Saturday, January 26, 2008

Teaching the Kids about Halal and Haram Foods

Doa Before Eating



Allhuma baa rik lanaa feemaa razaqtanaa wa qinaa azaaba al-naar, bismillah
Translation: O Allah! Bless us on everything You give us, and avoid us from Hellfire. And with the name of Allah.

====================

Doa After Eating


Alhamdulillahillazee at 'amanaa wa saqaanaa wa kafaa naa wa awaa naa
Translation: All Praises be to Allah, who provides us food, drink, satisfaction and protection

Related Hadith: Anas (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah SAW said: “Allah, Most High, is pleased when a man eats something and praises Him for it, or drinks something and praises Him for it.” (Muslim)

=======================

"And eat and drink and waste not. Truly, Allah loves not the wasteful"
(Al-Quran 7:31)

======================

Some of Sunnahs of Our Beloved Prophet Muhammad [PBUH]

1. Sunnahs of Eating :

- Wash both hands before eating.
- Recite doa before eating.

When Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) put his hand in the food, he would say, “Bismillaah (with the Name of Allah),’’ and he told people to say this when eating. He said, “When any one of you eats, let him mention the name of Allah. If he forgets to mention the name of Allah at the beginning, let him say ‘Bismillaahi fee awwalihi wa aakhirihi,’

- Eat with the right hand.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) commanded people to eat with their right hands and forbade them to eat with their left hands. He said, “The shaitan eats with his left hand and drinks with his left hand.” This implies that eating with the left hand is haram (unlawful), and this is the correct view, because the one who eats with his left hand is either a shaitan (devil), or he is imitating the shaitan.

- One should not eat very hot food/do not blow on food.
- If a morsel of food falls down pick it up, clean it and eat it.
- Do not lean while eating.
- After eating one should lick his fingers.
- Recite doa after eating.
- After meals wash both the hands, thereafter gargle the mouth.

2. Sunnahs of Drinking:

- A Muslim should drink with right hand because shaitan (satan) drinks with left hand.
- Sit and drink.
- Recite "Bismillah" before drinking and say "Alhamdulillah" after drinking.
- Drink in three breaths and remove utensil from mouth after each sip.
- Do not drink directly from the jug or bottle one should pour the content into the glass first and have a look at water and then drink.

=======================

How to Teach the kids about halal and Haram Foods:

- Let the kids learn to read the ingredients from the boxes or the wrappers.
You can print out the list of the haram ingredients that they can not eat.
1.
List of Halal and Haram Ingredients
2.
Eat Halal - lesson 1
3.
Eat Halal - lrsson 2

If they’re still not sure, then they cann’t eat or drink it. You can help them by calling the company or writing e-mail to the company to find out about the ingredients.

Some of the ingredients that are haram, such as:
alcohol, monodiglycerides from animals, gelatin from aimals, enzymes from animals, rennet L-cysteine, etc.

- The other activites that I did with my kids were cutting some pictures from old magazines or newspapers to make group list of products, foods, drinks, etc. which are halal or haram.

- You can make some words puzzles about the list of ingredients that are haram to eat. These are some puzzles that you can make to print out.
1.
Print out Word Puzle for List of Haram ingredients
2.
Word Search for List of Haram Ingredients

Some of the list:of haram ingredients are:

ALCOHOL
BACON
DIGLYCERIDE
GELATIN
GLYCERINE
GLYCERYLSTEARATE
LARD
MAGNESIUMSTEARATE
MONOGLYCERIDES
PEPSIN
RENNET
WHEY

- When you go to groceries, let the kids read the ingredients, and they will learn and practice how to find out and read the ingredients first before buying the foods or any products.

- For big kids, you can ask them to do research about the science of those ingredients and other haram foods.


All these activities will teach the kids always aware about what they eat.
Insha Allah, the kids will take care of themself not to eat haram foods.

Other Resources:
1.
Halal Digest
2.
Muslim Consumer Group
3.
Quiz Halal Food
4.
Halal & Healthy
5.
The Sunnah Way of Eating
6.
List of Halal and Haram Ingredients

============================

Our lecture for the weekend is about The Journey of Worship by Yasir Qadhi.
I think it is vey good lecture to gain our iman strength.
It's all about:
- why we worship Allah,
- how to worship Him,
- how to perfect that worship,
- and what the levels of worship are.

