Montreal: Corvée de propreté 2011
This is the recognition letter we have got from the city for our contribution to the cleaning campaign of 2011. In Sha2 Allah we would participate again this year.
Is Home schooling an options for Muslims in Quebec?
Settling in a foreign country is very difficult. Muslim Immigrants (or visible minorities in General) in Quebec, or even in the rest of Canada, know this just too well, getting a house, stable employment and above all, a learning facility or a school for their children can all become challenging at first.
Home schooling is done under familiar environment and as such it accelerates the child’s learning experience unlike in the conventional schooling system (whether private or public) where the environment is a bit crowded. New comers’ children may take time to familiarize with their new environment.
Home schooling provides the child with the chance to learn what they can at the time they feel most comfortable. Their parents will know better how to interact with them, and this makes learning a continuous process and less tiring unlike in the standard schooling system where the child is expected to be in class for a certain period of time, this way the child’s concentration level is lowered making them lose interest in learning at such an early age. Private schools are much better for new comers than public schools in general. Yet, there is no statistical proof as to which one is better for visible minorities or for Muslims.
The education level in Canada’s private school might seem quite challenging for immigrants who just got into the country. The challenge is not related to the quality of teaching. A lot of parents come from overseas with higher quality teaching. However, the educational system in Quebec has a pace that is different from other foreign home countries. It’s therefore wise that the child should learn at home for a while so s/he can move smoothly from one environment to the other. This way the child will gain the conviction they need and improve their learning abilities within a short period of time.
For Muslim students who were born and raised here, the challenge is different. Their parents might not like the standard schooling system because it exposes the young students to a different value system that is not quite matching with the preferred value system at home. Hence, home schooling looks more attractive for this category.
Schooling at home goes beyond the preset curriculum that the public school follows (or even the private school). Therefore, students from visible minorities are able to explore other interests like music, arts and other hobbies of interest that may eventually become a good career for them later in life. Home schooling is an all holistic program that ensures that the child’s learning needs are fully met.
Finally, it should be noted that this is not a conclusive call to get on the boat of home schooling. This is just a quick exploration on whether home schooling is another alternative for Muslims in Quebec. There is a need for a rigorous study to check whether this schooling mode will effectively and efficiency offer our children the learning excellence they need.
May you please comment and share your point of view about this schooling mode.
How to respect your parents
A. Introduction:
There are many days set aside in non-Islamic societies to honour and appreciate special people; examples of these are Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day and Labour Day. In Islam, however, respecting, honouring and appreciating parents is not just for a single day of the year, but rather for each and every day.
B. Parents in the Quran:
A Muslim child should respect and appreciate his or her parents on a daily basis. Allaah mentions that human beings must recognise their parents and that this is second only to the recognition of Allaah Himself. Throughout the Quran, we notice that parents are mentioned with appreciation and respect, even if they are senile. In the Quran, there is a very beautiful description of how parents are to be treated; Allaah Says (what means):”And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as] ‘uff’ [i.e., an expression of irritation or disapproval] and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word. And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say: ‘My Lord! Have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small.‘” [Quran 17:23-24]
The recognition and respect of parents is mentioned in the Quran eleven times; in every instance, Allaah reminds children to recognise and to appreciate the love and care that they have received from their parents. One such example is when Allaah says what means: “And We have enjoined upon man goodness to parents…” [Quran 29:8 & 46:15]
1. The demand for recognising parents is made more emphatic when Allaah Says (what means): “And [recall] when We took the covenant from the Children of Israel, [enjoining upon them]: ‘Do not worship except Allaah; and to parents, do good…'” [Quran 2:83]
2. Allaah again emphasises in chapter An-Nisaa’ that children should be kind to their parents. He says what means: “Worship Allaah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good…” [Quran 4:36]
3. In Chapter Al-An’aam, Allaah reemphasises that people should be kind to their parents; He says what means: “Say: ‘Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited to you. [He commands] that you not associate anything with Him, and to parents, good treatment…'” [Quran 6:151]
C. Mothers:
Although Islam recognises both parents, mothers are given particular gratitude and respect. This can be appreciated if we reflect upon the hardships and suffering that mothers experience in their lives. In this regard, there is a Hadeeth of the Prophet : It was narrated by Abu Hurayrah that a man came to the Prophet and asked him: ‘Who is most deserving of my close companionship?’ He replied: “Your mother; your mother; your mother; then your father; then the next closest to you in kinship; then the one next closest.”
Islam has endorsed respect for parents by their children, even if the parents are non-Muslims. If parents strive to convert their children to non-Islamic beliefs, the children should not obey them, but must still maintain goodness towards them. In this regard, Allaah says what means: “And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him, [increasing her] in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is two years. Be grateful to Me and your parents; to Me is the [final] destination. But if they endeavour to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them but accompany them in [this] world with appropriate kindness and follow the way of those who turn back to Me [in repentance]. Then to Me will be your return, and I will inform you about what you used to do.” [Quran 31:14-15]
D. More Respect:
Islam teaches us that of the most beloved deeds to Allaah, having respect for one’s parents is second only to that of prayer and is greater than that of Jihaad (fighting in His cause). In this respect, Abu ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ‘Abdullaah Ibn Mas’ood narrated the following: “I asked the Prophet : ‘Which deed is the most beloved to Allaah?’ He replied: “Prayers performed on time.” I then asked: ‘Which one is next?’ He replied: “Goodness to parents.” I then asked: ‘Which is next?’ He replied: “Jihaad in the path of Allaah.””
