Bismillah. When we came to the month of Rajab, one of our Hijri Calendar activities was learning about the four sacred months:
The sacred months are Rajab, Dhu’l-Qa’dah, Dhu’l-Hijjah and Muharram. These are what are referred to in the verse (interpretation of the meaning):
“Verily, the number of months with Allaah is twelve months (in a year), so was it ordained by Allaah on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth; of them four are Sacred (i.e. the 1st, the 7th, the 11th and the 12th months of the Islamic calendar). That is the right religion, so wrong not yourselves therein”
The sacred months are: Rajab, Dhu’l-Qa’dah, Dhu’l-Hijjah and Muharram.
Al-Bukhaari (4662) and Muslim (1679) narrated from Abu Bakrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The year is twelve months, of which four are sacred: three consecutive months, Dhu’l-Qa’dah, Dhu’l-Hijjah and Muharram, and Rajab Mudar which comes between Jumaada and Sha’baan.
These months are called sacred for two reasons:
1- Because fighting therein is forbidden unless initiated by the enemy
2- Because transgression of the sacred limits therein is worse than at other times.
Hence Allaah has forbidden us to commit sins during these months, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):
“wrong not yourselves therein”
[al-Tawbah 9:36]
Although committing sins is haraam and forbidden during these months and at other times, in these months it is more forbidden.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Safar - The Second Hijri Month
Information about Safar
(taken from ZamZam Magazine's website - http://www.zamzam-magazine.com/January2010/islamic_calendar.html)
“Safar is the second month of the Islamic calendar.
The month of Safar comes after Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar.
The Literal meaning of Safar is Empty.
The Arabs were warring nations. Small disputes would easily turn into wars that will last for years and years and sometimes were inherited by generations to come. They usually did not fight during the four sacred months even in the days of Jahiliyya (Pre Islamic Ignorance).
The sacred or war free months were Muharram (1st month of the Islamic Calendar), Rajab (7th month of the Islamic Calendar), Dhul Qa'dah (11th month of the Islamic Calendar) and Dhul Hijjah (12th month of the Islamic Calendar).
Right in the beginning of the month of Safar, houses used to become empty because the ban on fighting and traveling during three consecutive months - Dhul Hijjah, Dhul Qa’dah and Muharram came to an end, and everyone proceeded to settle scores with their rivals. Most houses in most villages were emptied.
In this month people of Makkah also traveled after the customary ban during the sacred months of Muharram, and the two sacred months preceding it was over; emptying their villages or habitations. These travels were either related to trading or battles, both of which were banned during the sacred months.
Going out to fight their enemies and leaving them empty handed after taking away their possessions, may have been another reason for the name Safar (Sifran min al-mata’) – i.e., they would leave their enemies’ coiffeurs empty and take all their belongings away. (Lisan al-‘Arab)
Many Muslims, with improper knowledge of Islam, have superstitions about this month being a month of misfortunes.
The Holy Qur-an has provided clear guidelines about such superstitions:
مَا أَصَابَ مِن مُّصِيبَةٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ ۗ وَمَن يُؤْمِن بِاللَّهِ يَهْدِ قَلْبَهُ ۚ وَاللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
"No calamity befalls, but with the Leave [i.e. decision and Qadar (Divine Preordainments)] of Allah, and whosoever believes in Allah, He guides his heart [to the true Faith with certainty, i.e. what has befallen him was already written for him by Allah from the Qadar (Divine Preordainments)], and Allah is the All-Knower of everything."
Surah (Chapter) At-Taghabun (Mutual Loss and Gain) 64:11
Islam does not have any room for superstitious beliefs. Muslims should not believe in any inauspicious days, weeks, months or years, there are no people, houses or things that bring bad luck.
The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم also condemned these in the following Ahadith (Sayings of Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), especially related to the month of Safar.
"There is no bad omen in the month of Safar and no evil spirits." (Muslim)
(taken from ZamZam Magazine's website - http://www.zamzam-magazine.com/January2010/islamic_calendar.html)
“Safar is the second month of the Islamic calendar.
