CAPASITY
OF BUILDING IN THE COMMUNITY WITH TEACHING THE QURAN PROJECT
The
organizations interpret community capacity building in their own ways and focus
on it rather than promoting one-way development in developing nations.Training
centers, learning centers and consultants are all some forms of capacity
building organizations in the form of capacity building. The United Nations
Development Programmed (UNDP) was one of the
forerunners in developing an understanding of community capacity building or development.
Since the early 70s the UNDP offered guidance for its staff and governments on
what was considered "institution building." In 1991, the term evolved
to be "community capacity
building." The UNDP defines capacity building as a long-term continual
process of development that involves all stakeholders; including ministries,
local authorities, non-governmental organizations, professionals, community
members, academics and more. Capacity building uses a country's human,
scientific, technological, organizational, and institutional and resource
capabilities. The goal of capacity building is to tackle problems related to
policy and methods of development, while considering the potential, limits and
needs of the people of the country concerned.[1]
Teaching
includes all the activities of providing education to other. The person who
provides education is called teacher. The teacher uses different method for
giving best knowledge to his students. He tries his best to make understand
students. His duty is to encourage students to learn the subjects. Teaching
means interaction of teacher and students. They participate for their mutual
benefits. Both have their own objective and target is to achieve them. Many great
teachers of world define teaching in different way and we can say that teaching
is just to train the students so that they can stand on their own foot in
society. Teaching
refers to the process of imparting knowledge and skills from a teacher to a
learner. It encompasses the activities of educating or instructing. It is an
act or experience that has a formative effect on the mind, character or
physical ability of an individual.
Learning
the Quran
is compulsory for everyone. Islam
as a complete religion does not limit the acquisition of knowledge into the
field of religion. It also encourages us to seek other knowledge, which is
beneficial to us. However, it stresses that knowledge of the Qur’an and
authentic Ahadîth and prescriptions rightly deduced from the two
constitute the essential knowledge:‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr t reported that Allah’s
Messenger (s.a.w.s.) Said, “Knowledge consists of three
things: the decisive verses (Qur’an), authentic Ahadîth and prescriptions
rightly deduced from the two. What is beside them is superfluous.” (Ibn Majah
1/54). Mankind must seek knowledge of Islam
because Allah the Almighty has obliged us to obey His Messenger Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) [2] As
Allah’s Messenger to all mankind also
serves as the teacher and educator of all mankind. This is a fact which the Prophet
(s.a.w.s.) himself has made clear to us
as narrated in the following Hadîth:
This
topic was chosen because as a Muslim, it is an obligation for us to learn and
understand the Quran. The Holy Quran is the last and final message of Almighty
Allah (SWT) through His Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon Him), which
guarantees success for mankind in this world and life hereafter. Allah Almighty
has laid down all the laws of valuable knowledge, good deeds and prosperity of
the whole mankind in His Book (Quran). In the present era the Muslims are
politically, financially, culturally and socially reached the verge of decay
and destruction only because they have turned a deaf ear to Holy Quran. The
only solution to overcome the miserable plight of Muslim is to resort to the
teachings of Holy Quran.[3]
Islam
is a religion concerned with justice and respect and as such, it takes rights
and responsibilities very seriously. God expects us, adult believers, to treat children with respect and to nurture,
love and educate them.When rights and responsibilities are taken seriously, it enables one to
love and respect God. As soon as they are
old, enough to understand children should be taught to love God. This is
usually easy because children as naturally disposed to know and love God.
It is straightforward for them to understand that God is the Creator. Children
should be taught and made to observe those around then performing all the
other obligations that come with being a believer in the Oneness of God. Children
should be able to see those around them fasting, and performing other acts of
worship such as reading Quran. They should observe their caregivers displaying
good manners and morals. The companions of Prophet Muhammad have narrated
that they were taught the basics of Islam from a young age.
In
addition to teaching your children recitation of the Quran, knowledge of the
Quran will help your children to think beyond the mundane matters of this life
and instead develop elevated thinking that can enable them to ponder about
critical issues that can help them reconcile the many confusing ideologies that
the world will throw at them as they grow up. Getting them to start thinking
about the reasons of their existence, their day to day struggles, and where the
world is heading to will make them become more prudent in terms of their life’s
priorities.
Service
Learning is a form of education in which students engage in activities that
address human and community needs with structured opportunities intentionally
designed to promote student learning and development. Service learning allows
students to go into their communities and apply the concepts they have learned.
One of the purposes of Islamic studies is to teach and generate an
understanding of the guidelines and traditions of Islam. We desire that our
students become knowledgeable and develop a love for the Prophet Muhammad,
peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. As teachers and parents, we desire
that our own students get their dignity and self-esteem from practicing Islam.
Islam is clear about right and wrong and we are commanded to be of those who do
good things and benefit humanity.[4]
The greatest objective of education is to prepare the young
generation for leadership. Islamic education of children from an early age, of
course has the highest objective. The aim of Islamic education is Character
building. Growth and development of an Islamic personality should be the final
goal of any Islamic School. We need to prepare the younger generation having
leadership quality and not to be the followers of alien ideologies but to play
the role of torchbearer by their excellence in knowledge, character, and
positive action. Some scholars believe that this quality can be developed in
Muslim youth by a direct study of the Qur'an.
Islam is very
deeply concerned with the welfare of human society and the family is considered
to be the cornerstone for building the right society. Children should get
Islamic education at an early age. In an effort to inculcate Islamic values,
the teachings should be done at home as well as Islamic centers or Islamic
schools. Islamic schools should create opportunities for Muslim children to get
together to bond with each other as this would help in establishing confidence
in an Islamic identity and get psychological support. When children meet other
children who are Muslim, it enhances their confidence in being a Muslim and
they feel more comfortable about their identity and they assert their Islamic
identity in non-Muslim environment with more ease and comfort. Apart from
giving religious teachings to children at home, it is extremely important for
parents to spend time with their children. The best role model is the parent's
character along with the social support systems, such as Islamic centers,
weekend or full time Islamic schools should be built in communities across the
country.[5]
Narrated
Uthman bin Affan: The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said,"The
most superior among you (Muslims) are those who learn the Qur'an and teach
it." This is the importance of
teaching Quran. The duty of a Muslim is not confined to reading Quran only,
but it is equally important that he / she should also teach Quran. Without
teaching Quran, one cannot transfer the teachings of Islam to one’s young ones.
Quran is the base of our life and we are incomplete without it. Not teaching
Quran means we are not giving our kids or young ones the wisdom of life. Every
person wishes to give the best to their kids.
Similar is
the compulsion on teaching Hadith and Sunnah to the kids. Sunnah is the
practice of our Prophet Muhammad. Prayer is an obligation on all Muslims.
For example, to pray, one needs to
learn the method of praying. Quran has given us the timings of prayer, but we
learn the method from the Sunnah of Muhammad Our prophet Muhammad said
that,“Pray as You Have Seen Me Pray”. To learn prayer, we need to learn
more about our Prophet and his actions. It is incumbent upon Muslims to ensure
that their children learn to recite the Qur’an, advantage should be taken to
acquire this great wealth. Indeed it is a wonderful bounty. If for some reason
the child does not have the time for learning the whole Qur’an, then even a
portion should be taught to him/her. In order to make the necessary
arrangements for learning and teaching the Qur’an, one of the ways and means of
rendering this duty is to send the children to an established madrasah in the
locality so that the children can be taught to recite the Qur’an. Adults too
should devote some time towards this acquisition.[6]
Reading the Qur’an
improves our intelligence as for many of us we will be reading in a script not
familiar to us, and thus this challenge and pushes our mind. It is
also an enjoyable activity to gather as
a family to recite The Qur’an and help and test each
other’s memorization. One can supplement this activity by reading a good
translation or tafsir to understand the ayaat; and
moreover, one can pick up a lesson or two from what was read and come
up with a list as
a family of how to implement the ayaat in
our daily lives. After all, TheQur’an was meant to be recited
and acted upon and lived – our Prophet (Peace be upon him) was like a walking
and living Qur’an. Some children
struggle to read The Qur’an, but the reward is
abundant even if we are struggling and the reward is even greater
when we are patient and persevere. The solution is
simply to read more and practice, even though it might be difficult
at the beginning – the more you/the child
reads, the more familiar you/the child will
become with Arabic and the vocabulary, and over
time the reading will improve tremendously.[7]
Children
should get Islamic education at an early age. In an effort to inculcate Islamic
values, the teachings should be done at home as well as Islamic centers or
Islamic schools. Islamic schools should create opportunities for Muslim
children to get together to bond with each other as this would help in
establishing confidence in an Islamic identity and get psychological support.
