We need to recognize our present circumstances. We live in an age where our children are being exposed to vicious attacks against Islam being waged by the media and by society. We also live in an age of swift technological advancement.
We need to take the culture of the society in which we are living into consideration. We need to show how what the child witnesses in society is reflected in what is acceptable in Islam. We should not seek to emphasize conflict between Islamic teachings and societal norms. Let the child draw his own conclusions. Guide the child to realize what is right and wrong on his own. We should not underestimate children by assuming that they are unable to think for themselves. Quite the contrary, thinking skills develop quickly and early in children.
This means that we should not impose our ideas on children at the expense of their own perspective. Move forward from the point of view of the children themselves and leave it up to the children to ask questions and seek out answers.
I also think it is a very good idea to teach children about the lives of the prophet’s Companions, especially how they dealt with children and how the children themselves used to live in Islam.
We need to be completely truthful in what we present to children. It can be quite difficult to get children to change their minds when they are convinced of something. Unfortunately, many people operate under the false idea that it is easy to get children to change their minds and to guide then in the desired direction. However, studies in elementary education show otherwise.
I am one of those who advocate starting early with teaching children. However, I am also worried that some people are not properly equipped to deal with children in even a general sense. Then there is the more focused skill of being able to discuss Islamic matters with them.
Children are born with pure beliefs in their heart, with a natural predisposition to recognize Allah and his oneness. It is their environment that influences them and plays a powerful role in their later religious thinking.
I ask Allah Almighty to bless us with success and right guidance in our endeavors. I pray that He blesses every step we take in the path of inviting others to His way.
We need to take the culture of the society in which we are living into consideration. We need to show how what the child witnesses in society is reflected in what is acceptable in Islam. We should not seek to emphasize conflict between Islamic teachings and societal norms. Let the child draw his own conclusions. Guide the child to realize what is right and wrong on his own. We should not underestimate children by assuming that they are unable to think for themselves. Quite the contrary, thinking skills develop quickly and early in children.
This means that we should not impose our ideas on children at the expense of their own perspective. Move forward from the point of view of the children themselves and leave it up to the children to ask questions and seek out answers.
I also think it is a very good idea to teach children about the lives of the prophet’s Companions, especially how they dealt with children and how the children themselves used to live in Islam.
We need to be completely truthful in what we present to children. It can be quite difficult to get children to change their minds when they are convinced of something. Unfortunately, many people operate under the false idea that it is easy to get children to change their minds and to guide then in the desired direction. However, studies in elementary education show otherwise.
I am one of those who advocate starting early with teaching children. However, I am also worried that some people are not properly equipped to deal with children in even a general sense. Then there is the more focused skill of being able to discuss Islamic matters with them.
Children are born with pure beliefs in their heart, with a natural predisposition to recognize Allah and his oneness. It is their environment that influences them and plays a powerful role in their later religious thinking.
I ask Allah Almighty to bless us with success and right guidance in our endeavors. I pray that He blesses every step we take in the path of inviting others to His way.