#Educational Value

In this chapter, the author presents childrearing not as a personal duty of parents, but as a national, spiritual, and generational responsibility. Education here means not merely teaching behavior, but cultivating the soul, shaping worldview, and refining consciousness.

Key insight:

“A child without upbringing is an internal threat to the future of the nation. Education is the foundation of both sharia and tradition.”

The author stresses the importance of nurturing not only intellect, but also the heart, intuition, and inner emotional world of the child. Traditional Kazakh pedagogy is built not on control, but on alignment with the child’s inner world, via example and subtle influence.

Examples:

“Telling a child ‘be good’ is not enough. You must let them feel goodness, see it, absorb it.”
 “The Kazakh did not discipline by force, but by instilling shame — not external judgment, but an internal compass.”

He identifies three pillars of true education:
 – Language — shapes thought;
– Example — shapes perception;
– Prayer (duğa) — nourishes the heart.

The chapter emphasizes not only parental responsibility but also the social and spiritual environment that forms a child’s values.

Main topics:
 – Education as spiritual cultivation
 – Quranic ideas about prenatal and maternal influence
 – The Kazakh proverb: “What one sees in the nest, one carries into flight”
 – Core values: faith, shame, respect, patience
 – Parents educate less with words, more with who they are

In this chapter, the author presents the Islamic practice of circumcision (sünnet) not merely as a medical or hygienic procedure, but as a ritual of deep spiritual and national significance. Sünnet is not only a requirement of sharia — it marks the transition of a boy into spiritual readiness and moral responsibility.

The author writes:

“Circumcision purifies not the body, but the spirit. It is the child’s first invisible promise to the Creator.”

Thus, the ritual is framed as a spiritual seal, a moment of covenant between the child and God — symbolizing entry into a life of faith and dignity.

He critiques the modern tendency to treat sünnet primarily as a festive event, where its educational and sacred purpose is often lost. In Kazakh society, it is widely celebrated, but children are rarely taught its inner meaning or spiritual implications.

The chapter explores:
 – Circumcision as both a religious obligation and ethnic rite of passage
 – Preparing the child emotionally and mentally enhances the experience
 – Physical pain reflects spiritual growth
 – Modern medicine eases the process but cannot replace its symbolism
 – Blessings, advice, and prayer impart a lifelong spiritual code

The author calls for re-contextualizing the ritual, shifting the focus from form and celebration to its role in shaping character and instilling sacred values.

In this chapter, the author treats food not merely as physical sustenance, but as a medium of spiritual influence. Every meal, he suggests, carries energy and affects the heart and mind. Thus, the source of the food, the manner in which it is acquired, the intention behind eating, and the etiquette of consumption all fall under the domain of spiritual discipline.

While the chapter reviews Islamic dietary laws — including what is halal (permissible) and haram (forbidden) — the author emphasizes that sharia goes beyond a list of allowed and prohibited items. It considers the moral and intentional context: how food is earned, shared, and respected.

A striking example from Kazakh tradition:

“If a Kazakh began eating without saying ‘Bismillah’, it was seen as arrogance. Since food is a gift from Allah, to eat without acknowledging the Giver was viewed as spiritual blindness.”

The Kazakh saying “You are not above the food” is interpreted here as a reminder that food is a sacred trust (amanat) from God — and how we treat it reflects our level of awareness and gratitude.

Key points explored in the chapter include:
 – Halal and haram not just as labels, but based on source and sincerity
 – Supplications before and after meals
 – Shared eating as a gesture of communal bonding
 – Avoiding food waste as a sign of respect for divine provision
 – Excess and carelessness as symptoms of ingratitude

The author critiques modern food culture — fast consumption, overeating, and indifference to ingredients — as spiritual erosion in daily life. He encourages a return to intentionality, modesty, and sacred etiquette at the table.