Sources:
Lecture The Journey of Worship - by Sheikh Yassir Qadhi
It's about 60 minutes.

========================

For sharing some ayah from Quran about "What Quran says regarding Parents?" are as following:

1. [4.Surah An-Nisaa : Ayah 36]

"And serve Allah and do not associate any thing with Him and be good to the parents and to the near of kin and the orphans and the needy and the neighbor of (your) kin and the alien neighbor, and the companion in a journey and the wayfarer and those whom your right hands possess; surely Allah does not love him who is proud, boastful."

2. [6.Surah Al-An'am : Ayah 151]

"Show kindness to your parents, and do not slay your children for (fear of) poverty-- We provide for you and for them."

3. [17.Surah Bani Israel : Ayah 23-24]

"And your Lord has commanded that you shall not serve (any) but Him, and goodness to your parents. If either or both of them reach old age with you, say not to them (so much as) "Ugh" nor chide them, and speak to them a generous word."

"And make yourself submissively gentle to them with compassion, and say: O my Lord! have compassion on them, as they brought me up (when I was) little."


4. [29.Surah Al-Ankabut : Ayah 8]

"And We have enjoined on man goodness to his parents, and if they contend with you that you should associate (others) with Me, of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them, to Me is your return, so I will inform you of what you did."

5. [31.Surah Luqman : Ayah 14]

"And We have enjoined man in respect of his parents,...Be grateful to Me and to both your parents; to Me is the eventual coming."

6. [46.Surah Al-Ahqaf : Ayah 15]

"And We have enjoined on man doing of good to his parents; with trouble did his mother bear him and with trouble did she bring him forth; and the bearing of him and the weaning of him was thirty months."

=========================

This week, Let's memorize surah Al Kawthar and surah Al Buruj:

Surah Al Kawthar (my youngest daughter's favorite surah):
1.
Surah Al Kawthar
2.
Surah al-Kawthar - Mishary Rashid al-Afasy
3. Surah Al Kawthar
4.
Awesome Rcitation of Surat Al-Kawthar

One of my students is memorizing surah Al Buruj. Let's memorize the surah together.
1.
Surah Al Burooj recited by Saud Al-Shuraim
2.
Surah Al-Buruj (The Big Stars) Salih Talib- Clear Qualit
3.
Surah Al Buruj
4.
Sa'ud Shuraim - Al Buruj
5.
Surah Al Buruj with English Translation
6.
Surah Al Buruj
7.
Surah Burooj (Sheikh Saleh Taleb)
8. Al-Burooj----Sheik Abdul Rahman
9. Sura Al-Burug by As-Sudais

You maybe want to use:
1.
Listen Quran MP3
2.
Quran Transliteration

=====================

For Maths:
1.
Johnny's Math Page: Interactive Math Games & Activities
Age Range: 5-13 (grades K-8).
This website offers all kinds of interactive math games, tools, and activities.
2.
Activities Worksheet for Calculation & Reasoning Practice Sheets
For Age 8 -18.
3.
Learn Math: Numbers, Measures, and Handling Datas

====================

For Language Arts:
You need Adobe Acrobat to download the worksheets.
1.
Phonics Worksheet: My Riddle Book
For grade K-1.
2.
Worksheet Using Directional Words: Where are the Animals?
For grade K-1.
3.
Worksheet Reading Maps: A Frozen Land
For grade 2-3.
4.
Worksheet Verbs: Action Verbs
For grade 2-3.
5.
Worksheet Reading Diagrams: Get Moving
For grade 4-6.
6.
Worksheet write paragraph: Strong Verbs
For grade 4-6.
7.
Blend Sound Together


For Interactive Game:
1.
Learn Writing
2.
Learn Spelling and Grammar
3.
All First Grade Skills
Please look under Language Arts to find Consonant blends and Vowel blends.
4.
Kindergarten Literacy and Math

