MUSLIM SCHOOLS ARE HERE TO STAY AND SERVE
"A strong, powerful Mu'min is better and more beloved to Allah than a
weak Mu'min" - Hadith. This Hadith encapsulates the ideal goal and
vision of a Muslim School in a nutshell. The scope of this Hadith is a
very comprehensive one. A strong Mu'min is one who is strong in every
sense; physically, morally, spiritually, intellectually and even
financially, to meet the challenges facing Islam. The Muslim School's
vision should be to develop a group of Mu'mineen (and Mu'minaat), who
are strong in every way. In short, to strive towards developing a strong
and dynamic Ummah!
Muslim schools have successfully completed the first leg of their
journey in this country. The concept has taken firm root and needs no
elaborate expounding or 'marketing' any more. Even nominal Muslims now
understand the importance of these institutions. Many schools are
already bursting at the seams. Wait-listing for a seat is not uncommon.
This is a good sign. Many have now realised that we cannot entrust our
children to 'others' for such an important matter such as education.
With lots of Duas, sacrifice, pain, hardship and planning, this phase
was completed. It was no mean or small achievement. May Allah reward
those who worked tirelessly in this arena. But is the journey over? Do
we stop here? Are we to be merely contended with the beautiful buildings
and modern infrastructure of our schools? Is this the end of the journey
or is there still more to be achieved?
'PHASE TWO' OF THE BUILDING PROJECT
Deep reflection will lead us to an answer. Yes, another phase of the
construction has to be completed; the 'spiritual phase'. This phase has
to be vigourously undertaken now and brought to completion. Otherwise it
may well be a case of the proverbial 'Body without a Rooh (soul)'.
The next leg of the journey for Muslim schools is to focus sharply on
the issue of cultivating a true Islamic ethos and the Sunnah culture of
Islam within the school. Indeed, a few small steps have already been
taken in this direction. Now big strides have to be taken. We should not
be content with the present facade of a few external appearances of
Islam at our schools, much like the glossy cover of a cheap magazine. A
deep respect for the Sunnah culture and Islamic teachings must be
fostered. A sincere fervour to practice and implement Islam in its
entirety, not at random and will, is required of all role-players in
Muslim Schools; from the governors, administrators, particularly the
educators, pupils, and even parents. There are yet far too many
complaints from the learned and the pious elders and Islamically-
conscious parents in our communities about the luke-warm, half-hearted
approach towards an Islamic ethos or 'Islamization' at our schools. This
must change right away!
Another serious grievance surfacing frequently against Muslim Schools is
regarding the inferior quality of Islamiyat education and the inadequate
allocation on the timetable for Islamiyat as a subject. 3 or 4 half-hour
periods a week is hardly adequate for Quran-Naazirah! A more realistic
approach is required. These changes are vital if Muslim schools are to
live up to their name and the great expectations that have been pinned
on them!
PARENTS HAVE AN IMPORTANT DUTY TOWARDS MUSLIM
SCHOOLS
The role of parents at Muslim Schools is that of ombudsman - a watch
body - to ensure that the school is living up to its Islamic ethos and
Sunnah culture. This should be their primary concern. If they find
things going wrong in this area, they should notify the Shura Committee
(Board of Governors) or the heads with due respect and sincerity. The
intention should never be to stir up trouble or to indulge in
mischief-making. This is wrong. Sadly, parents are more concerned about
so-called standards of education and matters relating to
extra-curricular activities at the school such as sports, excursions,
etc. They tend to complain bitterly about shortcomings in these areas.
But when the laws of Allah Ta'ala are violated, or the school veers away
from its true Islamic ethos, there is hardly a whimper of protest from
parents. It seems as though some parents attach greater importance to
the secular education of their child, but not that much to the morals
and Islamic education of their child. Yet this is far more important for
a Muslim in both the worlds. Parents will need to change their attitude
in this respect.
MUTTAQI' ULAMA ARE NEEDED TO STEER THIS SHIP
With consultation, assistance and expert guidance of Muttaqi' (pious) 'Ulama
and learned elders, Muslim schools should now rapidly move towards
'Islamizing' or creating an Islamic-orientation in every area of the
school. It is noted with a sense of gratification that Alhamdulillah,
already a powerful wave of change-for-the-better is washing over many
schools. May these gentle winds of change now turn into a gale force! If
a sincere and concerted effort is made, over a reasonable period of
time, the Islamic character and culture of our schools should change,
Insha-Allah. The change has to come. We should not hold back too long.
This change is vital to draw the help and approval of our Creator,
without which our Muslim Schools would simply be lifeless corpses and
not very much different from 'other' schools!
May Allah Ta'ala make the contribution of these institutions a means of
taking the children of this Ummah to their rightful position in the both
the worlds. Aameen
Mufti Z. Bayat
South Africa.
Article taken (with Thanks) from Darul-Ihsan Research and Education Center
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