When children meet other children who are Muslim, it enhances their confidence
in being a Muslim and they feel more comfortable about their identity and they
assert their Islamic identity in non-Muslim environment with more ease and
comfort. [8]
There
are two perspectives from west scholars.
The first one is Maurice Bucaille “A totally objective
examination of it [the Quran] in the light of modern knowledge, leads us to
recognize the agreement between the two, as has been already noted on repeated
occasions, It makes us deem it quite unthinkable for a man of Mohammed’s time to
have been the author of such statements on account of the state of knowledge in
his day. Such considerations are part of what gives the Quranic Revelation its
unique place, and forces the impartial scientist to admit his inability to
provide an explanation which call solely upon materialistic reasoning.”
The
second scholar is Arthur J. Arberry “In making the present
attempt to improve on the performance of my predecessors, and to produce
something which might be accepted as echoing however faintly the sublime
rhetoric of the Arabic Koran, I have been at pain to study the intricate and
richly varied rhythms which – apart from the message itself – constitute the
Koran’s undeniable claim to rank amongst the greatest literary masterpieces of
mankind. This very characteristic feature – ‘that inimitable symphony’, as the
believing Pick hall described his Holy Book, ‘the very sounds of which move men
to tears and ecstasy’ – has been almost totally ignored by previous
translators; it is therefore not surprising that what they have wrought sounds
dull and flat indeed in comparison with the splendidly decorated original.”
There are
some of islamic perspective scholars
about this topic. Al-Bukhari said The best of you are the ones
who learn the Qur’an and teach it to others. If
you are qualified, you can teach the Quran – for example you can
volunteer at an Islamic school or a mosque to teach the Arabic
letters, or tajweed, or memorization. The rewards are many. Furthermore, give your children
Islamic knowledge from an early age. Enrolling your children
in Quran classes and Islamic studies can help them to acquire
the knowledge they need for success in this life
and the hereafter, and perhaps give
them the chance to teach it to others when they
get older. Have high aims for your child – set them
on the path to be a Hafiz. From an early age my parents
sent
me to the mosque to attend Quran classes and
this has helped me today as a mother when I have to teach my
children the Quran. Giving your child knowledge of Islam
and The Quran is truly one of the best if
not the best gifts you could give your child.[9]
Moreover,
the other Islamic scholar that is Hasan
al Basri said that “Seeking
knowledge at a young age is like engraving on a stone.” Submerge your child
in a fun Islamic environment where they are encouraged to excel in
their dean, let them compete for good deeds. Some children who are confident
may like to focus their time on competitions, but instead of focusing
all their time on meaningless ones (eating contests, for example) you could
encourage your child to participate
in Quran Recitation competition. This will not only help
them to learn new surah but it will also encourage them to read
out aloud and build their confidence in reciting Quran beautifully with eloquence.
This will increase the children excitement.[10]
My
own opinion for this topic is as a
Muslim, we should be responsible for the
spread of Islam. Moreover, we
must help the children to make them understand all about Quran. Every Muslim
parent is advised to raise his or her children well and properly. A happy home,
comfort, care and love, providing the necessities of life and a good education
are some of the responsibilities that parents are required to fulfill. If their
parents cannot teach the children, we as a Muslim must help them. It is
important to teach them from a young age.
In
conclusion, teachers are very important for teachings of young generation for
making them able to work in an effective manner. Muslim teacher is doing a
great job for education of young people in the society. He is responsible for
education of students in their contents of courses as well as in Islam. Many
Muslims are teaching different subjects in different parts of the world. Some
countries are non Muslim in which Muslims are working as teachers. Islam is not
a subject in many non Muslim countries and they are not teaching about Islam. Muslim teacher is able to show the
importance of Islam through his behavior in non Muslim countries. He must
follow the teachings of Islam and make others to follow as per their
willingness. When the students will see the importance of Islamic teachings
then they will get inspired and follow Islam. In this manner a good Muslim
teacher is able to spread Islam through his good behavior. In a Muslim society
a Muslim who is working as a teacher is given much respect and care.
[1] United Nations Committee of Experts on Public
Administration (2006).
[2] Traditions
or practices of Prophet Messenger (s.a.w.s.) , which include his Ahadîth (Teachings and Sayings).
[4] Responsibility to
teach the children about Quran. It is a one of the community service.
[8] Children should get
Islamic education at an early age.
[10] Seeking
knowledge at a young age is like engraving on a stone.
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