====================

For Foreign Language:
1.
Say Hello to the World

====================

For Science:
1.
Snow - Activities
For age : 4-18.
2.
Nasa Education: The Adventure of Echo the Bat
For age 4-17.
3.
Amusement Park Physics: Roller Coaster
For age 8-18
4.
Dental Teeth: Take Look at your Teeth (Teacher's Guide)
For grade K =1.
You need Adobe Acrobat to download the worksheet.
5.
Learn Living Things, Materials, Physical Processes


===================

For Social Studies / History:
1.
Ancient Egypt Webquest
For age 6-18.
The students will learn about ancient Egyptian daily life (especially the lives of children), Egyptian mummies, Egyptian Hieroglyphics, King Tut (Tutankhamen), Egyptian games, and Archeology.
2.
50 States and Capitals

===================

For Geography:
1.
Kids Around the World: Jordan
For grade 4-6.

===================

For Virtual Field Trip:
1.
Polar Bears - Seaworld in San Diego, California
2.
Wild Artic Fun Guide
3.
Virtual Jelly Belly Factory Tour

====================

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Learn to Memorize Al Quran

"And We have certainly made the Qur'an easy to remembrance, so is there any who will remember?"
(Surah Al-Qamar : 17)
==============


First of all, I want to share my experience in teaching the kids to memorize Al Quran. Insha Allah, the kids will love to read and learn more about Al Quran.
I am sure that everyone has different way of teaching the kids. I am not expert on this, but I would like to share it with others what I have been teaching for my kids and the others kids who come to my house. We know that each kid is special and different. Some kids can learn faster than other. For the kids who are not Arabic speaking is not easy to learn and memorize Al Quran.

For my kids, Arabic is their second language after English.

'Aisha radi-Allahu anha reported that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said:"A person who recites the Qur'an, and reads it fluently, will be in the company of the obedient and noble angels, and he who reads the Qur'an haltingly and with difficulty will have a double recompense." [sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim].

I think, it is One of the miracle of Quran that we, including the kids, can memorize Book of Allah, Al Quran. I never heard people can memorize other than Al Quran.

We, as parent, has the responsibility to teach our kids. If we can not teach them, you have to find the teacher for them to learn.

At home, you should ask your kids to read Al Quran together. We always read Al Quran at night or in the morning. Sometimes, we learn together the meaning of the surah that we have been read. Alhamdulillah, the kids can khattam/finish reading Al Quran at least twice in one year. We want our kids love reading and learning Al Quran. And I want your kids, too. Insha Allah.

The mercy of Allah descends upon a house in which the Holy Qur'an is being recited and the angels of Allah enter that house to listen to the recitation of the Holy Qur'an. (reported by Abu Hurairah)

I will try to answer some questions below that my friends asked to me.

May Allah help us in teaching our kids. Ameen.

==============================================
What, When, Where, and How to memorize Al Quran
==============================================

I. What

What are the surahs that the kids need to memorize first?

The kids only want to memorize the short and easy surah for the first time, such as surah Al Fatihah and the last ten surah of Juz Amma (Surah An Nas, surah Al Falaq, surah Al Ikhlas, surah Al Lahab, surah An Nashr, surah Al Kafirun, surah Al Kawthar, Surah Al Maun, surah Quraish, ans surah Al Fil).

What are the books that we can use to teach the kids to read the Arabic?

There are several books that you can use to teach the kids learn to read the Arabic letters, such as:
1. Iqro 1-6 (from Indonesia)

2. Qaaidatun Noor (from Pakistan)

3. Kur'an Lisani Elifbasi (from Turkey). I like this book very much.

4. Others that you can find in Islamic Bookstores and Online Resources.

II. When

When do the kids start to memorize Al Quran?

You should start teaching to memorize the surah in young age (before 5) at least the kids know that surah by hearth and recognize the Arabic Alphabets.

Just think of it, when the kids start to memorize the ABC songs, the kids should memorize the Arabic Alphabets and some short surahs, too.

When is the good time for the kids to memorize?

I think it depends on the situation. But Most of the time, the good time to memorize is in the morning and before going to bed.

III. Where

Where is the best place to learn?

In Masjid or at Home.

It is good if you can find teacher who can teach the kids everyday including Sunday or Saturday. The kids need support from their parent at home to memorize Al Quran.

You should always review their memorization.

Remember that the best teacher for the kids is their own parent.

If you can not find the teacher, you can do it yourself at home. If you need help you can find it the resources online. If you are not memorizing yet, you should memorize the surah first before teaching the kids.

IV. How

How can we help the kids to memorize Al Quran?

It depends on the abilities of the kids.
1. The kids who can not read Arabic yet.

For age 3-6

If the kids do not know how to read then you should say the ayah clearly to them. You should do it many times around 10 to 15 times or more.
Try not to continue to the next ayah if the kids do not memorize the ayah that you just say it.
Keep focus on one ayah.
When they memorize the ayah, then you start teach them the meaning of that ayah. You can explain the meaning using their surrounding in their daily life in school or in house.

For age 6 and Up

If the kids just start to learn to read the Arabic, then let them read the transliteration Quran to help them faster in memorizing the Quran.
But don't forget once a while let them to read from Al Quran to memorize their surah. To let them get used to it the Arabic one.

2. The kids who can read Arabic very well.

For age 6 and Up

It is easy to memorize when the kids knew how to read the Arabic.
They will read Al Quran and memorize by themself. Our job is only to review when they finish memorize the surah.

How many ayah per day do the kids memorize?

Everyday I ask them to memorize at least one ayah, if they are doing well, I want them to do 2-3 more ayahs or maybe more.
For the kids who can read Arabic very well, they will do it at least one page a day. Yes, one page or more per day.

On the weekend, I ask the parents to review their kids memorization and I ask the kids to use the surah in their sholat.

==========================


Some suggestions that are good to remember are as following:

- the kids are easy to memorize and easy to forget. Please always review their memorization.
- each kid is special and different.
- learning Al Quran is about learning the manner/adab, too.
- learning is long process.
- memorizing Al Quran needs patient and alot of practices.
- you should give the kids special rewards each time they memorize one surah or one Juz.
- the Quran Memorization Contest is good to encourage the kids to learn more and more.

May Allah give you reward for helping the kids to learn and memorize Al Quran. Ameen.


Links that are useful to help memorizing and learning Al Quran:
1. Download/Listen MP3 Quran
You choose the Reciters from A-Z.
2. Rules of Recitation
3.
Quran Transliteration
4.Qaaidatun Noor" Learn Arabic Quran
5. Quranic Sciences Institute: Quran Reciter/Memorizer
6.
As-Sidq: Durusul Quran (Lessons of Quran)
7. Learn Quranic Arabic
8. Useful links Quran and Hadiths
9. Teaching Arabic Quran
10. Online Quran Reciter
11. Imaanstar: Juz 30
12.
About Tajweed
13.
An Index to Quran
14.
Learn to read Quran in 10 lessons
15.
Principles of Tafsir of the Quran
16.
Quran Links
17.
Quran Recitation Page
18.
Rules of Memorizing Quran
19.
Schedule for Memorizing Juz Ammah
20.
Schedule for Memorizing Juz Tabaraak
21.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir
22.
Tajweed Guide in Arabic
23.
The Quran & Modern Science
24.
Understand the Quran the easy way
25.
Quranic Science
26.
Quranic Phonetic Exerciser
27.
Memorizing Quran
28.
Audio Islam
29.
Recitors list
30.
Qur'an Explorer

To watch the videos:
1. Children read Al Quran beautifully

Some Articles to read:
1.
Learn Knowledge of The Noble Quran
2.
Learn some short surah from Al Quran
3. The language of Islam: The Important of Learning Arabic.

==============================

To hear the lecture for this week:
1. Distractions during sholat

===========================

For Quran, Let's memorize surah Al Kafiroon and surah An Naba.

Surah Al Kafiroon:
1. Surah Al Kafiroon (No English)
2.
Surat Al-Kafiroon(The Rejecters Of Faith)
3.
Surah Al Kafiroon by boy
4.
Sura Al-Kafiroon recited by Imam Shuraim (readable)*
5. Surah Al Kafiroon recited by Sheikh AbdulRahman sudais
6. Surah Al-Kafiroon

Surah An -Naba:
1. Ahmed Al-Ajmi Surat An-naba' + An-nazia'at
2.
Qur'an Surah Naba (The Great News)
3.
Sa'ud Shuraim-Surah An-Naba
4.
Abu Bakr Ash Shatri - Surah Naba' (Beautiful!!)
5.
Surah An-Naba' (The Great News)


===========================

For Hadith:

The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said:
“Whoever eats onions, garlic or leeks, let him
not approach our mosque, for the angels are annoyed
by the same things that annoy the sons of Adam.”
(Reported by Muslim)

==========================

For Islamic Studies, I would like to review about basic of Islam.
Alot of the kids do not remember what Islam is.

I. Five Pillars of Islam.

1. Saying Sahadah. 2. Sholat. 3. Zakat. 4. Sawm/Fasting in Ramadhan. 5. Hajj .

II. Principles of Belief in Islam:

1. Belief in Allah. 2. Belief in Angel. 3. Belief in Books of Allah. 4. Belief in Messengers of Allah. 5. Belief in Qadr. 6. Belief in Akhirah.

Something to read are:
1. The Five Pillars of Islam
2.
Principles of Islam

To watch the videos:
1.
Islam is based on Five Pillars - by a small Child
2. Pillars of Islam for Kids (1)
3. 5 Pillars in Islam
4. 5 Pillars of Islam
5. Pillars of Islam
And
6.
Principles and Pillars Of Islam

======================

For Maths:
1.
Brainormous, a site dedicated to fun and education
Providing a generous sampling of their products for free.
For age 7-10.
2.
Houghton Mifflin Math Expressions gr K-5
3.
Kid's Edu: Houghton Mifflin Math gr K-6
4. eMath Book gr K-6


======================

For Languages Arts, Reading , and Spelling:
1.
Kid's Place: Houghton Mifflin Reading gr 1-6
2.
Kid's Edu: Houghton Mifllin English gr K-5 and gr 6-8
3.
Houghton Mifflin Spelling and Vocabulary gr 1-6
4. Brain Food Word Puzzles
Ages: 10 and up (Young readers may be able to do some of these activities with a little help from mom or dad.)

======================

For Science:
1.
Try Science
Grade Range: K-12
2.
Scientific Animation
Age Range: 14 and up (note: designed for college level biology students)
3.
Science Technology Dr Bob Homepage
Age Range: 10 and up
This website was designed by a chemist to engage kids ages 10 and up in the
observation, investigation, and explanation of the things that happen around
us - science!
4.
Houghton Mifflin Science gr K-6
5.
Houghton Mifflin: Experinces Science for Students gr K-6

========================

For Social Studies:
1. Geography Lesson Plans for age 5-18 (grades K-12)

========================

For Virtual Field Trip:
1.
Amazon Interactive
Let's go to take a virtual trip to the Amazon Rain Forest!
Explore the geography of the Ecuadorian Amazon through online games and activities.
2. A Tour of Your Brain
Age Range: 10 and up


=========================

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

The Benefits of Prayer

Learn about sholat and the benefits of it.

"O you who believe!
Seek help in patience and prayer.
Truly! Allah is with the patient."

[surah al Baqarah; 2:153-154]

And I created not the Jinn and mankind
except that they should worship Me"
[51: 56]

"Verily, the prayer keeps one
from the great sins and evil deeds"
[al Ankabut 45]
=============


18 Benefits of Prayers:

1. Prayer is something that causes one to receive sustenance.

2. It is something that safeguards one's physical health.

3. It keeps away harmful things.

4. It casts away illnesses.

5. It strengthens the heart.

6. It brightens one's countenance.

7. It delights the soul.

8. It gets rid of laziness.

9. It makes the limbs active.

10.It increases one's physical strength.

11.It expands the chest (making one at ease and giving him insight).

12.It is nourishment for the soul.

13.It illuminates the heart.

14.It safeguards one's blessings.

15.It repels catastrophes.

16.It brings on blessings.

17.It keeps away the Shaytaan (the Devil).

18.It draws one close to Ar-Rahmaan (Allaah, the Most Merciful).

And overall it has an amazing effect on the health of the body and heart, and in strengthening them and expelling harmful pollutants from them. No two people have been afflicted with any disability, disease, or other calamity, except that the portion of the one who prays is less and his outcome is cleaner.