The month of Safar comes after Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar.
The Literal meaning of Safar is Empty.
The Arabs were warring nations. Small disputes would easily turn into wars that will last for years and years and sometimes were inherited by generations to come. They usually did not fight during the four sacred months even in the days of Jahiliyya (Pre Islamic Ignorance).
The sacred or war free months were Muharram (1st month of the Islamic Calendar), Rajab (7th month of the Islamic Calendar), Dhul Qa'dah (11th month of the Islamic Calendar) and Dhul Hijjah (12th month of the Islamic Calendar).
Right in the beginning of the month of Safar, houses used to become empty because the ban on fighting and traveling during three consecutive months - Dhul Hijjah, Dhul Qa’dah and Muharram came to an end, and everyone proceeded to settle scores with their rivals. Most houses in most villages were emptied.
In this month people of Makkah also traveled after the customary ban during the sacred months of Muharram, and the two sacred months preceding it was over; emptying their villages or habitations. These travels were either related to trading or battles, both of which were banned during the sacred months.
Going out to fight their enemies and leaving them empty handed after taking away their possessions, may have been another reason for the name Safar (Sifran min al-mata’) – i.e., they would leave their enemies’ coiffeurs empty and take all their belongings away. (Lisan al-‘Arab)
Many Muslims, with improper knowledge of Islam, have superstitions about this month being a month of misfortunes.
The Holy Qur-an has provided clear guidelines about such superstitions:
مَا أَصَابَ مِن مُّصِيبَةٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ ۗ وَمَن يُؤْمِن بِاللَّهِ يَهْدِ قَلْبَهُ ۚ وَاللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
"No calamity befalls, but with the Leave [i.e. decision and Qadar (Divine Preordainments)] of Allah, and whosoever believes in Allah, He guides his heart [to the true Faith with certainty, i.e. what has befallen him was already written for him by Allah from the Qadar (Divine Preordainments)], and Allah is the All-Knower of everything."
Surah (Chapter) At-Taghabun (Mutual Loss and Gain) 64:11
Islam does not have any room for superstitious beliefs. Muslims should not believe in any inauspicious days, weeks, months or years, there are no people, houses or things that bring bad luck.
The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم also condemned these in the following Ahadith (Sayings of Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), especially related to the month of Safar.
"There is no bad omen in the month of Safar and no evil spirits." (Muslim)
Hijri Calendar Introduction
HIJRI INTRODUCTION
What is the Hijri Calendar?
The Hijri calendar is how Muslims keep track of the time and dates.
We start counting the years from the year that the Prophet (saw) and his followers made Hijra from Makkah to Madinah. It has been 1431 since the Hijra, so the current year is 1431 AH (after Hijri)
Why do we start counting the years from the Hijra?
Once the Prophet (saw) migrated to Madinah, the Muslims established the first Islamic state and society.
How many months are in each Hijri year? How many days?
There are twelve months in each Hijri year.
Allah Most High tells us in the Holy Qur’an: “Verily, the number of months with Allaah is twelve months (in a year), so was it ordained by Allaah on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth; of them four are Sacred (i.e. the 1st, the 7th, the 11th and the 12th months of the Islamic calendar). That is the right religion, so wrong not yourselves therein…”[al-Tawbah 9:36]
The Hijri calendar is a lunar calendar. Each month is one complete lunar cycle. Lunar cycles (the time it takes from hilal to hilal) is 29.5 days. So lunar months are either 29 or 30 days.
12 months X 29.5 days = 354 days
What are the names of twelve Hijri months? Which names do you know already? What are the four holy months?
The four Holy months are: Dhu’l-Qi’dah, Dhu’l-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab.
Why is it important to keep track of the hijri months?
Not all times are the same. Allah Most High has made some days and months special. Can you think of any examples?
