Are You A Parent? - The "Ultimate Parenting Course" is Coming to Town

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.

Trailer: http://youtu.be/XfdVitz4qys (2 minutes)

Video Introduction: http://youtu.be/-PAawIenGUQ (5 minutes)

Make This Your Ramadhan Retreat

Buy your tickets now: http://courses.meoc.org.uk

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