1 Salah

 

And enjoin prayer upon your family [and people] and be steadfast therein. We ask you not for provision; We provide for you, and the [best] outcome is for [those of] righteousness. (20: 132)

The Prophet  صلى الله عليه وسلم said: 

مُرُوا أَوْلاَدَكُمْ بِالصَّلاَةِ وَهُمْ أَبْنَاءُ سَبْعِ سِنِينَ وَاضْرِبُوهُمْ عَلَيْهَا وَهُمْ أَبْنَاءُ عَشْرِ سِنِينَ وَفَرِّقُوا بَيْنَهُمْ فِي الْمَضَاجِعِ

“Order your children to be punctual in Salah when they attain the age of seven years, and when they attain the age of ten years hit them for abandoning Salah and provide them with separate beds” [Abu Dawud]

A day of celebration! My youngest just turned 7 and started Salah.

Subhanallah! Such an amazing moment to see a child standing in front of Allah تعالى.

Indeed, Salah is a gift that was given by the Almighty to our beloved Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم after a huge tragedy in his life, the loss of 2 close ones who were his pillars of support, physically and emotionally (His beloved uncle Abu Thalib and dear wife Khadeeja رضى الله عنها).

Subhanallah, we fail to understand the beauty and the true essence of Salah.

Umar رضى الله عنه said while standing on a pulpit, “A man might have white hair in Islam (i.e. he reaches old age while Muslim), yet he has not completed even one Salah for Allah the Exalted! He was asked why that is, and he answered, “He does not perfect the prayer’s required Khushu.” [Al Ihya]

In fact, Salah is the tool for us to navigate through the challenges of life, may it be of happiness or immense sadness.

As Ibn Al-Qayyim رحمه الله says “Sadness departs with a sajdah. Happiness comes with a sincere Du’a.”

May Allah تعالى make us among those who perform their Salah with all its due requirements and accept it out of His mercy!

 

Here are some worksheets we did from TJ Homeschooling

A mini book on sutra

Some of the books we used

 A lovely handmade journal from Abi

And a little note from me to make her understand how special this day is…

Also, would like to share this wonderful book of Salah, very useful.

Finally, the amazing course my older ones are doing on the Vocabulary and Linguistic Beauty of Salah by Shaykh AbdulNasir Jangda, Meaningful Prayer really, a mind-blowing session and brings a lively feeling in our Salah, Subhanallah.

Now comes the beautiful video that my elder two did ;)

Worth celebrating this day to instill the love of Salah in the hearts of little ones, so that they remember how valuable and important act of worship it is.

This opens the mind in learning more about Salah and getting to know the beauty of it until our last breath escapes from the lips whilst engaged in this divine act of worship.

My Lord make me an establisher of prayer, and [many] from my descendants. Our Lord, and accept my supplication. (14:40)

0 New Grade - Muharram 1441

Alhamdulillah, we have been blessed with another year by the grace of Allah. Another year, another opportunity to invest for our eternal life.

The beautiful journey of home educating is something I love deeply and it’s a part of my life. Learning is something that happens every day, every hour, every minute, and every second.

Each occasion and situation molds you and makes you who you are. What is important is that everything taking place in life should connect us to our Lord, the Almighty. Every stage in our life is unique and teaches us something.

As parents we have a role to play in each stage of our child’s life, from birth to death. This journey begins with excitement, frustration, crafts and fun. Then comes the time of concentrated studies, different interests and different involvements.

This wonderful journey that once began with toddlers and babies are now with a teenager and kids, Masha Allah.

All what I learn through this is, just the way we seek knowledge, it’s also important to seek deepening, wisdom and connection.

May Allah the Almighty accept all our deeds done for his sake, and grant us and our progeny eternal success in both worlds, Ameen!   

The Lovely journal cover Kintsugi Jar by artist Martin Howard

Kintsugi (金継ぎ?, きんつぎ, "golden joinery"), also known as Kintsukuroi (金繕い?, きんつくろい, "golden repair"), is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum, a method similar to the maki-e technique. As a philosophy, it treats breakage and repair as part of the history of an object, rather than something to disguise.

0 A Letter to Abdullah Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما

Reading aloud has been an enjoyable part of our family for many years, Alhamdulillah.

This is an amazing and refreshing moment to begin our day by uplifting ourselves together as a family. It brings out the stories of pious predecessors to enlighten our dead hearts to ponder over their heroic achievements in both worlds, SubhanAllah!

There is nothing more valuable that we can give our kids than instilling the love of the Creator and his beloved Prophet صلی الله عليه وسلم and the companions رضي الله عنهم who preserved and passed the truth from generation to generation.

