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AbuMubarak
07-07-02, 12:29 PM
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. Your 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.

Ayat "Hold fast all of you together..."

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 in 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.

Attitudes in Western science threatens the very status of God. 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 learns 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.

Your child may be told to wear clothing that does not cover them
adequately according to Islam. Are you aware most of the showers are
communal, where children are completely naked?

Education System - What's Happening to Our Children?

2

In your child's religious education (RE) lessons Islam is compared to
the likes of other 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 life's 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 and actors
and actresses, footballers, idolising them to the point of emulating
them. No longer are Muhammad (SAW) and the Sahaba (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, 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 emotions
(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 aqeeda (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
(these would be studied later in university along with their
refutation).

Ayat "they follow nothing but conjecture"

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 causes water to rise as
vapour from the seas by evapouration and form clouds; then Allah
would cause these clouds to give rain once they were over the lands;
and Allah 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.

Ayat "...these are signs for men of wisdom"

3

Your child's next lesson may be a cultural subject such as languages,
geography, history of fiqh (jurisprudence). 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 of 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 Quran, not
French or German (these could be studied in higher of further
education). Your child would not have to go to additional out of
school Arabic lessons. He/She could read read and understand the
Quran, or refer to books in Arabic.

In history, your child would be exposed to the rich Islamic history.
He/she would study the the different Khalifs 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 against their
contemporaries (who were in the Dark Ages). They could give accurate
accounts of the battle between Salah- al-Deen and the Crusaders, of
the life stories of the Sahaba (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 to correct your own actions as advice to the
parents. They would understand the respect and obedience that Allah
requires from the child to the parent.

School breaktimes and lunchtimes would be a time to enjoy the company
of other Muslims with good etiquettes, filled with conversations of
about famous Muslims : leaders, scholars, mathematicians, scientists
and others who would be adequate role models. They would not learn to
swear of learn of ill practices, and would possess the most pleasing
mannerisms. In the bigger school - society, there would be also a
consistenteducation 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.

AbuMubarak
25-07-04, 08:43 PM
Pillars Of Islam And Moral Values



(IslamWeb)



Purpose of Prophethood - Perfection of Morals

The Prophet (peace be upon him) summarized his Islamic mission with the following words:

"I have been sent only for the purpose of perfecting good morals."

The purpose of the great message which has left an indelible impression on the history of life was a means to strengthen the moral character.

Worship is compulsory in Islam, and is thus included in the basic pillars of faith. However, the Islamic forms of worship are not strange, mystic exercises that link man with an unknown being, subjecting him to perform useless acts and meaningless movements. All the Islamic forms of worship are designed as a type of training to enable people to acquire correct morals and habits, to live righteously, and to adhere to these virtues throughout their lives.

Prayer Prevents Sin

'Salat' (prayer) is an obligatory act of worship that man is willingly attracted to. He offers it continuously, so that his life may be free from all diseases and the body may be healthy and strong. The Holy Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) are proofs of this reality.

When Allah commanded the prayers to be established, He stated its wisdom in this way: "The Prayers prohibit obscenity and evil."

Keeping the worshipper away from evil, wickedness and to purify him from sins are also realities of the prayer. In a Hadith Qudsi (A saying of Allah revealed separate from the Qur'an) it is stated:

"I accept the prayers of the person who adopts the policy of humility with it on account of My greatness, obliges My creatures, does not insist on sinning against Me, spends his day remembering Me, and is kind to the poor, the traveler, the weak and the oppressed."

'Zakat' is a Means of Purification

Zakat (alms giving) has been made compulsory on those who are eligible. It is not merely a tax that is collected form the pockets of the people, but its foremost purpose is to sow the seeds of kindness and benevolence, and to facilitate interaction among the various sections of the society. This, in turn, establishes a relationship of love and friendliness amongst the masses.

The purpose of paying Zakat has been stated in the Qur'an in the following words: "O Prophet! Take charity from their property so that it may clean them and purify them." [9: 103]

Cleansing the soul of worldly impurities and raising the standard of society to the heights of decency and purity are some wisdoms behind the levy of Zakat. For this reason, Zakat has been made compulsory for every eligible Muslim. The Prophet has said: "To smile in the company of your brother is charity. Commanding (people) to do good deeds and preventing others from doing evil is charity. To guide a person from going astray is charity. To remove harmful things like thorns and bones from the road is charity. To pour water form your jug into the jug of your brother is charity. To guide a person with defective vision is charity for you." (Bukhari)

Fasting Leads to Righteousness

Similarly, Islam has made fasting compulsory. But it is not envisaged that men should only keep away from their carnal desires and other prohibited things for a fixed period. The Prophet (PBUH) said:

"Fasting is not merely keeping away from eating and drinking, but it is keeping away from wicked and obscene things. If, in the state of fasting, someone abuses you attempts to quarrel with you, say: "I am fasting."

Allah says about fasting in the Qur'an:

"Fasting has been made compulsory for you, as it was made compulsory for those (followers of earlier prophets) who preceded you, so that you may become righteous." (2: 183)

'Hajj' (Pilgrimage) Weakens the Love of this World

Man often supposes that traveling to holy places and performing the pilgrimage to Makkah, an Islamic pillar that is obligatory on every capable (financially and physically) Muslim, is merely a form of worship having no relation to morality and character. This is a clear misunderstanding. Allah says:

"The Hajj is in the well-known months. So whoever intends to perform Hajj should not have sexual relations (with his wife), nor commit sin, nor dispute during the Hajj. And whatever good you do, Allah knows it. And take a provision for the journey (for Hajj), and the best provision is righteousness. So fear me, O men of understanding!" [Holy Qur'an, 2: 197]

What has been mentioned above is merely an outline of some the of the major, well-known, generally practiced forms of worship in Islam, and they are from its basic pillars. They illustrate the deep relationship between religion and morality as well as the strength and longevity of this relationship.

How varying these forms of worship are from one another in spirit and appearance, but how close they are in aim and purpose, which the Prophet (PBUH) declared as his main objective.

Therefore Prayer, Fasting, Zakat, Hajj and other forms of worship are the stepping stones for true perfection, and are the means of cleanliness and purity which make life secure and magnificent. This is on account of the noble characteristics and qualities that are undeniable elements and consequences of these forms of worship.

Allah says: "Verily, whoever comes to His Lord as a Mujrim (criminal, polytheist, sinner, disbeliever in the Oneness of Allah and His Messengers), then surely, for him is Hell, wherein he will neither die nor live. But whoever comes to Him (Allah) as a believer (in the Oneness of Allah), and has done righteous good deeds, for such are the high ranks (in the Hereafter)." [Holy Qur'an 20: 74-75]

[Excerpts from: Muslims Character, by M. Al Ghazali]

WEDNESDAY:09/06/2004

http://www.islamweb.net/php/php_arabic/readArt.php?lang=E&id=64461 (http://www.islamweb.net/php/php_arabic/readArt.php?lang=E&id=64461)





Your sister-in-Islam

Aida

Source: aida [my_sweetlady2000@yahoo.com]