The academic year has just started but a lot of parents are already worrying about their children's exams. Parents invest a lot in worldly education and if the subject is too hard they even spend time and money for tutoring. Islam is the religion of education, and gaining knowledge is a part of faith. The first word of the Glorious Qur'an which was revealed was ‘Iqra', which means read. But acquiring knowledge is not a means in itself. What good does it do if you acquire all the knowledge of the whole world and you lose your place in Paradise? Indeed, the most important exam is the exam from Allah. “And certainly We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to the patient.” (Qur'an; 2:155) “Or do you think that you will enter Paradise before Allah tests those of you who fought in His cause and also tests those who are the patient?” (Qur'an; 3:142) That is the real test in life, the exam we have to pass if we really want to be successful. “Allah will not leave the believers in the state in which you are now, until He distinguishes the wicked from the good…, and if you believe and fear Allah, then for you there is a great reward.” (Qur'an; 3:179) This is the subject in which we are being examined, to distinguish the good from the wicked. To pass this test we just need to follow the guidance of the Glorious Qur'an and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). “It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards the east or the west in prayers, but righteous is the one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the Angels, the Book, the prophets and gives wealth in spite of love for it to the kinfolks, to the orphans , to the needy and to the wayfarer, and to those who ask, and to set slaves free, performs the prayer, and gives the Zakat and who fulfill their covenant when they make it, and who are patient in extreme poverty and disease and at the time of fighting (during the battles). Such are the people of the truth and they are Al-Muttaqun.” (Qur'an; 2:177) It is not enough to say that we are Muslims; action from our side is needed. We have to live up being Muslims and we have to fulfill our covenant with Allah so that he can fulfill His covenant with us. “Truly, those who believe, and do good deeds of righteousness, and perform As-Salat, and give Zakat, they will have their reward with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.” (Qur'an; 2:277) But Allah does not leave us alone in this difficult test. He has revealed the Holy Qur'an and provided us with sayings of the Prophet for our reference and guidance. “O you who believe! Let not your properties or your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah. And whosoever does that, then they are the losers..And Allah is well acquainted with what you do.” (Qur'an; 63:9-11) Today, parents choose schools for their children very carefully, spend lots of money on tuition, but what about the right mosque for your kids, the right way to teach Islam? How do we prepare our kids for this most important test of all? The one who fails the test will ask Allah for a second chance: “My Lord! If only You would give me respite for a little while, then I should give Sadaqah, and be among the righteous and do other good deeds.” (Qur'an; 63:10-11) But there will be no second chance! “And Allah grants respite to none when his death comes.” (Qur'an; 63:10) No re-testing for a failed life. For the test that will determine if we belong to the dwellers of Paradise or to the inhabitants of hellfire, a lot of Muslims do not prepare at all, and worse, they do not prepare and warn their children. At the beginning of this academic year we should do everything to provide our children with the knowledge they will need to live a successful Islamic life, so that they may pass this test one day, whenever the time comes. That is our responsibility towards our children. __
