ISLAMIC EDUCATION 4 CHILDREN

ISLAMIC EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN

PARENTS AND CHILDREN

Al-Ghazali's Views on Children's Education ¹  

According to Al-Ghazali, "knowledge exists potentially in the human soul like the seed in the soil; by learning the potential becomes actual." The child, Al-Ghazali also wrote, `is a trust (placed by God) in the hands of his parents, and his innocent heart is a precious element capable of taking impressions'.

If the parents, and later the teachers, brought him up in righteousness he would live happily in this world and the next and they would be rewarded by God for their good deed. If they neglected the child's upbringing and education he would lead a life of unhappiness in both worlds and they would bear the burden of the sin of neglect.  One of the elements Al-Ghazali insists upon is that a child should be taught the words of the Creed in his earliest days and be taught the meaning gradually as he grew older; corresponding to the three stages of memorizing, understanding and conviction.

Teaching our Children ³

Within the two-parent Muslim family, there are, by definition, two educators for the child: the father and the mother. Contrary to current thinking, a father's role is not limited to paying the bills and engaging in a little consultation now and then. The Muslim father is also responsible for his child's training and education. Concerning this, the Prophet (S) said: A father gives his child nothing better than a good education. (Mishkat, 4977, transmitted by Tirmidhi and Baihaqi)

There is a wealth of material in the Qur'an and hadith encouraging learning and acquiring knowledge in general. Although mothers are not addressed specifically, they are often the major force in carrying out this obligation In the first Muslim community, both men and women learned their religion directly from the Prophet (S). In cases in which men were addressed, they were responsible for conveying the information to their wives and children.

1. Be patient and parsevering.

2. Have pure intention in what you intention do.

3. Act upon what you know.

4. Always be aware that Allah is watching.

5. Make the best use of time.

6. Study books.

7. Choose good companions.

8. Have good manners towards the teacher.