A Maktab is an Islamic school or class which caters for the elementary Deeni education of children from the age of 5 or 6 years. In our era, cause for great lament is the displacement and phasing out of this holy system of imparting Deeni education. The worst aspect of this unholy displacement is that the destruction of this 14 century system of Ta’leem is being effected by molvis who have betrayed Islam. Muslims are completely ignorant of the value of the Maktab system and the vital role it plays in the preservation of Imaan. Imaam Raazi (rahmatullah alayh) narrated the following wonderful episode which highlights the value and importance of the Maktab.
Once Hadhrat Nabi Isaa (alayhis salaam) passed by a grave wherein the inmate was suffering severe punishment. After some time when he passed by the same grave, he observed Angels of Rahmat (Mercy) at the grave. The punishment had been lifted, and the Noor of Maghfirat (celestial light of forgiveness) had enshrouded the grave.
Nabi Isaa (alayhis salaam) supplicated to Allah Ta’ala to unravel the mystery. Allah Ta’ala revealed to him: “O Isaa! This man was a great sinner, hence the punishment. When he had died he was survived by his pregnant wife. A boy was born. When the child was of Maktab age, his mother had him admitted to the Maktab. On the first day of the child’s admission, the Ustaadh taught him to recite Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem. I could not tolerate punishing him under the ground when his child was taking My Name above the ground.”
It was the Maktab which was the medium for the cessation of the severe punishment.
