Cultivating the Heart of Education: IISO Hosts HEART Model Workshop Inspired by Surah Luqman

Hussam Zaineh
2 days ago
2 min read

HEART Model Workshop: Tarbiyah in Action - Hosted by IISO — **HEART Model Workshop hosted by IISO**

On Monday, December 29, 2025, the International Islamia School Otsuka (IISO) proudly hosted a transformative professional development workshop titled “Cultivating the Heart of Education through Prophetic Tarbiyah.”The session was led by Mr. Wadood Hassan, Principal of Muraqaba School (USA), and attended by educators from IISO, YUAI, and Al‑Sanad School.

This workshop explored how Islamic principles—rooted in the timeless wisdom of Surah Luqman—can shape school culture, student well‑being, and holistic development in modern educational settings.

The HEART Model: A Framework Rooted in Surah Luqman

Dr. Wadood introduced the HEART Model, a spiritually grounded approach inspired by Luqman’s advice to his son. The model emphasizes nurturing the inner life of students so that academic excellence grows from a foundation of spiritual clarity and emotional well‑being.

H – Heal in Allah’s Presence (Mindfulness)

Cultivating حضور القلب (presence of the heart) through short, guided practices such as:

sitting quietly with Allah for 3 minutes,
mindful istighfaar,
deep breathing (mind–body–heart alignment).

E – Engage with Purpose

Helping students act with intention, sincerity, and awareness of their higher purpose.

A – Active with Gratitude

Encouraging daily habits of shukr to strengthen resilience and positive thinking.

R – Rise with Patience

Teaching students to navigate challenges with sabr, emotional regulation, and trust in Allah.

T – Thrive with Compassion

Building a school culture grounded in mercy, empathy, and kindness—reflecting Allah’s names Ar‑Rahman and Ar‑Raheem.

Allah‑Centered School Culture: From Knowledge to Experience

A central theme of the workshop was the shift from teaching information to creating experiences. Mr. Wadood emphasized that:

“The heart of education is the education of the heart.”

To nurture character and identity, schools must intentionally design an Allah‑centered experience culture, where students feel spiritually connected throughout their day—not only during Islamic Studies.

This includes:

teacher‑led mindfulness practices,
integrating dhikr and reflection into routines,
modeling adab through presence and calmness,
connecting learning to purpose and gratitude.

Tarbiyah: Nurturing the Whole Human Being

Drawing from the Qur’anic concept of Rabb → Murabbi → Tarbiyah, the workshop highlighted that true Islamic education nurtures the mind, body, and heart together.

Tarbiyah is:

gradual,
holistic,
compassionate,
and rooted in mercy.

Emotional well‑being directly influences:

Spiritual growth
Character development
Academic excellence

This aligns deeply with IISO’s mission to provide a balanced, values‑driven education for every learner.

Home Habits: Strengthening Family Bonds

The workshop also introduced a Home Habit Policy encouraging families to spend two device‑free hours together each evening. This simple practice strengthens emotional connection, communication, and spiritual grounding—key components of Prophetic Tarbiyah.

A Collaborative Effort for Islamic Schools in Japan

We were honored to welcome educators from YUAI and Al‑Sanad School, strengthening our shared commitment to nurturing the next generation of confident, compassionate, spiritually grounded Muslim youth in Japan.

The workshop was organized by International Islamia School Otsuka (IISO).

Lunch was generously provided, and participants enjoyed a meaningful afternoon of learning, reflection, and community building.

Moving Forward

At IISO, we believe that education begins in the heart and radiates outward into character, behavior, and academic achievement. This workshop reaffirmed our commitment to building a school culture where students experience: