Muslim Baby Names – Always a difficult and fun experience!
My very best-friend is preparing a baby shower for her neice who’s expecting her first daughter.
And, like wow–Alhumdulilah!
How exciting…the first one in her generation to be called “Mama”!
Anyways, I remember everyone asking what names we had in line during all of my 3 (2 surprise) showers!
Hubby and I were very good…just like we said we didn’t want to know what the gender was…for the surprise, the name will be a surprise to everyone too 
It was a personal and wonderful journey of figuring out our first born’s name and glad its still a highly-unique and rare name, with TONS of meaning!
It is reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “On the Day of Resurrection, you will be called by your names and by your fathers’ names, so give yourselves good names.” (Hadith Abu Dawud).
I’m very particular, because our first born has a very unique Muslim name…and I use that as a judge to see which is the most thorough database/website to start your glorious journey
So here are some places to start:
- Muslim Baby Name - they have a cool compile your “favorite list”
- Tried and true: Search for Truth. same resources as above.
- MuslimBabyNames.net While not that correct in all their meanings, I like this site for their categories: “Historical names” and “Prophet’s names”
- An excellent Muslim girls’ name PDF here…not many names, but gets you started very well.
- Other muslim baby names listed in this article, I haven’t reviewed them all…but, I’ve reviewed enough and insha’Allah, gave you a great start.
Please share your recommendations below.
Sr. Happy!? Let’s Smile More Sister ;-)
[Image from HorsePlay] Alhumdulilah…I absolutely LOVE children–well I actually LOVE having fun playing & teaching them
Unfortunately, 4 teachers didn’t show up to our Islamic weekend school, and in a total frenzy I was pulling parents to oversea the classes, while offering suggestions and humor to help transition all these children to a leader-less room.
So, I started all the classes with, “do you even know who I am? or know my name?” [My point here was to only express that I'm not the substitute teacher, as I'm supposed to be upstairs in the office doing my work--after all, most knew me as the "Administrator", "Principal", or "Office woman that helps us"...but, to my Surprise!]
Some hands raised, and as I went around….Masha’Allah, Masha’Allah in 2 separate classes a child yelled, “You’re Sr. Happy!”
Children chuckled in chorus in both those classes. And, in the second instance, I asked if he was related to the other child from the XYZ classroom.
A negative reply followed.
Anyways, humbled and laughing along…I acted oblivious, and asked “What!? Why?” “Did you just make that up?”
Masha’Allah, in all 4 classes the kids yelled you’re always excited, happy, smiling, hugging kids, helping, etc.
In EVERY instance, I explained the the aheedith as simply and age-appropriate as possible:
Sahih Muslim which says that: “Every good act is an act of charity”. In another version the hadith, it says: “Your smile to your brother is a charitable act. Ordering good is a charitable act. Forbidding evil is a charitable act. Helping a man who has bad eyesight to see things is a charitable act. Removing a stone, rubbish or bones is a charitable act. Emptying your cup in the cup of your brother is a charitable act.”
Deed of the Day says “Spread a Smile”
The Prophet (Peace be upon him) has said: ‘Your smile for your brother is Sadaqah. Your removal of stones, thorns or bones from the paths of people is Sadaqah. Your guidance of a person who is lost is Sadaqah.’ (Bukhari)
Here’s a great article explaining Smiling as Charity in more detail.
In all honesty, my girls and I was so sorrily surprised to move back to CT and in every masjid we entered, smiles was a grave rarity.
We never saw hugs or kisses…but the general hand-shake, cheek-cheek, cultural-pat-hug…that didn’t show much affection at all.
Geez, I left a community where we hug and kiss so much…if anyone was late for an event, they basically missed out completely just for taking all the time to go sister-by-sister hugging and kissing! And, well there was an infamous “hugger” who I just adored seeing only to get a hug from her! [And, she knows who she is, Alhumdulilah ]
Then, here we come!
4 smiling, huggin’, fun-lovin’ chicks…and like WOW! We’re changing the ‘lil worlds around us…and, its really not in our daily agenda either. It’s just the way we are.
