I always found it bizarre that in the Education section of the University Library there were rows and rows of shelves of books dedicated to the maintenance of discipline, and about half a shelf of books concerning pupil motivation. I always felt that there was a confusion there that went to the very heart of the problems in our education system.

There's no doubt about it, the debate on the teaching of moral values is set to run and run, as teachers talk of a collapse of discipline, and exclusion seems to be the only affordable solution.  But can we really expect teachers to instill good behaviour into children on behalf of the community? Isn't it probable that our children will always be more inclined to mirror the values of society at large?

Qur'an says that God won't change a people until they change themselves. First we must decide which is likely to be more effective, education by example or that which says "Don't do as we do, do as we tell you". Then, if our kids choose to ignore us, we must decide if persuasion or punishment is the most suitable response.

For muslims, there's no distinction between religion and politics, nor any separation between religion and education in our lives. But as Qur'an says quite clearly, there can be no compulsion in matters of religion. Persuasion and co-operation are needed if moral values are to thrive.

Our values are dependent upon Faith. A materialist is ultimately forced to see values in terms of numbers, something to be quantified, and inevitably ends up knowing the cost of everything and the real value of nothing. But even though it may be impossible to measure morality with a materialistic yardstick, that doesn't mean that lack of values doesn't have a social cost.

For morality to make any sense it must be set in a context of Justice, and that is something much greater than the law. What is man made and administered is inevitably flawed, subject to miscarriage and ineffectuality. It's hard to trust a system in which the selfish can grow fat while innocent children starve. We need a more persuasive reason for selflessness and generosity.

True Justice requires an Afterlife, where we get what we deserve, where the Balance is restored by appropriate punishment or reward. Without an understanding of this, it's difficult to comprehend morality. Belief in God and the Afterlife is not an illogical extra, it makes sense of all our lives.