Books Are Gardens Of — The Knowledgeable:

Books are one of the best tools For training and upbringing.A good book always has a salutary effect on the mind of a reader — It will elevate spirit and thoughts. It will augment his store of knowledge.Books help in correcting moral ineptitude.

Particularly in these days of mechanical existence, when people have hardly any time to attend meetings and symposia,the best source of acquiring religious and general knowledge are books that can be browsed whenever a person Finds some time to spare — It is possible that the reading of book might have a deeper impact on the minds of the readers than the other sources of acquiring knowledge.

Sometimes, reading brings about a revolutionary change in the outlook of a person. The habit of reading is the best — It can keep a person busy when he has nothing else to do. The persons who are in the habit of reading, not only make the best use of their spare time but they will keep their minds away From the worries that might chase them if they sit brooding, doing nothing.

A Good book, For a reader, is better than visiting the best of gardens and scenic places.Obtaining Fresh knowledge remove the tiredness and cloudiness of your hearts; because the hearts, like the bodies, too experience exhaustion.

The gauge For the progress and civilization of any nation is the quality and the number of books and the number of persons habituated of reading them. Formal education of a person is no criterion of judging a person’s learning. A really learned person is one who is engaged in meaningful reading and research. We unfortunately have lots of persons with school diplomas and university degrees but very Few learned scholars and researchers. Most children, when they complete their Formal education, keep aside the books and get busy with other activities of life.

The growth of knowledge of these persons gets stagnant From that time. Their criterion of acquiring education For finding a job has been achieved. They Feel that there is no Further use For any more knowledge.

In Fact, education should be For achieving excellence in the chosen Field of knowledge. Education is a continuous process and goes on till the last breath of a person — The Religion of Islam too has exhorted its Followers to pursue the path of learning From the cradle to the grave.

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah(saw) said:

Whoever travels a path in search of knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise. People do not gather in the houses of Allah, reciting the book of Allah and studying it together, but that tranquility will descend upon them, mercy will cover them, angels will surround them, and Allah will mention them to those near him. (Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2699, Grade: Sahih)

Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq says: “Even if my companions are motivated to acquire knowledge at the threat of a whipping, I would approve of it.”.

Hazrat Luqman told to his son, ‘ Spare some time in the day and night For reading and acquiring knowledge. If you stop reading, your knowledge will dissipate.’

Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq said: “Search For knowledge in all conditions is absolutely necessary."

Muslims have responsibilities towards their children, and they stand accountable For these responsibilities so that they can truly enjoy and appreciate the blessings of having children and get rewarded by the Giver. The adult of today was the child of yesterday, and the child of today is the adult of tomorrow.

The Child’s Rights With Regard To Education And Upbringing:

In order For children to Fulfill their responsibilities towards their parents, they must First get their rights From them. Muslim parents should teach their children all about Islam and show them how to worship Allah, with no compulsion or Force.

They should also guide them to the stairways to Paradise, and protect them From Falling into Hellfire. It is the responsibility of parents to provide their children with the environment and tools to learn all about Islam.

The habit of reading is not just a pastime — The main purpose of reading is to acquire knowledge and understand the contents of the books and deriving advantage from them. It is not very important how many books the child reads, but the important thing is how he has read them.

Is he just making a cursory rapid reading? Has he read a book with absorbed interest and understood its contents? The parents should give full attention to this aspect..They should derive their conclusion if the child has understood the contents correctly or not. They should correct the child, if his understanding of the contents is not correct.

‘Abd-Allah (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: “Each of you is a shepherd and is responsible For his Flock. The ruler who is in charge of people is a shepherd and is responsible For them. The man is the shepherd of his household and is responsible for them.

The woman is the shepherd of her husband’s house and child and is responsible for them. The slave is the shepherd of his master’s wealth and is responsible for it. Each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible for his flock.”

(Narrated by al-Bukhari, 2416; Muslim, 1829)

So parents must take care of teaching their children the duties of Islam and other virtues that are recommended in shari’ah, and worldly matters that they need in order to live a decent life in this world.

The man should start by teaching them the most important things — So he starts by teaching them correct ‘aqidah (creed), Free From shirk (polytheism) and bid’ah (innovation). Then he teaches them the acts of worship, especially prayer. Then he teaches them and trains them in good manners and characteristics, and everything that is good.

Al-Nawawi said: “The Father must discipline his child and teach him what he needs to know about religious duties. This teaching is obligatory upon the Father and all those in charge of children before the child reaches the age of adolescence. This was stated by al-Shafi’i and his companions.

Al-Shafi’i and his companions said: This teaching is also obligatory upon the mother, if there is no Father, because it is part of the child’s upbringing and they have a share of that and the wages For this teaching may be taken From the child’s own wealth. If the child has no wealth then the one who is obliged to spend on him may spend on his education, because it is one of the things that he needs. And Allah knows best.” (Sharh al-Nawawi ‘ala Sahih Muslim, 8/44).

So,the point is that — we will enjoy traveling in the words of books only when our minds are trained by books and knowledge From childhood. Our thinking becomes what we read, so get productive knowledge.

A Muslim's thinking should be in accordance with Allah's decree and if he acts according to it, he is successful in this Life and the Hereafter.

May Allah(swt) grant us the knowledge of the religion and enable us to conduct our worldly life accordingly. (Ameen).

JazakAllah (May Allah Reward You [with] Goodness)For Reading.

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