Also, prayer has an amazing effect on the evils of the dunyaa (the worldly life) and how it repels them, especially when the prayer is performed properly and completely, inwardly and outwardly. Nothing keeps the evils of the dunyaa at bay and brings on the benefits of it like prayer.

The reason behind this is that prayer is one's connection to Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic.

Resources:
1. 18 Benefits of Prayer

Other resources:
2.
All about Pray: Life is too Short, Pray more
3. Quran and Hadith on Salah
4.
Hadiths on Salaah
5. All About Salah under Islamic Studies

To watch video:
1. If you love to hear Yusuf Estes Worship
2. Pray As You Have Seen Me Pray (DVD)
3.
Educative Islamic Cartoons.Salah (Prayer)in Arabic Language
4.
Learn how to perform Salaat/Namaz
5.
Pray before you Die



Sholat is very important for us.
Sholat is the second pillar of Islam after saying Sahadah .

Allah will mad on you, if you delay your sholat intentionally.
Please do sholat on time.

==============

For Islamic Studies:
1. Islam for Kids
2.
Islamic Children's Stories
3.
Dajjal
4. Harun Yahya: The Messiah Dajjal Has Started Secret Work
5. Our story of Sahabah for this week is Abdullah Ibn Abbas

================

For Quran:
1. Let's memorize surah Al Qiyamah:
Now my youngest boy, Idris, is memorizing
surah Qiyamah by Fadh Al Kanderi
2.
Surah Al-Qiyamah by Sheikh As-Sayyid Mitwalli
3. Muhammad Al-Lahiden-Surah Al Qiyamah (BEAUTIFUL!)
4. Al Qiyamah--Sheikh Ajmy
Sheik Al Ajmi is Adams' favorite Quran reciter.
5.
Another Sheik Ajmi with emotional
6.
Afasy Quran 75 Qiyamah
7. If you need the transliteration, please click in Quran Transliteration

===============
For Arabic:
1. Learn Arabic Language at Basic Words Arabic

2. Animated Lesson Explore Alphabets
3. Say Hello to the World: in Arabic Language

=============

For Math:
1. Sister Samirah, who has a very useful website for homeschoolers: Talibiddeen Jr, shared this Interactive Math Games
2.
Homeschool Math
There is alot of free worksheets, math ebooks for elementary grades, extensive link list of games, interactive tutorials & quizzes, curriculum guide, and teaching tips articles. The resources emphasize understanding of concepts instead of mechanical memorization of rules.

===============

For Science:
1.
How Stuff Works (For All Grade)
On the tour you will see spectacular animated pictures that show you how various things work. They are clearly designed, easy to understand, very colorful and fun to look at.
2.
Ask Dr Universe (For All Grade)
3. Animals Classification
4.
Human Anatomy Midterm
5. The Benefits of eating Oranges and Guavas
================

For Language Art:

1. Gamequarium
Most of the games are designed with elementary school work (grades 1-8).
2. Spelling Bee
3.
Guide to Write a Basic Essay
4.
Homographs
Homographs are words with more than one definition.
5. Literature and Language Arts


================

For History and Geography:
1. Ancient Egypt Webquest
2. National Geography for Kids

================

For Virtual Trip:
1.
The Sea and The Sky
Take a virtual field trip to the Sea and Sky! When you get to the site click
on the introductory screen to enter. A new page opens and you are presented
with an animated computer screen that invites you aboard either Seasub
Cousteau to explore the oceans, or Starship Sagan to discover the universe.

2. Beekeeper in New York Cities

===============

I want to say special thank to my students for the fruit oranges. The oranges are so sweet. The fruits really help when you are not feeling so well.
May Allah rewards for your kindness. Ameen.

Please memorize and learn the meaning of the surah Al Qiyamah and learn about the important sholat as Muslim.
Remember about the Benefits of Prayer. Don't miss your sholat.
May Allah save us from the Hellfire. Ameen.



Saturday, January 12, 2008

Love It or Leave It






I shared a hadith to my kids.