We attend a different masjid for Friday’s, and we’re often stopped because we’re always smiling…Are Smiles THAT rare!?
Unfortunately, they are 
But, as I explain to my daughters and all the children I have contact with:
A smile is the cheapest, fastest and easiest form of charity ANYone can give! So, Smile for the sake of Allah (SWT) and the rewards and blessings will FAR exceed you little upward motion of your lips!
Don’t you agree!?
Currclick – Curriculum in a click – Free eBook each week
A sister just tipped reminded me of this site…which my girls and I have been members for years, but forgot about (since there’s just TOO many to keep track of):CurrClick.
In search for my password, by opening my dozen+ emailboxes, and noticed I’m on their weekly newsletter.
Which, I highly recommend you get on, because they always give away a FREE downloadable eBook each week.
We’ve gotten some neat lapbooks, short stories…and I’m SO psyched about this week’s find:
You can even get an RSS Feed of the Current Top 10 Hottest Selling Items, click here.
Let us know what you think! What goodies have you grabbed up that we’ve missed?
Homeschool curriculum – Time4Learning Review Part 4: Mama’s review
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- Homeschool curriculum: Time4Learning Review: Part 2: 6.5 yo interview & review
- Homeschool curriculum: Time4Learning Review: Part 1: 4.5 yo interview & review
Time4Learning is a great interactive, online, homeschool curriculum for all core subjects of Language Arts (Reading, Phonics, Spelling), Math, Science and Social Studies, with additional Language Arts Extensions — “extra LAs” the girls call it.
Some quick Pros:
- The lessons are self-explanatory, self-directing for even our youngest soon-to-be 5 year-old this month.
- The activities are “assessed” or “graded” and the children don’t even notice.
- The tests and quizzes are interspersed enough that doesn’t bombard my girls too often–especially since we’ve never been a “testing” homeschool family-type prior to Time4Learning.
- The playground is a perfect timed incentive that motivates my girls to work towards a ‘reward’ after a fun-workload, which is usually 20-minutes of laughter, many Ah-Hah’s, and “mama, mama, come see!”
And, this is how it all began: 5 weeks ago, our life was totally different…
One of the homeschool groups or possibly a blog introduced: “Welcome to Homeschooling – A guide for families” free downloadable PDF.
Now, I’m usually skeptical of ‘lil homeschool guides, because we’ve been homeschooling now for 8 years; but I quickly perused this one that brought me directly to the homepage.
The girls and I watched the demos, I got lost in the Site Map of all the different scope & sequence, lesson plans, etc.
While everyone recommended the Parent Forums…but, that didn’t interest me because I was just interested in the facts. But, I was happy to know that their was a community to turn to if I ran into any problems ; but with my schedule I don’t have time to socialize.
I particularly found the 2-week risk-free trail every appealing especially because it was highly-affordable compared to the K12 program of $100s to $1000s if there’s no Virtual Academy available in your state; and CT doesn’t have one…nor will they after detailed conversations with the CT Dept. of Ed, Charter School Division.
Now, as a net-savvy internet marketer that I am…I found the Write a Review and Refer a Friend even more appealing; because we know I always give an unbiased, detailed, critique of anything that comes my way.
So, with a quick phone-call, an agreement for one-month free in exchange for our honest review…here we are a couple days away from enrolling all 3 daughters into this incredibly awesome life-saving nationally-approved, state-approved curriculum.
- Now, I couldn’t give all full review without interviewing the very children who are gaining the most from it, so please read each of the 3 interviews here:
- I love that we have access to 3 different grades per subject per child. Therefore, each child is working at her own level in each subject.
