TEST YOUR ISLAMIC KNOWLEDGE - PROPHETS

QUESTIONS:(Answers below)

1.What did Musa(A.S.) do to the "GOLDEN CALF"?

2.What duaa did Yunus(A.S.) make in the belly of the fish ?

3.Which Prophet’s nation asked,that a unique camel emerge from the mountains, as a miracle, to prove he was a messenger of Allah?

4.Who was the mother of Ishaaq(A.S.)?

5.A Prophet of Allah left a message for his son, as follows: "To replace his doorstep" .The message was a saying which meant that his wife was not a befitting wife for him;and he should replace her with a good befitting wife". Who is this Prophet?

6.Who or what delivered the messages from Sulaymaan(A.S.) to (Bilqees) the Queen of Sheeba?

7.Which Prophet was executed and his head was brought to Herodias(a cruel woman) who gloated with delight?

8.What are the descendants of Ya’qub(A.S.) known as?

9.Which Prophet saw in a dream, 11 stars, the sun and the moon prostrating before him?

10.Who was the first Prophet who made this duaa that is mentioned in the Qura’an:"My Lord,expand my mind so that I can carry the burden of Prophethood.Ease my task by removing all difficulties in the way,and loosen the knot in my tongue so that I can make them understand what I say,so that my words could penetrate their souls.And give me a companion in my task,an assistant from my own folk."?

11.Allah Ta’ala revealed to Musa(A.S.) that no man could know, all that is to know,nor would any person,alone be the custodian of ALL knowledge. Allah Ta’ala sent someone to Musa(A.S.) to illustrate this aspect and to illustrate the vastness of knowledge and the unseen as a lesson. Who is this someone?

12.A member of Musa(A.S.)’s family was exremely wealthy and treated the poor with contempt. He not only refused to pay zakaat,but spread a rumour that Musa(A.S.) had invented the law of zakaat.He was punished by Allah.The earth opened up and swallowed him and all his wealth. Who is this person?

13.A Prophet delivered Allah’s Messages to the people through the precious gift of his melodious voice.When he chanted the Book of Allah,it was as if the entire creation chanted with him. Who is this Prophet?

14.Who appeared before Ayyub(A.S.) in the guise of a wise old man,and said to him,"All your wealth is lost. Some people say that it is because you gave too much charity,and that you are wasting your time with your continious prayers to Allah." ?

15.Name the Prophet that spoke when he was a new-born baby?

16.Did Nuh(A.S.)’s son accompany him on the ark when the floods came? Yes or No?

17.Lut(A.S.)’s wife was a good,noble,pious and obedient wife to Lut(A.S.) True or False?

18.Ayoob(A.S.) lost his sight due to his excessive weeping for his long-lost son,Yusuf(A.S.). True or False?

19.Dawood(A.S.) was a king and was well experienced in the craft of weapon-making. True or False?

20.Dawood(A.S.) was the son of Sulaymaan(A.S.). True or False?

21.Which two prophets(father and son) were both kings and prophets in their lifetime ?

22.Sulaymaan(A.S.) was lying down flat;facing the Qibla,when he passed away(ie.when his ruh(soul) was taken out. True or False?

23.Zakariyyah(A.S.) was a Prophet of Allah, and was blessed with many,abundant pious children when he was young. True or False?

24.After Maryam(A.S.) just gave birth to Eesa(A.S.); she shook a dry palm tree, from which ripe dates fell. True or False ?

25.After Yaqub(A.S.) passed the first trial,with patience. Iblees(shaytaan), shook the foundation of Yaqub(A.S.)’s house,killing all of his children. True or False?

ANSWERS:

1.Musa(A.S.) melted down the "Golden Calf" into a mass of molten metal and dumped it into the sea.

2."La ilaaha illa anta subhaanaka inni kuntu minaz zaalimeen" -

There is no God save Thee! Glorified be Thou! Indeed,I have been a wrong doer.

3.Saleh(A.S.)

4.Sarah(A.S.)

5.Hazrat Ibraheem(A.S.)

6.The Hoopoe Bird.

7.Yahyah(A.S.)

8.Bani Israeel.

9. Yusuf(A.S.)

10.Musa(A.S.)

11.Khidr(A.S.)

12.Qarun.

13.Dawood(A.S.)

14.Iblees(Shaytaan)

15.Eesa(A.S.)

16.No.

