Tale#2: Grandpa Ahmed Just Dropped Some Tech Wisdom on the Block
A Fresh Take on Modern Parenting Styles!
The evening breeze carried a hint of warmth as Grandfather Ahmed stepped inside the house after his usual walk. His white beard swayed gently with his movements, and his sharp eyes scanned the living room, instantly locking onto the familiar sight of his grandchildren, Zayn and Sara, sitting in front of a laptop. Their eyes gleamed with focus, their small voices sweetly repeating after their online Quran teacher, their faces glowing under the soft light of the screen.
A smile formed beneath Grandfather Ahmed’s gentle eyes and Grecian nose. He had heard about their classes before, but seeing it firsthand was an entirely different experience. He adjusted his glasses and leaned on his cane, his heart swelling with admiration as he listened in.
The teacher on the screen, a kind-looking man with a soft Arabic accent, spoke with warmth and encouragement. “MashaAllah, you both are doing so well today!” he praised. “You are reading with such confidence, and your pronunciation is improving beautifully.”
Zayn and Sara beamed with pride, sitting up a little straighter, their young voices eager to absorb every bit of wisdom.
The teacher continued, “Now, before we end, let me tell you something beautiful. Cleanliness is not just about our bodies and homes, but our hearts and minds too. Keeping yourself clean, helping your mother tidy up, making sure your school desk is neat—these are all part of being a good Muslim.”
Zayn and Sara nodded enthusiastically, their young minds absorbing every word.
“Yes, Ustadh!” they chimed in unison.
“Wonderful! Now, go help your mom today, and always remember: a clean space leads to a clean mind.”
The class ended with warm goodbyes, and as soon as the screen dimmed, both kids turned around, spotting their grandfather watching them with a proud smile. They ran to him, arms wide open.
“Salaam, Grandpa!”
He chuckled, hugging them tightly. “MashaAllah, my bright stars! You two were amazing.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out two chocolates. “A little treat for my Quran scholars.”
Sara’s eyes sparkled. “Thank you, Grandpa!” She unwrapped hers immediately, savoring the sweetness, while Zayn held onto his, looking up at him with curiosity.
Grandfather Ahmed settled onto the couch, stroking his beard thoughtfully. “You know, when I was your age, we had to walk miles to sit with a teacher and learn Quran. Rain or shine, we would carry our wooden tablets, memorizing the verses under the shade of a tree.”
Zayn tilted his head. “So you didn’t have online classes?”
Grandfather Ahmed laughed heartily. “Not even close, Dear! No internet, no screens, no digital tools. Just us, our teacher, and our little wooden Quran boards.”
Sara crinkled her nose. “That sounds so hard.”
He nodded, leaning forward. “It was, but we loved it. And that’s why I admire how you kids are using technology in such a good way. But…” he paused, letting his words sink in, “…you must remember that cleanliness isn’t just about your room or your school desk. Your teacher was right, but there’s something even more important.”
Zayn and Sara exchanged glances, intrigued. “What is it, Grandpa?”
He tapped his chest. “Your Imaan and your Niyyah—your faith and your intentions. Those need to stay clean too, even when no one is watching.”
Sara’s brows furrowed. “How do we clean them?”
He smiled, appreciating her curiosity. “By being honest. By making sure whatever you do, you do it for the right reasons. When you help your mom, do it because you truly want to, not just to hear ‘good job.’ When you pray, do it because you love Allah, not because someone is watching. And in this age of AI, social media, and video games, you need to be extra careful. The digital world can be a great place, but it can also be a trap. You must make wise choices.”
Zayn sat up, intrigued. “Like how?”
Grandfather Ahmed’s eyes twinkled. “Use technology to learn! Ask your AI assistant to tell you Quran stories instead of silly jokes. Search for hadiths on topics you wonder about and discuss them with your Quran teacher. There are apps that help with Quran memorization—try them out. Instead of getting lost in endless TikToks, use the internet to gain knowledge. That’s how a true Muslim should use technology.”
Sara gasped. “That actually sounds cool!”
Grandfather Ahmed grinned. “And let me tell you something even cooler. Maybe one day, Zayn, you’ll design an AI that helps people learn Quran even better than now. And maybe Sara, you’ll create a game that teaches kids about the Quran in a fun way.”
Zayn’s eyes widened. “I could do that?”
“Of course! The sky is the limit. You kids are the future, and I want to see you take over the world with your knowledge and technology. Be strong, be wise, and always remember—use tech to uplift, not to waste time.”
Sara nodded with determination. “I like that. I’m gonna learn more about Islamic apps!”
Grandfather Ahmed chuckled. “That’s my girl!” He sat back and stretched his arms. “I may be an old man, but I’m an advanced Grandpa, okay? I keep up with the times!”
The kids burst into laughter. “Yeah, you are, Grandpa!”
That night, as they lay in bed, Zayn and Sara whispered excitedly about all the things they would do.
“I want to find the best Quran learning app tomorrow,” Sara whispered.
“And I’m going to ask Dad if I can learn coding so I can make my own one day,” Zayn said, his voice full of excitement.
Their grandfather’s words had sparked something deep within them—an understanding that faith and technology were not opposing forces, but powerful tools that could uplift them.
As the moonlight streamed through their window, they fell asleep with dreams of a future where learning the Quran was easier than ever, where technology was used to spread goodness, and where they—two young, bright Muslims—could shape the world in ways their grandfather could only have imagined.
And in the living room, Grandfather Ahmed sat in his chair, smiling to himself. The world had changed, but the essence of faith remained the same. His grandchildren were growing up in a digital era, but with hearts rooted in deen. And that, he thought, was the greatest blessing of all.
The special thing about time is that it never moves backward. And the same goes for technology—it never stops evolving. Every day brings something new, something more advanced. For those of us who grew up in the ‘80s, ‘90s, or even earlier, we’ve seen technology transform before our eyes. Things have changed drastically, but the key is to see it not as a threat, but as an opportunity—a powerful tool to spread and strengthen Islam.
Parenting today, especially in the West, comes with its challenges. But instead of fearing technology, we should encourage our kids to stay connected with it and guide them to use it positively. When we place trust in them and provide the right guidance, we pave the way for a brighter future for the next generation of Muslims.
At AlQuranClasses, we are on a mission to blend technology with the expertise of our dedicated Ustadhs to ensure kids have the best resources to learn the Quran using the latest advancements.
So, how do you encourage your kids to use technology in a positive way? Share your experiences—because every experience matters.