How Non-Muslim Host Families can Better Prepare and Support Muslim Students During Ramadan
My dearest friend is an high school exchange student local coordinator for ACES ExploreTheWorld.org in Toledo, OH. As one of very few Muslim host families, she was asked to make a presentation to help Non-Muslim host families learn the basics about Ramadan and offer tips how they can be better prepare and support their Muslim students during our month of fast.
Alhumdulilah (Praise be to God), we felt blessed with this opportunity to share our beloved deen (way of life) with others and felt a profound responsibility to do the best we could. But, making this presentation was a bit of a challenge, because non-Muslims will be presenting it to other non-Muslims throughout the country. So, we tried to keep things simplistic, yet comprehensive.
Since we worked so hard on this presentation, I wanted to showcase it here to gain your feedback. So, please share your comments and kind critiques below.
InshaAllah (God willing), we look forward to adapting this very specific presentation into a more general “What is Ramadan?” for non-Muslims–something I’m sure my own extended family and all the non-Muslims who visit us would greatly appreciate.
The du’a on our last slide states:
All praise and thanks belong to Allah, the Lord of the Universe. May there be the blessings and peace upon the last Prophet Muhammad, his family and companions and all those to follow his footsteps. May Allah accept our work, such as this presentation, as a humble act of worship to please Him and Only Him. May He forgive us if we misrepresented anything in our deen (religion or way of life) and/or led anyone astray, as this was not our intention and any errors or faults are of our own, for You are Perfect, The Most Merciful, Most Beneficent. ~Ameen.
[I learned how to embed our Powerpoint presentation via slideshare through this quick tutorial.]
Muslim Kids Joke – Alhumdulillah!
This funny Islamic joke was published in the “Kids Muslim Community News” Issue no. 2 Safar 1431-Feb 2010, which was found at the Noor-Ul-Iman School in Teaneck, NJ – Hafiz school this weekend. We had to share it today just to make you laugh 
Alhumdulilah!
An old man was selling his horse in the market.
An interested buyer came to him and requested if he could get a test drive. The imam told the man that this horse is unique.
In order to make it walk, you have to say “Subhanallah” (Glory be to God).
To make it run, you have to say “Alhumdulillah” (Praise be to God).
To make it stop, you have to “Allahu Akhbar” (God is Great),
The man sat on the horse and said ‘Subhanallah”. The horse started to walk.
Then, he said “Alhumdulillah” and it started to run. He kept saying “Alhumdulillah ” and the horse started running faster and faster.
All of a sudden the man noticed that the horse is running toward the edge of the hill that he was riding on. Being overly fearful, he forgot how to stop the horse.
He kept saying all these words out of confusion. When the horse was just near the edge, he remembered “Allahu Akbar” and said it out loud. The horse stopped just one step away from the edge.
The man took a deep breath, looked up towards the sky and said “Alhumdulillah!”
We’d love to compile funny Islamic jokes for Muslim Kids. So, if you have one to share, please submit your joke by using this form here.
The Growth of Muslims Around the World
This video with Arabic subtitles shows the inevitable growth of the Muslim ummah (community of believers) as shared in our blessed Qu’ran,
It is He who has sent forth His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to uplift it above every religion; no matter how much the mushrekens (idolaters) hate it. (9:33)
The creators of the video are magnifying the phenomenon in the video but the basic idea is true. Subhan’Allah, the Almighty plan is working even while the Muslims themselves are are sleeping.
Muslim Kids Video – Don’t be a Showoff
We must pray only for the sake of worshiping Allah and for no other reason. This lesson explained in Surah Maun (Alms Giving) in the Qur’an is the reason we chose today’s funny Muslim Kids Video.
Surah Maun (Alms Giving) 107
- Have you seen him who denies the Recompense?
- That is he who repulses the orphan (harshly),
- And urges not on the feeding of Al-Miskin (the poor),
- So woe unto those performers of Salat (prayers) (hypocrites)
- Those who delay their Salat (prayer from their stated fixed times).
- Those who do good deeds only to be seen (of men),
- And prevent Al-Ma’un (small kindnesses like salt, sugar, water).
Please help us showcase the best nasheed and Muslim Kids videos available on the web every Sunday. So, please leave a comment below with your favorite link and check back each week to see when we post it!
5th Annual “The Praised One” Poetry Contest
Having participated in this poetry contest last year, my girls are eager to use creative words to share their love and admiration of our beloved Prophet (peace & blessings be upon him) again this year. It should be more interesting this year too, because we’ve been studying the various types of poetry. So, this is a perfect Language Arts and Islamic Studies/Deen project to join in.
5th Annual Poetry Competition about Prophet Muhammad(SAW)
Theme: “A Day with the Prophet(S)”
Northstar School invites all Young Muslims (7 -12 years) to join this Competition!