"Verily, Allah does not look to your faces and your wealth,
but Allah looks to your heart and to your deeds."
(Sahih Muslim Book 32 Number 6221)
================

And I showed to my kids the house and car's one of former President of the United Arab Emirat and ruler of Abu-Dhabi.(please see the pictures above)
Wow, This is a Paradise in the world.
The car was made out of silver. The kids thought that house is a palace or a hotel.
I told the kids that we should not be spoiled in this worldly life. We should look to the others who are always in difficulties in their life to survive day to day. Allah loves Muslim who help others.

Insha Allah, our kids will
love giving and helping others
and leave the spoiled worldly life.

In this life, we have to understand the purpose of our life.
Please listen to this nasheed: Allah won' Ask...


Insha Allah, our kids will understand what the purpose of our life is.

May Allah guide us in the right path and give us the strength to utilize our wealth in His path and to attain real Paradise/Jannah. Ameen.

To see the slide presentation:
1. The Purpose of Life in Islam
2.
Introduction to Islam


To hear and learn the meaning the surah Al Maun:
1. Surah Maoon By Ahmed Al-Ajami
2. Surah Al Maun recited by Sheikh AbdulRahman Sudais

To learn and memorize Surah Al Humazah:
1. Surah Humaza By Ahmed Al-Ajami With English

To learn and memorize the surah At Takathur:
1. Surah Takathur by Ahmed Al-Ajami With English

To find other surah in Quran and Transliteration:
Please look for the transliteration: the surah Al Maun, surah Humazah, and surah At-Takathur.

To read story or articles:
1. Generosity of the Sahaba
2. Look at Your Hand
3. For those who love to read Harun Yahya: Life after Death


To hear lecture about the Purpose of Life:
1. Bilal Philips: The Purpose of Life


I hope you will get the benefit of this lecture.
Have a good weekend.

Sunday, January 6, 2008

The Blessings of Muharram and The Story of one of Famous Muslim Women

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“The best fasting after the month of Ramadaan
is fasting in the month of Muharram.”
(Narrated by Muslim)
=============


What is the significance of this month, Muharram?

Allah says:
"The number of months to Allah are twelve………….of them four
are sacred, that is the right usage. So wrong not your self there
in
(
Qur'an 9:36)

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) referred to these four sacred months as:
Zil-Qadah, Zil-Hijja, Muharram, and Rabi-al-awwal.

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was asked which fasting is best after the
month of Ramadan. Prophet (pbuh) said: "Fasting in the month that
Allah call as the sacred one".

In Muharram, on the 10th, i,e. the day of Aashura, fasting is highly
recommended because:

On this day, Allah saved children of Israel and Prophet Mousa (pbuh)
from the persecution of Pharoah. Therefore to honour Allah's favor,
Prophet Mousa (pbuh) and children of Israel fasted on 10th day of
Muharram (and regarded as the day of Aashura).

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) fasted on this day of Ashura, every year,
before becoming Prophet and continued this day of fasting after
becoming Prophet as if it was obligatory until the fast in the month
of Ramadan was made obligatory. Prophet (pbuh) then declared this
fasting of Aashura as optional fast but continued to observe this
every year.

Prophet (pbuh) said:...."fasting on the day of Aashura (the 10th of Muharram) gives forgiveness of one past year"

May Allah help us and guide us to do fasting.
Ameen.


To read more:
1.
Muharram: The Start of the Islamic Calendar
2. Significance of Migration: The Month of Muharram


===============

For Islamic Studies:

1. This week, we read together with all my kids and my 16 students at home about the story of
one of Famous Muslim Women: KHADIJA bint Khuwaylid
2.
Another Name of Allah: Al-Fattah (The Superb Arbiter)
3.
52 Weak Hadiths
===============

For Arabic:

The youngest one wants to learn
How to Write Arabic Letters .
You can find other resource from
Write Arabic Online.

===============

For Science:

We watched this
Live Science Video: Technology, Science, Environmental Health.
There is something for everyone here. IMO, it's geared for
use by ages 10 and up, but younger children are sure to enjoy some of the
information and videos, with parental assistance. As always, parents should
preview to determine suitability of content.

The kids also learn
Learn at Space.com
and
Aviation: Airplanes, Airport, and Transportations News

We are planning to
create and explore a vision of future technology by combining their imaginations with the tools of science . Insha Allah.

==============

For Math:

My two older kids always want to learn more about
Graph.

My youngest son wants to review his
Roman Numerals.