-Ramadan, Layltul Qadr, the two Eids, the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, the day of Arafat, Ashura, etc.
Know your Birth date!
Some Islamic rulings are related to your age. But the ruling applies to your age by the Hijri calendar, not the solar calendar. To keep track of your age by the Hijri calendar, you need to know your Hijri birth date.
You can find your Hijri birth date very easily online by logging on to http://www.islamicfinder.org/Hcal/hdate_gr.php
Go to the year you were born in the Gregorian calendar and find out what day that was in the Hijri calendar.
For more of a challenge, try to figure it out without the converter. Each lunar year is 11 days shorter than each solar year. Can you figure it out?
Jinn Scavenger Hunt
Here are the questions for an educational scavenger hunt to help children learn about the Jinn. We did this game as part of learning about creation month. It was a sequel to the Angels scavenger hunt already posted below. The questions are posted in the comments (Still don't know how to cut and paste into the real blog - sorry)
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Wise Poet - Introduction to Poetry
Assalamu alaykum
Here is one of the club activities that we did today. The other was a really cool ancient math activity.
We are going to start doing monthly writing projects, insha'Allah. The plan is to collect the children's writings and arrange them into a book insha'Allah.
To introduce poetry, we learned the story of Al-Tufayl (ra), one of the companions of the Prophet (as). He was a well-known poet who embraced Islam and made successful daw'ah to his people, the Daws.
Information was taken from the children's book "the Wise Poet" by Khurram Murad.
To learn the story (without reading it straight... because that doesn't work well with our group sometimes), the story was summarized and split into sections. The children's job was to work together to put the sections in the right order by focusing on the story line.
After they put the first half of the story in order, we shared the end of the story - about how Tufayl called his people to Islam. (First in a harsh and unsuccessful way... and then after being advised by the Prophet, as, he successfully called them to Islam with good manners and compassion.)
Once we finished learning his story, we introduced poetry. And as a group, we made our first poem! We wrote Tufayl's name (TUFAYL) vertically and worked together to followed each letter with a phrase that described who he was and what he did.
The writing project for this week is for each child to compose this type of poem using their own first name. We reminded the children about the importance of avoiding self-praise. We encouraged them to write traits that they may aspire to have, or write phrases that describe who they are.
If you missed club today, you can still encourage your child to participate in this project. We will share our poems at the next club day insha'Allah and also collect a copy of each poem so that we can start compiling the book insha'Allah.
Here is one of the club activities that we did today. The other was a really cool ancient math activity.
We are going to start doing monthly writing projects, insha'Allah. The plan is to collect the children's writings and arrange them into a book insha'Allah.
To introduce poetry, we learned the story of Al-Tufayl (ra), one of the companions of the Prophet (as). He was a well-known poet who embraced Islam and made successful daw'ah to his people, the Daws.
Information was taken from the children's book "the Wise Poet" by Khurram Murad.
To learn the story (without reading it straight... because that doesn't work well with our group sometimes), the story was summarized and split into sections. The children's job was to work together to put the sections in the right order by focusing on the story line.
After they put the first half of the story in order, we shared the end of the story - about how Tufayl called his people to Islam. (First in a harsh and unsuccessful way... and then after being advised by the Prophet, as, he successfully called them to Islam with good manners and compassion.)
Once we finished learning his story, we introduced poetry. And as a group, we made our first poem! We wrote Tufayl's name (TUFAYL) vertically and worked together to followed each letter with a phrase that described who he was and what he did.
The writing project for this week is for each child to compose this type of poem using their own first name. We reminded the children about the importance of avoiding self-praise. We encouraged them to write traits that they may aspire to have, or write phrases that describe who they are.
If you missed club today, you can still encourage your child to participate in this project. We will share our poems at the next club day insha'Allah and also collect a copy of each poem so that we can start compiling the book insha'Allah.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Problem sovling with Prophet Dawud (a) and Prophet Sulaiman (as)
Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatUllah
This was the fourth game planned for "Harvesting Month Game Day." We actually didn't play it with the kids yet (we are saving it until next week) -- so no one disclose this top secret information with the kids yet!
