The other night, as I tucked Khawlah and Thauban into bed, Khawlah asked me a question that made me pause:
“Papa, when we’re big, what kind of work will we do?”

It’s a simple question, but beneath it lies the real challenge of parenting today:
We’re raising children not just for 2030 — we’re raising them for Akhirah.

What the World Says

I recently came across a chart titled “The Core Skills for 2030” from the World Economic Forum.
It lists skills like:

• Resilience, flexibility, and agility
• Curiosity and lifelong learning
• Empathy and active listening

And as I looked at each one, I couldn’t help but think…
These aren’t new skills. Our deen taught us these 1400+ years ago.

What Islam Already Taught Us

Resilience?
The Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) buried his children, was boycotted, bled in Uhud, and was mocked in Ta’if. Yet he remained patient and forgiving.

“Be patient over what befalls you. Indeed, that is of the matters [requiring] determination.”
(Surah Luqman 31:17)

Curiosity and lifelong learning?
The Qur’an is filled with divine invitations to explore, reflect, and question.

“Do they not look at the camels—how they are created?”
(Surah Al-Ghashiyah 88:17)

The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:

“Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.”
(Sunan Ibn Majah, 224) – Authenticated by Al-Albani

Empathy and active listening?
The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) would stop for a child, pause for a grieving woman, and even stand for a non-Muslim funeral, saying:

“Was it not a soul?”
(Bukhari, 1311; Muslim, 961)

These “future skills” are actually Prophetic skills — rooted in compassion, presence, and excellence.

Unschooling With Intent

In our home, we unschool.
Not because it’s trendy.
But because it gives our kids space — the same space the companions had with the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم):

• To ask questions
• To make mistakes
• To reflect and grow with sincerity

When Ubay takes apart old electronics just to understand “how it works,” he’s not wasting time. He’s obeying the Qur’anic spirit:

“And He gave you hearing, sight, and hearts — little are you grateful.”
(Surah As-Sajdah 32:9)

The Skills that Matter in Dunya & Akhirah

So when Khawlah asked me what she’ll do when she’s older, I didn’t say “doctor” or “engineer.”
I said:

“Whatever you do, let it help people. Let it keep your heart close to Allah. And do it with ihsaan.”

Because the skills employers are finally starting to value — emotional intelligence, lifelong learning, reflection, resilience — they were always part of Islam’s blueprint.

And more importantly: they aren’t just valuable in the dunya. They’re rewarded in the Akhirah.

A Dua for the Future

May Allah make our children:

• Resilient like the Prophets
• Curious like Ibrahim عليه السلام
• Compassionate like Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم
• And patient like Ayyub عليه السلام

Because one day they’ll enter a world where machines will know everything.

But it’s only the heart that truly understands anything.

“The Day when neither wealth nor children will benefit [anyone] — except one who comes to Allah with a sound heart.”
(Surah Ash-Shu’ara 26:88–89)