(In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful).
"Those who establish regular Prayer, and give regular Charity, and have (in their hearts) the assurance of the Hereafter. These are on (true) guidance from their Lord: and these are the ones who will prosper." (Quran 31:4-5)
Recently, I had the pleasure of attending a function at my kids’ school that resembled an Anand Mela. It was a vibrant event where students set up stalls to sell homemade food items and organize games. The school had done an excellent job of organising the event, with staff members guiding groups of 3 to 4 students at each stall. The food options were delightful—paani puri, shawarma, chicken roast, veg burgers—and the games were just as engaging, from tossing balls into glasses to catching (toy) fish within a time limit.
We attended the event as a family, and Alhamdulillah, we had a great time. The atmosphere was filled with laughter and joy, creating cherished memories. However, amidst all the fun, a crucial point caught my attention that made me reflect deeply on our intentions and practices as a community.
The function ran from 5 PM to 8 PM, coinciding with the time for Maghrib prayers. When maghrib was due, I inquired with the organizer about the arrangements for prayer. They assured me that there was a designated area where prayer mats had been laid out. However, when I reached the location, I found no mats initially. A few minutes later, staff members began setting them up, seemingly spurred by my inquiry. This incident left me pondering how good intentions can sometimes fall short in execution.
Unfortunately, there was no announcement made about the prayer arrangements over the microphone until it was quite late. Events continued on stage, and the program never paused for prayer. Although there could have been a congregation for Maghrib, the school made no effort to facilitate this.
What struck me as most disheartening was the lack of attendees in the prayer area. Despite an audience of 300-400 people, including roughly 100 school students, I only saw about 15 to 20 individuals offering their prayers (I prayed with my family and then waited there because my kids were playing on the slide nearby, so would have been there for 30 mins). This was particularly concerning given that the school is Muslim-managed, with a strong Hifz program and a daily Zuhr congregation. I was expecting more students joining the maghrib prayer.
How could a Muslim school overlook making Salah an integral part of its program? More importantly, why didn’t the students come forward for prayer? Why did the parents not encourage their children? Many of us choose this school precisely for its religious teachings, hoping our children grow into individuals who can memorize the Quran and observe their prayers diligently.
That day, I realized the profound importance of teaching the Quran with meaning. While the school focuses on memorization, there seems to be a lack of emphasis on understanding the Quran's teachings and the ethical principles it embodies. I questioned whether any student could articulate why we pray five times a day or what benefits arise from these prayers.
Can your child answer these questions? If they can, congratulations! If not, I urge you to take it upon yourself to instil this knowledge in them. It’s crucial not to wait for the school or others to fulfil this role.
In our fast-paced lives, it's easy to get caught up in activities and events, forgetting the essence of our faith. We must ensure our children understand the significance of their prayers, not just as rituals but as vital components of their lives.
JazaAllah Khairan for reading, let's work together to nurture a generation that not only knows the Quran but understands and lives by its teachings. May Allah swt help us.
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