Engaging Our Madrasah Parents in Rabi‘ al Awwal

A Parent is a Child’s First Teacher

At the heart of every madrasah is one simple goal: to nurture our students’ hearts and minds, guiding them to become strong, deendaar individuals.

But let’s be honest, this sadly isn’t always easy. Many of our students go home to families who may not be as connected to Deen, making our work inside the madrasah only part of the journey.

Here’s something we often overlook: madrasahs can actually gradually influence parents too. By engaging families, even in small ways, we can create a ripple effect that strengthens both students and the community.

With Rabi‘ al Awwal approaching, a month dedicated to remembering and learning about Rasulullah ﷺ, it’s the perfect time to think about ways to involve parents alongside their children.

Practical Ways to Engage Parents This Month

1. Workshops & Classes

• Lessons for Parents: Offer a short Seerah lesson or workshop focused on the Shama’il or Akhlaq of Rasulullah ﷺ.

• Coffee Mornings: Invite mums for a relaxed discussion over a Seerah book or an inspiring book on Rasulullah ﷺ.

• Parent-Focused Sessions: Teach parents lessons that mirror what their children are learning, this helps create continuity between madrasah and home.

2. Family Challenges & Activities

• Reading Together: Encourage parents to read Seerah with their children. Share PDFs or recommend simple books for family reading.

• Salawāt Challenge: Invite families to make a pledge to recite Salawāt together daily.

• 40 Hadith Challenge: Start a family memorisation challenge, fostering learning and bonding at the same time.

• Lineage Memorisation: Encourage families to learn the lineage of Rasulullah ﷺ together, it’s short but filled with barakah.

3. Weekly Engagement & Resources

• Reminders & Tips: Send weekly Seerah facts, dua suggestions, or reminders for families.

• Resource Sharing: Give parents a glimpse of what their children are studying this month so they can follow along at home.

• Durood & Nasheeds: Introduce parents to famous Durood books or inspiring nasheeds related to Rasulullah ﷺ.

• Quizzes & Incentives: Host a Seerah quiz for parents, with small sponsored prizes, think gift vouchers, books, or even a reward like an Umrah package.

4. Student-Led Parent Engagement

• Seerah Jalsa: Let students present a short jalsa for parents, watching their children teach inspires and motivates families.

• Exhibitions: Organise a Seerah exhibition where students showcase projects, artwork, or calligraphy, inviting parents to explore and learn.

Why This Matters

When we involve parents, we’re not just supporting students in their memorisation or studies, we’re building a home environment where the love of Allah, and the love of Rasulullah ﷺ is alive, and where learning carries on long after madrasah hours.

Small, consistent efforts, like sharing a weekly reminder or running a family challenge, can gradually inspire parents to take a more active role in their children’s spiritual growth. By thinking creatively this Rabi‘ al Awwal, your madrasah can strengthen families, students, and the wider community all at once.

Quick Tips for Madrasah Leaders

1. Keep it simple: Start with one or two initiatives, then build over time.

2. Make it social: WhatsApp groups or weekly newsletters are great tools.

3. Celebrate small wins: Share stories of families who engaged, this motivates others.

4. Blend learning with fun: Challenges, quizzes, and exhibitions make engagement enjoyable.

5. Consistency matters: Weekly reminders or short activities keep families involved month after month.

Rabi‘ al Awwal is a special month. By involving parents, we’re not just teaching students, we’re nurturing entire families in the love of Rasulullah ﷺ.