- Pre-Schooler: Our 4.5 year old (Pre-K) is doing LA-K, Math-K, Sci- Gr. 1 and SS- Gr. 2. The others have varied grade levels too. I didn’t want her to play with anything except the PlayBox (Pre-K) work…as I believe heavily in having fun…but, she’s having TOO much fun, and breezing through the lessons with over 90+ average…that I just can’t stop her. I actually sit down with her now with all her Science and SS because she doesn’t like when things are too hard that she doesn’t do well, so I usually just guide her, and stop her when I think things are too difficult so she doesn’t get disappointed. I always want her to LOVE learning…so, grades and time spent is not an issue for me; although it is for her.
- My girls follow arrow by arrow (meaning Lesson-By-Lesson)! It took some getting used to for this eclectic homeschooling mama because I just want them to have fun with the themes they choice, or the “lessons” they’re in the mood for. But, each and every single one of them wanted the process, wanted to see the progression, and wanted the ORDER that Time4Learning allow See, I’m learning a lot too
- We tried each daughter at-traditional-grade level and moved up and down individually per-subject for the first 3-days. By the forth, we figured out where they all belonged, then I made an “official” request of grade-levels per-subject, per-child…and I really appreciate this kind of control and adjust ability!
- We love the Reports it generates.
- We love the ability for our girls to retain exciting new facts in all their core subjects. They compete for our attention at the dinner table. “Baba, I learned ABC…Well, Mama, I learned XYZ…No, 123 was better and More Fun Mama!”
- I LOVE that I actually have more time having fun with their learning…rather than making up 3 different curriculum for 3 different learners of 3 different ages, styles and personalities!
- I LOVE having more time for the things I do better: planning the next field trip, organizing our next art project, cleaning up the house when there’s a sense of calm with everyone at a desk, on the floor, or on computer doing their work. We spend much less time arguing and debating now! Alhumdulilah.
- I love that they all compete for the computers. We have 4 in our house, but because 1.5 (because I need it too) are slotted for them during the days. So, their patience it tested each day. But, we worked it out, that the one who finishes their “other school work” i.e., workbooks, worksheets, projects, experiments, etc. then she goes on the PC first. But, Phew! We just got the girls their 1st laptop today, so insha’Allah, that’ll work out nicely. Which, I know we’ll have to reward time for the laptop as the biggest reward now, insha’Allah.
- I’ve read reviews that a TOTALLY different than anything my family and I experienced, for example:
- We’ve Never been kicked off of any lessons,
- We Never had problems trying to figure out how or when to fit Time4Learning into our schedules.
- We Never had technological problems.
- We Never (not one-month later) had any anything preventing us from loving this program!
- We feel blessed to have such a great experience and because its such a normal thing in our home now…we can only Thank God, Alhumdulilah, that this worked out for our family so perfectly. Subhannallah.
CONS:
- We need to have one laptop/computer for each child so they can learn and play at-will.
- We are moving WAY too fast through the grades…Is this really how far back traditional core curriculum is, or are all my girls gifted?! I’d like to believe both, but really think its the first. Sad, as it may be (traditional schooling, that is)…but for my girls, the excitement in learning & progression in their ability to retain new material is ALL education should be based on
- Science and Social Studies do not have as many lessons in the beginning grades, up to Grade 3. I defended myself in my 7 year old’s interview, but she just brought it up again saying “Mama, we would, and will do all the science experiment and projects you (and we) want to do…BUT, it would be nice if we had more lessons in those subjects to learn even more”. Hmm…I agree. I would make sure that the lessons are age-appropriate, meaning reading-level appropriate too. I understand that Pre-schoolers don’t need to learn those subjects, but if they want to learn it…why stop them. I tried with all 3 of mine…but, their sponges right now, and I have NO right to stop their researching, inquisitive, eager minds!
- I tried adjusting the playground timer, but when I did, it adjusted the lessons timer. So, I haven’t figured out this 1 complaint from them all.