17.False

18.False.Yaqoob(A.S.) was nearly blinded due to missing his son;not Ayoob(A.S.).

19.True

20.False.Dawood(A.S.) was the Father of Sulaymaan(A.S.).

21.Sulaymaan(A.S.) and Dawood(A.S.)

22.False. He was sitting holding his staff overseeing the Jinns at work.He died in this position.

23.False.Zakirriyah(A.S.) had a son in his old-age.

24.True.

25.False. Iblees shook Ayyub(A.S.)'s house, not Yaqub(A.S.)

SURVIVING AT UNIVERSITY - BY A UNIVERSITY STUDENT

There were beer mats everywhere. The whole corridor was covered in an intriguing pattern of small cardboard squares called Carlsberg. There were eight rooms in the corridor but only one kitchen, one toilet and one shower. I had expected the place to be a bit more lively but my friend explained to me that it was always quiet on Friday and Saturday nights. ‘They invite me along with them as well,’ he said with a sigh, ‘but all I can do is laugh and politely decline.’

Welcome to the world of the university campus, the place where a significant number of Muslim students will spend at least the first year of their university life. Away from home and away from family and friends, the three years on average spent by most students pursuing a degree is a crucial time for the development or deterioration of one’s Imãn. All students whether they choose to remain at home or stay elsewhere experience the onslaught of ‘Fresher’s Week’ before they even begin their studies. Fresher’s Week is supposedly a week full of events designed to allow those beginning their university career to acquaint themselves with their new surroundings as well as with their fellow students. In reality Fresher’s Week is a hedonistic 7 days which the pubs and nightclubs utilise to attract their prospective clientele for the following year. Flyers and posters advertising nightclubs, bank loans, mobile phones and a whole host of other organisations, societies and clubs bombard students during these first few days. Even though the Islamic Societies of most universities make a determined effort to attract Muslim students away from such temptation, it is sad to say that for many Muslims the Islamic Society stall is last on their list of places to visit. Fresher’s Week is a severe trial and only those come through unscathed that have a strong bond and connection with Allah Ta'ala.

When I initially applied to university I remember being told at college that university was a place of experimentation, of experience and of widening one’s views of the world. For a Muslim this experience can be extremely difficult as many of the activities used for this social experimentation are either makrooh or harãm and illegal. Social experimentation and finding the ‘real you’ seem to be prime goals for many students. For Muslims, university can be quite a lonely time as many of the events and functions organised by their peers involve activities which are albeit legal under the laws of this country but illegal i.e. harãm from an Islamic perspective. Promiscuous relationships, ‘pub crawls’ (whereby a number of pubs are visited in one outing) and a whole host of other unbelievable activities are the order of the day. And all this is practiced by those who the rest of society deems as being ‘the leaders of tomorrow’.

I remember my disgust when I initially visited my university at the lack of scope in the lecturer’s jokes. Alcohol and the price of alcohol were the only two topics discussed. It was quite a disturbing experience to be the only sombre person in a room full of 400 laughing 18 year olds. It was not that I did not understand the jokes, it was the fact that drinking and in reality alcoholism were deemed to be an acceptable part of the student lifestyle regardless of a person’s belief. In my opinion, this is the crux of the difficulty for Muslims studying at university; the question of maintaining and retaining a distinct Muslim identity. This is the point where many of us fail as we try to reconcile our faith with the demands and pressures of the environment surrounding us. Do you pray Zuhr Salãh during your lunch hour or do you make it Qadhã and attend that lunchtime optional seminar which might look good on your CV? It is in such matters that students should turn to the ‘Ulamã in order to find out how to reconcile these differences.

And it is during these times that one realises the true advantages of having a spiritual mentor. Having a spiritual mentor or Shaykh to which one can turn to for guidance and encouragement can make all the difference when confronted with a dilemma.

However, many students are unable to do this, mainly because of the fact that the only contact they had with the ‘Ulamã was during their pre-teens when attending the evening maktab. No contact or relationship was maintained with the ‘Ulamã and in many cases with the Deen of Islãm after these initial few years. But, alhamdulillah there are still a significant number of students who do maintain contact, right until and after the time they enter university. Their knowledge and zeal for Islãm can prove to be a boon for others searching for the truth - and there are many searching for and returning to the truth. The number of student reverts and Muslims whose interest in Islãm is reignited while attending university and the existence of student Islamic Societies bears testimony to this.

