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(Following presentation was made to Canadian Ahmadi Muslim women during a recent refresher course)

Why we need Religious Knowledge?

We need religious knowledge for character development and to be an effective preacher of Islam; since every one of us professes ‘I will spread thy message to the corners of the world’.

We also need knowledge to enhance our children’s knowledge. We are the first institution to them and they bring all their questions to us.

Knowledge is also needed to create knowledge. The Promised Messiah (as) says: Complete knowledge of any discipline makes us capable of creating knowledge (p 1028, 1062, 1068 of computerized version of Ruhani Khazain)

Types & Source of Knowledge

Primarily there are two disciplines of knowledge- the Material and the Spiritual & Religious one. God is the prime source of knowledge. He is Alim, Khabir, Aalim and has the knowledge of what is manifest and what is hidden. He has the knowledge of past, present and future.

Allah is the Prime Source of Knowledge & He reveals it to in form of true Dreams, visions & Revelation

Allah reveals knowledge to his beings in form of true dreams, visions and revelation. A high level of spirituality or Taqwa is the key to be a direct recipient of such knowledge from Allah. The Promised Messiah (AS) says: Taqwa is the key to Religious Knowledge (Ref: Definition of a spiritual scholar- Ruhani Khazain vol 13 p371)

Qur’an- Revealed knowledge in its intact form

The Holy Quran has the revealed knowledge from Allah in its intact form and the Promised Messiah (AS) has said that the Holy Quran is the source of all types of Knowledge (Ref: Third condition for a preacher Ruhani Khazain vol 13 p372)
Material knowledge; though we think is for acquiring a job, securing future and earning a status in society, is also needed to be being an effective preacher (Ref: Third condition for a preacher: Ruhani Khazain vol 13 p372).

Material Knowledge Sharpens Mind and a sharp mind is a key prerequisite to be an effective preacher.

Learning from Early Years of Life:

Habit of gaining knowledge should start at an early age. These are the formative years of one’s life. The brain is like an empty disc and the concepts, ideas, interests and knowledge acquired at this age forms a deeper and broader foundation for future traits. It is difficult to erode this foundation. It becomes like a second nature of one’s personality. Adults may take detours but in large majority of cases, they come back to the highway their parents laid for them in their early childhood.

Knowledge of the Holy Qur’an:

Since we have learnt that the Holy Quran is the source of all type of knowledge, therefore the study of the Holy Qur’an with translation should begin at an early age.
Children love stories and Qur’an has revealed accounts of various prophets such as Hazrat Yousaf, Ayub, Noah, Abraham, Adam, Shuaib, Jacob, Lot, David, Moses, Jesus (peace be upon them). The Holy Qur’an describes their accounts as the best of the narratives. By listening to these in story form, children develop interest and some degree of knowledge of the Holy Quran.

All mothers pray for their children. The prayers from the Holy Qur’an encompass broad as well as specific meanings. Children learn what they hear repeatedly just as they learn so many rhymes without putting any effort to memorize them. However mothers have to learn them first.

Learning through Stories

We just mentioned the revealed stories in the Holy Qur’an. There are accounts and narratives in Hadith too which can make very interesting stories for children. While children enjoy the story for the time being the messages perceived are mostly lifelong.

Exemplary Muslim personalities such as the companions of the Holy Prophet (saw), the companions of the Promised Messiah (as) and exemplary Muslim men and women who lived their life by the teachings of Islam also make interesting story topics for young children.

Another type of stories which Muslim children need to be told are the stories of Muslim scientist, pioneers, inverters and great men and women from all walks of life. Jabar Bin Hayan was the pioneer chemis. Alchemy was pioneered by Muslim Scientists. Muslims were the first one to notice the properties of coffee beans and incorporate in their life as Qahwa; a drink which would keep them awake at night for Tahjjad prayer. Later it was introduced in Europe as Coffee. The only Muslim Physics Nobel Peace prize laureate Dr Abdul Salam has a unique life history and a science fair is always arranged for him which makes a good place to visit along with children to know his life and works.

Great history events; such as Muslims entering Europe and ruling Spain for 700 years, also make interesting story topics for children. This was the period when all types of knowledge flourished in Europe. Muslims, Christians and Jews lived together in peace and harmony. There was freedom of religion and no terrorism or inter-religious fights. Historians do admit that Europe has debt to Islam and what Europe is today stands on the foundations laid by Muslims in the Golden era of 16-17th century. However our children never read these facts in their history books. Telling our children stories from these chapters will impart knowledge as well confidence and pride about their heritage and future.

