"Do we have to?" "But, why do we go to school anyway?" "Will I ever actually use this?" Ah, the groans and grimaces of back-to-school season. After a summer that seems to have flown by, our kids are gearing up for the grind of classwork, homework, extracurriculars, and those dreaded early mornings. Can we really blame them for the complaints? We have all been there—even the best students have had those days when all they wanted was stay cozy under the covers.
And we will not even mention how back-to-school also affects parents, throwing a wrench into our work-life balance. When our kids are dreading school, and we are feeling the burnout before the first bell even rings, it is time to take a step back.
Like it or not, learning is a part of life. With the right mindset, this season can be a chance for the entire family to center ourselves and nurture our spiritual well-being. Here are three tips to get you on the right track.
1. Remember the “Why.”
Education holds a special place in our Islamic tradition, rooted in a history of learning, wonder, and discovery. While our children might not always grasp why school is necessary, we can help them see its value by sharing lessons from the Quran and Sunnah. Since children love stories, presenting this information in an engaging and entertaining way can make all the difference. By packaging these lessons in a way they can appreciate, we can inspire them to approach their education with a sense of purpose and curiosity.
There are many lessons about education you can share with your children. These are just a few examples:
Education is an obligation for every Muslim. The young companion and servant of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, Anas ibn Malik reported that the Messenger of Allah said:
“Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.”
(Sunan Ibn Majah)
Prophet Muhammad had a teacher. Even the Prophets and Messengers needed education. In fact, the Angel Jibril or Gabriel, peace be upon him, used to visit the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, as his teacher. He said:
“Jibril would come to me to revise the Quran once every year…”
(Bukhari)
In the Quran, Allah even tells the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, to pray for knowledge. Here is one example:
“Exalted is Allah, the True King! Do not rush to recite ˹a revelation of˺ the Quran ˹O Prophet˺ before it is ˹properly˺ conveyed to you, and pray, ‘My Lord! Increase me in knowledge.’”
(Surah Ta Ha, 20:114)
One of the main stories of Surah Al-Kahf has to do with education. As we learned in the case of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, even the Prophets made time to learn. Who are we to think we already know it all? One of the stories we are encouraged to revisit in the Quran in Surah Al-Kahf on a weekly basis is that of Prophet Musa and Khidr, peace be upon them. It was narrated that:
“Musa stood to deliver a Khutbah to the children of Isra'il. He was asked: Who is the most knowledgeable among the people?” He said: ‘I am the most knowledgeable.’ So Allah admonished him, since he did not refer the knowledge back to Him. Allah revealed to him: ‘A slave, among My slaves at the junction of the two seas, is more knowledgeable than you.’ So Musa said: ‘O Lord! How can I meet him?’
(Jami` at-Tirmidhi, 3149)
Prophet Musa’s immediate reaction when he realized he was not the most knowledgeable person was to ask Allah how he could meet this highly educated individual. This too should be our attitude toward knowledge, always seeking to know more so we can become better people.
2. Establish meaningful routines.
Every seasoned parent knows that a well-managed home thrives on routine. Children need structure, whether it is for brushing their teeth, bathing, doing chores, or completing homework. By establishing meaningful routines, we can not only prepare for the day ahead but also strengthen our bonds with our children and give our iman or faith a boost. Try incorporating these simple habits into your daily schedule.
Start the day with Fajr. Praying Fajr together will ensure that everyone is awake and able to get ready on time. If someone needs to shower, they can do it then, get dressed, have a light breakfast, and even get a nap in before it is time to head out the door. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, used to pray:
“O Allah, bless my nation in their early morning.”
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, 1212)
Play Quran throughout the morning. A daily dose of Quran in the morning is sure to lift everyone’s spirits and get them ready to start the day on the right foot. Have the Quran playing on a device in your home in a central location like the living room or kitchen. Make it loud enough for everyone to hear. Even when you think your children are not listening, the verses of the Quran will, inshaAllah (God willing), penetrate their hearts and leave a lasting impression. There are some people who may question the permissibility of playing the Quran unless someone is actively listening to it, but there is a difference of opinion on this matter and scholars have deemed it acceptable to keep the Quran playing unless there is offensive noise occurring in that place. (See the following: https://islamqa.info/en/answers/174743/leaving-a-recording-of-the-quran-playing-without-listening-to-it)
Make dua before leaving the house. The companion, Anas ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah, Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
“Whoever says when he leaves his house, ‘In the name of Allah, I trust in Allah for there is no movement or might but in Allah,’ then it will be said to him that you have been sufficed and protected, and the devils will be far from him.”
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, 3426)
Teach your children to say this and other morning duas and adhkar in Arabic and the language you speak at home, so it becomes part of their daily routine, a protection for them, and a spiritually uplifting habit for life.
Pray for them. Do not forget to pray for them, as well, because a parent's supplication for their child is one of three that Allah will undoubtedly answer according to a Prophetic hadith. (Al-Sunan al-Kubra lil-Bayhaqi, 6392).
If you have not done so already, now is a great time to memorize the supplication the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, made for his grandchildren:
“I seek protection for you in the Perfect Words of Allah from every devil and every beast, and from every envious blameworthy eye.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, 3191)
3. Positively reinforce good attitudes and behavior.
While we strive to nurture our spiritual growth, it is also natural to be motivated by external rewards. Positive reinforcement can be a powerful tool to encourage our children (and ourselves) to maintain a good attitude and behavior. Consider small, meaningful rewards—like packing a special treat in their lunch box, picking up a favorite pastry or coffee on the way to school, or promising an ice cream cone or extra screen time at the end of the week. When children have something to look forward to, they will be more eager to start their day on the right foot and give their best effort. Allah says in the Quran:
“Is there any reward for goodness except goodness?”
(Surah Al-Rahman, 55:60)
As the school year begins, let us remember that education is more than just academics; it is an opportunity to nurture our children’s minds, hearts, and souls. Whether it is public or private, school provides a unique environment where children can learn not only academic subjects but also essential life skills. It is a place where they interact with peers, develop social skills, and learn the values of respect, responsibility, and empathy. These experiences help shape them into upright citizens and positive role models. By keeping the “why” of school in focus, establishing meaningful routines, and using positive reinforcement, we can make back-to-school not just a season of transition, but a time of spiritual growth and connection. Even though this time may be grueling for students and taxing for parents, with a little patience, prayer, and creativity, we can turn these challenges into opportunities to strengthen our faith and our family bonds.
May this school year bring growth, understanding, and meaningful experiences for our families and our children. Ameen.
Wendy Díaz is a Puerto Rican Muslim writer, award-winning poet, translator, and mother of six (ages ranging from infant to teen). She is the co-founder of Hablamos Islam, a non-profit organization that produces educational resources about Islam in Spanish (hablamosislam.org). She has written, illustrated, and published over a dozen children’s books and currently lives with her family in Maryland. Follow Wendy Díaz on social media @authorwendydiaz and @hablamosislam.
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