Islamic Societies are voluntary organisations run by students to cater for the needs of Muslims who may be attending the university or living in its vicinity. They typically provide a prayer room with wudhoo facilities in most cases, and organise a variety of Da‘wah and educational events. Partly funded by money from the university’s student union and partly by private donations, Islamic Societies bring together Muslims from around the world. In my first Jumu‘ah prayer at university I was met with a scene which made me reminisce of how the times of the Prophet sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam must have been. The Imãm was an African, the mu’azzin an Arab, and the remaining rows a mixture of Muslims from almost every other country in the world.

This diversity however, can prove to have a weakness in the sense that it can provide an ideal cover for deviant sects bent on spoiling the Imãn as well as ideology of Muslims. Many students are unaware of these sects and are highly impressed by the seemingly knowledgeable and sincere words of their protagonists. Once again the lack of knowledge regarding our authentic scholars and their achievements causes quite a majority of us to feel inferior when faced with such people.

Another point which surprised me very much was the little effort that was being made on the Muslims at the University. It seemed like Da‘wah was to be practised on non-Muslims only. I attended one of the meetings held to discuss the organisation of the Islamic Awareness Week at the university. Even though I half expected the meeting to be mixed I had not anticipated what I saw. Many of the sisters wore scarves, but the way they and many of the brothers as well, were dressed, left little to the imagination. However most of these sisters were extremely sincere and it soon became obvious that they played a key role in the running of Islamic events at the university. On asking one of the brothers why this was the case he replied that most Muslim male students did not bother volunteering and consequently this void was filled by the sisters. In my opinion this was an extremely dangerous situation as many of the events that were being organised involved the free mixing of males and females albeit with a good intention. This is another point where most of us fail due to our lack of knowledge and correct guidance. We presume we are doing something acceptable in the Sharee‘ah based upon what little knowledge we may have of the Sharee‘ah ourselves.

The brother whom I quoted at the beginning of the article was a clean shaven youngster when he started university. He has since kept a beard. I asked him the reason for this and he replied, ‘I was looking for Muslims and I thought let me look for someone with a beard. The thought suddenly hit me that I myself do not have a beard, would anyone recognise me as a Muslim?’ There are many brothers and sisters who dress in full Islamic clothing when attending university and it can be honestly said that there is probably no greater form of giving Da‘wah to both Muslims and non-Muslims than this; the full adoption of Islãm. As many of us know Allah S has commanded us to enter into Islãm totally. This is what I think is needed for the regeneration of the student community. Rather than trying to unify with university culture Muslims need to be unique, unique both internally in manners and character and externally in dress and appearance, and be proud of this uniqueness. Simplicity coupled with the adoption of the teachings of the Qur’ãn and Sunnah and the ways of the Companions y, under the guidance of the ‘Ulamã, the experts in the field, seems to be the only way to achieve this uniqueness and in reality restore our confidence. Reliable organisations such as the Islãmic Da‘wah Academy and many others are already taking part in this regeneration by holding meetings with student leaders and trying to address their specific needs. More interaction such as this is needed at both school and college/university level.

For me university has proved to be quite a revealing experience in the sense that it has made me appreciate how little many non-Muslims and, in some unfortunate cases, Muslims themselves know about Islãm. For a significant number of non-Muslim students the only contact they have had with Muslims is via the TV or the newspapers i.e. they have never met a Muslim before. We, as Muslim students need to be trained and given the opportunity to learn how to practice and propagate Islãm adequately and to deal with situations which we may have not encountered before in our lives. Only recourse to the ‘Ulamã and the mashã’ikh can help to solve such dilemmas.

We need to take the opportunity to adopt the company of the pious, especially the ‘Ulamã and take part in reliable religious movements so that we gain the true understanding of Islãm. Only then will we become true individuals, independent and free from the shackles of a non-Islamic culture. And only then will we be able to, in the words of the Sahãbi Rib‘ee Ibne Ãmir t, work towards delivering mankind from ‘the slavery of man into the slavery of the Lord of man, and from the narrowness of this world to the vastness of the Hereafter.’

May Allah Ta'ala give the writer first and then the readers the ability and the inclination to practice what has been written. May Allah Ta'ala help all students whether studying in religious or secular institutes to achieve their goals and cause all of us to attain His pleasure and live and die as true Muslims upon Islãm. Ãmeen

ISLAMIC KNOWLEDGE - RAISING RIGHTEOUS AND SUCCESSFUL CHILDREN

Teaching Islam to our Children: An Important Islamic Duty

Islam teaches us different ways to attain success. One best way is to seek Islamic knowledge based on the Qur'an and the Sunnah. We need to spend time, money, efforts, emotions and patience to learn authentic knowledge of Islam not only for our own success but also to be able to share it to others, especially to our children.

The most important and lasting gift or inheritance that we can give to our children is knowledge of Islam. It is a must that we should educate our children with Islamic knowledge since as parents we are accountable to their success and failure. The Prophet (saws) makes it very clear that we are accountable to our respective families/children: Abdullah ibn Umar reported that he heard the Prophet Muhammad (saws) saying:

"Every one of you is a guardian, and responsible for what is in his custody. The ruler is a guardian of his subjects and responsible for them; a husband is a guardian of his family and is responsible for it; a lady is a guardian of her husband’s house and is responsible for it, and a servant is a guardian of his master’s property and is responsible for it. A man is a guardian of his father’s property and is responsible for it so all of you are guardians and responsible for your wards and things under your care)." (Bukhâri 3/592)

Malik bin Huwairth narrated: "I came to the Prophet (saws) with some men from my tribe and stayed with him for twenty nights. He was kind and merciful to us. When he realized our longing for our families, he said to us: "Go back and stay with your families and teach them the religion. And offer the prayer and one of you should pronounce the Adhan for the prayer when its time is due. And the oldest one amongst you should lead the prayer." (Bukhari 1/601)

The above authentic Ahâdîth clearly show how the Prophet (saws) commands us Muslims to be responsible to our respective families. The best way to perform our duty to our children is to teach them Islam. Allah tells us that our children, just like our wealth and possessions, are but a trial from Him. Allah the Most High says:

"And know that your possessions and your children are but a trial: 
and that it is Allah with whom lies your highest reward." 
[Qur'an 8:28]

"Your riches and your children may be but a trial: 
whereas Allah, with Him is the highest Reward." 
[Qur'an 64:15]

Since our children are but a trial and that the highest reward is with Allah the Almighty, it is then our responsibility to guide our children to Islam. It is only through Islam that they can become righteous and be of service to Allah. We pass Allah’s trial once our children worship and please our Creator.

The best thing that we can give to our children is knowledge of Islam. It is the best education and the best means to fight ignorance and drive away evil. The Prophet (saws) says in the following Ahâdîth:

Amr bin Sa’id or Sa’id bin Al-‘As t narrated that Allah’ Messenger (saws) said, "A father gives his child nothing better than a good education." (Tirmidhi 4977 and Baihaqi)

‘Abdullah ibn Abbas narrated that Allah’s Messenger (saws) said: "A single scholar of religion is more formidable against Satan than a thousand devout people." (Tirmidhi 217 and Ibn Majah)

Raising Responsible Children

When we teach Islam to our children, we raise them to be righteous and responsible Muslims who will subsequently treat us with kindness and respect. Islam is the only religion that clearly raises the status of the parents to a high degree and honor. In fact, Allah in many ayat of the Qur’an has commanded us to please our parents after pleasing Him. After our firm belief in Him, our Creator has enjoined us to treat our parents with kindness and respect:

"...Worship none but Allah and be dutiful and treat with kindness your parents and kindred, and orphans and those in need; speak fair to the people; be steadfast in prayer; and give Zakat..." 
[Qur'an 2:83]

"Serve Allah, and join not any partners with Him; and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbors who are of kin, neighbors who are strangers, the companions by your side, the wayfarer (you meet), and what your right hands possess: for Allah loves not the arrogant, vainglorious." 
[Qur'an 4:36]

"Say: ?Come, I will rehearse what Allah has (really) prohibited you from: join not anything with Him; be good to your parents; kill not your children on a plea of want, We provide sustenance for you and for them; come not nigh to indecent deeds, whether open or secret; take not life, which Allah has made sacred, except by way of justice and law. Thus does He command you, that you may learn wisdom.’" 
[Qur'an 6:151]

In line with the above Qur’anic injunctions is the commonly quoted Hâdîth, which shows how the true Muslim must be more dutiful to his parents than any other person in the world:

Abu Hurairah narrated that a man came to Allah’s Messenger (saws) and said, "O Allah’s Messenger! Who is more entitled to be treated with the best companionship by me?" The Prophet (saws) said, "Your mother." The man said, "Who is next?" The Prophet (saws) said, "Your mother." The man further said, "Who is next?" The Prophet (saws) said, "Your mother." The man asked (for the fourth time), "Who is next?" The Prophet (saws) said, "Your father." (Bukhari 8/ 2 and Muslim 4/ 6180-6183)

Allah the All Knowing and Most Merciful knows that parents especially mothers bear hardships in rearing their children. Thus, He commands children to show gratefulness to their parents. Every man, therefore, is expected to be good to his parents, especially when they attain their old age where they need most his care, service and respect:

"Your Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them but address them in terms of honor. And out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility and say: O my Rabb (only God and Sustainer) (Only God and Cherisher)! Bestow on them (my parents) 
Your Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood." 
[Qur'an 17:23-24]

And We have enjoined on man (to be good) to his parents: in travail upon travail did his mother bear him and in years twain was his weaning: (hear the command), "Show gratitude to Me and to your parents: to Me is (your final) Goal." But if they strive to make you join in worship with Me things of which you have no knowledge, obey them not; yet bear them company in this life with justice (and consideration), and follow the way of those who turn to Me. In the End the return of you all is to Me. And I will tell you all that you did. 
[Qur'an 31:14-15]

"We have enjoined on man kindness to his parents in pain did his mother bear him, and in pain did she give him birth." [Qur'an 46:15]

Islam teaches us that it is for our success that we must obey Allah by showing our utmost kindness and respect to our parents. We must also obey them for as long as they do not command us something that disobeys Allah. We have to remember that if we please them, we please Allah. This means, that through our parents we can attain Allah’s rewards in the eternal world:

Abdullah ibn Mas'ud narrated:

"I asked the Prophet (saws) which deed is the dearest to Allah? He replied, "To offer salaat (the prayers) at there early fixed times." I asked, "What is the next (in goodness)?" He replied, "To be good and dutiful to your parents." I again asked, "What is the next (in goodness)? "He replied, "To participate in jihad (religious fighting) in Allah’s Cause." (Bukhari 1/505)

Abu Hurairah t narrated that Allah’s Messenger said:

"Let him be humbled into dust; let him be humbled into dust." It was said: "Allah’s Messenger, who is he?" He said: "He who sees either of his parents during their old age or he sees both of them, but he does not enter Paradise." (Muslim 6189)

Abu Darda narrated that when a man came to him and said, "I have a wife whom my mother commands me to divorce." He replied to him that he had heard Allah’s Messenger (saws) say, "A parent is the best of the gates of Paradise; so if you wish, keep to the gate, or lose it." (Tirmidhi 4928 and Ibn Majah)

We learn further that in Islam for every Muslim it is a blessing from Allah if he has parents who are old as it gives him the opportunity to serve them and thus earns Allah’s pleasure. He will receive success, especially the supreme success in Paradise if he follows Allah’s commandment to be dutiful to his parents. This means that if we can raise our children, teach them knowledge of Islam or give them proper Islamic education, by way of Home Education or sending them to Islamic schools, we will be expecting them to take care of us especially during our old age and at the time when we will be needing them most. They will to take care of us when we are weak and old as important members of their families and not to let us just stay in other’s houses or at any home of the aged. Most of all, they will include us in their daily prayers, which is the best thing that they can give us. If we raise them to be righteous and they pray for our salvation then we attain ultimate success in the Life-Hereafter.

Therefore, we must give importance to the acquisition of Islamic knowledge and impart the same to our children so that they will pray for our success. We must know that Islam teaches us to show goodness to our parents by including them in our daily prayers that Allah will forgive them and grant them Mercy:

"O my Rabb! Make me one who performs prayers and (also) from my offspring, our Rabb! And accept my invocation. Our Rabb! Forgive me and my parents, and (all) the believers on the Day when the reckoning will be established." [Qur'an 14:40-41)]

"O my Rabb! Bestow on them (my parents) Your Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood." 
[Qur'an 17:24)]

"My Rabb! Forgive me and my parents and anyone who enters my home as a believer. 
And to the disbelievers, grant no increase but destruction." 
[Qur'an 71:28]

When we guide our children to Islam, they become righteous Muslims whose prayers, to Allah I for our own benefit, continue to reach us even when we die. The Prophet (saws) says in the following Hadith:

