Surah Yusuf is an amazing surah that deals with the HUMAN CONSCIENCE in the form of a story.
One aspect of this story is the relationship between the child and the
parent. On this point Shaykh Mohammad Akram Nadwi comments as follows:
"The
unifying concern of this surah is human conscience – how it is
informed, how it is trained and tested, how it is supported and rewarded. This
concern is not presented as an argument or doctrine but as a story. We
need to reflect on the central concern of the surah and also on why the
form of a story works so well to convey it...
Conscience
is located in the deep interior of a person; it is separate and removed
(in some ways, protected) from the external world and from the habits
of other people. The unfolding of the story in this surah is a
demonstration that the integrity of a person’s conscience is sustained
by their commitment to connection with God. The attitude and behaviour
of Ya’qub and Yusuf, ‘alayhimaas-salam, throughout the intricately woven
incidents, demonstrate that these two men are, at all times, aware of
being in the presence of God and answerable to Him. The feeling never
leaves them that God is present and God is good: when there is not the
least sign of things turning out well for them, they seem able to wait
with a gracious patience for things to turn out well. At no point do
either of them neglect to think, speak and act in the best way, i.e. in
the way most pleasing to God.
Conscience
is a personal teacher. What it teaches is sometimes also taught by
social convention and religious rules, and laws derived from these. But
in the end, norms and conventions, the rules and laws in society, are
not sufficient to deter people from doing wrong – if they see other
people do something wrong and get away with it, they think: why
shouldn’t I do the same? Only a strong, healthy conscience can
prevent people from following the habits and manners of the people
around them and, instead, doing what pleases God and doing it in the way
that pleases God." - Shaykh Dr Mohammad Akram Nadwi
There are many different courses, books and lectures on parenting and raising children by both Muslims as well as Non-Muslims. This informs us that there is a real issue with raising good children as well as "raising" good parents.
But the irony is that these materials and courses often times deal with
issues in very superficial ways focusing on techniques, methods,
skills, philosophies and ideas. Far from being helpful these are
sometimes harmful to both the child and the parent. What is beneficial
is beneficial only in a very limited context. The simple reason for this is that they do not really deal with the human conscience which makes the moral judgements and not to mention the fact that the authors themselves have no strong and healthy conscience.
The "Ultimate Parenting Course" is the one that makes the concern of the HUMAN CONSCIENCE central and most important - this is none other than Surah Yusuf - The Best of Stories.
If you want to be a good parent and if you want your children to be
good children then having a deep understanding of Surah Yusuf is a must
for you. This is an opportunity for the whole family with crèche
facilities for younger children (2-12 years). You cannot afford to miss
this lifetime opportunity.
Book your place now as the registrations are nearing an end.
Surah Yusuf - The Best of Stories at The Best of Times
Ramadhan Weekend London & Online Seminar
By Shaykh Dr Mohammad Akram Nadwi (Oxford)
Date: Weekend 27-28 July 2013 | Time: 9.30AM - 6.30PM
Venue: Edmonton Islamic Centre London + Live Online Worldwide
Overnight accommodation (for men and women) if required and crèche facilities available.Limited seats - previous London seminar attracted over 200 people.
