Parenting Perspective 

When a school begins to present luxury as a measure of success, whether through extravagant events or by giving more recognition to wealthier families, it can distort a child’s understanding of achievement. Children may start to believe that owning luxury items or living a glamorous lifestyle is the primary goal, which can overshadow timeless values like honesty, effort, and kindness. 

The Harmful Effects on Children 

This materialistic definition of success can be damaging in several ways. 

• It creates a loss of balance, leading children to admire wealth alone while dismissing those with simpler lifestyles. 

• It puts pressure on a child’s identity, as a child from a modest family may feel inadequate, while a wealthier child may develop arrogance. 

• It can lead to strained motivation, as children begin to chase material markers to feel valued, rather than focusing on learning and personal growth. 

Helping Children to See Beyond Luxury 

Parents can provide a powerful counter-narrative to these harmful messages. 

• Talk openly about what true success means in your family: good character, faith, and making a positive contribution to the world. 

• Celebrate your child’s personal achievements at home, no matter how small, to reinforce that their effort is what matters most. 

• Share real-life examples of people who earned respect through their hard work and sincerity, not just through their wealth. 

• Encourage gratitude and humility as core family values, so that children learn to appreciate their blessings without constant comparison. 

Through these steps, parents can restore a healthier perspective and protect their child from the pressure to equate self-worth with luxury. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam teaches that true success is measured by one’s faith, gratitude, and righteous actions, not by worldly luxury. When a school promotes wealth as a key indicator of achievement, it contradicts this core principle, making it essential for parents to guide their children back to a faith-centred understanding of what it means to succeed. 

The True Measure of Success in Islam 

The Quran defines success not through worldly status but through the inner state of a believer, particularly their humility in worship. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Mu’minoon (23), Verses 1-2: 

‘ Indeed, success is for the believers; Those people who are focused in their prayers with true humility.‘ 

This verse reminds us that ultimate success is tied to faith and devotion, not to material possessions. 

Prophetic Guidance on Inner Richness 

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught his followers that the greatest form of wealth is not material but spiritual. 

It is recorded in Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 6446, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Wealth does not consist in having great possessions, but wealth is contentment of the soul.’ 

This profound hadith reinforces the idea that inner richness and contentment are the true markers of a successful life, not luxury. 

By grounding children in the Quranic view of success, parents can help them resist the shallow definitions often promoted by society. This nurtures humility and resilience, fostering a sense of self-worth that is based on sincerity and closeness to Allah, ensuring children grow up valuing what truly matters over fleeting luxuries.