"A man will be raised some degrees in Paradise and he will say, ‘For what reason I am receiving this?’ He will be told, ‘Because of your son asking forgiveness for you.’" (Bukhari 1613)

Abu Hurairah narrated that Allah’ Messenger (saws) said, "When a man dies, accrual of merit in his favor from good deeds ceases except from three actions: 1. A charity which continues after his death; 2. Knowledge left behind from which men continue to benefit, and 3. Righteous offspring who pray for him." (Muslim 4005)

Knowing the importance of Islamic knowledge, it is imperative that we encourage our children to spend time acquiring it. We must remember that one of the characteristics of a believer is love for the search of knowledge.

The following Hâdîth should inspire us and our children to continuously seek for Islamic knowledge:

Abu Said Al-Khudri narrated: Allah’s Messenger (saws)said, "A believer is never satiated with gainful knowledge; he goes acquiring it till his death and entry into Paradise." (Tirmidhi 222)

We must also guide our children to be prompt in doing good deeds, which will increase our faith and subsequently enable us to gain Allah’s pleasure and mercy. We have to remember that on the Day of Judgment we shall be asked how we spent hour lives, wealth and knowledge. In other words, we will be questioned on how we spent everything that Allah has given us as implied in the following Hadith:

Abdullah Bin Mas?ud narrated that Allah’s Messenger said,

"A man shall be asked concerning five things on the day of resurrection: concerning his life, how he spent it; concerning his youth, how he grew old; concerning his wealth, whence he acquired it, and in what way he spent it; and what was it that he did with the knowledge that he had." (Tirmidhi 5197)

Abu Barzah Nadlah ibn Ubayd al-Aslami narrated that the Prophet (saws) said: "A servant of Allah will remain standing on the Day of Judgment till he is questioned: about his age and how he spent it; and about his knowledge and how he utilized it; about his wealth from where he acquired it and in what (activities) he spent it; and about his body as to how he used it." (Tirmidhi 407)

With Islamic knowledge that we acquire and subsequently share to our children, Insha Allah, we will be able to answer whatever questions on the Day of Judgment. We and our righteous children will pass the real tests on the Day of Reckoning. This is because Islam teaches us to believe and to do deeds of righteousness and Allah the Almighty promises us everlasting life in Paradise. Our Only Rabb says:

"But those who believe and do deeds of righteousness We shall soon admit them to Gardens, with rivers flowing beneath, to dwell therein forever. Allah’s promise is the truth, and whose word can be truer than Allah’s?" 
[Qur'an 4:122]

Conclusion and Recommendations

Knowledge of Islam tells us that by guiding our children to Islam, we do not only respond to the duty that Allah and His Messenger (saws) enjoin upon us i.e., to be accountable to our children; but also, we expect subsequent rewards for raising righteous children. If we want our children to be righteous and be successful Muslims, we must learn and teach our children authentic knowledge of Islam, which is one that is based on the Qur’an and the Sunnah (and/or the authentic Hâdîth of the Prophet (saws)).

For those of us who can not teach our respective children for some reasons, who find no time or incapable to teach our own children, it is a must that we send them to standard quality Islamic schools where boys are separated from girls. If such schools are not available in our area, then we can opt for Islamic distance schooling or Home Education. This alternative to formal schooling is less expensive. It even gives parents and children to be closer (i.e., binds the bond of relationship with mutual love, respect and understanding) as the parents are expected to give more time to supervise or at least guide their children’s study.

Children learn more from their parents as they are spending their full time at home. They avoid mixing with the opposite sex. They also avoid the company of friends, classmates and schoolmates who may have bad influences on them. In this manner, they avoid the recurring problems prevalent among the youths such as school delinquency, drug addiction, smoking, drinking liquor, gambling, illicit sex and other social problems.

Another alternative is for us parents to hire competent Muslims teachers who can teach our children Islam during weekends. To minimize cost, we can organize weekend Islamic schools within our community by making use of the existing public schools. All we need is to make a request to the school administrator for the use of some rooms of the school buildings. 

Aside from the formal (English and Madrasah) and/or weekend Islamic schools, we can encourage our children to seek knowledge of Islam by any of the following means:

1) attendance to Islamic lectures, forums and seminars,

2) reading books and other reading materials on Islam,

3) listening to radio programs on Islam, 

4) buying books, booklets, magazines and other reading materials on Islam,

5) purchasing other learning media (e.g., CDs, and cassette tapes) on Islam, and/or

6) giving them proper access to the Islamic reading materials available in the Internet (i.e., Islamic websites). All these various opportunities to acquiring knowledge of Islam are blessing from Allah, Who bestows knowledge to whom He guides to Islam.

