Harry Potter

Bismillah

Wa'alaikumu Salaam Sister,

Good point. Perhaps it is due to little attention given by Muslims(except vey few) in developing books and materials for children that could facilitate the Message of the Quran and help them percieve God's Creation.

Today's kids are excited with the powers of Spiderman, they deduct their idea of the Last Hour from science fistion the like of Armageddon, they aspire to seat in the Council of Jedis, they are assisted in confusing their orientation through Teletubbies and Barny... and as far as Islam is concerned  - it is all about explosions, fire, tears, black smoke, prohibition, anger and punishment. They want to live in maginary world, the world that does not reflect the reality.     

It is indeed alarming what fruits will be reaped from the seeds we plant today.

Dear Angel,

I don't think you will ever get it either .

There is nothing wrong with fun, or even a bit of fantasy or mystery.  But, sorcery and magic are evil and forbidden by Allah.  Letting children (who are too young to understand the true concepts of good and evil) read fun, exciting books that glorify sorcery and magic is not good for them. 

Harry Potter and friends, by what I understand from reviews, use magic and sorcery to fight evil.  Fighting evil is a good thing.  Fighting evil with evil makes no sense.

Fun in our lives? - absolutely!  Magic and sorcery? - no way.

Peace, ummziba.

Ah, yes - it's just a book.

Books are full of ideas.  This makes them extremely versatile.  They can open minds to an endless possibility of ideas.  They can inspire, repulse, teach, influence, titilate, encourage, discourage, remind, enrapture, ...

For all the above reasons, books are wonderful for adults.

For all the above reasons, they can shape the minds of children.  Because of this, responsible parents need to be aware of the influence books can have on young minds.

As a work of fantasy, Harry Potter, can be harmless.  For Muslim parents trying to instill Islamic values in their children, this book can make something Allah considers evil (sorcery and magic) seem like all fun and games.  Therein lies the pitfall for which parents need to be aware.

Imagination is a big part of childhood but I would argue it is not a part of learning to love religion.  Learning to love religion, more precisely, learning to love Allah, is strictly reality.

Just as we would never allow our children unlimited access to the internet or television with out good guidance - so should we offer guidance about what they read.

Peace, ummziba.

ummziba wrote: Ah, yes - it's just a book. Books are full of ideas.  This makes them extremely versatile.  They can open minds to an endless possibility of ideas.  They can inspire, repulse, teach, influence, titilate, encourage, discourage, remind, enrapture, ... For all the above reasons, books are wonderful for adults. For all the above reasons, they can shape the minds of children.  Because of this, responsible parents need to be aware of the influence books can have on young minds. As a work of fantasy, Harry Potter, can be harmless.  For Muslim parents trying to instill Islamic values in their children, this book can make something Allah considers evil (sorcery and magic) seem like all fun and games.  Therein lies the pitfall for which parents need to be aware. Imagination is a big part of childhood but I would argue it is not a part of learning to love religion.  Learning to love religion, more precisely, learning to love Allah, is strictly reality.

I agree with your post.

Might I add, also with holy scriptures and books

Just as we would never allow our children unlimited access to the internet or television with out good guidance - so should we offer guidance about what they read. Peace, ummziba.