We wanted to develop a game to encourage the children to think out of the box to solve a real life problem, similar to how the Prophet Yusuf (as) had to solve the problem of the forth coming famine after he interpreted the king's dream.
Through discussion and scaffolding, we hoped to encourage the children to realize a number of things:
- characteristics of good leadership
- hadith that states how leaders will be asked about those under their guardianship
-importance of implementing justice based on the shariah when judging between people
-importance of be compassionate
- not all problems have only one right answer
- great leaders are people who consider all the options and find the best answers, which benefit everyone involved
- leaders should not be arrogant. rather, they should seek help when someone else may know more than they do.
All of these lessons are present in the story related in the Qur'an about a situation that the Prophet Dawud (As) was faced with during his kingship.
The discussion prompts are posted below in the first comment.
jazakAllah khayr
This was the fourth game planned for "Harvesting Month Game Day." We actually didn't play it with the kids yet (we are saving it until next week) -- so no one disclose this top secret information with the kids yet!
We wanted to develop a game to encourage the children to think out of the box to solve a real life problem, similar to how the Prophet Yusuf (as) had to solve the problem of the forth coming famine after he interpreted the king's dream.
Through discussion and scaffolding, we hoped to encourage the children to realize a number of things:
- characteristics of good leadership
- hadith that states how leaders will be asked about those under their guardianship
-importance of implementing justice based on the shariah when judging between people
-importance of be compassionate
- not all problems have only one right answer
- great leaders are people who consider all the options and find the best answers, which benefit everyone involved
- leaders should not be arrogant. rather, they should seek help when someone else may know more than they do.
All of these lessons are present in the story related in the Qur'an about a situation that the Prophet Dawud (As) was faced with during his kingship.
The discussion prompts are posted below in the first comment.
jazakAllah khayr
Zakah on Crops Math Problems
assalamu alaykum wa rahmatUllah
This was our second club day this month and we planned an all day game day - with games related atleast somewhat to this month's theme: "Harvesting."
One game was questions related to the Story of Yusuf (as). The kids, who were asked to study the story at home, were divided into teams and competed against each other to answers questions about the story correctly. Hopefully the sister who prepared this game will be able to post those questions to the blog soon insha'Allah.
The second game was Arabic Fruits and Veggies Bingo. The kids really had fun with this one!
The third game that was planned (but we actually decided to save it until next time because the kids were a little too tired to focus...) was a problem solving game. Details will be posted in the following blog insha'Allah.
The fourth game, which is posted here, was a number of math problems related to zakah on crops. Zakah on crops is due at the time of harvest. To solve the problems, the children needed to learn some of the basic rulings of paying zakah on crops. They also needed to:
- learn about the concept of percentages and how to calculate percentages
- use skip counting by tens and fives
- demonstrate knowledge about "greater than" and "less than" to determine whether a farmer owes zakah
- use addition to determine the total weight of each farmer's harvest.
There are two different sets of problems for children at different levels.
I still have a problem cutting and pasting into the blog, so the actual document is pasted below in the first comment. Hope that many of us can benefit insha'Allah
This was our second club day this month and we planned an all day game day - with games related atleast somewhat to this month's theme: "Harvesting."
One game was questions related to the Story of Yusuf (as). The kids, who were asked to study the story at home, were divided into teams and competed against each other to answers questions about the story correctly. Hopefully the sister who prepared this game will be able to post those questions to the blog soon insha'Allah.
The second game was Arabic Fruits and Veggies Bingo. The kids really had fun with this one!
The third game that was planned (but we actually decided to save it until next time because the kids were a little too tired to focus...) was a problem solving game. Details will be posted in the following blog insha'Allah.
