All parents worry about their children’s future. We have a vision that our offspring will be successful in life, and will possess the characteristics of a good person. We hope they will, along with becoming accomplished in their careers, be dutiful, obedient and respectful of their parents.
Therefore, we are particular about their attendance and attitude towards school. As well as this we ensure that they attend after school lessons in the mosque. We do all this because naturally we feel that the education of our children is of the utmost importance.
Despite our concerns, we see more and more of our youth falling far short of our expectations. The lifestyles of so many are characterised by misbehaviour, disrespect and selfishness. They live by their own rules, with little or no consideration for others. Why has this happened?
Let us see exactly what your children are being exposed to under a non-Islamic education system. Consider a typical day in the life of a Muslim child (perhaps your child) in a western school. You drop off your child, feeling satisfied that they are about to enter an environment that is safe and secure. Is your assumption accurate? Do we really know what happens to our child once the classroom doors have been shut?
Perhaps the first lesson is geography. Your child will be taught about the different countries : its resources, population, peoples and culture, language, its national flag etc.... And many of these will inevitably be of
Muslim countries. It all seems quite harmless until you realise that Islam does not recognise most of these countries as legitimate countries. Islam looks to the Muslims as one nation not separated by these national identities which have been designed to cause disunity amongst the Muslims. Allah (swt) says,
“And hold fast all of you together to the rope of Allah and do not be divided.” [TMQ 3:103]
Your child may develop an identity other than that of Islam - an Asian, Arab or Black identity, or a Bangladeshi, Pakistani or Indian identity, rather than being Muslim, slave of Allah, unified by the belief in Allah.
Maybe the next lesson in the daily routine will be science. You expect your child to gain an understanding in science that will further his/her future career. But it is easy to forget that many of the ideas taught in this subject are in direct contradiction to the Islamic belief.
After all, many theories, hypotheses and speculations, which have no firm foundation on evidence and which are subject to dispute among experts are taught as if they are established facts.
The Theory of Evolution suggests that humans evolved from apes. The principle of Conservation of Energy proposes that energy is eternal (cannot be destroyed or created, but just transformed). Humans are put in the same category as animals (differing by being just a more advanced animal). The water cycle is presented as a self-subsisting system. All of these ideas contradict basic Islamic principles e.g. that Allah (swt) is the Creator and the sustainer of everything.
Attitudes in Western science threatens the very status of the Creator. Which of these false and baseless ideas is your child being taught today? How will these ideas affect your child’s belief in Allah?
What about your child’s history lessons? The only history that is taught is that of the West; its wars, its political development, its achievements, discoveries and inventions etc... Islam is not considered as having any important history, having little effect on the world. Its glories are portrayed as just an episode of world history that is now over. Moreover it is taught as a religion that subjugates and oppresses the innocent. Your child will learn more about the Romans than of the Muslims. They will learn more about the wars and battles fought in the way of Capitalism rather than the wars fought by the Muslims in the way of Allah.
What about Physical Education (PE lessons)? Islam obliges Muslims to conform to a code of dress that proffers modesty. Allah (swt) says in the Qur’an :
“O children of Adam! We have indeed sent down to you clothing to cover your shame and for beauty, and dress of piety - that is best.” [TMQ 7:26]
Your child may be told to wear clothing that does not cover them adequately according to Islam. Are you aware that most of the showers are communal, where children are completely naked?
In your child’s religious education (RE) lessons Islam is compared to the likes of religions such as Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Sikhism etc. The uniqueness of the Islamic belief is not presented but is diminished. Even labelling Islam as a religion is not accurate since Islam is a comprehensive way of life, covering all aspects from personal worship to governing lifes affairs in a state.
The corruption does not end in the classroom. In between lessons, your child spends much of his/her time in the playground or common room, where children discuss the latest pop-stars, films, actors and actresses, footballers; idolising them to the point of emulating them. No longer are Muhammad (saw) and the Sahabah (ra) seen as the role models, but they have been replaced by the likes of Madonna, Michael Jackson, Take That, Gazza etc...
Even in the dining rooms, the food that is prepared does not conform to the Islamic dietary requirements (e.g. non-halal meat, pork etc.)
Perhaps you are considering a Muslim school for your children. Will this solve your problem? Will your child be guaranteed protection against corruption? Unfortunately the National Curriculum has by law to be taught in any school for it to gain permission to operate. Most of the above dangers will apply to any school that teaches from the same curriculum.