WINNERS
According to age group (7-9) & (10-12)
Announced at Northstar Fundraising Dinner in April, 2010
Will be awarded a Trophy and Certificate signed by the Judges
POEM CRITERIA
1. Must match current contest theme (above)
2. Must be postmarked between Feb 22nd & Mar 5th, 2010
3. Must be CHILD’s original poetry in their own words
4. Must be submitted with signed Entry Form online
5. Must NOT have won any other competition or have been published
NEW! ARABIC version of “The Praised One” Competition Praise Rasulallah(s) in the Language of the Quran NO THEME, write a poem in Arabic about Rasulallah (saw). Competition for ages (10-13) & (14-17).
Download Entry Form
POETRY WORKSHOPS
In addition this year we have 2 workshops to help inspire kids:
- English Workshop is a one day event (Saturday, Feb. 6th) at MCA in Santa Clara, CA. Deadline to register, Feb 2nd.
- The Arabic Workshop is aimed at producing a 4-6 line poem by the end of February. This workshop is a series of 3 Saturdays (Feb. 13th, 20th, 27th) at Northstar School in Hayward, CA. Basic Arabic knowledge is required in order to benefit. Deadline to register, Feb 9th.
Download Poetry Workshop Flier
Any Questions in regard to the poetry contest? please email: poetry@northstarschool.org
Muslim Kids Video: The Easiest Way to Get into Paradise – Jennah – Heaven
A funny video shares a couple well-known ahadith about how we must treat our mothers:
- The Prophet Muhammad said, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him: Your Heaven lies under the feet of your mother (Ahmad, Nasai).
- A man came to the Prophet and said, ‘O Messenger of God! Who among the people is the most worthy of my good companionship? The Prophet said: Your mother. The man said, ‘Then who?’ The Prophet said: Then your mother. The man further asked, ‘Then who?’ The Prophet said: Then your mother. The man asked again, ‘Then who?’ The Prophet said: Then your father. (Bukhari, Muslim).
Role of Parents in the Qu’ran
While the above ahadith are about mothers, below are a couple verses in the Qur’an about parents
Qur’an
And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honour.
(Surah Al-Isra, Chapter #17, Verse #23)
And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years – give thanks to Me and to your parents. Unto Me is the final destination.
(Surah Luqman, Chapter #31, Verse #14)
Please leave a comment below with your favorite nasheed and Muslim Kids videos, since we showcase a new one every Sunday. Then, check back each week to see when we post it!
Annual Quran Qiraat Competition – Baytul Iman School, NJ. Spaces almost filled.
Baytul Iman School in New Jersey is hosting their Annual Qur’an Qiraat Competition. With the opportunity to win laptops, Wii games, iPods and other special prizes–this is definitely worth a day trip. Registration is based on a first-come first-served basis with the capacity to host 120-125 kids, so you better register right now. $10 per child.
Subhanallah, they already have over 80 registered paid participants . I just got my 6 year old registered before they closed down Level 1, since I was told by one of the organizers that it’s already full.
There are four age levels (birthdays by February 27, 2010*):
Level 1: 6-7 year old
Level 2: 8-9 year old
Level 3: 10-11 year old
Level 4: 12-15 year old
Location: 8998 Highway 18. North & Spring Valley Road, Old Bridge, NJ 08851
Time: 9:00 am sharp!
Food: Halal lunch and snacks will be provided for the kids.
For further information: Br. Yasir Shahid 917.309.9275 Br. Faisal Ashfaq 732.824.3107 Br. Muhammed Asif 347.392.7236
Sponsorship & Donations are welcomed.
Terms & Conditions. Please read these details for dress code, description of the judging process, how final decisions cannot be contested, and if anyone wants to even try to cheat or lie about his/her child’s age simply to qualify for these great prizes–you better think again! Astaghfirlazeem, this is a Qur’an Competition–let’s keep this fair and fun for everyone, inshaAlah khir.
InshaAllah, all Muslim Kids Qur’an Competitions should honor these Terms & Conditions, because we’ve witnessed too many times when parents ruin the day for the kids and other attendees because they take the competition too seriously and force their children into harmful and even haram practices, such as lying and cheating. Ya Rabb. Please forgive us all. Ameen.
Alhumdulilah, Muslim Kids Qur’an Competitions are always great to attend even if your child/ren is/are not participating. I’m notorious for tearing up and crying whenever they have the winners recite the Qur’an at the end of the day–or, even in the beginning.
So, if you plan to attend, please comment below–we hope to see you there!
Proper Prostration (Sajdah) for Women in Prayer – No difference from men
Welcome to the first American Muslim Mom Q & A post. As shared in our About Page, I am not an Islamic scholar. However, when I received the below email, I sought some advice, and the consensus was “When I need Islamic advice [woman to woman], I always call you first”. MashAllah, Alhumdulilah. (God has willed. Praise be to Allah). InshaAllah, God willing, at the very least I vow to find respectable authentic resources to lead as straight. So, Jazaka Allahu Khayrun to one of our loyal readers for asking this important question about women during sajdah or prostrating while praying.
