FRIDAY SERMON: Child Education Within Islamic and Social Framework
A strong Islamic, moral, educational, and social system across all three phases—childhood, adolescence, and youth—ensures a future generation that excels in faith, character, knowledge, and service to humanity.
Mohammad younis Bhat (Zahid)
Education is not the mere transfer of academic knowledge—it is the holistic development of character, manners, intellect, spirituality, social values, and responsible citizenship. Islam places great emphasis on proper upbringing. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Each one of you is a guardian, and each one of you will be questioned about his responsibility.”
(Bukhari & Muslim)
A child’s development passes through three crucial phases:
- Childhood
- Adolescence / Teenage / Peer Group Stage
- Youth / Young Adulthood
This structured system highlights the responsibilities of parents, teachers, elders, educational institutions, society, and government in grooming a righteous, skilled, disciplined, and morally strong generation.
PHASE ONE — CHILDHOOD
(The Foundation Stage)
Childhood is the stage in which the groundwork of personality is formed. Islamic teachings encourage parents to nurture children with love, wisdom, and moral guidance.
1. Self-Activity and Self-Education
Allowing children to explore and perform simple tasks independently builds self-confidence and discipline. Curiosity is encouraged in Islam through constant invitations to reflect and ponder.
2. Nature Study
Outdoor observation helps children understand Allah’s creation, strengthens emotional stability, and enhances vocabulary and scientific awareness.
3. Sensory and Motor Development
Strengthening all senses—sight, hearing, touch, smell, taste—along with physical coordination through balancing, jumping, running, and object-handling ensures wholesome growth.
4. Islamic Songs, Gestures, and Educational Games
Islamic rhymes, nasheeds, storytelling, and simple moral games make learning enjoyable and spiritually nourishing.
5. Creative Skills (Sculpture, Clay, Photography, Cub/Bulbul Training)
Creative work enhances imagination, problem-solving, and emotional expression. Cub/Bulbul programs cultivate leadership, teamwork, discipline, and kindness.
6. Secured School Environment
A safe, positive, disciplined, and Islamic-friendly environment is essential for healthy learning.
Additional Key Components of Phase One
A. Practical Life Exercises
Pouring, cleaning, folding, caring for plants, organizing toys—these activities develop independence, control, and focus.
B. Art, Drawing, Paper Cutting, Doll Making & Islamic Music
Develops fine motor skills, imagination, and emotional balance.
C. Moral Training & Character Building
Teaching honesty, gratitude, respect, patience, truthfulness, modesty, and cleanliness builds a righteous foundation.
D. Physical & Mental Health Checkups
Regular monitoring ensures timely detection of developmental issues.
E. Recreational/Outdoor Games and Floor Exercises
Promote coordination, confidence, and physical fitness.
PHASE TWO — ADOLESCENCE / TEENAGE
The teenage years are emotionally sensitive and intellectually active. Teenagers undergo rapid physical, emotional, and psychological changes.
1. Faith Strengthening and Identity Formation
Teenagers must be guided to understand halal and haram, accountability, modesty, and Islamic values.
Islam gives clarity and purpose during this vulnerable stage.
2. Influence of Peer Group
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“A person follows the faith of his close friend.” (Tirmidhi)
Hence, parents and teachers must observe the company children keep.
3. Emotional Counseling and Psychological Support
Adolescents require empathy, patience, and active listening. Counseling builds resilience and reduces stress.
4. Academic Direction and Skill Development
This stage should focus on:
– reading & comprehension
– leadership training
– communication skills
– vocational skills
– computer & digital literacy
– problem-solving
5. Modesty and Islamic Etiquette
Islam promotes decency, respect, and dignity. Teaching manners protects youth from social and moral dangers.
6. Safe & Monitored Use of Technology
Parents must guide and control exposure to screens, social media, and digital risks.
7. Sports & Physical Fitness
Sports build discipline, confidence, emotional stability, and team spirit.
PHASE THREE — YOUTH / YOUNG ADULTHOOD
Youth is the stage where a person steps into independence, responsibility, career-building, and social contribution.
1. Goal Setting and Life Planning
Young adults must be guided to:
– choose constructive goals
– focus on higher education
– develop career paths
– plan finances and responsibilities
2. Strong Islamic Moral Character
Youth should be trained to demonstrate:
– integrity
– justice
– humility
– kindness
– honesty
– respect
– fulfilling rights of people (Huqooq-ul-Ibad)
3. Community Service & Social Responsibility
Youth must be involved in volunteering, charity, and social welfare to cultivate leadership and empathy.
4. Financial Discipline
Islam teaches halal earning, budgeting, avoiding waste, and responsible economic behavior.
5. Emotional Balance & Spiritual Strength
Regular Salah, Quran, dua, patience, and gratitude stabilize the mind during life’s pressures.
6. Marriage Preparation & Family Values
Before entering marital life, youth must learn:
– family responsibilities
– mutual respect
– communication skills
– Islamic values of marriage and home-building
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF SOCIETY
1. Parents and Guardians
Parents are the backbone of child development. Their duties include:
Observing habits, manners, speech, and behavior up to youth level.
Teaching Islamic values, respect, discipline, and cleanliness.
Giving freedom and access to grandparents for moral upliftment.
Monitoring education, friends, environment, and technology.
Building confidence through love and guidance.
Islamic Dress Code (Childhood to Youth)
Parents and institutional heads must ensure children maintain a simple, modest, dignified Islamic dress code throughout their growth. Dress reflects identity, modesty, and self-respect.
2. Grandparents / Imams / Elders
Their love, wisdom, maturity, and guidance give emotional stability and moral clarity.
3. First-Line Relatives from Both Sides
Relatives should provide moral support, unity, and a balanced family atmosphere.
4. Teachers (School, College, University)
Teachers are like potters—they mold and shape the minds and future of students.
They must cultivate positive attitudes, ethics, discipline, and motivation.
5. Government, NGOs, Social Institutions
They should:
Monitor social environment.
Provide guidance through educationists, psychologists, religious scholars, and media experts.
Promote child safety, awareness programmes, and Islamic-friendly education policies.
6. Neighbors
Islam gives neighbors a high status.
Observing children’s behavior, offering guidance, and ensuring community cooperation strengthens society.
SUGGESTIONS
- Parents and teachers must jointly work on improving children’s behavior, manners, and attitudes.
- One compulsory religious subject should be included in the school curriculum.
- Boys and girls should have separate classes from grade 5 onwards to maintain modesty and focus.
- Scout Motto: “Be Prepared” — parents and teachers must prepare children with readiness, discipline, and spirit to face every field of life.
- Example: A professor once asked students to give the Zuhr Azan. Out of 50 students, nearly half were ready. This shows that with sincerity and dedication, nothing is impossible.
CONCLUSION
The Child Education System is a shared responsibility of parents, grandparents, teachers, relatives, neighbors, institutions, and the government. When a child receives proper nurturing in childhood, moral guidance in teenage years, and purposeful direction in youth, they grow into a disciplined, responsible, and righteous human being. Islam teaches that every child is born pure, and the environment shapes their destination. A strong Islamic, moral, educational, and social system across all three phases—childhood, adolescence, and youth—ensures a future generation that excels in faith, character, knowledge, and service to humanity.
(Straight Talk Communications Exclusive. You can reach to the author at makahmadina11@gmail.com)
