Homeschooling Dialogue

In a sign of the times, I attended what could have been the first homeschooling dialogue for Muslim parents in Singapore organised by a group of mothers who call themselves "Ummi At Play", a heartening experience for myself as I recalled how I jumped into the homeschool bandwagon not knowing anyone else personally doing the same. The dialogue saw four homeschooling families sharing their experiences homeschooling their own children and covered the angles of how they started off, the role of the father,going beyond the pre- school years and an insight into the homeschooling family. The room was filled with young parents eager to know more about HS and I could say was bursting with questions and enthusiasm at the same time. They wanted to know the legalities, the support that should be formed, the question of other family members questioning why they HS if they decide to do so and the questions came raining down and was only limited by the time that we had. Masyaallah, I thought to myself, the spirit was strong and there were so many possibilities that I see among these young parents and I had no doubt that they would make HS a success if they decided to venture into it. In the end it was a 15-year old HSler who laid it all down to all of us if one should HS or not.On being asked how he felt about HS, he quoted Surah As Sharh on how after hardship there would be ease and that if we do something to uphold Islam, Allah will ensure that everything will fall into place. I couldn't have said it better myself young man. Whether one decides to HS or send one's child to school, if it was done to seek Allah's pleasure, insyaAllah, He will provide us what is best for us for "And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him." (65:3)         Narrated Ibn Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him)   "Allah (Alone) is sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us)," was said by Ibrahim (May Allah be pleased with him) when he was thrown into the fire; and it was said by Muhammad (May the peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) when they (i.e. hypocrites) said, "Verily the people (pagans) have gathered against you (a great army), therefore, fear them, but it only increased them in Faith". (Al-Bukhari and An-Nasa'i)