Homeschooling is a Community Affair

community.jpgAs-Salaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatulahi wa Barakatu,


 I pray that everyone is strong in Emaan and in the best of health. As for me and my family, we are keeping faith and are in the best of health, Alhamdulillah. 

As I was sitting outside enjoying the beautiful, bright, cloudless blue sky and the warm fresh air.  I looked at the cars passing by and the children at play, thoughts of community ran through my mind. I saw all kinds of people at work, at play; in the area in which they live. Which made me reflect on a Social studies lesson with one of my children at the time when she was in third grade? We were talking about community and we realized that a community is just families that come together. Also that the word ‘community’ contains the word ‘unity’ we just smiled at that.
 

     Anyway, I began to think about the things that we, as a family, have done that exhibits teamwork and unity. To my surprise we apply it regularly; as many of us do with our own families. Families work as a group, working to achieve a common goal. A group on the same side; two or more people organized working together. Then we start homeschooling and think that as a family, teamwork is defined or limited to just the family.
 

Well through my long journey, I have found that homeschooling is a community affair. Yes, it was my choice, my family's decision to homeschool, but I think we should look to why it was that and we as families chose to homeschool. Allah says “Save yourself and your family from a fire whose fuel is men and stones…” Trying to adhere to this ayat and not wanting the peer pressure to consume our children, so if we are able to homeschool we do.

 

 Well I‘m still outside, enjoying the beautiful weather, thoughts of teamwork run through my mind and the reason I say this is a community affair. We all know that old statement ’It takes a village to raise a child. We should be trying to give assistance to one another in the choices that impact our children’s future. Really what I’m trying to say is that everyone needs a helping hand once in awhile. I think we should be supporting one another like those who homeschool should help those who can’t either by teaching the child or creating programs for those who have to attend public schools so they can have the Muslims to be with and learn their Islam. Those who can’t home school, but work donating the time whenever they can for these extra activities for the Muslim children if they are capable and able. Islamic schools I think should be supporting Homeschoolers working together, extending themselves for school trips, extra activities… extend these things to homeschoolers. Those who don’t have children but have skills that they can offer to teach our children of this Ummah, these skills that will benefit our community. At least I believe they should do so. You know, just one big pot of helping hands, bringing forth good for our children.
 

As a community I know that, there will always be bridges to cross and issues to iron out, that comes with the territory. This is where discipline comes in; what do you think? As a community there are many people and many needs to meet. This requires people who will be disciplined. This is how affairs of the community are met. How activities are kept going.

     
Teamwork and discipline are the way to success in our Ummah. Being a community with common goals to up hold and holding on to the rope of Allah with steadfastness upon the way of Salafus Saalih. For verily Allah is pleased with three things, that you worship Him alone and not to make shirk with Him, that you hold on to the rope of Allah and not be divide amongst yourselves, and that you advise those whom Allah has placed in authority over you. When we have teamwork and discipline we have Insha Allah, the result of the pleasure of Allah,  we have us helping one another in holding on to that rope of Allah that to me forms community.

 

 

Loving everyone for the sake of Allah.

 

 

Sincerely,

Your sister Umm Anisa

 

 

 

Umm Anisa
About the author:
Umm Anisa has been homeschooling her four daughters for the past nine years, mashaallah.