Dreams of the Prophets and the Righteous

New Directions in Islamic Education explores the relationship between pedagogy and the formation of religious identities within Islamic education settings that are based in minority and majority Muslim contexts. Based on empirical research, the book engages critically with the philosophical, theological and cultural dynamics that inform Muslim educational thought and practice. The book offers an integrated model of Islamic education that identifies the heart of the Islamic educational imagination as tarbiyah, a transformative process of becoming. Overall, this book seeks to ground the theory and practice of Islamic education within the experience of the educator and the learner, and it synthesises the spiritual foundations of Islam with the tradition of critical reflection within the classical Muslim educational heritage. This ground breaking and wide-ranging work should be of interest not only to Muslim educators and education specialists, but also to social scientists, theologians and policy makers.

This work is a translation of Shaikh Abdul Aziz bin Baz’s book ‘Ad-Duroos Al-Muhimmah li-Ammatil-Ummah.’ It contains concise lessons that explain the fundamental teachings of Islam. This book covers a wide range of basic information such as the meaning of Tawhid (Islamic monotheism), the categories and implications of Shirk (polytheism), the regulations of prayer, and Islamic morals and manners. As the title implies, these are truly essential lessons for everyone who is concerned with the correctness of his Islamic beliefs and acts of worship.

When do we teach our children? What do we teach them? How do we teach? The Messenger of Allah saw showed the way of tarbiah for Muslims in his life-forming advice to Abdullah ibn Abbas? This book is an insight into the basic Islamic teaching that children should be taught significant things early in life, so that they may live a meaningful life. It is must for every home.

Is it not time to call our children and advise them with the words of the Prophet saw?

“O young man, I shall teach you some words (of advice): Be mindful af Allah, and Allah will protect you. Be mindful of Allah, and you will fin Him in front of you. If you ask, ask of Allah: if you seek help, seek help of Allah…:(Tirmidhee)