What is the shar'i hukm on sending non-baligh (below age of cognisance) children into kufr-teaching education establishments?
Question
The education establishments in the kafir-dominated world teach kufr ideas - non-baligh cannot judge between halal/haram - can we send them to such places knowing that Allah says in surah Tahrim "save yourself and your families from a fire whose fuel is men and stones" A detailed answer appreciated as this affects the masses of the ummah and Allah says: "ask ahl al zhikr"
Answer
Generally, there is a shortfall on Tarbiyya (teaching good manners) in secular schols. How many a times we have heard of Muslim girls and boys disobeying their parents and say that they are of legal age and wish to implement 'their rights' of living with the boyfriend and girlfriend. How many we times have heard of children telling their parent, 'I will do as I please,' 'I will dress as I please,' 'I will go where I please and with who I please.'
The 'coolness of our eyes' are now becoming the fuels of the fire of Jahannum, instead of becoming our intercessor and the means of our salvation.
We give our children the secular education, which we hope will become the means of their success in this economically and socially advanced Dunyaa, yet we forget the Islamic education, which would gain us the eternal bliss of the Aakhirat. We do not say that secular education itself is evil. But we strive so hard in secular education that Islamic education takes the back seat and given no importance. In the endervour to attain secular education, we leave no stone unturned. We send our children to such schools which have these non-Islamic characteristics and principles. Our children mix with the non-Muslims and learn their evil habits and ways. There is free intermingling of sexes even before the age of cognisance. The habit is formulated and when they become of age, the inner passions take control. These children share their sandwiches and lunch with each other. The situation is like putting a person who wants to gain name and fame with a group of people who have the rituals. Sooner or later, he becomes as his companions. Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) has said that sitting with the pious is better than sitting alone and sitting alone is better than sitting in evil company.
Effort should be made for the child to get secular education but in an environment conducive to his Islamic welfare even if it means sacrificing the level of his secular education. More effort should be emphasised on Islamic education and ethics. In so doing, we only seek Allah's pleasure and eternal bliss.
and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
FATWA DEPT.
- Answered by
- Mufti Ebrahim Desai
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