- Oh, they all complained on numerous occasions, the inability to “fast-forward” within a lesson. For example, they give the instructions and my child knows how to do it…but, the character walks, talks, shows each and every step. Because my girls always sigh, huff, or puff, I sat down with them to “see” how bad it was, and it was only a few seconds (literally at most a minute-long); so I defended how short and fun it was “acted” out. Each time, each daughter insisted that it’s not worth the time. I assume they feel its too elementary to them, or that even possibly its like an “arrogant” teacher talking down to them, not paying attention to their particular needs and just goes along with his/her own agenda. I really hope my assumption is wrong. But, it Time4Learning can do anything about adding a “fast-forward” option through the lessons, please try. [There ARE options to fast-forward elsewhere, but I'm talking specifically about the dry-instructional-showing-parts].
Yay, our negatives are really not bad at all!
And, most Time4Learning can’t help out (like giving away laptops ) so, overall we are entirely pleased and will heavily promote this curriculum to any homeschool family and or any family looking for online educational fun alternative.
Now, I can NOT attest that this is the “perfect” homeschool curriculum for your family, but what’s there to lose!?
Not a homeschooler?
One of my devoted readers who wants your child to advance in one or more of their core subjects, or want some “interact fun educational” program for after school of this summer…its highly-affordable and well-worth your time to give it a try! 2-weeks trial for free.
And, if you try it; kindly tell them I referred you. Jazaka Allahu Khayrun.
I’m eager for families to share their experiences good, bad or indifferent below!
Homeschool curriculum – Time4Learning Review Part 3: 7.5 yo interview; review
- Homeschool curriculum: Time4Learning Review: Part 2: 6.5 yo interview & review
- Homeschool curriculum: Time4Learning Review: Part 1: 4.5 yo interview & review
ur most thorough interviewee: our eldest daughter.
This interview is So detailed that I had to edit it, because I couldn’t write fast enough to keep up with her excitement, and well…she even knew that I couldn’t possibly write everything that she had to share
What do you like most about Time4Learning? When we’re learning it feels like we’re just playing on the computer — not doing homework.
Did I ever give yo homework before? No, hee hee 
I mean it doesn’t feel like we’re doing “work”.
What do you like most about Time4Learning? I like the playground because its something to look forward too…just like what you (mama) do. We work, then we play.
What do you like most about the lessons?
In Language Arts, we get to read the stories, and it tells us about parts of the story or its main characters, it teaches us something about what we just read.
What do you mean?
Well, whenever I read a story online, and I really liked the story…it just stops at the end of the story. If I wanted to learn more about the story, the subject…whatever, I had to do it. But in Language Arts, they add all the fun inside the story.
Can you give me an example?
Yes. For example, after you learn something about animals, they (T4L) ask you something about the animals. Such as, pick the right animal that…So, it quizzes you without you know. It keeps me interested. For example, they give you a hint about a certain animal and you have to figure out which one is right.
I’m sorry, I don’t get it. Remember, you have to describe something as if the other person has never seen, read, or tried Time4Learning before.
Okay. here:
- This animal jumps on a. top of water, b….
- You pick the right answer it says “Good job”.
- You pick the wrong one, it says “Try again”.
If I learned about crocodiles, birds, lagoon. And, then there are 2 boxes (she’s drawing as I’m writing notes), one of a frog and one of an insect running on top of water. If you click on “frog” it’ll say “try again”. If you click the “insect” it’ll say “Good job”.
So, what you’re saying is “in the lessons, they’re asking you questions within the “stories”, as you go along?
Yes! It’s not like a quiz or test because it’s fun-learning! You don’t think it’s a quiz or test, you’re just thinking and learning. What’s so cool is that if you like animals or insects you get to learn more about them.
But, if you’re like me, who didn’t like insects at all–this fun activity could help you and me like it! They showed me more about insects, by making it cartooning and fun. For example…
Now, she’s drawing birds, a lagoon, nest…pacing back and forth from the desk to the different colored markers to make her point. Talk about retention!
Okay, okay…I think I got it now. Anything else?
Social Studies was great! She finished all of 2nd grades lessons in less than 10-days. But, we knew she was very advanced in that subject. Her complaint:
The only thing is…it was great! Grade 2 was fun, and easy (at her level), then, I was done. Then, once I started Gr. 3 Social Studies is was much harder in the very 1st lesson!