The fourth game, which is posted here, was a number of math problems related to zakah on crops. Zakah on crops is due at the time of harvest. To solve the problems, the children needed to learn some of the basic rulings of paying zakah on crops. They also needed to:
- learn about the concept of percentages and how to calculate percentages
- use skip counting by tens and fives
- demonstrate knowledge about "greater than" and "less than" to determine whether a farmer owes zakah
- use addition to determine the total weight of each farmer's harvest.
There are two different sets of problems for children at different levels.
I still have a problem cutting and pasting into the blog, so the actual document is pasted below in the first comment. Hope that many of us can benefit insha'Allah
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
BismiAllah Placemats
Today we made placemats to help the children remember to always begin eating in the Name of Allah, and remember to thank Allah Most High for the food and drink He provides for us, insha'Allah.
Below is a link that will give you instructions on how to make a woven placemat out of construction paper.
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/kwanza/placemat/
Obviously, the children can select any colors they like instead of the ones mentioned on the link.
We printed "Bismillah" in Arabic and "Alhamdulillah" on card stock and let the kids glue these words on their placemats once they have finished the woven pattern.
You can also add reminders about proper manners for eating on the mat.
Its best to have the mats laminated if you actually plan on using them...
Below is a link that will give you instructions on how to make a woven placemat out of construction paper.
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/kwanza/placemat/
Obviously, the children can select any colors they like instead of the ones mentioned on the link.
We printed "Bismillah" in Arabic and "Alhamdulillah" on card stock and let the kids glue these words on their placemats once they have finished the woven pattern.
You can also add reminders about proper manners for eating on the mat.
Its best to have the mats laminated if you actually plan on using them...
ANGEL SCAVENGER HUNT
Assalamu alaykum. Great club day today! I am going to try to start posting the weekly activities that I prepare to the blog so that we can refer back to them, in case anyone wants to re-do or reinforce. Hopefully it will also be a benefit to other homeschools who check our blog. A lot of us put a lot of work into our activities, so insha'Allah we can increase our reward by sharing it with others.
Below are clues created for an ANGEL SCAVENGER HUNT. These clues will have to be modified when used in any other setting, because they were made to fit a particular house and a particular group of kids. But most of them will work...
We used a special perfume that all the kids got to smell and put on at the end of the scavenger hunt as a "prize."
I think its best to present the activity as a cooperative effort instead of a competition. The kids work together to find the clues and share the prize at the end.
Questions and answers were adopted from the information presented in the book: "The World of the Noble Angels" by Omar Ashqar
Below are clues created for an ANGEL SCAVENGER HUNT. These clues will have to be modified when used in any other setting, because they were made to fit a particular house and a particular group of kids. But most of them will work...
We used a special perfume that all the kids got to smell and put on at the end of the scavenger hunt as a "prize."
I think its best to present the activity as a cooperative effort instead of a competition. The kids work together to find the clues and share the prize at the end.
Questions and answers were adopted from the information presented in the book: "The World of the Noble Angels" by Omar Ashqar
Monday, October 5, 2009
"Homeschooling and Loving It" Book Review
assalamu alaykum sisters
A sister in our group recently gave out several copies of "Homeschooling and Loving It," written by Rebecca Kochenderfer. I was able to read it this past week, and I encourage other sisters to take a look at it when they get a chance.
Copies are still available at homeschool.com - I believe they are free but you need to pay for shipping.
Since most of us are homeschooling elementary-aged children, not all of the chapters and activities will apply because some of it is definitely targeted at parents homeschooling highschool aged children. I might plan on revisting them several years done the road...
The goal of each chapter is to help the homeschooling parent formulate and achieve goals that will make homeschooling more efficeint, effective and enjoyable. The first chapters actually focus on goal setting in and of itself, both for the long term and the short term. Later chapters discuss things like organization and time management. Each chapter includes suggestions and advice from other homeschoolers, and an activity to help you acheive the goal of that chapter.
I think many of the suggestions and activities are helpful, but only some will work for our unique situations. For example, the author encourages children to set semester long goals in different subjects... I dont think that will work for a five year old.