I got a question for you and thought that you might know the answer or at least [know] where to find the answer. You are such a wealth of Islamic Information.
A fellow sister has commented that when women pray and are in sujuood that we should curl up into a ball and pull everything in tight. But all that I have come across says differently. Is there something out there that says we should or should not do this? Any advise that you can give is greatly appreciated.
My girls and I have found this to be a big problem here in our new hometown. We’ve noticed that a particular culture directs and teaches their women to prostate in a ball with legs, arms and thighs close to their bellies. Regardless what culture one is born and raised into, it is all our responsibilities to help one another in the most gracious and non-conformational means possible. It is my intention, that if there are future uncomfortable, possibly confrontational debate that may divide our sisterhood, that you will turn here. Through this new Q & A section, you can ask, refer, direct or lead one another to these answers. I promise to keep it in my light sisterly tone to motivate you to stay, rather than scholarly and dry to turn you away. Yar Rabb, Ameen.
Recommended books and slideshow how to pray in Islam
First, I pulled the 2 prayers books I refer too in our Islamic home library. I recommended this one book and great free slideshow how to pray to new Muslims, and Muslim kids before. But, it can now serve as a perfect medium for native Muslims who need to read and watch prayers taught correctly based on the Qur’an and Sunnah. A more in-depth book that I’ve had since I reverted to Islam is called,
“A Guide to Prayer in Islam. Pray as you have seen me praying (Buhkhari)” by M. Abdul Karim Saqib. Although it does not have pictures, it has 63 pages filled with verses from the Qu’ran and authentic ahadith (Bukhari).
Correct position for sajdah (prostration) in Islam
None of these resources showed a different way for a man and woman to pray. They only direct the way in which the Prophet (peace & blessings be upon him) prayed and how directed us to follow his way. Only seven parts of our bodies should touch the ground during sajdah (prostration) at the same time:
- The forehead along with the tip of the nose.
- Right hand. The fingers should be pointing towards the Qiblah (the Kabah in Mecca) without spreading the fingers apart.
- Left hand The fingers should be pointing towards the Qiblah (the Kabah in Mecca) without spreading the fingers apart.
- Right knee
- Left knee
- The bottom of your right toes, all pointing in the direction of the Qiblah (the Kabah in Mecca)
- The bottom of your left toes, all pointing in the direction of the Qiblah (the Kabah in Mecca)
* Place your hands down on the ground below your ears. Your forearms should not rest on the ground (lazy like a dog–another major mistake).
Pictures and slideshow shows how to prostrate correctly and when done correctly is the most comfortable position, subhannah (Glory be to Allah).
I tried to prostrate in the curled-up ball-like position, and find that one must sway their body back consciously, uncomfortably and unnaturally. When I was trying to go into this position, I had to actually think about it and go against the natural flow of gravity that my body had to lean with my forehead leading my way. While thinking about this unnatural position, one may be too preoccupied which may in turn take our focus away from Allah (May He be Glorified).
Fatwas supporting that there is no difference for sajdah (prostration) between men and women
Next, I turned to the trusted and respected IslamQA.com and found these enlightening fatwa that stresses there is only one way to pray as directed by our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace & blessings be upon him). To pray with different versions for men and women is based on weak ahadith and should not be followed.
- Proof that there is only one way to pray, with no difference between a men and women.
- Fatwa explaining the weakness of such ahadith that defends the difference between male and female prayers.
Why search engines are NOT the best place for gaining Islamic knowledge
Last, I turned to our not-so-trusted search engines.
There were many posts, articles and even free downloadable ebooks showing the difference between a men and women’s sajdah (prostration). I will not link to any of them because it will only we cloud our minds to read material that leads us astray.
When in doubt, it is important to refer to ahadith written by Bukhari and Muslim. Until we can strive to memorize and embody the Qur’an to its fullest and then the complete collection of ahadith of Sahih Bukhari, we as an ummah (Muslim community) have our hands full. Why debate, try or follow less than perfected ahadith?
Beware where the search engines take you online–not only because it will take you to less than authentic ahadith; but it will take to you fancy, Islamic-looking, web portals not written by Muslims, let alone practicing ones. There are dozens of websites are not to be trusted and should be shut down; simply because they are distorting our blessed religion for the sake of propagating hateful views and thoughts of or just and righteous deen (way of life).
Send your Questions to American Muslim Mom for Answers!
So, that concludes our first American Muslim Mom Q & A. Please share your comments below, and send us your Questions for future Q & A posts. Alhumdulilah, while writing this post and having only shared this idea with a few sisters, we already received 3 new questions. P.S. All questions will be posted anonymously, unless stated otherwise, or asked publicly in the comments section below.