So, the transition wasn’t smooth, huh?
No, so I’m going slower in that subject now.
But, Math! She’s drawing again, very excited that I really can’t keep up with all the facts she’s rattling off right now. Here’s just some of things I could note down:
- She’s screaming out number placements, adding more and more zeros,
- Problem solving tips…blah, blah, obviously the lessons are interactive because she has retained and more importantly, is exciting about the subject.
so, I change the subject…
Obviously, you’ve shared a lot about the lessons, let’s talk about your favorite characters.
I have 3: Cow Girl, Space Man & Suba Driver Man. They’re all the same but different people.
What!?
Cow girl gets cows by using her rope. Space Man flies out to get the meteorites, and Scuba Man swims out to get the blowfish.
What don’t you like?
Oh wait. I have another favorite thing: Story-Creator!
You pick your own colors, designs, using their story characters, settings and everything. But yo get to make up the title, change the sizes of people big or small, make them invisbilt, blend colors, red and blue make pink–not purple.
My least favorite thing…ummm….hmmm…she’s pacing and thinking.
That they cut you off in the playground, but not in your schoolwork. So, if you’re in the playground, you can be in the middle of a game (I’m always in the middle of a good game), and it just shuts off, which is not really fair. It’s not like parents will give us too much playground time…yet, the lessons, you can go on and on…we always finish, but it never cuts off.
Here’s an example. Remember Mama you gave me some time before we had to go somewhere. Well, I did many more lessons than I needed too…but, I really wanted to play in the playground. Since, we can’t get on the playground without a lesson, I just kept doing the lessons. I didn’t pay attention to the time, and when we had to leave…I never got to play in the playground.
Yes, I do remember this time…actually it happened a few times. The lessons are so much fun that they lose track of time, but like you said, you had you’re determined to play in the playground, and yet “our own time” ran out. I guess I have to try playing around with the timer then, huh?
This brings up a very important point. Have you EVER been cut off in your lessons?
No Never! I know…none of us have. (All 3 chime in).
Interesting…I read it all the time that people complain that Time4Learning shuts down, cuts people off…but it has never happened to us 1-month later.
What’s your favorite subject?
Language Arts. The birds and small birds say “good bye” and sing, “The more you read the more you know, the more you learn and grow”. The is always at the end.
And, at the beginning, the birds “1, 2, 3, 4 book — the cover song”.
Now, I/we (Baba & I) have high cut-offs (only because she is more than capable of obtaining these scores). In your Lessons you can’t get anything lower than 80%, and quizzes and tests, ideally no lower than 85-88%. Do you have a problem with repeating any lesson?
No. I like this, its fine because I like what I’m learning and I want to make sure I know most of it right. I’ve only repeated things 5-6 times in this first month. So, its not annoying at all.
Wants and needs, animals….they were things I didn’t understand completely. It’s better that I re-do it to make sure I pass and actually do my very best for the next lesson, grade…whatever.
Mama, there’s really one thing that I don’t like…I started talking about it before. In Social Studies and Science in Grade 2 there’s only ~ 16 lessons. There’s not enough work at that level.
Well, remember we talked about this before. Both subjects are hands-on subjects, and we do tons of experiments and projects on the side which makes more than a year’s work.
Yay, I know. But, I love their lessons so much…and now, Grade 3’s lessons are harder.
hmm…we both sigh.
I think you shared more than enough. Any last thoughts?
Yay. It’s the best online program we’ve ever used!
Really!? Can you compare it to others we’ve used?
- Internet4Classrooms – since its a combo of many sites, and not updated. sites our outdated, no longer in use, there’s no set “curriculum”…order in which to do anything. The “Themes” are good…but many of the sites you can’t open them!
- Starfall - not a “learning” site. Just for reading and playing. Very young…I don’t use it anymore, just watch my sisters.