Of course, as Muslim parents, we formulate our goals and standards based on Qur'an and Sunnah. Alhamdulillah, we already know the major end goals of our homeschooling efforts. So we don't need to brainstorm and day dream about what we want our children to become... Still, I think the activities are helpful because its good to state these goals clearly and be specific. Yes, we want our children to be Mu'mineen... but how do we get there? Do you we our children to memorize the entire Qur'an? Do we want our children to love the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) more than they love themselves? Stating clear goals and making a plan to reach those goals will help us plan the smaller steps to get there insha'Allah.
Lastly, I believe we need to add a big dose of humbleness to this book for it to be an effective tool for us, insha'Allah. All guidance comes from Allah Most High, not from our efforts as homeschooling parents - no matter how hard we try or how much we do. And I don't agree that we should strive to support our kids in whatever desires or passions they may have at that time, and try to blow up their "Self esteem" as high as possible. Of course, its good to follow their interests, and create a passion for learning... but in the end, I want my daughter to have taqwa, to be humble, and to have restraint.
You will probably understand this last comment more as you read the book. I just noticed myself getting attracted to the dunya when I start to think about how I could help my daughter do anything she wants to do... become whatever she wants to become... try whatever she wants to try. And I had to stop myself and realize that while I love the flexibility of homeschooling, that attitude is extreme.
Hope this review helps in some way and has some benefit. Anything good I said was from Allah Most High and anything incorrect or bad was from me. May Allah protect our families, ameen.
A sister in our group recently gave out several copies of "Homeschooling and Loving It," written by Rebecca Kochenderfer. I was able to read it this past week, and I encourage other sisters to take a look at it when they get a chance.
Copies are still available at homeschool.com - I believe they are free but you need to pay for shipping.
Since most of us are homeschooling elementary-aged children, not all of the chapters and activities will apply because some of it is definitely targeted at parents homeschooling highschool aged children. I might plan on revisting them several years done the road...
The goal of each chapter is to help the homeschooling parent formulate and achieve goals that will make homeschooling more efficeint, effective and enjoyable. The first chapters actually focus on goal setting in and of itself, both for the long term and the short term. Later chapters discuss things like organization and time management. Each chapter includes suggestions and advice from other homeschoolers, and an activity to help you acheive the goal of that chapter.
I think many of the suggestions and activities are helpful, but only some will work for our unique situations. For example, the author encourages children to set semester long goals in different subjects... I dont think that will work for a five year old.
Of course, as Muslim parents, we formulate our goals and standards based on Qur'an and Sunnah. Alhamdulillah, we already know the major end goals of our homeschooling efforts. So we don't need to brainstorm and day dream about what we want our children to become... Still, I think the activities are helpful because its good to state these goals clearly and be specific. Yes, we want our children to be Mu'mineen... but how do we get there? Do you we our children to memorize the entire Qur'an? Do we want our children to love the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) more than they love themselves? Stating clear goals and making a plan to reach those goals will help us plan the smaller steps to get there insha'Allah.
Lastly, I believe we need to add a big dose of humbleness to this book for it to be an effective tool for us, insha'Allah. All guidance comes from Allah Most High, not from our efforts as homeschooling parents - no matter how hard we try or how much we do. And I don't agree that we should strive to support our kids in whatever desires or passions they may have at that time, and try to blow up their "Self esteem" as high as possible. Of course, its good to follow their interests, and create a passion for learning... but in the end, I want my daughter to have taqwa, to be humble, and to have restraint.
You will probably understand this last comment more as you read the book. I just noticed myself getting attracted to the dunya when I start to think about how I could help my daughter do anything she wants to do... become whatever she wants to become... try whatever she wants to try. And I had to stop myself and realize that while I love the flexibility of homeschooling, that attitude is extreme.
Hope this review helps in some way and has some benefit. Anything good I said was from Allah Most High and anything incorrect or bad was from me. May Allah protect our families, ameen.
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