those who spend their substance in the way of Allah is that of a
grain of corn: it grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains.
Allah gives manifold increase to whom He pleases: and Allah cares for all
and He knows all things.” (2:261)
The following words of wisdom from the
Prophet (pbuh) should inspire us to keep on acquiring knowledge:
“A
believer is never satiated with gainful knowledge; he goes acquiring it till his
death and entry into Paradise.” (Tirmidhi)
“That
person who pursues the path of knowledge, God will direct him to the path of
Paradise.” (Muslim, Tirmidhi, Abu
Daud and Ibn Majah)
“For
him who adopts a path seeking knowledge, Allah eases the way to Paradise and
angels spread their wings for a seeker of knowledge, being pleased with his
occupation, and all that are in the heavens and the earth, including the fish in
the water, ask for forgiveness for a learned one.
A learned one is superior to a worshipper as the moon is superior to all
the planets. The learned are heirs
of the Prophets and the Prophets do not leave an inheritance of dirhems and
dinars but only of knowledge. He
who acquires knowledge acquires a vast portion."
(Abu Daud and Tirmidhi)
We should strive hard to acquire knowledge
of Islam and educate our children with the right aqeeda (Islamic faith).
We must remember that Allah enjoins us to enter into Islam wholeheartedly
and die not except in a state of Islam. Allah
tells us:
“O
you who believe! Enter into Islam
wholeheartedly; and follow not the footsteps of the Evil One; for he is
to you an avowed enemy.” (2:208)
“O
you who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared, and die not except in a
state of Islam....that you may be guided.”
(3:102-103)
When we seek for knowledge we should see to
it that our intention is purely to please Allah. We should refrain from committing the minor sin of riya’
(ostentation or to be recognized or praised by people).
We seek knowledge because Allah requires it for us, to know Him, to
submit to Him and please Him — to share the knowledge to others especially to
our own children and immediate family members and relatives, and to do da’wah
to others in order to save them from the torment of the hell-fire.
All these we do hoping that Allah will reward us in this world and attain
the ultimate goal in the Hereafter. We
should teach our children this very purpose of education to imbibe in their
minds and hearts the purity of intention (e.g., solely for the pleasure of
Allah). We should be warned of the following ahadith:
“If
anyone acquires knowledge of things by which Allah’s good pleasure is sought,
but instead he acquires it only to get worldly advantage, he will not smell the
fragrance of Paradise on the Day of Reckoning.”
(Abu Dawud)
In addition, we should teach our children to
pray to Allah to bestow them the best knowledge. We should bear in mind that Allah, the All-Knowing, All-Wise
(4:26), the exalted in power, full of Wisdom (31:27), is the One Who grants
wisdom to whom He pleases (2: 269). We
should teach them the following ayat:
“O
my Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer)! increase me in knowledge.” (20:114)
“O
my Rabb! Bestow wisdom on me, and join me with the righteous; grant me honorable
mention on the tongue of truth among the latest (generations); make me one of
the inheritors of the Garden of Bliss.”
(26:83-84)
As guardians to our children, we should pray
to Allah to guide our children to bestow them the best education that
will make them righteous and be of service to Him. We should be
persistent in our prayers because Allah grants our prayers to our children.
The Prophet (pbuh) says:
“Three
prayers are answered ¾
there is no doubt therein: the prayer of a parent (to his/her child), the prayer
of a wayfarer, and the prayer of an oppressed person.”
(Abu Daud, Tirmidhi, and Ibn Majah)
Furthermore, we should know that Allah
guides us to pray to Him to guide us and our children keep up prayer (14:40) and
be able to lead the righteous (25:74).
In the Glorious Qur’an we read the following supplications:
“O
my Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer)! Make
me one who establishes regular Prayer, and also (raise such) among my offspring
O our God! And accept my Prayer.” (14:40)
“Our
Rabb! Grant unto us wives and offspring who will be comfort to our eyes, and
give us (grace) to lead the righteous.” (25:74)
Once Allah accepts our prayers for our
children to be righteous we are assured that they become true Muslims and thus
gain Allah’s pleasure. They are
among those whom Allah praises as the best of peoples because they enjoin what
is right and forbid what is wrong. They
will be among those who will enter Paradise in the eternal life to come.
Allah says:
“You
are the best of peoples, evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right,
forbidding what is wrong, and believing in Allah.”
(3:110.)
“If
any do deeds of righteousness, ¾
be they male or female and have faith, they will enter Heaven, and not
the least injustice will be done to them.”
(4:124)
“Their
Rabb does give them Glad Tidings, of His Good Pleasure.
And of Gardens for them, wherein are delights that endure: they will
dwell therein for ever. Verily with Allah is
a reward, the greatest (of all).” (9:21-22)
Allah’s eternal reward in Paradise, which
He promises to those who believe and do righteous deeds must inspire all of us
to strive hard and work for a more relevant and effective education.
We must work hand in hand to redirect our education to a quality
education, one that develops our children and future children and generations to
have a well-balanced personality. It
is the kind of education that prepares the learners to be happy
and successful both in this world and the life Hereafter.
The best way to realize this vision is to work for the implementation of
Allah’s Law, the Shari’ah. If
we cannot do it on the national and international level, then, at least we must
implement it among ourselves and families.
We must try to learn more of our Religion,
practice it and share it to others until
we will be able to influence our relatives, neighbors, friends and the society
at large of the importance of adherence to the Qur’an and the Sunnah.
To do this we need to be patient. We have to be patient in acquiring authentic knowledge of Islam, one
that is based on the Qur’an and the Sunnah (authentic Ahâdîth).
We have to be patient in applying that knowledge in our daily
lives. We have to be patient in
sharing that knowledge to others, especially to our family, relatives, neighbors
and friends. We
have to be patient to organize and cooperate with our fellow Muslims in order to
realize our noble projects related to the achievements of our ultimate goal and
vision. If we do all these, with
all sincerity to Allah the Almighty, our Creator the Most Gracious, the Most
Merciful will surely help us attain success.
We will be able to live with peace and prosperity and be victorious
against our enemies. In the world
Hereafter we will be among those who will enjoy the Company of the Successful
Believers in the presence of our Rabb – and that is the Supreme Success:
“The
believers, men and women, are protectors one of another.
They enjoin what is just and forbid what is evil.
They observe regular prayers practice regular charity and obey Allâh and
His Messenger. On them will Allâh
pour His mercy: for Allâh is Exalted in power Wise. Allâh has promised the
believers, men and women, gardens under which rivers flow to dwell therein and
beautiful mansions in gardens of everlasting bliss. But the greatest bliss is the Good Pleasure of Allâh: that
is the supreme success.” (9:71-72)
May Allah the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful make our education more
relevant and responsive to our needs and the Muslim ummah as a whole.
May He grant us more knowledge of the Qur’an and the Sunnah and be able
to practice it faithfully. May He give us opportunities to share such useful knowledge
to others and be able to live and
die in a state of Islam in order to attain SUCCESS both in this world and in the
eternal world Hereafter. Ameen.
If
you are interested to learn how to be an effective writer and public speaker or
to know more about Islâm in order to attain success, click on
WISDOM.
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“Our
Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer)! Accept
(this service) from us. Verily, You are the All-Hearing, the All Knowing.”
(Qur’ân 2:127)