Community Service in the Life of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq
Before you read on, digest this simple truth: Abu Bakr As-Siddiq remains one of our heroes and superstars till the end of time. This is a fact, Oh Muslims, not a fallacy.
May Allaah be pleased with him, put himself at the forefront of community service to the people before his reign as the khalifah. The recipients of his benevolent services were single mothers whose husbands had died or were martyred while defending Islam. He ran some house errands for them such as preparing dough and milking their goats.
However, when he was elected to be the Muslims’ leader after the death of the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe was salam, the single mothers had apprehension and anxiety. Their concern was that this new position would become a stumbling block, thus preventing him from continuing his services for them. One time, he overheard one widow say: “Now, no one will milk our goats for us,” to which he responded, “No, by Allah I will continue milking your goats.”
And so, off he went to the woman’s residence. At the entrance of the door was the woman’s young daughter who exclaimed with joy, “Mum, the goats’ milker is here!!” Abu Bakr becomes the renowned goat milker. For whom? The widows, the weak, and the orphans. Subhanallah!
Truly, this is community service 101. This is a description of a selfless community service for the less privileged and underserved. In our present days and times, when the weak, the poor, the destitute, are looked down upon, and their basic rights are unfulfilled by those in authority; when wealth and riches have become the order of the day for our Muslim leaders, and pride and arrogance have beclouded their judgments to acknowledge the rights of those under them. From this story, we can all learn from the life of Abu Bakr As-siddiq. Despite his reign as the khalifah and his ultimate success as one of the top ten chosen Muslim men promised paradise by Allaah subhana wa Ta’ala, he didn’t get carried away with these positions. In reality, he got carried away by being at full service to his community members, fulfilling their basic needs, one widow and one orphan at a time.
By Maryam Funmilayo
MashaAllah, May we all strive to obtain the knowledge, confidence, will-power and dedicated to follow-through in our participation in serving our communities more. Ameen,
Please share how you and your families are serving your community; not out of arrogance, but as a means of helping all of us find more means and opportunities to give back to those in need more than others.
Learning the Qur’an for Free Online – QuranExplorer.com and HarfKids.com-Quraan Review
My entire family (Mama, Baba, and our 9, 8 and 6 year old daughters) completely endorse QuranExplorer.com/Quran and HarfKids.com/en/Quraan as easy-to-use, easy-to-learn, easy-to-navigate, fun, interactive sites to learn how to read and recite the Qur’an based on the rules of Tajweed, while learning its meaning at the same time.
1. Qur’an Explorer – Review
Why we love Qu’ran Explorer:
- Tajweed color rules can be turned on or off,
- Multiple shaikhs to pick; such as Mishary and Abdul-Basit,
- Two different Arabic scripts to pick, Usmani and IndoPak,
- Different English translators, such as Dr. Mohsin, Yusuf Ali,
- Translations in multiple languages are also available, such as Spanish and Indonesian,
- The entire Qur’an is available,
- You can choose to search by Surah, Juz, Hizb, or verse (ayat),
- Advanced Options include,
- Verse Repetition [How many times you want to play the verse before it goes to the next one],
- Intervals Between Verse ["Continuous Play" means there are no pauses in between each verse, or "Duration of Verse" means how long it takes the shaikh to say the verse and it pauses that long, or you choose how many seconds you want to "Wait" for the pause in between the verses],
- Auto Play, and
- Colors.
- Audio sound and mute option,
- An option to bookmark the verse range where you are studying oo return back to the exact place you left off,
- Zoom text size, and much more.
- For a wonderful tutorial, click the “Help” button.
2. HarfKids.com Quraan – Review
While HarfKids.com Quraan is not nearly as complete as QuranExplorer.com it comes in a very close second at our home, especially for young children just beginning to memorize our Glorious Qur’an, for the following reasons:
- Everything is on one single screen,
- There is not an “Advanced Options” button to click and review,
- It’s colorful, more fun to look at, and has cuter buttons,
- For a verse translation, you click on “Explanation” for a pop-up box in English,
- Just like in QuranExplorer.com you can determine which verses you want displayed, and if you want a continuous play of the reciter or pause in between each verse,
- Shaikh AbdulBasit is the reciter,
- Made for those just starting to memorize the Qur’an, it lists Surah An-Nas (114) to Al-Qiyamah (75)
CONS
- It often locks up, and sometimes we can not even get it to work at all, and
- Since the Qur’an learning option is only one section of the large HarfKids.com website, the above navigation toolbar and bottom buttons are distracting, especially because they flash and scroll in real-time.
We’d love to hear your experiences with either of these two sites, but if you know of other helpful sites, please share them below.
This post is a part of the Mission: Ramadan 1430H project. For 29 other articles about our Glorious Qur’an, please visit ProductiveMuslim.com today!
