It's time for a break. There are much time for salaah, lunch, and unwind, before moving on to the next session. After fulfilling their obligations, the birds were allowed to rest for a while. A fowl asked, "Wouldn't be the eyes and ears affected the heart?" Another replied, "Yes of course, a person must take care and educate his eyes and ears properly, so that his heart stays healthy."
Another responded, "But, educating children and adults, is different!"
Others said, "The environment surrounding children, may have an impact upon their spiritual development. This influence is often subtle, but nonetheless can be quite significant. This is particularly true as the child matures and moves from childhood into adolescence and early adulthood. The general understanding in the field of development is that as a child develops, the influence of parents tends to diminish—although it never ends—and the role of peers and the community becomes more significant. It is a gradual process, which of course will vary from person to person. The good news is that in most cases, youth tend to eventually integrate the morals and values of their parents, even if they spend a period of time ‘testing the limits’.Regardless of this encouraging fact, it is important to monitor the home environment itself; the peer environment—their friends, their activities, and so forth—and the community environment, to ensure the most spiritually enriching experiences for your child."
Another called to mind, "Parents should avoid humiliating or shaming children, particularly in the presence of others. Their ideas should not be belittled nor should they be ridiculed or ostracized. Humiliation, shame, and ridicule only serve to harm a child’s personality and well-being. In essence, they have the opposite effect of praise and kindness. They lead to a decrease in self-esteem and self-confidence and, in severe cases, a disturbed personality and behaviour problems. We can imagine how we feel when someone gives us a negative comment or humiliates us in some way. It can be hurtful and embarrassing. Children feel the same way and, due to the fact that their personalities and characters are developing, they are much more vulnerable than adults. As a result, they are more likely to suffer from the harmful effects of such actions and carry these effects with them for longer periods of time. Parents should constantly be aware of the sensitive nature of children and their unique vulnerability.
Others suggested, "Keeping the eyes and ears pure, negative influences should be removed from the children's environment. For example, television. Television is a standard appliance in many people. While some people argue that television has advantages, for example, educational programs, its dangers far outweigh any benefits that may be possible. To more effectively create a home environment filled with eeman, it is strongly encouraged to eliminate this major source of distraction. If this is not possible, then strict monitoring of programming must be applied."
Another informed, "Research has found, that children spend an average of three to four hours watching television each day. In a 65-year lifespan, that means they will have spent nine of those years in front of a box. With these statistics, we realize that children spend significant amounts of time in the fictional world, engaging with this virtual world often more than they do in the real world. It suddenly becomes worrisome when you begin to realize this fact and understand the implications. Television viewing is harmful to the intellectual, psychological, and social development of children. Even more frightening is that children may be harming their souls at a very young age; often never to recover their purity and wholesomeness again."
Else added, "Television has actually been found to be harmful for the process and development of the children's brain cells, not allowing the brain to complete its full development. This is because television viewing is a passive activity, not an active one.Watching television also means that a child is not doing something else. Reading, interacting, and experiencing are important for a child’s learning. When a child watches television, he is obviously not engaged in these activities. He is not actively using his abilities, not being creative, not socializing, not playing, and not reading and memorizing the Qur’an. So much time is wasted in a useless activity. This means that he may not reach his full potential in these critical areas. This may also have a negative impact on schoolwork and functioning in school. Children who are the most successful academically have been found to spend most of their time engaged in fulfilling and constructive activities. Television was not included on that list. We need to teach our children that positive and constructive use of time is very important and is actually a part of being Muslim."
Others joined, "The dangers of television for the soul are many. The most obvious is the diversion from worship and remembrance of Allah. Through its entrance into the mind and heart of the child, television has the capability to cause serious damage to the soul. A person who watches a great deal of television is less likely to pray on time if at all or to join the congregational prayer. In addition, television is probably one of the most influential ‘modelling’ tools available. Children imitate what they see from others around them and from the media. This means that they not only integrate the material into their thinking patterns, but that they also begin to act it out in their behaviour."
Another posted, "Unlawful music should also be prohibited within the children's environment. This includes songs with musical instruments and lyrics that provoke temptation and performance of forbidden actions, including misleading stories and frivolous songs or music. In general, it includes all that distracts or diverts one from the Qur’an and the remembrance of Allah.It is permissible, however, to listen to Islamic songs that include wisdom, exhortation, encouragement to do good, and promotion of noble attitudes and characteristics. This is particularly true if the songs revive Islamic thoughts and feelings, and motivate the listener to obey Allah by living within the framework of Islamic Law, to avoid transgressing the limits set by Allah. The most appropriate times for Islamic songs include during Eid, weddings, or when feeling bored and in need of something to revive spirits. This should not be regarded as something that must be adhered to or a habit engaged in on a continual basis."
