Homeschooling during Ramadhaan  Ramadhaan is the 9th month on the Islaamic calendar and the month that the Qur’an was revealed. During this month many Muslims try to focus on the Qur’an and their deen. Many homeschoolers I know stop their secular studies and focus on the Islaamic studies portion of their homeschool curriculum. In some of the Muslim countries during the month of Ramadhaan children attend school half of the day, and the last ten days they have a vacation. Homeschooling during this blessed month should be utilized carefully and thoughtfully.
Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: "Ramadaan has come to you - a blessed month. Allaah has made obligatory upon you its fasting. In it, the gates of heaven are open, the gates of the Hellfire are closed and the devils are chained. To Allaah belongs a night in it, which is better than a thousand months. Whosoever is prevented from its good, then he has been deprived." [This hadeeth is reported by Ahmad and An-Nasaa'ee.] Allah says in His Noble Qur’an, إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْر (1) وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ (2) لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ (3) تَنَزَّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍ (4) سَلَامٌ هِيَ حَتَّى مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْر(5) “Verily! We have sent it (this Qur'an) down in the night of Al-Qadr (Decree) And what will make you know what the night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is? The night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allâh in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months). Therein descend the angels and the Ruh [Jibrael (Gabriel)] by Allah's Permission with all Decrees, Peace! (All that night, there is Peace and Goodness from Allah to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn.” [Al Qadr: 1-5] Allah says, يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ “O you who believe! Fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al – Muttaqoon (the pious).” [Al-Baqarah: 183] Jabir (radhiya Allahu `anhu) relates that the Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu alaihi wa sallam) said: "In every day and every night, during the month of Ramadan, there are people to whom Allah grants freedom from the Fire, and there is for every Muslim a supplication which he can make and will be granted". [Ahmad and Ibn Majah] There are many ayat (verses) and hadeeth that informs us of the benefits and virtues of Ramadhaan. Muslims all over the world take this month to focus on the Qur’an and in increasing their ‘ibaadah (worship). Encouraging children to fast, memorize, review, contemplate on the Qur’an, and increasing in ‘ibaadah (worship), this is a great task and cannot be done on a whim. Having a schedule helps me to implement and steadily move toward completing the goals that I set forth for my family. I myself do not consider these efforts a part of homeschooling, but rather a fortification in helping to establish lifelong habits. Thus, during Ramadhaan I abandon “homeschooling” and concentrate on the many virtues of the month. I have heard some say that I need to continue with secular studies, but it is a choice that as a homeschooling instructor I am free to make within the flexibility of the homeschooling system. This is however, not to say that it is wrong to formally homeschool. Each homeschooling instructor will have to decide what is best for their overall program and within their means. Some parents do not have a choice due to state guidelines that may be set forth for homeschoolers in those respected districts. Balance is the key to obtaining success in all matters. If you decide to homeschool, try to be balanced in your approach, and remember Ramadhaan only comes once a year. The Prophet (sallAllaahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “Fasting and the Qur’an intercede for the servant on the Day of Resurrection. Fasting will say: O my Lord! I prevented him from food and desires, so accept my intercession for him; and the Qur’an will say: I prevented him from sleep at night, so accept my intercession for him. So their intercession will be accepted.” [Reported by Ahmad, Al Haakim] As Muslims we try our best to raise and educate our children to prepare them for the Aakhira and ready them for the Dunya; however, while always placing an emphasis on that which is more important for them (the Aakhira). Utilize this month to increase in good deeds and if you are one of the parents that choose to continue homeschooling, may Allah aid you and grant you success, aameen. | 
