Education – Your Children - Don’t Raise Followers — Raise Thinkers & Believers

 Parents: Your Child’s Tomorrow Starts with Your Decisions Today

Education – Your Children - Don’t Raise Followers — Raise Thinkers & Believers

Dear Parents,

Your children are under your care, protection, and supervision until the age of 18 to 21. After that, they will walk into life — alone — equipped only with the values, skills, and mindset you helped build.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
Each of you is a shepherd, and each of you is responsible for his flock. (Sahih Bukhari & Sahih Muslim)

This includes your child’s guidance, education, and moral direction — for which you will be questioned by Allah.

Ask yourself sincerely:

·         Have you given them the right guidance — spiritually, morally, and intellectually?

·         Are they in an environment that encourages them to think, solve problems, and live with purpose?

·         Are they being raised as strong, responsible Muslims — or just as memorizing machines chasing grades?

Think About This:

We meet 16-year-olds who can’t speak confidently.
We see 12-year-olds who panic in exams because they’ve never been taught to think — only to memorize.
We talk to teenagers who don’t know their own strengths, values, or purpose in life.

This is not education. This is silent destruction.

Islam’s Emphasis on True Education:

·         Are those who know equal to those who do not know? Surah Az-Zumar 39:9

·         Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim — male and female. (Sunan Ibn Majah)

But not just any knowledge — knowledge that leads to awareness, truth, character, and connection with Allah. Not the kind that leads to blind following, ego, and directionless living.

It’s time to reflect:

·         Is your child’s education building curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking — or just copying and cramming?

·         Are they learning to chase exam scores — or becoming capable of solving real-world problems?

·         Are they being raised to contribute meaningfully — or just following the crowd, lost in confusion?

Look Around You:

• Children who can’t speak with confidence.
• Teens who can’t think independently.
• Youth who can’t make decisions without help.

And tomorrow, they would not need your money — but they will need the strength, wisdom, and faith you were supposed to build in them.

Feeding the stomach is not our only duty.
We are dignified human beings — not a race of sheep.

If you are unsure about your child’s direction — or even your own decisions — it’s time to act now.

·          Talk to us — even if your child studies somewhere else.

·         Visit The Founders School — see a true learning environment in action.

·         Attend our next Parent Awareness Session — where we guide with facts, not fear, through both modern needs and Islamic values.

On the Day of Judgment, we will be asked about the trust (amanah) of our children.
Let’s prepare not just for this world — but for the Hereafter.

Your decisions today will echo in your child’s tomorrow — and in your accountability before Allah.

Let’s build Thinkers. Doers. Believers.
Let’s raise children who know their aim in life and the life after.

Warm regards,
Noor Alam Shah Qureshi
Managing Director
The Founders School / Foundation Model Public School

The Power of Values: A Journey of Kindness, Respect, and Mutual Support

 The Power of Values: A Journey of Kindness, Respect, and Mutual Support

By Noor Qureshi  dated December 10, 2024

In today’s world, where terms and words are often crafted and polished to appear exciting and appealing, we sometimes lose sight of the profound depth they truly hold. It is easy to use phrases like "I follow kindness," "mutual support," or "respect," but putting these values into action is far from simple. These words, though seemingly effortless to say, require immense energy, effort, and sacrifice to embody in our daily lives.

As someone who has worked to some extent on living by these values, I can attest to the charge it takes—mentally, emotionally, and even physically. Practicing kindness in the face of adversity, offering support when you are running low on your own strength, and showing respect when it is not responded can be tiresome. Yet, these challenges often lead to moments of inner happiness that make the struggle worthwhile. A simple smile or a small gesture of appreciation can melt away the worries and difficulties, reminding us why we chose this path in the first place.

Adopting these values later in life can be difficult, though not impossible. However, the golden opportunity to nurture these principles lies with children. The formative years, from birth to about age seven and later up to 15 or 18, are crucial for shaping character. During this period, children are like soft clay— flexible and open to learning. As parents, educators, or mentors, we have the chance to instill these values in them, making them individuals we ourselves aspire to be.

As a behavioral enthusiast, I find immense value in actions over possessions. This perspective drives my admiration for psychologists who examine into the complexities of human minds and behaviors. Behavioral values such as kindness and mutual respect form the foundation of a pleasant society, yet practicing them requires relentless effort.

To truly embed these principles, we must model them in our actions. Children learn not just from what we say but from how we live. Demonstrating respect in our interactions, offering support to those in need, and showing kindness in small, everyday gestures can leave a lasting impression on young minds.

Living by these values is not a task for the faint-hearted, but it is deeply rewarding. Every moment spent teaching or embodying them is an investment in a better future—both for ourselves and the generations to come.

For the reflection, take a moment to think about the values that define your life. Are they evident in your actions? Are you shaping the next generation to carry these principles forward? The journey may be challenging, but the rewards—a smile, a thank-you, or the inner peace of knowing you’ve made a difference—make it worth every effort.

#ValuesMatter #KindnessInAction #RespectAndSupport #MutualSupport #PersonalGrowth #LeadershipWithValues #BehavioralInsights #InnerStrength #HumanConnection #PositiveImpact #EmotionalIntelligence #FamilyValues #RaisingKidsRight #KindnessJourney #RespectCulture

 

The Real Purpose of Education: Building Lives, Not Just Careers - تعلیم کا اصل مقصد: صرف روزگار نہیں، بلکہ زندگی سنوارنا - — Noor Qureshi date November 11, 2024

 

The Real Purpose of Education: Building Lives, Not Just Careers

— Noor Qureshi date November 11, 2024

I have spent time within a community that, you might say, lacks formal education or proper schooling. Many individuals work in lower-level positions, earning modest wages and facing lifelong challenges. While being highly educated can indeed bring better positions and benefits, I have come to realize that it does not necessarily define the quality of one's life. What truly matters is living with civilized values, something this community largely lacks. Forgive me if this sounds harsh, but in many ways, they live without the values that set humans apart from animals.

When I speak of schooling, I mean learning within a structured environment, whether in religious or conventional education settings. A true education does not just teach facts or job skills; it builds our ability to empathize, respect others, communicate thoughtfully, and understand the broader world. Of course, there are exceptions, but on a general level, education is meant to build not only knowledge but also character and values—qualities that distinguish us and elevate us as humans. When these elements are missing, communities may lack civility and compassion, becoming places where individuals live simply to survive, without awareness of the deeper human qualities that connect us.

I acknowledge that many schools fall short, focusing solely on academic content without nurturing these essential values. This can lead to communities that, despite having knowledge, lack a civil and humane outlook. But even when schools don’t provide a “complete” education, the environment, educators, and peers still leave a lasting impact, instilling a sense of civility and mutual respect. Educated individuals, even if imperfect, generally have a clearer understanding of life’s purpose and the way to live harmoniously with others.

True education, as I see it, provides a framework for how to approach life, relationships, and one’s own responsibilities. It should cultivate virtues like patience, humility, self-discipline, and respect for others—traits that are essential for creating a peaceful and productive society. Without this foundation, people may fail to see beyond their immediate needs and, as a result, miss out on the sense of connection and purpose that comes from belonging to a civil community.

There’s a pure difference between acquiring knowledge and being truly educated. True education, at its core, guides us to live a life filled with values, respect, and understanding. And in environments where these qualities are absent, the impact is visible not only in individual lives but in the entire fabric of the community.

تعلیم کا اصل مقصد: صرف روزگار نہیں، بلکہ زندگی سنوارنا

— نور قریشی

 میں نے ایک ایسے معاشرے میں وقت گزارا ہے جسے آپ کم تعلیم یافتہ یا رسمی تعلیم سے محروم کہہ سکتے ہیں۔ یہاں کے بہت سے افراد کم سطح کی ملازمتیں کرتے ہیں، قلیل تنخواہیں کماتے ہیں، اور زندگی بھر مختلف چیلنجز کا سامنا کرتے ہیں۔ اگرچہ اعلیٰ تعلیم بہتر عہدوں اور سہولتوں کی ضمانت دے سکتی ہے، لیکن میں نے یہ محسوس کیا ہے کہ اس سے زندگی کے معیار کا تعین نہیں ہوتا۔ اصل چیز تہذیب یافتہ اقدار کے ساتھ جینا ہے، جو اس معاشرے میں بڑی حد تک ناپید ہیں۔ شاید یہ سخت الفاظ لگیں، لیکن حقیقت یہ ہے کہ بہت سے افراد ان قدروں کے بغیر زندگی گزار رہے ہیں جو ہمیں جانوروں سے ممتاز کرتی ہیں۔

جب میں تعلیم کی بات کرتا ہوں تو اس سے مراد وہ منظم ماحول ہوتا ہے، چاہے مذہبی تعلیم ہو یا عمومی اسکولنگ۔ حقیقی تعلیم صرف حقائق یا ملازمت کی مہارتیں ہی نہیں سکھاتی؛ یہ ہمیں ہمدردی، دوسروں کا احترام، سوچ سمجھ کے ساتھ بات چیت اور وسیع تر دنیا کی سمجھ بوجھ پیدا کرنے میں مدد دیتی ہے۔ بے شک، استثنات موجود ہیں، لیکن عمومی طور پر تعلیم کا مقصد علم کے ساتھ ساتھ کردار اور اقدار کی تشکیل ہوتا ہے—یہ خوبیاں ہمیں انسان ہونے کا شعور دیتی ہیں۔ جب یہ عناصر مفقود ہوں تو معاشرے تہذیب اور ہمدردی سے عاری ہو جاتے ہیں، اور افراد محض زندہ رہنے کے لیے زندگی گزارتے ہیں، اس انسانی شعور کے بغیر جو ہمیں آپس میں جوڑتا ہے۔

میں یہ بھی تسلیم کرتا ہوں کہ بہت سے اسکول مکمل تعلیم فراہم نہیں کر پاتے اور صرف علمی مواد پر زور دیتے ہیں، جس کے نتیجے میں ایسے معاشرے پیدا ہوتے ہیں جن میں علم تو ہوتا ہے مگر ایک تہذیب یافتہ اور انسان دوست نقطہ نظر کی کمی ہوتی ہے۔ تاہم، یہاں تک کہ جب اسکول مکمل تعلیم فراہم نہیں کرتے، تب بھی وہاں کا ماحول، اساتذہ اور ساتھی طلبا ایک دیرپا اثر چھوڑتے ہیں اور افراد میں تہذیب و شائستگی کا شعور بیدار کرتے ہیں۔ تعلیم یافتہ افراد، اگرچہ مکمل طور پر کامل نہیں ہوتے، مگر زندگی کا مقصد اور دوسروں کے ساتھ ہم آہنگی سے زندگی گزارنے کا شعور رکھتے ہیں۔

میرے نزدیک حقیقی تعلیم ہمیں زندگی، تعلقات، اور ذمہ داریوں کو سمجھنے کا ایک فریم ورک فراہم کرتی ہے۔ یہ ہمیں صبر، انکساری، خود انضباطی اور دوسروں کے احترام جیسی خوبیاں سکھاتی ہے، جو ایک پرامن اور مثبت معاشرے کی تشکیل کے لیے ضروری ہیں۔ بغیر اس بنیاد کے، لوگ صرف اپنی فوری ضروریات کو دیکھتے ہیں اور یوں وہ اس تعلق اور مقصد سے محروم رہتے ہیں جو ایک تہذیب یافتہ معاشرے کا حصہ بننے سے ملتا ہے۔

علم حاصل کرنے اور حقیقی تعلیم یافتہ ہونے میں بہت فرق ہے۔ حقیقی تعلیم کا اصل مقصد ہمیں اقدار، احترام اور سمجھ بوجھ سے بھرپور زندگی گزارنے کی رہنمائی فراہم کرنا ہے۔ اور ان ماحول میں جہاں یہ خوبیاں ناپید ہیں، اس کا اثر نہ صرف انفرادی زندگیوں میں بلکہ پورے معاشرے کی بنیاد میں نظر آتا ہے۔