Aslum U Alikum, I am an 8th grader going into high school and the high school I would like to go to is an all-boys Christian private high school. I chose this high school because there were no Islamic High schools and because the school my mother wants me to go to is a charter school, ranked 7/10. One of the main reasons I want to go to this school is because of sports, but this school is also ranked 10/10 and to add on to, religious classes only take place on Friday. My mother is concerned that going to this school will make me lose my iman and I have tried to counter this in many ways such as listening to Bayyinah BTV and Zaniab center lectures and taking many other Islamic classes but not so much about academics because I am an A Student. If you are to respond to this please email me at raynaseem2006@gmail.com. Thank you for your time and consideration.
الجواب وباللہ التوفیق
In general the environment of schools and colleges these days is having a damaging effect on the Islamic and moral values of students. It is not a hidden reality anymore.
Studying in schools of high rankings which are devoid of true religious teachings may assist children in their worldly successes, but those gains come only with the loss of their true Islamic identity and eventual weakening of their Islamic faith.
Religious knowledge is best acquired from Islamic institutions. TV programs are neither a good source of Islamic knowledge nor should they be watched and listened for that purpose.
Attending the high ranked school’s religious class once a week or even once a year is not acceptable.
If there is a close by school which incorporates Islamic environment is better to enroll into, even though its ranking may be relatively lower.
In these testing times, it is necessary more than ever to associate with a local religious scholar for true guidance and to listen to the talks of ulema-e-Haq to learn true understanding of Islam.
فقط والسلام