educating through the lens of islam

i was reminded again
in a lesson / dars by ummKhair
about what our focus should be as muslim parents.
so often we middle class, western muslims
get caught up in “brain worship” as she calls it.
we’ll bend over backwards to get our children a certain type of education
instead of instilling in them the greater importance
of bending forwards in ruku
to the Creator of the true reality.

when our children appear before their Lord
is He gonna ask them
how smart they are
or what score they got on their SATs, GREs, MCATs and etc.
of if they got into / attended so-n-so prestigious school?

or is He gonna ask them
(through His angels)
who is their Lord?
what is their deen?
who is their prophet?
or her/his conduct towards parents, elders and peers?
or how s/he used their gifts and talents in His service?

what a good reminder
and lens to look through
when we’re considering the general education of our children,
much less religious education.