Moreover, education does not only happen in the school. Society itself plays a major role in educating your child. It can be thought of as a bigger school : instead of using blackboards, teachers and classrooms, society employs television, radio, advertising, billboards or children’s magazines to educate your child with un-Islamic practices. Your child may grow increasingly alienated from you, the parent, and Islam. He or she may become more aware and accustomed to non-Islam.
Islam
How will the Islamic State differ in the education of your child? Will your child grow to know his/her deen without corruption?
Firstly, your child’s education would be free since it is the State’s duty to provide, as a basic necessity, free education for every male and female at primary and secondary levels. Every citizen of the State must be provided with education of that which is needed in all aspects of life. There would exist an Islamic curriculum with the objective of building the Islamic mentality and Islamic disposition (i.e. inclinations) in your child. So not only would your child’s actions be shaped by Islam but also their likes and dislikes would be in accordance with Islam. They should as a result of school understand the halal and the haram and follow them with enthusiasm.
Let us consider a similar scenario as above. Your child arrives at a school in the Islamic State, and begins the day by greeting his/her colleagues and teachers with the greeting of Islam. Your child has the first lesson, perhaps a science subject. It could be a selection of the experimental or pure sciences. It would be taught with the Islamic ‘aqeedah (belief) as the basis and an overriding guide. You as the parent, could rest assured that ideas such as the Theory of Evolution would not be taught; humans would not be considered as advanced animals; the Big Bang Theory would not be taught as fact. Allah (swt) says,
“But most of them follow nothing but conjecture. Truly conjecture can be of no avail.” [TMQ 10:37]
Whereas science in the West is seen as a contradiction to belief in God, within the Islamic State science would be a confirmation of the existence of Allah. Your child would come home and explain that he/ she learnt about the water cycle : how Allah (swt) causes water to rise as vapour from the seas by evaporation and form clouds; then Allah (swt) would cause these clouds to give rain once they were over the lands; and Allah (swt) would cause the rain-water to gather and return back to the seas to once again start the cycle. Nothing that is taught would be in contradiction to Islam. Allah (swt) says,
“Lo in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the difference of night and day, and the ships which run upon the sea with that which is of use to men, and the water which Allah sends down from the sky, thereby reviving the earth after its death, and dispersing all kinds of beasts therein, and in the ordinance of the winds, and the clouds obedient between heaven and earth, these are signs (of Allah’s sovereignty) for people who have sense.” [TMQ 2:164]
Your child’s next lesson may be a cultural subject such as languages, geography, history or fiqh. In geography, your child would be familiar with the Islamic atlas. He/she would learn about the vastness of the Islamic State; how the Muslims are unified in one land under one leader. How its resources are managed according to Islam; its citizens, whether Muslim or non-Muslims working together under one system. Your child would learn to be proud of being part of the leading nation.
In languages your child would learn the language of the Qur’an, not French or German (these could be studied in higher or further education). Your child would not have to go to additional out of school Arabic lessons. He/she could read and understand the Qur’an, or refer to books in Arabic.
In history, your child would be exposed to the rich Islamic history. He/she would study the different Khulafa‘a and their achievements; the famous scholars and the roles they played; the discoveries and inventions that were made; the conspirators against Islam and how they were dealt with; the positive influence of the Khilafah upon the world. Your child could show how the achievements of the Muslims of the Islamic State placed them hundreds of years ahead of their contemporaries (who were in the Dark Ages). They could give accurate accounts of the battle between Salah al-Deen and the Crusaders, or the life stories of the Sahabah (ra).
Your child would gain a sound knowledge of the fiqh (jurisprudence). They would be able to provide detailed evidences for rules in Islam. They may even be able to correct your own actions as advice to the parents. They would understand the respect and obedience that Allah (swt) requires from the child to the parent. Allah (swt) says,
“Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in your life, say not “oof” to them, nor repel them but address them in terms of honour.” [TMQ 17:23]
School break times and lunch times would be a time to enjoy the company of other Muslims with good etiquettes, filled with conversations about famous Muslims: leaders, scholars, mathematicians, scientists and others who would be excellent role models. They would not learn to swear or learn of ill practices, and would possess the most pleasing mannerisms.
In the bigger school - society, there would be also a consistent education of Islam through the State’s media. Through television, radio and children’s magazines only Islamic ideals and values would be passed.
All these measures would guarantee the nurturing of a fine generation that could be the leaders of the Khilafah. And your child could contribute to this.