Don’t just say “don’t do this or that”...

Don’t just say “don’t do this or that”, but rather educate children on the important part, what they should be doing (Bailey, 2000, pgs.55-73). Ethical Care and the Islamic pedagogy being outlined here have promoted a forgiving, optimistic approach to teaching children. is quoted as saying “he is not of us who does not show mercy to our younger ones” (Abu Dawud 764 in USC).

Children are very sensitive in their early years and need sympathetic guidance that corresponds to their mental and emotional capabilities. The expression “yaa bunay!” used above is actually the same expression that Lukman (an Abyssinian slave) uses with his son in the chapter of the Qur’an named after him. Lukman’s classic advice to his son combines scaffolding/prioritizing knowledge and presenting it in a caring manner as part of Islamic pedagogy.

Lukman is praised in the Qur’an as having been given great wisdom and religious understanding because he gives thanks to God. And from the fruits of this wisdom is how he teaches his son how to prioritize in order, Tawheed, righteousness to the parents, keeping good company, ihsaan, prayers, commanding the good and forbidding the evil, and then being patient if that brings him suffering.

Also if one notices, Allah mentions people’s rights over his son right after Tawheed, the bare minimum acknowledgement of Allah needed for his actions to be accepted, and right before even mentioning prayers and commanding good/forbidding evil, which are two of the best acts of worship a person could practice.

This organization is beneficial in teaching students the importance of their community’s rights over them as Allah mentioned them early in the list of actions to highlight their significance. After performing such virtues, then there is the fear of becoming haughty so there is the advice on how to maintain humility-good character in sum. Allah begins the story with Lukman telling his son: "O my son! Join not in worship others with Allah. Verily!

Joining others in worship with Allah is a great dhulm (wrong) indeed. And We have enjoined on humankind to be dutiful and good to their parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years; give thanks to Me and then to your parents, unto Me is the final destination.