How Can We Instill a Love for Islamic Knowledge in Our Children?
Answered By Shaykh Dr. Muhammad Fayez Awad
Question
How can we instill a love for Islamic knowledge in our children?
Answer
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. Blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah, his Family, and his Companions.
Knowledge is the Most Important Thing in Existence
Allah created humanity and taught it what it did not know. Allah (Most High) says in the Quran:
“He taught humanity what they knew not.” [Quran, 96:5]
It is imperative for parents and educators to bring the concept of seeking knowledge closer to children and explain its importance so that they grow up venerating it. The importance of knowledge can be highlighted in the following points:
1. Islam is the Religion of Knowledge
The first verse revealed from the Quran commands reading, which is the key to all knowledge. Allah (Most High) says:
“Read, (O Prophet,) in the Name of your Lord Who created—created humans from a clinging clot. Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous, Who taught by the pen—taught humanity what they knew not.” [Quran, 96:1-5]
2. The Prophet’s Prayer for Increased Knowledge
Due to the importance of knowledge, Allah commanded His Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) to pray for an increase in it. Allah (Most High) says: “And pray, ‘My Lord! Increase me in knowledge.’” [Quran, 20:114]
3. Knowing and Fearing Allah Through His Signs and Creations
Scholars are those who truly understand and fear Allah because they know His signs and creations. Allah praises them, saying:
“Of all of Allah’s servants, only the knowledgeable (of His might) are (truly) in awe of Him.” [Quran, 35:28]
4. Warning Against Speaking Without Knowledge
Allah warns every Muslim against speaking without knowledge. Allah (Most High) says:
“Do not follow what you have no (sure) knowledge of. Indeed, all will be called to account for (their) hearing, sight, and intellect.” [Quran, 17:36]
The Virtue of Seeking Knowledge
Seeking knowledge elevates the status of a Muslim and grants them a significant position. Among the virtues of knowledge are the following:
1. Elevation of Status: Allah (Most High) elevates the status of the people of knowledge, not for their wealth or social standing, but for the knowledge they possess. Allah (Most High) says:
“Allah will elevate those of you who are faithful, and (raise) those gifted with knowledge in rank” [Quran, 58:11]
2. Guidance Through Knowledge: Knowledge is a light by which Allah guides whom He wills in this world. Allah (Most High) says:
“Can the one who knows that your Lord’s revelation to you (O Prophet) is the truth be like the one who is blind? None will be mindful (of this) except people of reason.” [Quran, 13:19]
3. Everlasting Reward: The reward for knowledge continues even after a person’s death. Abu Hurayra narrated that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:
“When a person dies, their deeds come to an end except for three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for them” [Muslim; Ibn Khuzayma; Ibn Hibban]
4. Sign of Allah’s Favor: Seeking knowledge is a sign that Allah desires good for His servant. The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:
“When Allah wishes good for someone, He bestows upon him the understanding of the religion” [Bukhari; Muslim]
Ways to Instill a Love for Reading and Seeking Knowledge in Children
1. Being a Role Model: It is crucial for children to see their parents reading. The impact of role modeling on a child’s psyche and behavior is profound because children naturally tend to imitate adults. Therefore, the best way to get children accustomed to reading and to foster a love for it is to make it a daily habit for ourselves and to make books our primary source of information.
Children need role models such as a teacher who reads, an imam who reads, a father and mother who reads, and an older sibling who reads.
Thus, we should pay attention to the importance of being a role model, especially in a time of significant competition regarding role models. Currently, there are competitors in the pursuit of knowledge and reading, such as sports and entertainment.
2. Incentives: We should encourage children and even teenagers from an early age and link learning with rewards and encouragement. Incentives can be material, emotional, sensory, or financial. The more varied and appealing educational materials are to our children, and the more directly tied to their achievements, the more effective they will be.
3. Gradual Learning: Approach learning gradually and avoid jumping ahead. This means teaching them step by step. This concept is also reflected in the explanation of the term “Rabbani” in verse: “Be Rabbanis” [Quran, 3:79]
Ibn ‘Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) explained that a Rabbani is one who nurtures people with small doses of knowledge before the larger ones. Therefore, we give them knowledge gradually. We can start with stories, such as the life of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), stories of the Prophets, and stories of the Companions. By doing so, we gradually instill a love for reading and knowledge in them through beneficial narratives.
4. Integrating Books into the Child’s Environment: Experts emphasize that there is no ideal age to start getting a child accustomed to reading. Parents should furnish the child’s environment with age-appropriate picture books made from safe and durable materials. This will help children become familiar with books from an early age, making them an integral part of their environment. It is also noteworthy that a child can start following and understanding stories from the age of two.
5. Engaging Their Curiosity: Children are naturally curious. This characteristic can be leveraged to foster a love for books. Subscribing to a magazine or a book series suitable for their age can keep them eagerly anticipating the next issue to find out what happens next in a story, solve a puzzle, or discover the results of a competition.
6. Creating a Personal Library: Establishing a personal library for the child can help them develop respect for books and foster a desire to create their own collection. Parents can assist in selecting books without directly imposing their preferences.
7. Linking Reading with Hobbies: Around the age of seven or eight, parents can gift books related to the child’s interests and skills. For example, they can give books about sports to a child who enjoys playing sports.
8. Focusing on Picture Books in Early Years: Picture books are effective in getting children used to reading on their own. The use of images helps in understanding the content and attracts young children more than text-only books.
9. Patience: When applying these tips, be patient and do not expect immediate results. Remember that forcing a child to read can diminish enjoyment, and losing interest in something often leads to abandoning it at the first opportunity.
[Shaykh] Dr. Muhammad Fayez Awad
Shaykh Dr. Muhammad Fayez Awad, born in Damascus, Syria, in 1965, pursued his Islamic studies in the mosques and institutes of Damascus. A graduate of the Islamic University of Medina in 1985, he holds a Ph.D. in Islamic Studies from Bahauddin Zakariya University in Pakistan.
He has extensive experience developing curricula and enhancing the teaching of various academic courses, including conducting intensive courses. Shaykh Awad has taught Fiqh, Usul al-Fiqh, Quranic sciences, the history of legislation, inheritance laws, and more at several institutes and universities such as Al-Furqan Institute for Islamic Sciences and Majma‘ al-Fath al-Islami in Damascus.
He is a lecturer at the Sultan Muhammad al-Fatih Waqf University in Istanbul, teaching various Arabic and Islamic subjects, and teaches at numerous Islamic institutes in Istanbul. Shaykh Awad is a member of the Association of Syrian Scholars, a founding member of the Zayd bin Thabit Foundation, a member of the Syrian Scholars Association, and a member of the Academic Council at the Iman Center for Teaching the Sunna and Quran.
Among his teachers from whom he received Ijazat are his father, Shaykh Muhammad Muhiyiddin Awad, Shaykh Muhiyiddin al-Kurdi, Shaykh Muhammad Karim Rajih, Shaykh Usama al-Rifai, Shaykh Ayman Suwaid, Shaykh Ahmad al-Qalash, Shaykh Muhammad Awwama, and Shaykh Mamduh Junayd.
