format_quote Originally Posted by Hashim
Ansaar Al Haq, ya ikhwaani i would disagree with you aswell, the schools of Saudi Arabia at primary and secondry impose islaam in the lievs of the kids at a very young age so they (youth) are immeditaly accustmed with this deen. At primary and secondry age and infact college and uni, the youth are taught religion so i think in this way the youth in saudi are taught the meaning and the 'spirtula philosphy' behind the divine law, Shaar'iaah.
:sl:
If that was the case, then we wouldn't have Muslim women taking off their hijabs as soon as they fly out of Saudi. I've witnessed Muslims from Saudi who have no appreciation of Islam because they've only had strict laws enforced on them without understanding the reasoning of the laws. I'm not saying that Saudi doesn't try at all, but a more comprehensive approach needs to be taken.
Shaykh `Abd al-`Azîz b. `Alî al-Gharib, professor at al-Imâm Islamic University in Saudi Arabia, expresses the concern accurately:
Calling our children to Allah is one of the most difficult activities. At the same time, it is one of the easiest. Its difficulty lies in the selection and employment of the proper approaches and methods to bring about a positive response. The easy aspect of inviting children to Allah is the speed in which children can be positively influenced.
Children are drawn to the latest technology. They appeal readily to movies and to pictures. These can be put to good use in the way we present the message to them. We need to use approaches that are tailored to the age group that we are dealing with. We need to focus on their interest in stories and on novelty – on things that inspire children to ask questions and to want to know more.
The life of our Prophet (peace be upon him) can be used to good effect in inviting children to Islam. A child needs to know early on what will benefit him in life. He needs role models who are a positive influence and who have the power to inspire. The child needs to be brought to understanding in a gradual way. It is wrong to use fear as a means of moral instruction. We need to show Islam as it is – the religion of mercy, goodness, and peace.
We need to recognize our present circumstances. We live in an age where our children are being exposed to vicious attacks against Islam being waged by the media and by society. We also live in an age of swift technological advancement.
We need to take the culture of the society in which we are living into consideration. We need to show how what the child witnesses in society is reflected in what is acceptable in Islam. We should not seek to emphasize conflict between Islamic teachings and societal norms. Let the child draw his own conclusions. Guide the child to realize what is right and wrong on his own. We should not underestimate children by assuming that they are unable to think for themselves. Quite the contrary, thinking skills develop quickly and early in children.
This means that we should not impose our ideas on children at the expense of their own perspective. Move forward from the point of view of the children themselves and leave it up to the children to ask questions and seek out answers.
I also think it is a very good idea to teach children about the lives of the prophet’s Companions, especially how they dealt with children and how the children themselves used to live in Islam.
We need to be completely truthful in what we present to children. It can be quite difficult to get children to change their minds when they are convinced of something. Unfortunately, many people operate under the false idea that it is easy to get children to change their minds and to guide then in the desired direction. However, studies in elementary education show otherwise.
I am one of those who advocate starting early with teaching children. However, I am also worried that some people are not properly equipped to deal with children in even a general sense. Then there is the more focused skill of being able to discuss Islamic matters with them.
Children are born with pure beliefs in their heart, with a natural predisposition to recognize Allah and his oneness. It is their environment that influences them and plays a powerful role in their later religious thinking.
I ask Allah Almighty to bless us with success and right guidance in our endeavors. I pray that He blesses every step we take in the path of inviting others to His way. (
SOURCE, Oct. 4, 2005 )
Sorry what is the spiritual philosophy behind women not being able to drive, or being forced to cover their faces?
On the issue of women driving, its interesting to know that the Saudi shuyookh never said it was haraam:
JEDDAH, 6 June 2005 — Sheikh Abdullah ibn Munee, a member of the Council of Senior Ulema which is the Kingdom’s highest religious body, said the council had not discussed the issue of women driving in its past sessions.
“The issue was never brought up in any of our sessions,” Sheikh Ibn Munee said in an exclusive statement to Arab News. The scholar stated that those who have announced either through the Internet or in leaflets that women driving is religiously forbidden — haram — were not telling the truth.
“We never said it was haram for women to drive,” said Ibn Munee. He clarified that some members of the committee had, however, expressed their own personal views. “We do not say it is haram but we say that it is for the good of our daughters not to drive.”
Sheikh Ibn Munee did say that Saudi society was not yet ready for women to drive. Al-Madinah newspaper, however, stated that the council may discuss the issue officially at one of their sessions in two months.
Sheikh Alfowzan, another member of the Council of Senior Ulema, stated in a reply to the Shoura Council member, Mohammed Al-Zulfa, that the financial cost of bringing foreign drivers was much less than a loss of honor. The sheikh was referring to the possibility that women driving could lead to immorality and a loss of honor.
A number of female voices have raised questions reflecting their confusion about the situation. Khowla Al-Khaldi, a teacher from Jeddah, said, “If the Ulema Council were not going to discuss the issue, and the vice-chairman of the Shoura Council said that the matter was for the Ulema and the Minister of Interior, Prince Naif, said that the matter is social rather than religious, then to whom shall we look for answers?”
Manal Tashkandi said that she had been searching for years for someone to rule on the issue. “I am not keen on driving but for God’s sake, when will this hassle end?” said Tashkandi who has a British driving license.
A few women expressed satisfaction about women not being allowed to drive.
Nahla Al-Swailih, a banker in Riyadh, said that she was not interested in driving in the Kingdom although she has an international driving license. “I can never imagine myself driving in these streets which are filled with lunatics driving madly,” said Al-Swalih.
Muna Bukhari said that she agreed with Ibn Munee’s comment about society. “Unfortunately, our young men need to be taught proper behavior and respect before we women can be allowed to drive,” said Bukhari. She added that one could sense what problems women drivers would face by simply being aware of the harassment they are subjected to in malls.
Saad Al-Matrafi, Arab Newsp
So these matters are just their personal opinion on what is best for their country, but that doesn't mean its right. And the spiritual philosophy behind them is modesty. There are many Muslim sisters who live in the west but prefer to wear the niqaab, without any pressure from their family.
:w: