The cry in the hearts of the concerned parents in Palestine is for the recommencement of the Maktab System.
The system of the Muslim schools has failed in preserving the spirit of Islam in the Palestinian children. Such emphasis has been placed on secular subjects that in the entire week a child is only given one to three hours in which all the Islamic subjects have to be covered. The natural consequence of this is that we have children who can barely recite the Quraan and they lack the basic teachings of Islam. We in South Africa have been blessed with an efficient maktab system run by the ‘Ulama. It is now up to us to appreciate what we have by sending our children to the maktab. Even if our children are attending a Muslim school, send them to the maktab madrasah as well. The maktab has its own beauty and benefit for the child.
Let not its simplicity deceive us and deprive our children. After all when the child enters the higher grades we are all too eager to send them for extra tuition despite the lessons having being already taught in school. May Allah Ta‘ala guide us and bless us with the correct understanding.
The greatest investment that any community can make is to invest in their children. Our children are our future. If we invest in today’s children and develop them into people who are firm in their Imaan, who cherish human values much more than material wealth, who honour their parents and their elders and are generally an asset to society at large, then such an investment will earn tremendous returns and benefits for the entire Ummah.
The Maktab has always played a pivotal role in developing the children of the Ummah. By and large it is at the Maktab that the child is equipped with all the basics of Deen, the fundamentals that enable him to live and practice as a true Mu’min (believer).
In many communities where no Maktab education was provided, children grew up without any knowledge of even the fundamentals of Islaam. They could not fulfil any of the tenets of deen nor did they have the correct aqaaid (beliefs).
The Maktab education is essential in the life of every child so that he may become an upright Muslim.
The Lifeblood of the Community
It is an indisputable fact that the Ummah is currently passing through a phase of Jaahiliyyah (ignorance). The global onslaught upon the Ummah is on many fronts. However, the most dangerous and unfortunately the most effective is the silent battle that is waged on the hearts and minds of our innocent children. The battle is waged with smiling faces, alluring fashions, deceptive articles and even “exciting” toys which leave subtle messages in the hearts of children. Eventually, Muslim children with Muslim names but western hearts and minds grow up without any spirit of Islam in their lives. Apart from a few practices which they perform in a ritualistic manner, their lives centre on materialism and chasing “fun.” The true purpose of our existence in this earth is then completely lost. Thus it is imperative that we recognise the harm of this battle that is being waged on the hearts and minds of the Ummah. Having recognised it, steps must be taken to safeguard ourselves and our children from the onslaught.
One of the most vital efforts in this regard is the effort of the Makaatib. It has become the means of stemming the tide of kufr in many parts of the world. Indeed, it is only by inculcating the awareness of Allah Ta’ala together with a sound knowledge of at least the fundamentals of Deen that will serve as a protection for our children.
In the current conditions of fitnah and fasaad (mischief and corruption), lack of Deeni knowledge, Taqwa and a general mindset of materialism, the role of the primary Madrasah, The Maktab has become more important and vital than ever before. In numerous countries of the world, and indeed in our own country, the Makaatib have become a means of saving the Imaan of thousands and reversing the tide of Irtidaad (reneging from Islam). It is not possible to fully appreciate the fundamental function that these Makaatib fulfill in watering the seeds of Imaan which will later flourish, Insha Allah.
Every parent should regard it as his/her incumbent duty to find a suitable maktab for their child to attend daily. Parents should be firm on sending their children to learn the Qur-aan as well as other basic tenets of Deen.
May Allah Ta’ala accept us, guide us, protect us and always be pleased with us. Aameen.