Old School Open Thread Sunday 12-06-2009

Bismillah-irRahman-irRaheem. As salamu alaykum wa Rahmat Allahi wa Barakatuhu.

posted by abu abdAllah Tariq Ahmed

Back in the day, there was just Sunday school at the masjid. That was Islamic education for the masses, alhamdolillah alaa kulli haal. Hey, at least our moms, dads, “aunties,” and “uncles” cared enough about their kids to try and edu-mu-cate us about Islam. May Allāh accept it from them.

At least one good consequence of those years is that many people with knowledge tried to improve the system. Some by teaching at their local schools. Some by supporting their youth and converts in studying Islam abroad. Alhamdolillah; may Allāh accept their efforts, too.

Laa hawla wa laa quwwata illa billah. Now my e-mail box is full of adverts for halaqas and Islamic education classes — not for the few or the proud (read arrogant, here), but high value Islamic education for the masses. My fiancee wrote me just the other day and asked if I would like — after we are married, inshā'Allāh — to take a trip to take the Code Evolved. It's awesome how Allāh puts things in their proper places — neither she nor I have taken that class yet. And I have never taken any classes in Jersey. (Yes, Durbah, at last!)

But I've digressed. Which used to happen a lot in my Sunday school. I think the teachers were pretty much on point, alhamdolillah. But we students used to digress a lot. :) Alhamdolillah, this thread is dedicated to all the men and women who teach now or have ever taught at masajid over the weekends, whether those teachers are youth themselves or young-at-heart or will-be-young-again-in-jannat-bi-'idhnillah. May Allāh be pleased with all of them, forgive them their sins, and multiply their barakat in this life and in the next.

How can you show your appreciation for those teachers? For your own teachers? Make dua for them here, or better yet, share with us something one of them taught you on some Sunday years ago. Teachers love their students who learned from them, so pass on that knowledge: they may see that you learned, and you may benefit them in the hereafter by teaching that to others.