Reading to them molds and cultivates the truth in their pure hearts. I feel that every family should enjoy their own reading sessions to lighten up their hearts with the truth. 

This is a letter from my 6-year-old to Abdullah Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما that she wrote after we read out the book “Child Companions Around the Prophet صلی الله عليه وسلم”

Ibn Abbas’s رضي الله عنه story has captured her heart and she wanted to tell him how glad she was to know about him.

Finally, she said to me, “Ummi I’ll take it with me when I die. So, I can give it to him when I meet him in Jannah.” As she was about to finish writing she was asking me, “Ummi, how will he understand it because he knows only Arabic?”  I told her InshaAllah we will be able to speak Arabic in Jannah.

May Allah keep us among the righteous company in this world and the next! Ameen.

0 Readers are Leaders

Alhamdulillah, back again with the grace of Allah تعالی  with a project of our Little Sister on reading.

As we know, the early revelation revealed to our beloved prophet  صلى الله عليه وسلم was to read.

Subhanallah, reading to kids and they reading to me [circle time], pondering over the real stories of the prophets, companions, heroes and everlasting after life is a thrilling moment in my life. It is something that connects our minds to the event, era and scene of the story.

Reading is something that rekindles the dead heart and empowers our spirit. However, the pleasure and fueling of the soul comes only if the child is meeting the requirements of a good reader.

I would like to quote some of the characteristics a reader needs, to enjoy his reading, according to the National Institute of Literacy:

• Fluency: being able to read quickly and accurately. Fluent readers recognize words automatically. They are able to group words quickly to help them get the meaning of what they read. When fluent readers read aloud, they read smoothly and with expression. Their reading sounds natural, like speech…

• Vocabulary and knowledge of the world: vocabulary is the name for words we must know in order to listen, speak, read and write effectively. Time and again researchers have found strong connection between the size of children’s vocabularies, how well they comprehend what they read, and how well they do in school…  Children learn vocabulary in two ways: indirectly, by hearing and seeing words as they listen, talk, and read directly by parents and teachers teaching them the meaning of certain words. Vocabulary and knowledge of the world are, of course, very closely tied together. Children who know something about the world are much better able to understand what they read about in school.

• Comprehension: comprehension means getting meaning from what we read. It is the heart of reading. If children can sound out the words but do not understand what they are reading, they are not really reading.

Making children connected to books from a tender age is a great way to make them learn and get to know many things easier and quicker.

By the way, here are some shots of the project.

The book we used for the project

Getting to know the parts of a book

 

A mini booklet on how to handle a book

 

  

 The chapter she chose for the comprehension work was “pain and hope”

 

May Allah make us among those who read and practice the truth!

1 Tikiri Baba by Yasodhara Pathanjali (Book Review)

The book “ටිකිරි බබා” (Tikira Baba) is so interesting in its context and art. The colorful art of nature along with the sweet dream of the story takes a child into an exotic world.

Indeed, a beautiful work of color and thoughts really connects the mind of a child to the beautiful creation around them. 

My 5 year old really enjoys it and as she could not understand Sinhala, she wanted me to translate it into English several times, as she loved it so much and enjoys the beauty of art while I translate it to her.

Of course, it is a wonderful work of combining both, the colorful creation of God, and the fascinating thoughts of little children together.
 

Keep up with the Job sister Yasodhara!!!

Find her homeschool page @ Wildberries Go Exploring

0 Story of Zamzam

Alhamdulillah, we are in the sacred month of Dhul Hijjah, almost at the end of the year 1439.

Subhanallah, it is so astonishing to see time moving swiftly by the will of Allah… and the rapid growth of our children.

Little Sister, the little one of the family is in her process of learning new things and this is one of her project for this blessed month. It is the story of Zam Zam, a part taken from the storybook that we did few years ago for our Little Soldier… LINK

Masha Allah, she was so happy to learn about the little baby Ismail, and also how the water of Zam Zam gushed forth.

Although she is a bit lazy to write, she was eager to do this, as it was interesting with coloring and other activities.

Finally, we pray that Allah Ta’ala make us and our progeny among those who humbly submit to His commands at all times!

0 Ahlil Qur'an (Characters of People of the Qur'an)

Alhamdulillah, it’s a great blessing to be born as a Muslim, and it’s another great blessing to be guided on the straight path, the path of the righteous and the path of the chosen ones, upon whom Allah bestows understanding of the Deen.

Subhanallah, being able to enjoy the beauty of the Noble Qur’an is a great gift from Allah. Today we are back again with a beautiful poem on “The Character of the People of the Qur’an”. 

