Seeking knowledge is one of the central tenets of Islam

This year more than ever, teamwork will be required as the classrooms are bigger and the resources smaller, but with determination for success I suppose ‘do more with less’ can be achieved without compromising quality if we all work together – parents, teachers, students.

Education is the knowledge of putting one’s potential to maximum use.

Without education, it is extremely difficult for one to take their proper place in this world.

There is a saying which I heard a while ago and am not sure of its origins but it struck be to be profoundly true that: “Without education, man is as though in a closed room and with education he finds himself in a room with all its windows open towards outside world”,

Education surely brings light into one’s life. This is why Islam attaches such great importance to knowledge and education. When the Qur’an began to be revealed, the first word of its first verse was ‘Iqra’ which is, to read. 

Our Holy Prophet (pbuh), said: “Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave”.

Also, it is reported that he said: “Seek knowledge even if it is to be found in a place as distant as China”.

At the battle of Badr, in which our beloved Holy Prophet (pbuh) gained victory over his foes, 70 people of the enemy rank were taken to prison. These prisoners were literate people.

In order to benefit from their education the Prophet declared that if one prisoner teaches 10 Muslim children how to read and write, this will serve as his ransom and he will be set free.

This was the first school in the history of Islam established by the Prophet himself with all its teachers being non-Muslims.

The Sunnah of the Prophet shows that education is to be received whatever the risk involved.

Indeed, from this we should learn and accept that we are duty bound to ensure that those in our charge, the children, are educated.

Let this school year see us resolve to ensure that our children get the best education possible. Even if you don’t have children, commit to a neighbour’s child, a godchild, a grandchild, a cousin, some child that needs a caring adult in their life.

Let’s ensure that the children are ready for the challenges this new school year holds with our commitment and love.

Work with the Ministry, work with the teachers and let’s ensure that our children reflect the light we beam onto them.

I reflect on the high success achieved by generations prior to and during the baby boomer period; these generations are highly responsible for the way the world lives today.

Yet, most of their parents were not educated, but they had the key to success and that was to work in partnership with their children’s teachers.

As parents they ensured that the children did what they were meant to do as students.

The parents ensured proper rest and nutrition, together with ensuring that the children complied with school rules and did class work and homework.

They were there every step of the way to ensure the success of their children. They did not have a whole lot to work with except for what counted — and that was being responsible parents; implementing correct guidance for their children.

I testify to that in my grandmother, Henrietta Stubbs; that lady taught me all I know and she did not have more than an eighth grade education!

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) encouraged all Muslims to acquire knowledge and share it. He said: “Acquire knowledge, for he who acquires it in the way of Allah performs an act of piety; he who speaks of it, praises the Lord; he who seeks it, adores Allah; he who dispenses instruction in it, bestows alms; and he who imparts it to others, performs an act of devotion to Allah.” (Bukhari, Muslim)