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Old School Open Thread Sunday 12-06-2009

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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 Allah accept it from them.

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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 Allah 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, inshaAllah — to take a trip to take the Code Evolved. It’s awesome how Allah 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 Allah 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.

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Keep supporting MuslimMatters for the sake of Allah

Alhamdulillah, we're at over 850 supporters. Help us get to 900 supporters this month. All it takes is a small gift from a reader like you to keep us going, for just $2 / month.

The Prophet (SAW) has taught us the best of deeds are those that done consistently, even if they are small. Click here to support MuslimMatters with a monthly donation of $2 per month. Set it and collect blessings from Allah (swt) for the khayr you're supporting without thinking about it.

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Bismillah walhamdolillah. May Allah accept my repentance and yours. I am an attorney, a stepfather, a husband, a son, and a Muslim. Studying Islam is a means, reflecting what I have learned is a must, and to Allah is the inevitable return. If you would like my help, know that Allah is the source of all aid. If you would like to contact me, try tariqnisarahmed at Gmail, LinkedIn, Twitter, or add me as a friend on Facebook.

8 Comments

8 Comments

  1. Dawud Israel

    December 6, 2009 at 12:35 AM

    Salam aleikum,

    You should have a separate article on this since this is a big experience!!

    I remember pissing off one of my Sunday school teachers to the point he just left in the middle of the class…but I had coffee with him the other day. The best way to thank them is to work on yourselves. I’ve been working with youth now and someone said, all I want is thanks or credit, but honestly the only thanks people want is to see their hard work pay off and see some good deeds come out of these one time students.

    I remember one brother who tried to work with us youth for the longest time. But he had no support and now he’s hitting the clubs I think. I know he’ll be back into the deen in no time, and its probably just a lapse. He told us a story about how his brother would sleep on the ground with no blanket and not on his bed in order to train his nafs. That story has stuck with me and now I know it to mean ribat. :)

    P.S. “will-be-young-again-in-jannat-bi-’idhnillah.” Nice Muslimism…we need more of those!

    Reply

  2. kaschif

    December 6, 2009 at 1:45 PM

    http://www.appleawards.com/,

    maybe we should have Muslim Apple Awards, or for the sake of plageriazing,
    Muslim Tufah Teaching Awards

    Reply

  3. TheAlexandrian

    December 6, 2009 at 6:15 PM

    Salam,

    For those that grew up in Brooklyn during the 90s (specifically, the Bensonhurst, Boro Park, Midwood region), you know the debt of gratitude we owe to those early community members that ran the precursors to the large centers that we now benefit from. In particular, I’d like to acknowledge Ali Elshinawy, who was my teacher during several incarnations of “Sunday school,” was otherwise always active in the community, and was kind enough to make it to my father’s janazah, even in his ailing health. He also raised a blessed family, with Muhammed Elshinawy currently making his mark as a leading da3i in America.

    May Allah bless and reward all those early trailblazers for their ceaseless efforts. Ameen!

    Reply

  4. abu abdAllah Tariq Ahmed

    December 6, 2009 at 11:40 PM

    Speaking of schooling, a reminder to all the attorneys reading today.

    Reply

  5. Farhan

    December 8, 2009 at 2:15 PM

    I’ve done it!
    11th and 12th grade bros!

    Reply

  6. Nadia

    December 9, 2009 at 1:41 PM

    I am currently a Sunday school teacher and I just pray that the little time we have with our 15+ students is beneficial for them. I live in a town with a small Muslim community and the Sunday school is really all the Islamic knowledge most of our children get, as some of the families (not all) are devoid of it and place more emphasis on cultural practices than religious. The balance we have therefore been trying to reach but find difficult sometimes (due to lack of time) is teaching our children the essentials of Islam that every Muslim should know and also striving to give them positive experiences with being at the masjid and with other Muslims so that they grow up to look back on this time as something that bore fruit for them inshallah.

    Reply

  7. Sayf

    December 11, 2009 at 7:34 PM

    My gr.12 calculus teacher, he just happened to run the MSA programs and bring all the brothers in for zuhr and friday prayers. Ah, I really needed a brother like that to be around during high school. May Allah bless and reward him.

    Reply

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