In Islam, respect for parents is so great that the child and his wealth are considered to be the property of the parents: `Aa’ishah narrated that a man came to the Prophet in order to resolve a dispute that he had with his father regarding a loan he had given him. The Prophet said to the man: “You and your wealth are to (i.e., the property of) your father.”
E. Final Remarks:
We hope and pray that all of us will respect our parents while they are alive and after their death. One can honour his parents after their death through the following methods:
- Performing daily Du’aa’ (supplication) for them.
- Giving charity on their behalf.
- Instituting a perpetual charity on their behalf, such as a mosque, an Islamic Centre, an Islamic library, an Islamic hospital, an orphanage, etc.
- Performing Hajj on their behalf, or asking someone to do so.
- Distributing Islamic literature on their behalf.
Let us pray to Allaah that we do our best to respect our parents, honour them, be kind to them, assist them, and please them so that we may attain the love of Allaah.
O Allaah! Accept our humble prayers and make us obedient slaves to You.
O Allaah! Help us to be respectful children to our parents. Aameen.
By: Dr Ahmad H. Sakr
As-Salam Monthly Gathering: The January edition… Peace and Snow
The month went very fast. The coming week end if our reserved weekend for our Monthly event. Do not miss it.
* A delicious dinner
* Entertainment
* Prizes
All are welcome (but please inform us in order to arrange enough food). We are expecting 100 people but last time the crowd was larger.
Period Of Youth In Islam
If we examine the life of an average human, we come to realize that life consists of four periods. Childhood: This usually lasts for thirteen to fourteen years. The teenage years which usually lasts for six to eight years depending on when he gets married, (The Period of Youth). The third part of his life is from the time he gets married until his old age, which usually lasts for merely twenty to thirty years, and then lastly his old age whose exact time period cannot be said with certainty, depending on when death takes him.
Now out of these four parts of an average human life, the most crucial stage of his life is the period of youth. The period of youth is a time when a person goes through many changes and experiences; he undergoes and partake many new things which he has never experienced before. The youth begins to feel as though he has control over the whole world, and that he can do whatever he wishes. His desires are increasing day by day becoming attached to the opposite sex, he enjoys lustfully gazing and flirting with them..
Now, this is that period of his life that if he was to control his desires a bit, and sacrifice a few of these devilish desires, he can become a future role-model for Muslims. He can become a leader for his community, and the biggest achievement he can gain is success in the hereafter.
As being admitted into paradise, and being saved from the hell fire, is, in reality truly the greatest success a person can gain. Allah has described this as a ‘great success’ in the Holy Qur’an.
The reason why this period of human life is so important and crucial is because this period of youth is generally what determines the way in which this period of his life is spent. If he spends this period of his life in an Islamic environment, visiting the Masjid for the five daily prayers, associating with the pious people and the true scholars of Islam, sitting in their gatherings, then, it is greatly hoped that he will spend the rest of his life in the same way.
On the other hand, if the youth stays away from the Masjid and doesn’t associate himself with the pious and scholars of Islam, but spends his time visiting the pubs/clubs, associating himself with mischievous people, then it is most likely that the rest of his life will be spent in a similar manner, away from the Masjid and away from Deen, except if Allah wishes otherwise.
Just like everything, life is also a gift from Allah and every aspect of it should be regarded as a gift and a trust from Allah. Allah expects us to spend this youth in His worship and obedience, seeking knowledge of Islam and acting upon it. This in itself is a form of gratefulness.
In a Hadith, the Messenger of Allah said that the feet of the son of Adam will not be able to move until he is questioned regarding four things.
Out of these four questions, one question asked will be regarding how one spent his time as a youth. In another Hadith, the Messenger of Allah has said that on the Day of Judgement, there are seven types of people to whom Allah will give shade to. It is stated in Bukhari that on the Day of Judgement there will be no shade except for Allah’s shade. And from amongst these groups, one group will be those youth who spent their youth in the worship of Allah.
The reason being is because a youth has many desires, so whosoever goes against his desires and controls them in this delicate period of youth, and obeys the command of Allah, and tries his best to follow the Islamic Shariah, in such a time of his life when his desires are at their peak, then Allah will give him a great reward.
Once the great Imam Abu Hanifah (rahamtullahe alayhe) was giving advice to his student Imam Abu Yusuf (rahamtullahe alayhe). He said that in your youth you should spend your time in seeking Islamic knowledge, and thereafter seek a job, and when you get enough money then you should get married.
Similarly, a wise man once said that how many old men are there who repent to Allah. How great would it be to see youngsters repenting to Allah.
Therefore, the period of youth is a very delicate and important period in a Muslim’s life. If spent in the right way his time as a youth will benefit not only himself but also others. By visiting the Masjid, attending the gatherings of the scholars of Islam and seeking their advice and knowledge, serving one’s parents and trying to carry out Allah Taa’la’s orders to the best of ability then it is greatly hoped that one will grow up to become a leader of the Muslim community and become the coolness of one’s parents eyes. If wasted by continuously committing sins, disobeying Allah’s commands, then it is possible that on the Day of Judgment Allah will reprimand him regarding this.