Rewards in Jannah

WHAT WILL WE HAVE IN JANNAH ?

In league with our lesson yesterday on Bab ur Rayyan... Lil Muallimah was aksing me questions about Jannah. I told her some of the things Allah will grant His blessed people in Jannah, like palaces and fruits and rivers of sweet drink. The most amazing thing my kids always find is the fact that hot will not feel hot and cold will not feel cold made them exclaim with the biggest smile and eyes popping out..."So we'll be able to play with snow without mittens and without snow jackets and snow pants!"  Also, not only will the people of Jannah have rivers of water, milk, honey and non intoxicating wine but will even be able to tell their river to go wherever they want. They be able to grab whatever fruit they want to eat from apples o strawberries all growing on the same tree, without having to climb the tree Subhanallah !

I also found these amazing printables on rewards in Jannah  at Tasheel Tadrees . There also have many other creatively made resources there Mashallah!

A few days back Lil Muallimah had 
made a picture of things she would like to have in Dunya (home) and in Jannah :) May she be able to strive hard in Allah's way to get much more than she can imagine Ameen

I also did an activity with my older Mullims. We all made a list of things we would like to have in Dunya and the things we would like to have in Akhirah. The point of the activity was to see which of the things that we wanted in Dunya would lead us to the things we want in Akhirah the eternal abode.

We got the printable for this Ramadan Planner

Along with all this the middle ones continued another of our family tradition which I will post about in another post. 

Ramadan Prep Part 3

Look deep inside 

your Heart

Ramadan is the BEST time to change ourselves for the better. It is a time to reflect.

Are we what we show ourselves to be ? Are we true to ourselves ? In our hearts of heart we know our own faults. What it is a sin or can turn into one if we do not keep it in check. Do we try to get rid of them ? How do we brush them off ? How do we bring improvement in our selves ? How do we rectify it ? \

Step 1 : Quit the excuses ! Realize it and ACCEPT that it is a mistake (big or small) and it need to be rectified

Step 2 : Quarantine it....isolate it...single it out, so it stands out as a sore so you can consciously avoid it. Sins are not something to be spoken of lightly.

Step 3 : Hold yourself accountable. Find a mukhlis (one who is sincere to you-no better choice than your own parents) who can help you out and keep you in check

Step 4 : Rectify it with Allah.....Make Dua.....Surah Araf Ayah 23

Step 5 : Switch it around. Replace the habit.

Lesson: How to apologize to Allah 

Ramadan Prep Part 1

RAMADAN PREP

We all need reminders. So here are some reminders I want to share with my kids today. In all honesty they are extremely important reminders first and foremost for myself. May Allah help us to achieve the best out of this Ramadan. Ameen

I hope to share my kids thoughts and notes after watching each of these talks Beidhnilah

Lesson One: Why FAST ? 

Lesson 2: Ramadan-The Month of Quran

OVERVIEW:

The Ayahs 183 and 185 of Surah Baqarah discussed in these talks are not new, we read about them, hear about them every Ramadan. What I love about the miracle of Allah's words is that the lessons that can be derived from each ayah seem to be endless Subhanallah ! 

In short there are 2 extremely important points that I derived from these short videos.......

1. Allah has ordained for us to fast in the month of Ramadan so we will HOPEFULLY attain Taqwa in other words hopefully develop the urge to protect yourself. Meaning it is something to be acquired by conscious effort and not an automatic state that one falls in by fasting during Ramadan
2. This one is even more deeper in meaning and calls us to truly ponder on what Allah wants us to.....realize that it is the month of Quran, Not only the month it was revealed and completed in but also a clear sign for us to use Ramadan to derive our own strength and improvement of self. Gain knowledge from it  not only for ourselves but to share it with others. What a wonderful way to get the Ummah right back on track. Hence one cannot help but feel gratitude towards Allah for blessing us with Ramadan, for the knowledge of Quran that we can benefit from, to improve our dunya and akhirah

Learn About Hajj 1

 LABBAIK ALLAHUMMA LABBAIK

I came across this site and simply LOVE how it takes us through the Hajj journey Mashallah. May Allah  reward all responsible in its making ABUNDANTLY. A phenominal effort Mashallah..... 

