 An important thing to remember when homeschooling, as in many other things in life, is that one must be consistent if they want to achieve any level of success. Be not deceived by the erroneous concept that, “Success is gained in large strides.” Rather, the opposite is true; this is a reality that eludes many who contemplate on success and being successful. Success is most often attained by way of small yet consistent steps. The Arabs have a proverb which states, “A little which is consistent, is better and far more in quantity than a lot which suddenly stops.”
The Prophet (May the Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) said in a narration collected by Al Bukhaaree (May Allah have mercy upon him) on the authority of ‘Aaisha (May Allah be pleased with her),
“Upon you is that which you have the ability to do. By Allah, Allah will never become bored and will continue to reward you until you yourself become bored with doing good deeds. Verily, the most beloved Deen to Allah is that which an individual is the most consistent upon.”
Shaikh Majdee ‘Arafaat (may Allah preserve him), who is a student of the late noble scholar, Shaikh Muqbil (may Allah have mercy upon him), and one of the scholars of Egypt who Shaikh Rabee’ (may Allah preserve him) advised the people to take knowledge from said in commenting on the statement,
“Verily, the most beloved Deen to Allah is that which an individual is the most consistent upon.”
“The Deen is Islaam, Islaam is Imaan (Faith), and consistency, is upon actions. This Hadeeth points to the fact that Imaan (Faith) consists of statements, actions and beliefs, it increases and decreases.”
Verily, the teachings of Islaam benefit us not only in our religion and the next life, but also in our worldly affairs and this life. Consistency is a must, in our religious affairs as well as in our worldly affairs. This by no stretch of the imagination, includes learning and all educational pursuits.
Verily, the teachings of Islaam benefit us not only in our religion and the next life, but also in our worldly affairs and this life. Consistency is a must, in our religious affairs as well as in our worldly affairs. This by no stretch of the imagination, includes learning and all educational pursuits. 
Shaikh Saalih ‘Abdul ‘Azeel Aalish Shaikh (may Allah preserve him) mentions in the introduction to his lessons on the “Three Fundamental Principles”,
“Verily, knowledge is not attained all at once. Rather, knowledge is attained over a period of days and nights; just as Ibn Shuhaib Az Zuharee (may Allah have mercy upon him) said in that which has been narrated by Ibn ‘AbdulBar (may Allah have mercy upon him) in “Al Jaami”,
“Whoever tries to attain knowledge in one stroke, it will likewise leave him in one stroke. Verily, knowledge is attained over the period of days and nights.”
The Shaikh goes on and mentions the statement of the poet, who said,
“Today is knowledge and tomorrow the same,
From the spoils of knowledge which one may attain,
Is that an individual by way of it, wisdom shall he gain,
“Verily the only course (which one must tread upon to attain knowledge)
is that of collecting the dots.”
Therefore, dear reader, may Allah bless you, it’s all about the dots. Small yet consistent efforts are in reality tremendous. Whereas, large efforts that suddenly stop are in reality small and insignificant.
Take as example the memorization of Qur’an. There are 15 lines on each page of the ‘Arabic Mushaf, 20 pages in a Juz (or section), and 30 sections in the Qur’an. If student ‘A’ for example, memorized 1 page a day for 40 days then stopped, this will equal 40 pages or 2 Juz. Whereas, if student ‘B’ memorized 5 lines (not pages) a day, but was consistent upon that for 1 year; he would have memorized approximately 150 lines a month which equates to 10 pages or ½ of Juz. By the end of 1 year this will translate to 1825 lines, which equals 120 pages or 6 Juz. At years end, which of the two students will be more accomplished? In fact, if student ‘B’ were to continue upon this way, in just 5 years he would have memorized the whole Qur’an.
Now some may say, “5 lines a day, that’s nothing!” Debatably so, and by that, as it may; ask yourself, how many years have you been Muslim, now compare that with the amount of Qur’an you yourself have memorized. Remember, 5 lines is just an example, whatever the amount or how small, if you are consistent, InshaAllah you will finish.
Dear reader, may Allah bless you, remember, do not over burden yourself with large loads and 10 hour a day lesson plans. Put your trust in Allah, be proficient, work hard, pace yourself, and do as much as you can consistently; for verily, “A little which is consistent, is better and far more in quantity than a lot which suddenly stops.” And with Allah lies all success.
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