Montessori and Muslim: Can you be both?

In short, yes. You can be a Muslim and you can follow the Montessori philosophy. 

In fact, I will outline why I think implementing the principles of Montessori may even make you a better Muslim!

First, what is the Montessori philosophy? 

Maria Montessori was a physician who studied young children and used her observations to develop what is called the Montessori method. It is an educational method but its principles can be applied to parenting too.

At its core, the Montessori approach is about respecting the child and trusting the child’s inner teacher. 

Maria Montessori observed the children like the scientist she was: without interference, with objectivity, with an open mind and with a desire to uncover the ‘truth’.

Through her countless observations, she discovered a significant commonality: that all children have an inner drive to learn about the world; it is not the adult who places that in them, it is already there. Children are naturally curious about the world and everything in it, and are keen to be active participants in this world.

How do Maria Montessori’s discoveries about the child align with Islam’s teachings?

As Muslims, we may recognise that ‘inner teacher’, or the innate curiosity to learn about the world, as part of the child’s ‘fitra’, the natural disposition of a human.

This drive towards learning can actually be seen as the innate drive towards tawheed, the natural inclination to know Allah, the One Creator. The child subconsciously seeks closeness to Allah through seeking knowledge of and through his beautiful creations.

This is supported in the Qur’an as Allah repeatedly encourages us to reflect on the signs in the creation (among other signs) which always lead back to Allah.

While Montessori was not a Muslim, she was a Christian and believed wholeheartedly in God and saw the evidence of God in the children she observed.

Respect for the child in Montessori and Islam

In the early 1900s, when Montessori was alive, children were not regarded as fully capable human beings worthy of the respect and reverence you would attribute to an adult. They were to be ‘seen and not heard.’

Having learned so much about the child’s potential and their incredible mind, she fiercely advocated for adults to shift their perspective of children and to respect them as individual human beings. 

Similarly, Islam recognises and values the worth of the child. Children are treasured and parenthood for Muslims is a weighty responsibility. 

Our interactions with and treatment of children will come under scrutiny on the Day of Judgement. It is well known that the Sunnah (way) of the Prophet was to be gentle, kind and playful with children. He never chastised them and always treated them with the respect they were due.

Montessori’s focus on nature aligns with Islam

As mentioned previously, Montessori discovered that the child has a natural curiosity about their surroundings, but in particular, the natural world.

Science tells us again and again how beneficial it is for children to be outdoors in nature, for exercise, for clearing the mind and releasing energy, for freedom of movement and building a secure and strong immune system.

It is not surprising then, how much value the Qur’an places on nature and all its immeasurable benefits such as the life-giving properties of water and fruit or the healing properties of honey. This kind of experiential learning – learning through real life, natural experiences – is totally supported and encouraged in Islam.

Montessori’s cosmic education and Islamic views on the universe

Montessori believed that children needed to cultivate a connection with the world to help them ultimately understand themselves and their connectedness to the universe in which they lived. 

This is known as the Montessori cosmic education – it teaches the child about the universe, the world, the continents, the countries, the cities and towns and communities within them, and the family network.

Montessori understood deeply how we as humans are connected to the cosmos and she believed that it was crucial that children learned this too – to enable them to become active citizens who took care of their world.

Allah teaches us in the Qur’an that he entrusted the world to our care, and as its caretakers it falls upon us – it is our duty as Muslims – to look after the earth and its creatures. The fact that the Montessori educational approach actively encourages this demonstrates how closely aligned it is with Islamic values.

True purpose of existence in Montessori and in Islam

As mentioned earlier, children are naturally inclined towards nature and as Muslims we can recognise this as the innate pull towards Allah. Montessori believed that the true purpose of humans, when guided properly and allowed to flourish without the impositions of adults, would achieve their true purpose – to be peacemakers on earth. 

In Islam, social justice is a core tenet and arguably no Muslim can be considered a Muslim if they don’t strive – in some way or other – to enjoin what is just and shun what is unjust.

Indeed, many stories of the Prophets (for example, the story of Musa or ‘Moses’) teach crucial lessons about the requirement to fight for justice, even when it is difficult.

Personally, the fact that there is even a focus on the cause of social justice embedded into an educational theory is striking to me (especially as a qualified teacher with experience in public school settings where students are essentially taught through a traditional (whitewashed) curriculum to comply, accept the status quo and not ‘rock the boat’ – but we won’t go into all that right now!)

As a Muslim, it fills me with confidence that I know the Montessori educational approach complements my religious beliefs at a deeper level.

Montessori Practical Life and Preparing to be a Muslim

As you will have already gathered from what you’ve read so far, nothing is superficial with Montessori – she understood that there is a deeper understanding and a higher purpose behind children’s actions.

As a parent, you may have noticed how keenly children, even as young as little babies and young toddlers, want to be involved in daily life. 

They reject their toys in favour of the vacuum cleaner.

They reject playtime to join you in the kitchen to help you cook.

They want to touch your things and do what you do.

Why is this? 

Children are intrinsically motivated from birth to want to become an active part of their immediate community – the family unit. 

Montessori noted these behaviours in the children she observed, took her observations very seriously, respected that there was a true purpose behind these behaviours that was guiding the children, and developed the Practical Life curriculum in response. It includes lessons in care of self, care for the environment and grace and courtesy towards others.

So when children want to help us clean and cook and put things where they belong, what they are really telling us is that they want to take care of their immediate world.

A deeper observation would lead us to realise this is in preparation for life as a citizen of the earth – and from an Islamic perspective, we can see this as preparation to take on the role given to us by Allah – to be the khalifah, or caretaker, of Earth. 

What other educational methodology recognises the inner drive of children like this? It truly does amaze me.

There are so many aspects to the Montessori method that really speak to me as a parent and as a Muslim. 

So to go back to the start – does knowing and implementing the Montessori approach with your Muslim children make you a better Muslim?

I believe, potentially yes! (Allah always knows best.)

I truly believe that taking the time to learn about my children through the Montessori and Islamic lens combined, has helped me become a more caring, patient and understanding mother. 

Insha’Allah, this has made me a better Muslim with regards to my duties as a parent and I pray Allah continues to guide me and increase my learning.

May Allah do the same for you, whatever approach you take to your children’s education, and may we all strive to be better Muslims for the benefit of all. Ameen.