You will find everything from important information to land marks, timeline, posters and so much more.

Here are a few images from the website Wathekker

SUBHANALLAH !

Check out for yourselves.

HAJJ JOURNEY @ wathakker.info

Mashallah , now that's one definite way of putting your graphic designing talents in good use. A wonderful Sadaqa e Jaria! May Allah increase all those involved in this project in khair to do much more in His way Ameen.

Teaching Quran from Conception to 2 years

TEACHING QURAN PART 1

Assalamo alaikum warahamatullahi wabarakatuhu,

Teaching Quran is a new series of posts I have been intending to start on my blog. I got the final push from this post by Basbusa's Mama on Sugar Cake Diary. Alhumdolillah ! This and the following posts will be part of the Blog Hop: How Do You Teach Quran? she is hosting...Mashallah. I am looking forward to learning new ideas and improving our method where we are lacking Beidhnillah.

Well my journey of teaching my kids Quran started well before they were born....literally! I thank Allah for giving me the right knowledge at the right time...... Subhanallah.

But before I can start talking about what I did... I have to tell how I came about to do that. So please bare with me.

Going through the pregnancy guide book, during my 1st pregnancy I learnt that at 20 weeks (5 months) the unborn fetus can hear sounds from within the mothers body and outside. A new born also recognizes his parents voices and responds to them more than voices of others after birth, as well as other familiar sounds.

Then came a shocking new trend......

What am I talking about...........?

THIS!!!!!!!!!

 Astaghfirullah !

I was shocked to see a picture similar to this in the news paper.   This became the new fad. Making babies listen to classical music in the pretext that it increased their IQ etc. Some hospitals around the world actually started doing this in their nurseries as a rule !!!!!!

Then came Baby Einstein Mozart and many other gadgets fooling innocent new parents into buying them with statements like....

"BABIES can remember melodies they heard in the womb, according to a study."

These notions were backed by different studies and researches done in universities. These researchers discussed how they organized an experiment on several pregnant moms and asked them to listen to a certain type of music during their pregnancy. They were told to stop listening to any music after the babies were born. Then after a month they asked the mothers to bring the babies in for the final test. They exposed each child to the different kinds of musics they had asked the volunteer moms to listen for this experiment to the babies one by one. While the babies showed no interest in other types of music,  their behavior showed a marked difference when THE music THEIR mother had been listening to was played. They showed signs of excitement, happines, calmness and more responsive.

As a Mulsim, there was only one lesson to be taken from this......... the fact that babies hearing starts developing in the womb and they can recognize or respond to more familiar sounds made me think.

Why not Quran ? Why not try and bring about a love for the Quran from before birth. If I deliberately expose my child to any sounds what can be more beautiful than the Quran.

That set me out on my own personal quest Alhumdolillah !

What did I do ?

I started reciting out loud to my babies in pregnancy and after they were born.

Reciting what ?

• the Kalimah 1st thing in the morning
• the daily adhkar
• daily Salat slightly out loud
• the suar (surahs) I knew by heart while I was doing work around the house......

Alhumdolillah :) I tried to do this diligently with my first two at different times of the day, while washing dishses, folding laundry etc. With my other two all this became more automatic as I would remind my older Lil Muallims to do their daily recitations and adhkar.

Did this help ?...... Oh yes it did Alhumdolillah. It did help immensely. Especially to calm my children down when they were crying, got hurt and when trying to go to sleep.

Further on, by continuing this practice, helped my children to actually learn and recite the daily adhkar, suar (surahs) and Salat...... it was more like fill in the blanks Subhanallah !

Over the years, one after the other Allah put so many related articles, news pieces and presentations from Islamic perspective in front of me which I have benefited from.

It has been a wonderful journey full of surprises which I intend to share in the coming posts Beidhnillah !

Want to succeed ?

Assalamo alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu,

Ramadan is almost coming to an end. It's just a matter of hours that we will be standing in the Masjid praying Eid Salah. The last few days are always makes me wonder where time flew and wishing that Ramadan doesn't finish so soon. May we live to see another Ramadan Ameen.

 May Allah accept all our fasting and ibadah and keep us steadfast on His path Ameen.

HOW TO ACHIEVE TRUE SUCCESS

 When the Sahabahs, stood up from a gathering they used to recite Surah tul Asr to remind themselves of not wasting their time in useless activities and never giving up striving in the path of Allah.

The following prtesentation really highlights why it is such an important Surah of the Quran and how crucial it's message is

Success in this life and the Hereafter

A 4 step process very simply said, eloquently described and effectively depicted in less the 8 minutes....... Mashallah !

Please share your reflections

I love Quran

I LOVE QURAN

We made this craft in league with our review of the ayah of Sura tul Baqarah

" Ramdan is the month in which the Quran was sent down ........." Al Baqarah 2:185

Lil Muallimah's simple Quran craft

The pixels on the picture are actually where she wrote her name personalizing it and proudly read "I ....... love Quran." Mashallah!

May Allah fill her heart with true love and understanbding if the Quran. Ameen

Quran Translation

WHAT HAS ALLAH SAID TO US ?

In the past we have discussed the meaning and explanation of the Quran while memorizing surahs, discussing stories of the Prophets or other topics.

This Ramadan by the Grace and Mercy of Allah we have embarked on the Beautiful journey of reading the Translation of Quran from the beginning, while discussing the backgrounds of certain verses and all that comes with it. We are trying to know what Allah has said to us, so we can improve our understanding of the Quran and Allah's expectations from us.... Beidhnillah

We are using Yahya Emerick's .............

Click on image to see inside the book

A kind friend introduced us to this wonderful translation. May Allah make it one the best source of sadaq e jariah for her Ameen. It is indeed a very easy read with kids compared to other translations available. It is unique in it's approach for facilitate understanding for young children. It is a complete running translation of the Quran in simple English with wonderful introduction to surahs or topics,  back grounds of verses, simple illustrations. The best feature in my opinion is the division of Ayahs under headings as the topic changes within a surah. It is a wonderful project and a must have for every home with kids 7-18. May Allah bless and reward all the people responsible for publishing this much needed book.


I am trying to read it with Lil Muallim # 1 and 2, with Lil Muallimah sitting with us at times. I have to admit she can get interruptive at times. Then, boys are boys and can be quite fidgety, so I am trying to keep them engaged by showing them related material and short discussions in the middle, keeping it interactive. I also let them fiddle around with something in their hands, which somehow makes them sit it out for longer.... Alhumdolillah. Within a few days I should be able to figure out the right time for this important work as well as the duration so it runs smoothly (like me not having to close the translation in the middle as  I felt that we were loosing the adab) Baidhnillah!

As we are moving along we hope to make mind maps, watch some short videos, make timelines, maps etc to consolidate our learning. 

Alhumdolillah we have had some moments where I feel Allahs words sinking in to their hearts, with their gaping eyes and serious questions, seeking better understanding. With time I hope for them to crave and ask for the translation time themsleves every day Inshallah!

I pray to Allah to give us istiqamah to continue this task on a daily basis to the end. May He grant me with patience and my children to sit and listen respectfully and diligently. May He enable us to understand, reflect and improve ourselves and guide us to the straight path.... as He is Al Qadir (Al powerful) and Al Hadi (The one who Guides)  

Good Deed Jars

OUR GOOD DEED JARS

In the previous years we have done the good deed tree inspired by Umm Abdul Basir's one. Last Ramadan round I wanted to do something different and thought provoking.

I wanted my Lil Muallims to think beyond "Doing good deeds gets us closer to Jannah!" I wanted them to understand that we have to strive VERY HARD to get it.

 The inspiration for this idea came  from Surah Luqman, while I was making my Ramadan plan for Lil Muallim # 1 . Allah says in ayah 16

 "O my son!" (said Luqman), "If there be (but) the weight of a mustard-seed and it were (hidden) in a rock, or (anywhere) in the heavensor on earth, Allah will bring it forth: for Allah understands the finest mysteries, (and) is well-acquainted (with them)." (translation: Yusuf Ali)

This ayah made me think of  Suarh Zalazalah especially the last two ayahs....

Surah Al-Zalzalah

1. When the earth is shaken to her (utmost) convulsion,

2. And the earth throws up her burdens (from within),

3. And man cries (distressed): 'What is the matter with her?'-

4. On that Day will she declare her tidings:

5. For that thy Lord will have given her inspiration.

6. On that Day will men proceed in companies sorted out, to be shown the deeds that they (had done).

7. Then shall anyone who has done an atom's weight of good, see it!

8. And anyone who has done an atom's weight of evil, shall see it. 

Subhanallah! Could the message and warning be any clearer? 

So here's what I did. I picked up these jars and my box of mustard seeds and told my Lil Muallims that.........

Me: "This year we won't be making the good tree but will record our deeds in a different way."

 I showed them a mustard seed. and discussed how tiny it was. I continued to discuss that "All our good and bad  deeds are collected and as Allah says..... in the surah you have memorized .......

Then shall anyone who has done an atom's weight of good, see it!

And anyone who has done an atom's weight of evil, shall see it.

We will put in one mustard seed for every good deed that you do in this small jar". 

Lil Mualim # 2:  " But they are so tiny!" 

Lil Muallim # 1"That's scary!"

Me:  :):):) "Exactly this way we will see how long it takes to really fill this jar. How much can we fill it in this Ramadan ? And we don't like how it's going then we have to work really extra hard to collect some good deeds. Inshallah that can help us to really understand that getting to Jannah requires a lot of conscious efforts from us in Allah's way. So let's make dua that May Allah guide us and help us to strive to seek His pleasure Ameen"

It was interesting to note their serious faces upon this conversation. Over the days it dawned upon them more and more that it took a lot to actually even the cover the base of the bottle with the mustard seeds. 


By 15 Ramadan, the base was fully covered and then the last ten days were seen as the potential days that would  fill the bottle significantly......:) Alhumdolillah


Plus each child noted how older ones jar was fuller than than their own. I found it a remarkable way of inculcating the desire to do more naturally, noting activities that made the olders ones jars fuller and trying to do it too this your or aiming to do it when they are capable of it. Beidhnillah. 

Ramadan Plan for 10 - Teen

SO MUCH TO LEARN FROM 
SURAH LUQMAN

As I had mentioned in an earlier post that I hope to memorize and review Surah Luqman with Lil maullim #1 this Ramadan Beidhnillah. I don't want to teach it but LEARN it with him together Inshallah! We hope to follow the surah Breakdown from Ramadhan Planner

!!DOWNLOAD!!

Luqman Memorization Schedule as PDF


If we follow the schedule we should be able to memorize the Surah in 3 weeks Inshallah.



 I went through the translation and made a synopsis of the topics it covers. I found I could do Islamic History, Aqidah, Science, Math, World history and more through this 34 Ayah Surah Subhanallah! The topics can be covered to any depth according to the age level Inshallah! 


So here's our potential Lesson Plan..... Oh Allah please grant us success.........!


!!DOWNLOAD!!

Luqman Weekly Lesson Schedule as PDF

Please Note: The topic breakdown is only an outline and will be done in further detail Inshallah!

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim

WEEK 1

Day 1

Ayah 1-4: Momineen & Quran

• What makes one a momin ?
• Who are the momineen ?
• What are the rewards promised for them?
• What other names has Allah used for the Holy Quran?

