In the previous article, we discussed upbringing children through the Quran and the Prophetic Sunnah in light of contemporary events, marking the “Al-Aqsa Flood” as a global event with significant influential aspects worth utilizing across various domains. We outlined four educational landmarks derived from this event, and through this final part of the article, we will discuss six additional landmarks as follows:
Fifthly: Da'wah Upbringing:
We have observed throughout the events and developments of the battle the significant impact it had on da'wah (Islamic advocacy), inspiring many around the world to explore and embrace Islam. Witnessing the signs of contentment, steadfastness, resilience, and defiance, many have questioned: What is the secret behind all of this? If it stems from a religion, then surely this must be the true religion. How can we get to know this religion? What are its beliefs and laws?
As such, many people have embraced Islam because of Gaza through the blood of its martyrs, the wounds of its injured, and the perseverance of its people, becoming a beacon of da'wah and a practical source of learning about Islam. This is a blessing of jihad and its effects.
Some enter Islam through kind words, others through good behavior, and yet others need to witness the contentment, steadfastness, and manifestations of resistance and resilience, despite deep wounds and great pain.
Another noteworthy aspect of da'wah is the transformation undergone by many writers and intellectuals who once harbored anti-Islamic sentiments, shifting towards correcting their views and completely altering their perceptions. This includes their writings about Islam, Muslims, or even the Palestinian cause itself. This too is a blessing of jihad and an effect of the shedding of this pure blood.
All of this must be presented to our children and explained, comparing the present situation with the past, to instill in their minds the importance and necessity of da'wah and to imprint in their hearts the greatness of jihad and its beneficial effects.
Sixthly: Political Upbringing:
Many people talk about “politics.” Almost everyone you meet has something to say about it, whether they are knowledgeable or ignorant; however, it is based on their own perceptions. The significant event of the “Al-Aqsa Flood” undoubtedly intensified political discussions, necessitating reflection and consideration of how to leverage it for the political education of our children.
We must contemplate the profound political changes brought by the battle of the “Al-Aqsa Flood” on various levels:
- Locally, the Palestinian Authority, which had been feeding and leveraging “reconciliations” and chasing the mirage of the so-called peace for decades, has become evidently naked. It is now apparent that there is no solution to the liberation of homelands except through jihad.
- Regionally, the blatant collusion and apparent complicity with the Zionist enemy at the expense of Muslims in Palestine have become very evident, for crossings remain closed and no action is taken to halt the enemy's aggression. The “official” Arab world is no less guilty in its betrayal, collusion, and conspiracy!
- Globally, it has become clear that the war is not only between “Israel” and Palestine, or Hamas, but between two civilizational projects, a war of existence rather than a conflict over borders, a religious and ideological war rather than one over political interests. Statements from Western leaders have made these meanings stark and prominent, with many of them embracing the Zionist ideology, including President Biden, among others. Even the President of “Israel” once stood up during this war to say, “The current war is not only between Israel and Hamas, but to save Western civilization!”
This clear change must be explained to our children in simple and understandable language, leading to a deep awareness of the implications of the event. It should further solidify their adherence to Islam as creed, law, and ethics, enabling them to understand and interpret events.
Seventhly: Economic Upbringing:
The Quran and Sunnah are filled with teachings about economics, preserving wealth, and prohibiting extravagance and wastefulness. Those who squander are likened to the brothers of Satan: “Indeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils, and ever has Satan been to his Lord ungrateful.” (Al-Isra: 27). What is happening on the land of Gaza in the battle of the “Al-Aqsa Flood” is a significant source for economic education on multiple levels, including:
Engaging in economic jihad by boycotting the enemy comprehensively, involving the masses, governments, and societal institutions. Boycotts will only be truly effective when the will of the people to boycott aligns with the political, diplomatic, and economic actions of governments.
It is a great blessing from Allah that there is widespread public awareness of the importance of boycotts during these events. The people's economic jihad through boycotts preceded the discourse of scholars, preachers, and writers. It is a manifestation of Islamic solidarity with our people in Gaza and an attempt to weaken the enemy. The popular impact of the boycott is undeniable, damaging the economy of the enemy and those who support it. Additionally, cutting some goods, living within means, and saving to support the steadfast and mujahideen is a tangible expression of solidarity and support.
All these meanings must be utilized in the upbringing of children, fostering a culture of economics, boycotts, and financial jihad. Allah the Almighty has linked jihad of the self with financial jihad in many ayahs in the Quran, sometimes prioritizing financial jihad over self-jihad. Without financial jihad, self-jihad would not be possible. Allah says, “Go forth, whether light or heavy, and strive with your wealth and your lives in the cause of Allah. That is better for you if you only knew.” (At-Tawbah: 41), and “[It is that] you believe in Allah and His Messenger and strive in the cause of Allah with your wealth and your lives. That is best for you, if you should know.” (As-Saff :11).