And my youngest daughter wants to play
Counting the fishes.

================

For Language Arts:

1. To learn
Learn the ABC letters
2. To learn
The Grammar
3. To read
Online Grammar and Writing Handbook

===============

For Geography:

There is
Geography Games

===============

For Virtual Field Trip and Other:
1. Free online games and activities for children in English, French,Spanish, German, Russian, and Indonesian
2. Virtual Field Trip:
Making Maple Syrup Part 1 and
Making Maple Syrup Part 2

================

I hope you enjoy reading about The Famous Muslim Woman, Khadija bint Khuwaylid.
May Allah be pleased with Khadija bint Khuwaylid.

May Allah increase our knowledge. Ameen.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Learn about Islamic Calendar and one of 99 Names of Asma ul Husna


First Quarter; Full Moon; Last Quarter


They ask you,[O Muhammad], about the New Moons.
Say, "They are measurements of time for the people and for hajj [Pilgrimage]."
(Al-Quran 2:189)
===============


Indeed, the number of months with Allah is
twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day
He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred.
That is the correct religion,
so do not wrong yourselves during the sacred months.
(Al-Quran 9:36)
===============

Everynight we went out to Masjid for Isha Prayer, My kids were looking for moon and the stars. If they saw the moon, they tried to tell what date in Islamic Calendar.
This is good to let the kids learn about the Islamic Calendar.

The names of the twelve Islamic months are as follows:

(1)Muharram; (2) Safar; (3) Rabiul-Awwal; (4) Rabi-uthani;
(5) Jumadi-ul-Awwal; (6) umadi-uthani; (7) Rajab; (8) Sha'ban;
(9) Ramadan; (10 Shawwal; (11) Dhil-Q'ada; (12) Dhil-Hijja.

Sources:
1. The Islamic (Hijr)Calendar
2.
IslamiCity: The Islamic Calendar
3.
History The Islamic Calendar

================

What are meteor showers?

An increase in the number of meteors at a particular time of year is called a meteor shower.

Comets shed the debris that becomes most meteor showers. As comets orbit the Sun, they shed an icy, dusty debris stream along the comet's orbit. If Earth travels through this stream, we will see a meteor shower. Depending on where Earth and the stream meet, meteors appear to fall from a particular place in the sky, maybe within the neighborhood of a constellation.

Meteor showers are named by the constellation from which meteors appear to fall, a spot in the sky astronomers call the radiant.

Insha Allah, there will be meteor shower according to the International Meteor Organization, maximum activity this year is expected on Friday 1:40 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. (
Must see Meteor Shower)

If you want to see the meteor shower, please do not forget to pray Tahajjud, too.

Sources:
1. Meteor Shower on Friday Morning, Jan 4, 2008
2.
Picture The Moon
3.
Meteor Shower


==============

For Islamic Studies:
1. Let's learn more about one of 99 Names Asma ul Husna
Al-Shakour (The Appreciative
Note: Please click cancel on the small box.

2. To hear Asma ul Husna


Insha Allah, the kids will learn four main points:

1- The meaning of the name “The Appreciative”
2- Other names relating to this name
3- The Appreciative and Paradise
4- Our duty towards this name and its effect in our life

===============

For Math, Let's learn:
1. Twelve Weeks of Mathematics Warm Ups
2. Learn to tell the time,
Clock Words Game
3. Learn the word problem on
Ratio
4. Practice to count
Counting - Lessons

==============

Now Science, It's about:
1.
Learn about Matters, Atoms, Elements, Reactions, Biochemistry, etc
2. A Unit Study on
Sea Animals
3.
Temperature Experiment

==============

For Language Arts:
1.
Thirty-Six Weeks of Language Arts Warm Ups
2.
Learning to read, games, spelling, etc.
3.
Find Rhymes, Synonyms, Definitions, etc>
================

For Geography:
1.
Twelve Weeks of Geography Warm Ups
2.
Learn US Geography States
================

For Special Needs Education:
1.
Special Needs Education: List of Contents
=================

Our Virtual Field Trip for this week is going to Empire State Building in New York City


Have a good Weekend and don't forget praying five times a day.



May Allah increase our knowledge. Ameen.