Day 2

Ayah 5-6: Lahwal Hadith, Nijaat, Azaab

• What comes under Lahwal hadith and how to avoid indulging in it?
• What helps the momin get nijaat ?
• Discuss some azaab of Jahnnum

Day 3

Ayah 7-9: Arrogance and Submission

• examples of people from history showing arrogance and their end
• Comparison of the Jaza of the arrogant and the submitters

Day 4

Ayah 10: The wonders in Creation

• creation of the heavens and the earth and what is between them
• Water cycle
• Creation in pairs

Day 5

Ayah 11: Disbelievers

• What makes the challengers challenge?
• How did they challenge ? What was the result
• Find incidences throughout history showing examples of challengers?

Day 6 & 7

Review and Quiz for all topics covered

WEEK 2

Day 8

Ayah 12-13: Luqman

• Who was Luqman?
• Luqman's advise to his son
• What makes you a Muslim?
• Explain Shukr 
• Dicuss examples of gratefulness and ungratefulness to Allah
• Explain Shirk in depth

Day 9

Ayah 14: Parents

• Importancee and ruling about Parents

Day 10

Ayah15: Condition of disobedience to parents

• Define obedience to parents examples from Islamic Stories
• What is the ONE and ONLY condition of disobeying parents

Day 11

Ayah 16-17 Power of Allah & Behaviour

• How do you witness Allah as the All Powerful, All Seeing and All Knowledgable
• fussing, complaining complaining to arrogance

Day 12

Ayah 18-19: Allah's opinion on the arrogant & staying on the middle path,

• not to turn away from others in arrogance
• understanding the middle path 
• importance of talking politely.... How did Rasulallah Sallalaho alaihi wasallam speak
•  Why doesn't Allah like the sound of donkeys ?

Day 13 & 14

Review and Quiz for all topics covered

WEEK 3

Day 15

Ayah 20 : The Wisdom and Purpose of creation

• How do all of Allah's creations show their submittance to Him 

Day 16

Ayah 21 - 22 : Following the ancestors, Wahi, A'aqibatul Umoor

• Examples of disbelievers preference to the way of their ancestors 
• How did the companions of the Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho alaihi wasallam react when aa any revelation came ?
• Explain submission and the term A'qibatul Umoor

Day 17

Ayah 23-24: Message to the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihi wasallam)

• What was the message given to the Prophet Muahmmad Sallallaho alaihi wasallam?
• Can success in dunya be judged as His favour ?
• What about the hardships the Prophets faced.. they were among the most favored by Allah 

Day 18

Ayah 25-26: Creation and Praising Allah

• recognizing all creations as Signs of Allah, discussing some unique examples Subhanallah!
• Praising Allah through extensive dhikr and more.....

Day 19

Ayah 27-28: Understanding the depth of Praising Allah

• How many trees and water are there in the world
• discuss global warming and deforestation and study some statistics, it's reasons and effects from an Islamic perspective
• Can we really do justice in praising Allah the Majestic ?

Day 20 & 21

Review and Quiz for all topics covered

WEEK 4

Day 22

Ayah 29: Changing of the night and day

• Understanding the science behind the changing on day and night Subhanallah
• study facts about sun and moon

Day 23

Ayah 30-31:  pagan gods and pagan practices, ships

• discuss ancient and current civilizations involved in idol worship
• the science and wonder of how ships float, buoyancy, evolving designs of boats and ships in history
• Who can Truly Note the signs

Day 24

Ayah 32: Storms, times of Calamity

• study facts about wave formation, storms, whirlpools and oceans
• other natural calamities
• actions of people in times of calamity and peace

Day 25

Ayah 33: Taqwah & The Day of Judgement

• define and understand taqwah and qualities of a muttaqi
• what will happen on the Day of judgement ( May Allah protect us Ameen)

Day 26

Ayah 34: Allah is All Knowledgeable

• Only Allah knows......?
• rain, the development of a baby in the mothers womb
• death, when where and how
• rewards for deeds accepted or not

Day 27 & 28

Review and Quiz for all topics covered


Support Material

Beidhnillah I hope to use the many helpful religious, nature and history resource books, nature and history documentaries and a few ebsites.