- PBSKids – learning games, but no order how to progress…some fun stuff I still use
- CBCKids – younger kid stuff, just like PBSKids
- BBC – lots of stuff, we (my sisters and I) Love the typing program. It’s kindof like Time4Learning…but, not. it’s very good…actually really good stuff, but it’s based on UK. Time4Learning is a lot more fun!
- SpellingCity – Love it! Time4Learning’s owner owns this too! Which we didn’t know til just last week.
- LearningGamesForKids.com – Sweet–we had no idea, T4L owned this too!
Jazaka Allahu Khayrun habiti (sweetheart), this was an awesome first interview.
Allah yi ticki afia (May Allah give you rest, prosperity, for all your hard work).
Homeschool curriculum: Time4Learning Review: Part 2: 6.5 yo interview; review
Homeschool curriculum: Time4Learning Review: Part 1: 4.5 yo interview & review
What do you like the most aboutTime4Learning?
I like playing at the Playground.
Do you use the playground after every lesson?
Yes.
What do you like the most about the Time4Learning Lessons?
I don’t know.
What can you say good about Time4Learning?
….
Who’s your favorite character?
EdMouse.
Which character do you like that most who teaches you something?
The one in Letter Stadium.
Why?
Because he’s like “Gimme an A”…”Gimme an N” “Put them together and that makes AN”.
Which character don’t you like?
I like them all.
What’s your favorite subject?
Math.
Why?
I like how they teach us. I like “take-aways” and “equals”. And, “put together”…oh, “adding” as she drew the plus-sign.
Do you like Time4Learning better than doing workbooks?
Yes.
Why?
Because Time4Learning is playing. And, I’m having much more fun than workbooks. Workbooks hurt my hands while writing. It’s just much more fun using a computer.
Did you ever write so much that your hand hurt?!
Yes.
When?
Whenever I use my hands too much they hurt.
But, you’re using your hands for the computer?
Yay, but its fun using them on the computer. I don’t get tired. I don’t have to take a break.
Who makes you take a break?
Me…I needed to take breaks with other work becuase my hands hurt.
It sounds more like you just like using the computer more, and it has nothing to do with your hands hurting.
She sighed and said “That’s true”.
So, what’s different between Time4Learning and all the other online programs, CDs or DVDs we used for home school?
It’s just that its fun.
It’s more fun than everything!!! She’s getting defensive now.
Can you explain anything in more detail for people who have never seen or used Time4Learning before?
No.
Why would you want (her best-friend’s name) to use Time4Learning?
Because its fun.
is there anything you don’t like about Time4Learning?
Yes. When they cut us off on the Playground, but not cut us off in the Lessons.
And, I know why they cut us off. Because when they do the lessons, if we’re cut off, in the Backpack (portfolio) it’ll show we’re half-way done only…and in the playground it doesn’t show anything so it just cuts us off.
Oh…
Now, can I go?
Yes, anything else you want to say?
No.
Homeschool curriculum – Time4Learning Review Part 1
This is only the beginning of our Homeschool curriculum: Time4Learning Review series, because my girls and I have SO much to say…
So please bare with us; as I know we cover much more than what I’ve seen in any review of this spectacular homeschool curriculum to date (since I reviewed a bunch when I was considering trying this program).
Homeschool curriculum: Time4Learning Review: Part 1: 4.5 yo interview & review
Our youngest will be 5 at the end of the month…but she’s adamant that she’s only 4.5 years old
Please keep in mind her age, as you see her un-editted answers below
Our shortest T4L family interview:
What do you like Time4Learning most? Games and playground.
What do you like the most about the Time4Learning Lessons? So much stuff that’s fun.
Who’s your favorite character? EdMouse 
Which character do you like that most who teaches you something? The Hippo.
Which character don’t you like? The pig is annoying!
Why? Because I don’t like pigs.
What’s your favorite subject? Math, because it has fun stuff.
Anything too hard or too easy? I have nothing else to say.
Like they say, “From the mouth of babes”. Well, she’s our youngest babe alright!
Please read our full family review here for details of my (Mama’s) assessment how awesome Time4Learning is for this “quiet” 4.5 year old interviewee