Others learned, "When it comes to studying the Qur'an, there are certain etiquette and guidelines. The educator is responsible for teaching his pupil the required and recommended etiquette befitting the bearers of the Quran and making him one of their honored ranks. He also has the task of nurturing the student's spiritual and ethical growth, so that his heart and limbs are made ready to transform this knowledge into righteous deeds and spiritual ascendance.Therefore, educators will take careful steps, especially in terms of memorizing the Qur'an. Things that are expected to interfere with the memorization of the Qur'an, should be avoided, for someone who has memorized the Qur'an, is required to always maintain his memorization. The Prophet (ﷺ) likened people who have memorized the Qur'an, to the owner of a camel. If the camel is well cared, it will be docile and obedient. But if it is left and neglected, it will disappear. The Prophet (ﷺ) said,إِنَّمَا مَثَلُ صَاحِبِ الْقُرْآنِ كَمَثَلِ الْإِبِلِ الْمُعَقَّلَةِ إِنْ عَاهَدَ عَلَيْهَا أَمْسَكَهَا وَإِنْ أَطْلَقَهَا ذَهَبَتْ"Verily, the parable of the companion of the Quran is that of a tied camel. If he is committed to it, he will keep it. If he releases it, he will lose it.” [Muttafaqun Alayhi (authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
"What about Arabic?" asked another. The other responded, "There is nothing wrong about Arabic. Imam Ash-Shafi'i, rahimahullah, stressed that, 'It is obligatory upon every Muslim, to learn the Arab tongue to the utmost of his power in order to be able to profess through it that 'there is no deilty at all but Allah and Muhammad (ﷺ) is His servant and Rasool,' and to recite in it, i. e., the Arabic tongue, the Book of Allah, and to utter in mentioning what is incumbent upon him, the takbir, and what is commanded, the tasbih, the tashahhud, and others.'Imam Shafi'i's knowledge of ancient Arabic literature assisted his literary style. In those days, no one could be a great scholar unless he was a master of the Arabic tongue. He, rahimahullah, explained, 'The Qur’an indicates, that there is no portion in the Book of Allah that is not in the Arab tongue.He who expressed such an opinion concerning foreign words in the Qur'an] may have found some men who accepted it by sheer submissions (taqlid) to his authority, leaving the matter of proof up to him and to those who have disagreed with him. However, by mere submission they have neglected their duty: Allah forgiveth them and us. But, perhaps, he who expressed the opinion that there are in the Qur'an words which are not of the Arab tongue—and his opinion was accepted by others—meant that there are certain particular [words] which are not understood by some Arabs.Of all tongues, that of the Arabs is the richest and the most extensive in vocabulary. Do we know any man except a prophet who apprehended all of it? However, no portion of it escapes everyone, so that there is always someone who knows it. Knowledge of this tongue to the Arabs is the knowledge of the Sunna to the jurists (fuqaha’). We know of no one, who possesses a knowledge of all the sunna without missing a portion of it. So if the knowledge of all the scholars is gathered together, the entire sunna would be known. However, if the knowledge of each scholar is taken separately, each might be found lacking in some portion of it, yet what each may lack can be found among the others."Suddenly, a fowl came, saying, "Wanna hear an apologue about eyes and ears?" Others agreed, "Yes of course!" The fowl said, "Listen to this,Once upon a time, in the era of Piodasses, there was a forest called Bhumi Tenava. According to the inhabitants, the land was reigned by a Kong—neither as big as Merian C. Cooper's Congolese gorilla, nor the White Hanuman or Sun Wukong, but only as a big ordinary monkey—known as King Jaka Bingung a.k.a Prabhu Kong Kalikong.As depicted in the days of Monarchs, in the name of dignified and charming Prince impression, the compensated dogs, cats and toads, published a news, that the Baron cherized to eat human skin. Yet, it was found out, and turned in to a big lie, in fact, the baron exclusively loved to eat banana skin.Another news flowing, that the Baron, was very ingenius, he once surpassed a doctor, in a debate. After an investigating, the real narration, was like following.One day, the Baron was sick. An officer suggested he should see a