We like humour and modern humour mostly revolves around dummying topics. Humor by exemplary characters like Mullan Nasar ud din conveys wisdom and values.

Nourish Children’s Fantasies of Unseen:

Children have very vivid fantasies and imaginative power. Fantasy and imagination play a positive role in children’s intellectual and creative abilities. Reality and fantasy are interlinked. Modern media and literature satisfy their fantasies by telling them about many unseen fictitious characters such as ghosts, dragons, demons and pirates and what not.

Parents can fill this gap by relating to them about unseen God, unseen angels, unseen heaven and hell and about soul which is everlasting and yet unseen. Satan is unseen and yet it follows us everywhere. If these concepts are conveyed in an interesting manner, children are fascinated by them.

Books:

Books have a role from early years. ‘Immersion’ means to surround your child with books. The selection of books for immersion is a parental responsibility- Your selection will make a broad deep foundation of your child’s reading patterns and interests in future. Books of from the Ahmadiyya Community, Ahmadiyya library, book stores and book exhibitions make nice venues to visit with your children. Let them choose just as they would when they go to a general library.

Target Reading:

Some time ago, various Chapters of our community started a reading scheme for the books of the Promised Messiah (as). According to this scheme, members would select their own reading targets; to read one book a week or 30 books over a year or six months period. The target should be according to your own time and pace but it should be an achievable one. This is a great way to enhance your own religious knowledge from which your family will be benefited.

Internet:

We curse internet yet it is one of the greatest blessing of our time. Wide range of knowledge is available at touch of a button. However to access this knowledge we need some computer skills.

I am not advising you to become a computer master. I suggest that to begin with, all those who have never used computer, try to learn only 3 tasks and even a little child can teach you to do that in little time: These tasks are:
1. How to open a computer
2. How to use Google Search Engine
3. Ask your teacher to book mark http://www.alislam.org on your computer.

Gradually you can bookmark some newspapers, interesting and useful sites. Try going through the book marked sites regularly and talk about these sites to your children and share with them what is important for them to learn.

TV:

TV keeps on giving subtle messages and we absorb them knowingly and unknowingly. MTA is a blessing. Even if we do not watch religiously we will retain many points. TV should not be left on  indiscriminately when young children are around. TV should not be used without discretion to keep even young children occupied.

Broad based Reading and learning is very important:

Hazrat Khalifa tul Masih the 4th (ra) in his Friday sermon dated February 10, 1989 asked for regular perusal of the newspapers and magazines and learn languages especially Chinese and Russian (P71-72). He said that we should learn at least three languages. He advised girls to do literary work (p73) Ref: Waqfeen Nau sermons by Hazrat Khalifa Rabay (ata) translated by USA Team: http://www.alislam.org/library/books/Sermons-on-Waqf-e-Nau.pdf

Visit Places;

The Holy Qur’an tells us:
Say, Travel in the earth to see the fate of those who disbelieved” (Qur’an 6:11).

Search about the place you are visiting and gather information about it. Ask children to collect information and let them share with you.

World is full of wonders of God. Visiting these wonders bring us closer to the Creator.

World is full of wonders of God.

When we think of traveling to Egypt we mostly think of the Pyramids. We tend to forget that in the Cairo Museum lays the body of Pharaoh of Moses fulfilling one of the greatest prophecies of the Holy Qur’an.

In the Cairo Museum lays the body of Pharaoh of Moses fulfilling one of the greatest prophecies of the Holy Qur’an.

There are remnants of nations of Ad and Thamud near Mada’in Saleh exhibiting what was the end of those who transgressed. The world is full of such places.

Nations of Ad and Thamud near Mada’in Saleh exhibiting what was the end of those who transgressed.

Our Model:

To involve yourself in various activities of Jamaat is an excellent way of learning skills which will not only enhance your religious knowledge but will also sharpen many useful skills. There are teams for research work, translation, publication, audiovisual programs and many others. Show respect towards institution of Khilafat, read all the directives from the Khalifa of our time and share it with your family. Participate in its enjoinments: spiritual as well as worldly and remember that troops will enter Islam Ahmadiyyat and we should be ready to welcome them.

“When the help of Allah comes and the Victory, And thou seest men entering the religion of Allah in troops, Glorify thy Lord with His praise and seek His forgiveness. (Al-Nasr Ch110, v 2-4)
Insha Allah!