I was amazed by this reflecting poem (I came across in a book, which I got from Al Huda Institute), and thought that it would be nice to share it with others.

Alhamdulillah, my daughters were able to put it together as an inspiring video. I hope that Allah accepts this humble effort of ours. May he give us the understanding of his Deen, and make us among the people of Qur’an! 

0 Kids Halaqah 1439 (2018)

Alhamdulillah, by the grace of Allah we are getting closer to the blessed month of Ramadan. May Allah help us reach this blessed month in a healthy way so that we are able to do more good deeds Insha Allah.

This is all about our Kids Halaqah that was organized by Big Sister and Little Princess Alhamdulillah.

It was so fascinating to see little ones eagerly participating and sharing their knowledge in the quiz session (senior & junior), with basic Islamic questions, also discussing about the questions that they failed to answer and getting to know them. Masha Allah

One of the things that captured my heart and will always remember is that the reply which was given to the question on “Who was the first Muezzin?” My little girl replied “Abdullah”, though the reply was wrong she was talking about her brother (Little Soldier) who was very passionate in calling out the Adhan and it was one of his ambition. Aah, I really missed him at that moment and once again reminded myself that HE IS with the blessed! And all these efforts are to enter the eternal abode promised for the Muttaqeen Insha Allah!

Longing to be reunited with you in Jannah my little hero…!

Making the Deen matters interested to little ones in an encouraging and fascinating way is a must in today’s world as we are surrounded by Fitnas being introduced to them glamorously.  (May Allah protect our progeny from all sorts of Fitna).

This little article was prepared by Big Sister and Little Princess, introducing a basic understanding on the Qur’an and some tips on having a Productive Ramadan.

 (Sample pages)

 

Then comes the lovely flashcard from Abi. Here come our little gifts for the winners and all participants.

 

 

Barakallahu Feekum to the winners! (Muhammad Shakeel - Senior Section, Ruqayyah Shakeel - Junior Section)

 

Finally, the humble gift to our honorable chief guest… Alhamdulillah

May Allah accept our deeds and guide us on the straight path!

Photographs by Little Princess   

0 Little Muslimah (Video)

Alhamdulillah, Once again we’re here today by the grace of Allah.

Here is our video of a book done by our Little sister. She wanted to make it as she saw the books which her sisters wrote and finally this was done.

The little girl is sometimes lazy to do her handwriting, and she wants the job to be completed as fast as she could. Lol!

Whatever it may be and how it looks like doesn’t matter for me. What matters me is the time we spent together, the fun times we had while we record, the laugh & giggles when we play the recordings etc. These are the fond memories that lasts forever & instill the love of learning Insha Allah.

The photographer for this project is Little princess. And the video editor is Big sister and the sweet voice is from our Little sister. 

Yes… we remember you “Little soldier” in all our projects and activities we do, but once again we’re convinced you’re resting peacefully in an everlasting abode where we will be coming soon Insha Allah…

Which is the only aim of these efforts. Aameen!

0 New Grade - Muharram 1439

Alhamdulillah, we’ve reached the Hijri year 1439 by the mercy of Allah, while many of our beloved ones’ have reached our loving Creator. Subhanallah, we have been given another opportunity to increase our good deeds in order to make the day we reach him the best Insha Allah.

Aaaah, as usual we move onto new grades every Muharram. This day is one of the joyous day in my life to see my children with their new books reaching a higher grade.

Nothing makes me happier than listening to my beloved kids reciting the beautiful verses of Quran and enjoying the reading time, listening the stories of the Sahabah which they read to me. 

I know all the parents enjoy them, but what makes it special to me is that teaching each one of them was different experience and the joyful moments we spent together for learning are awesome, Subhanallah.

Letter given to my hero on the first day of last year Muharram and some of his drawings.

 

 

 

The smart voice of my Little Soldier reading and stumbling with hard words in our circles still rings in my ears and sweet memories are something that cannot be forgotten and brings joyous tears, Alhamdulillah. We really miss you!

Alhamdulillah, by the will of Allah I had to pass a great test of missing my hero in our first day celebration this year, the last year’s memory of all 4 gems whom Allah blessed me with, standing in rows with their new red dress happy and excited with their innocent faces is still fresh in my mind, Subhanallaaaaah. Qaddarallah

Once again I talked to my inner self that the sole purpose of this beautiful journey is to meet our Creator in a state when he is pleased with us, and yes one member in our team met his Creator in his tender sinless age Alhamdulillah.

Our Little Sister is turning 5 and starting her English alphabets, and has completed her Arabic alphabets (Qaa’idah), Alhamdulillah.

We pray to Him for guidance and help throughout our journey for the success of both worlds!