Eighthly: Social Upbringing:
One of the important aspects of upbringing that Islam emphasizes is social education. There is no message that contains social values and etiquette like Islam. Our heritage is filled with books on etiquette, whether ancient as “Ala'dab Alshra'iah Walmnh Almra'iah” by Imam Ibn Muflih or modern as “Fiqh Al-Adab” by our Sheikh, Imam Yusuf al-Qaradawi, may Allah have mercy on them both.
The “Al-Aqsa Flood” imposes this type of education and utilizes the event for social education, whether through engaging with people, explaining the cause to them, or fostering solidarity among Palestinians themselves and Muslims in general with the Palestinians, particularly with the people of Gaza. This solidarity is a requirement of faith.
This internal and external solidarity is in line with the Sharia principles, Quran, and Sunnah, which encourage mutual support, cooperation, and solidarity. As narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim on the authority of Nu'man ibn Bashir, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “The believers in their mutual kindness, compassion and sympathy are just like one body. When one of the limbs suffers, the whole body responds to it with wakefulness and fever.” (Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Islam is a humanitarian religion. It does not accept a Muslim sleeping with a full stomach while their neighbor is hungry, let alone those whose homes are demolished, who are displaced, and who live in camps constantly bombed by the enemy's military aircraft day and night. Not to mention witnessing the scenes of children and women on our screens, along with martyrs and body parts, and the half-bodies rescued from beneath the destroyed buildings!! All of this necessitates social education and makes this significant event a source for reinforcing these values in the hearts of our children.
Ninthly: Collective Upbringing:
Collective education is an authentic Quranic and Prophetic form of education. The calls of the Quran to the believers do not come in the singular form of “O believer” or “O Muslim,” but rather in the plural form: “O you who have believed,” “O servants,” and even addressing all people collectively: “O mankind,” “O children of Adam.” Even in the supplication of a Muslim during prayer, when reciting Surah “Al-Fatiha,” they do not say, “Guide me,” but rather evoke the Muslim community in their conscience, saying, “Guide us to the straight path.”
All the teachings found in the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) regarding mutual support, cooperation, compassion, and solidarity are inherently collective. The Sunnah verified the Quran and made it a humanitarian principle. During his Farewell Pilgrimage, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “O people, your Lord is one, and your father is one. An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab; a white has no superiority over a black, nor does a black have any superiority over a white; none have superiority over another except by piety.”
It is necessary to utilize the battle of the “Al-Aqsa Flood” to instill these meanings among Muslims in general and among our children in particular. This great battle cannot be faced with individual actions alone, not only on the battlefield, which requires coordination between the factions of the resistance internally and externally, as well as coordination and solidarity among Palestinian politicians abroad, but also with Muslims worldwide supporting the people of Palestine: in intellectual, charitable, and advocacy work, and in rallying Muslims for the blessed land of Palestine.
All of these meanings must be lived by our children, ingrained in their minds, and reflected in their interactions with people. Education through experience and events has an impact and effect that cannot be achieved in normal circumstances except through years of effort, great struggle, and continuous hardship.
Tenthly: Media Upbringing:
Today, media outlets are in the hands of every individual, with countless media platforms that are influential in shaping public opinion and beliefs. A significant part of warfare relies on the media, and we are witnessing how “Israel” propagates false narratives about the resistance and its treatment of prisoners, only for these lies to be exposed over time as events unfold and many released prisoners speak out.
This underscores the power and significant impact of media, which is essentially a battle within the broader war. Those who underestimate the power of the media have no one to blame but themselves. Occupying and oppressing regimes today employ marketing media companies to improve their global image. Our era is indeed the era of the media, and media jihad is the duty of our time.
It is our duty, in the wake of the momentous battle of the “Al-Aqsa Flood” and its aftermath, to invest in media education for our children: teaching them how to engage in media jihad, understanding the importance of media, its profound effects, and its influence on the broader public and the battle itself.
Our children's utilization of their social media platforms and tools in this great battle should be considered one of their responsibilities, and it's our duty to educate and guide them in this regard. Thankfully, they are often more proficient in using these platforms than their parents, but the role of parents today lies in guiding and directing them.
While these platforms were created by the West, there is no harm in utilizing them positively to the best of our abilities. Perhaps, in Allah’s will, we will be granted platforms that are more suitable for us and our message, and Allah may grant this nation independence in its own media outlets.
These are just a few aspects of education that I believe it's appropriate to invest in a momentous event like the “Al-Aqsa Flood” to revive our children and ourselves, as event-based education is unparalleled in solidifying meanings, reinforcing values, broadening perspectives, and accelerating educational harvests and practical construction. Indeed, an event can enrich education more than lengthy speeches, shortening decades of explanation and elucidation!
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