doctor. However, the Baron, who was afraid of seeing a doctor, disfavoured. He was willing, only if, nothing happened to an examined patient by a doctor, he witnessed himself.And so, one of the Royal guards, a chimpanzee, was pulled out at random, and—as it turned out, he too was reluctant to see the doctor—in trembling, Cemata, the chimpanzee, was examined by the doctor.The doctor asked, “Cemata, what would happen if I poked out one of your eyes?” Cemata responded, “I’d be half-blind.” “That’s correct," said the doctor. "What if I poked out both eyes?” the doctor added. “I’d be completely blind.” The doctor stood up, shook Cemata’s hand, and told him, he was healthy.On Cemata’s way out, as the doctor filled out the paperwork, the Baron kept in mind of the talks, between the doctor and Cemata. Then he willingly, checked by the doctor. Obviously, it wasn't merely the schoolboys cheating, yet the Baron did.The doctor went thru the formalities and asked, “Your majesty, what would happen if I cut off one of your ear?” The Baron, who was still wearing his crown and his majestic garments, assuming what Cemata had said, was the correct answer, returned, “I’d be half-blind.” The doctor looked a little puzzled, but went on. “What if I cut off the other ear, Sire?”“I’d be completely blind,” the Baron answered. “Would you kindly explain how you’d be 'blind', Sire?” the doctor wanted to know. The Baron, calmly remarked, "If you cut both of my ears, my crown would fall down over my eyes."However, on one unfavorable day, a terrible accident, befall to the Baron. He was badly hurt by the horns of ... a Goat? ... Wait, wait, let me see .... yep, it was a Goat ... not a Bull; both have 4 letters, yet possessing an unlikeness idea.Many wanted to know, why did this happen to the Baron? From a reliable source of information, the goat gored the Baron, because he snatched a banana skin in the goat's mouth.The incident, got the Baron into a great rage. He shouted, "This is Sparta, this is Ra-di-cal!" He swore, every animal with horns, should be expelled from his kingdom. Goats, Bulls, Rams, Deer, and every living thing with horns, had quickly to be off.Cemata, along with another chimpanzee, Tora, were entrusted to discharge an area from the horned animals. They came to a large meadow. Cemata noticed a herd of little-hares. He watched, and said to Tora, "Look, isn't that a horned beast?" "Which one?" asked Tora. "Over there, a bunch of creatures, I've never recognized this kind one." Tora took a closer look, then conveyed his conclusion, "If those were horns, it would be blackish, but they are white with a gray or reddish pattern. By the way, there are no horns!"Cemata, sticking to his viewpoint, "Those are horns!" "Of course not!" Tora disagree. "Horns!" "No way!" "Horns!" "Nay!"Ultimately, mimicing the two emissaries in Hanacaraka script, both drew swords, ready to fight. The little hares, watching, were terrified. Luckily, an adult hare came to intervene. Cemata remembered, it was Mrs. Vanathi, the teacher, she was highly respected in the area. "What are you guys doing? Please, do not show violence in front of the kids!" cried Mrs. Vanathi. Cemata said, "I'm sorry ma'am, we're arguing, over the heads of the children, is it horns?" Mrs Vanathi replied, "Those are called ears, you can find them on my head as well." Tora immediately apologized, "It's our mistake, forgive us ma'am!" The wise teacher, said, "Never mind, I suggest, you better learn more further about horns and ears. And about these kids, leave it to me, I'm their teacher, I know better what to do with them, according to the available guidelines." "Yes ma'am!" replied Cemata.
Citations & References:Mrs. Vanathi called out the little-hares, "Come children! It's time for the class! Hold your both ears, please! We'll walk, uttering Hanacaraka." Cheerfully, the children rhyming,Hana caraka[Those emissaries]Data sawala[Both argued]Padha jayanya[Both robust]Maga bathanga[Both die]Then a signal sounded, the next session would start soon, the birds were asked to return immediately. And Allah knows best.
- Imam Al-Nawawi, Etiquette With The Quran, Islamosaic
- Dr Aisha Hamdan, Nurturing Eeman in Children, IIPH- Al-Imam Muhammad ibn Idris al-Shafi'i, al-Risala - Treatise on the Foundations of Islamic Jurisprudence, translated by Majid Khadduri, The Islamic Texts Society
- J.B. Rundell, Aesop's Fables, Cassell, Petter and Galpin
