Islam emphasizes on children's education

Story by Eman Sakina | Posted by Aasha Khosa | Date 15-07-2022

Muslim girls in classroom

Eman Sakina

In Islam, knowledge, and teaching are the foundation of upbringing and they are accompanied by discipline and self-improvement. According to religious teachings, the best time for education is the childhood period when the mind is fresh and sharp. Therefore, the most important right of a child is to provide the environment for his education and training. The Prophet said: “Learning at a young age is like engraving on a stone, and the parable of he who learns in his adult age is like one who writes on water.” Imam ‘Ali said: “Order your children to seek knowledge.” “He who asks [questions] while at a young age, will answer [questions] when he is old.”

Friday Musings

Islam puts considerable emphasis on its followers to acquire knowledge. Investment in education is the best investment one can make because it eventually leads to intellectual property. Intellectual property is intangible property, which no one can steal or destroy. This is the property on which no Government can levy a tax. It was as a result of the application of knowledge that Muslims were the superpower of the world for twelve centuries.

Parents play a vital role in the education of their children. Early childhood education program emphasizes the role of parents. It declares that learning begins in the first days of life and continues for a long. Parents should develop a habit to read with their children every night. Parents should provide an Islamic as well as an educational environment. It is hypocritical to do things differently and expect the child to have Islamic and moral values. Parents set the best examples for their children to imbibe. Like parents, the role of the family has also been considered important in learning and upbringing the children.

As the children grow the teachers, community elders, and their friends exert a deep influence on the character of the child. The parents should choose the right schools for their children as their child spends a lot of time in school and can easily develop habits of peers, both good and bad. Audio-Visual media such as TV, Video, video games, movies, and peer pressure could play an effective role in erasing the Islamic as well as noble personality the parents are building and can deeply influence the behaviour of the children for years. It takes constant and continuous effort on the part of the parents to impart good education and values to their wards.

Parents need to spend time with their children. Parents have to find time to be with their children at home, at school, at games, on the playground, on field trips, picnics, and tours. The most essential element is to establish an open channel of communication with the children. An effort should be made to create an environment wherein children should not hesitate to say to their parents their thoughts and feelings.

Younger children are easier to teach, unlike those who are pubescent. What you teach the child from a younger age, is what will make a major effect on his adulthood. The child is like an empty jug that will take whatever you fill it with. If you fill it with a pure substance, that is what will pour out.