Indeed, Allah is Most Gracious, Most Merciful, He has opened for us various ways and means to learn Islam.

It is for us Muslims to learn authentic knowledge of Islam so that we please Allah the Almighty. It is only by knowing Islam that we know our Creator and how we can worship Him to the best we can and therefore attain His rewards and be successful in the eternal world to come. Islam teaches us to be accountable to our respective children. The best way is for us to share our authentic knowledge of Islam with them. Let us remember that their success means our ultimate success too.

May Allah guide us in Seeking authentic Knowledge on Islam, in order to impart it to our children, not just by verbal means, but by being the best of examples to them. 
Ameen.

ADVISING THE SEEKERS OF KNOWLEDGE

We give thanks to Allaah, the One free of all defects, for having inspired us. And we ask Him to grant us the ability to act upon what He has given us knowledge of. Indeed, goodness cannot be attained, except by His granting and His assistance. Whomsoever Allaah leads astray, there is no one from His creation that can guide him. May Allaah send His blessings upon Muhammad SAW, the chief of the first and the last (of people), and upon his brothers from among the prophets and messengers. And upon those who follow the light (i.e. the Qur'aan) that was revealed to him SAW until the Day of Recompense.

To proceed, I advise you O seeker of knowledge to have a sincere and pure intention in your search for knowledge. And that you exert yourself in acting upon what it necessitates (from action). For indeed knowledge is a tree and action is its fruit. And one can never be considered knowledgeable so long as he doesn't act upon what he has knowledge of.

It has also been stated: "Knowledge is a parent and action is its offspring." And "Knowledge comes with action, while narrating comes with investigating." 

So do not feel satisfied with actions so long as you are lacking in knowledge. Nor feel satisfied with knowledge so long as you fall short of producing actions. Rather, combine them both, even if your share of the two is small.

And there is nothing worse than a scholar, whose knowledge the people abandon because of the corruption of his ways, nor an ignorant person whose ignorance the people accept because of what they see from his worship.

So a little of this (knowledge) along with a little of that (action) is what is most likely to save you in the end, when Allaah bestows His mercy upon His servant and completes his favor upon him. But as for laziness and negligence, love for ease and comfort, preferring the easy life and showing indifference, inclining towards leisure and relaxation, then the results of these characteristics are blameworthy, detestable and disastrous.

Knowledge leads to action, just as action leads to salvation. So if the action falls short of the knowledge, then the knowledge becomes a burden upon the one who possesses that knowledge. And we seek Allaah's refuge from knowledge that turns into a burden, is the cause of humiliation and which becomes a shackle on the neck of the one who possesses it.

Sahl Ibn Muzaahim (rahimahullaah) said: "The matter is more tighter upon a scholar than when one clenches his fist tightly, even though the ignorant person is not excused because of his ignorance (i.e. he will be held to account also). However, the scholar will receive a greater punishment if he abandons what he has knowledge of and doesn't act upon it."

So did those of our Salaf (predecessors) from the past reach the high levels that they reached except through sincerity in Creed (Beliefs), righteous actions and overwhelming abstinence of the attractive features of this worldly life? And did the wise people reach the greatest level of success (that they did) except by working hard in their efforts and being pleased with their easy accomplishments, while sacrificing the excess amount from their needs by giving it away to the poor and those who asked?

Is not the one who gathers books of knowledge just like the one who gathers gold and silver? Is not the one who has an intense greed for them just like the one who is eager and desirous of gold and silver? Is not the one who is deeply in love with them just like the one who treasures gold and silver?

So just as wealth does not benefit except by it being spent, then likewise, knowledge does not benefit except for one who acts upon it and carries out its obligations. So let each individual examine himself and take advantage of his time, for indeed the resting place (i.e. this world) is short, the (time for) departure is near, the road is hazardous and deviating from it is common. The danger is great, the one who takes note has wisdom, Allaah, the Most High, is watching over, and to Him is the (final) recourse and return. "And whosoever does an atom's weight of good, he shall see it. And whosoever does an atom's weight of evil, he shall see it." [99: 7-8]