Friday, February 25, 2011

Why Study and go to School?

The archives of knowledge is as old as the human being himself. The first gift ever bestowed to the first human being after he breathed his first breath, was knowledge. From the very onset of his creation, from the moment of his birth, he was taught so he could understand all things. Allah says, “And we taught Aadam, the names of everything.” And it was because of knowledge that Allah commanded the angels to bow down to Adam in Allah has preferred education with really prestigious and elevated ranks. Allah says, “And those who have been given knowledge, have darajaat – high levels.” Educated people are respected people, they are closer to Allah. It is with knowledge that we learn more about Allah. Knowledge tells us what is right and wrong, good and bad. Every successful nation in the world today spent a great deal of its time and money to study, research and develop information and technology. Allah says in the Qur’an, “Can the blind and the seeing be the same? Can darkness and light be the same?” So similarly, those kids who have knowledge and those who do not, are not the same.

Seeking knowledge, learning and pursuing education is an obligation of the Prophet (s.a.w). A lot of children think of it as a chore but really, its what we know, the information that we have, which makes our personalities, our character, our entire life. Those kids who have little knowledge, you’ll see they misbehave, use bad language.No one really likes them and they don’t have a good future ahead of them either. No great job prospects, no proper standing in the community. They just live a very ordinary life and are forgetton. But the people who have knowledge, they are the heroes of our world. They are the people who matter, they make a difference in the community. They are admired for the intelligence, appreciated for their eloquence. They are trusted and respected. Everyone is looking to hire them. They go about doing great things in the world and everyone remembers them and wishes to be just like them.

Islam gives tremendous importance to knowledge. And Muslims of the past make up the brightest and proudest pages intellectual advancement and achievements in human history. For example,

(a) Al Zahrawi was 10th century Muslim surgeon who invented many tools and instruments for surgery, which are still used in hospitals in the 21st century. He is also famous for developing the stitching wounds and cuts after injury.

(b) A Muslim scholar and astronomer, Maria Al Aastrulabi pioneered astrolabes, or GPS. Her research led to the development of compass.

(c) Jazari was a Muslim engineer and inventor of the 13th century, he created a time telling device, which we now call watch and clock. His ground breaking research led into the development of the steam engine which caused the entire industrial revolution. Without him, machines, trains and cars were not possible.

(d) Ibn al Haitham was a Muslim Scientist, Physicist and mathematician of the 11th century. He wrote a book on optics. His findings led to the creation of cameras.

(f) Zheng He was a Chinese Admiral who build the largest wooden ships in the world and traveled the world seven times in the 15th century.

And these are just the tip of the iceberg. Muslims of the past changed world history and caused the Enlightenment Age and the Renaissance. So just imagine, what every Muslim child today is capable of. You all are talented, you all are very skilled and brilliant young people. You all can become so much: scientists, doctors, astronomers, engineers, physicist. Build new ships, planes. Becomes teachers, imaams and scholars and change the world, help people, tell everyone about Islam. And this all begins with knowledge. The more you study and concentrate on your subjects at school, do your homework, go to the library, read extra.

And if you ever need motivation just remember your reward is Paradise.

Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “If anyone proceeds on his way in search of knowledge, Allah will make easy for him the way to Paradise; and he said, “The superiority of the learned over the mere pious is like the superiority of the moon when it is full over all the stars; and that The ink of the scholar is more precious than the blood of the martyrs.

May Allah teach us that which is beneficial, guide us to the truth and the take the best work from us, with which He is pleased aameen.

(Muslim Children's Day Speech)

The Cure for Anger ...

Abdullah bin Mubarak was asked to define good character and good manners in one word. He said, “good manners is to leave anger.”
Jafir bin Muhammad said, “anger is the key to every sin and evil in this world. Meaning, whenever people get angry, that’s when all the crimes take place, that’s when people disobeyAllah the most.”

The thing about anger is that it is very natural. Anger is an emotion like many other emotions which are built into our system. Sometime its even inevitable to feel betrayed when someone breaks their promise, or feel offended when our religion our family is disrespected. Anger is a almost an inherent reaction to opposition. So the problem is not in anger but how we express and channelize our anger.

Allah the Exalted says, “And when they are angry, they forgive.” So although it is okay to get angry, it is not okay to overreach and make a big fuss. The quality of Muslims is that when they are upset, they forgive. They overlook the faults of others.

Allah the Exalted says, waal kathimeena alghaytha waal AAafeena AAani alnnasi waAllahu yuhibbu almuhsineen “And they suppress anger and pardon people.”

Kathim means to tie and fasten a knot. It means to tie the lace firmly so it doesn’t slip or to tie a water sack strongly so water doesn’t drip. Ghayth is anger or rage. The believers control and restrain their anger, they strap and lock their tamper and forgive people. The right solution for anger is forgiveness.

The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) was asked for one virtue, which will bring good in this life and in the Hereafter. The Prophet (s.a.w) said, “don’t be angry”. The Prophet (s.a.w) was asked, what action or good deed can save a person from the anger of Allah. The Prophet (s.a.w) said, “Don’t express your anger.” So just as we want Allah to be merciful to us and forgives us, we should also have mercy upon people and forgive them. The Prophet (s.a.w) was asked, who is the strongest man or the strongest woman? He (s.a.w) said, "it’s the person who can control their anger". So if you want to test your will power and find out how really brave you are – see if you can stop yourself from getting angry.

My advise to the Muslim children is – avoid sensitivity. People make mistakes, sometimes they are in a rush or sometimes they forget so it is okay. Give them a chance. Don’t take offense so easily and feel hurt. This life is full of difficulties and challenges. Allah told us in the Qur’an, the Believers will be tested in their faith. So yes, sometimes things will break, they will get lost. Sometimes people won’t agree, you won’t get permission. Realize that this is all part of life’s tests from Allah - and it is okay!. The more patient you are, the more lenient and humble, the more Allah will love and reward you inshaAllah.

Another tip that I want to share is that anger is from shaytan and shatyan is from fire. Notice whenever you are anger, your neck or ears of your face will get hot and red. In this case, fight shaytan and cool yourself down with water. Drink a glass of water immediately and make wudu. Walk away from the place, leave the person who is making your angry. Relax and calm down and then think about how to handle the situation peacefully.


 (Muslim Children's Day Speech)

Turning Point

I learned from this book that knowledge is more important than any thing in this world. To live happy and prosperous life in this world one should gain knowledge, but most important knowledge which a believer should have is the knowledge of Islam, to believe and worship Allah alone and to go to Jannah. - Ayesha Gr.3

Blind Termites build sky scrapers

These wonderful creatures are a blessing from our creator. Termites are just small tiny insects but they are very skillfull. I learned from this story that every single living being big or small make a big difference in this world.I also learned that we should be proud of what we have. We should also know that Allah created alot of things to help us, like these termites. - Summaiya Gr.3

Muslim Children's Day Report

Family Day, Monday, 21, 2011 was truly historic as AWIS celebrated Muslim Children's Day in Al-Huda Institute Canada. Even midst snowy weather conditions the day before and long weekend, children's and mothers' turnout was outstanding and the love of Allah, the Prophet (s.a.w) and the Qur'an was manifest in every activity.



For the first time in Al Huda, AWIS students, filled with fresh and vibrant spirit, took the stage to educate, empower and inspire, Muslim Children of GTA with what they learned from Qur'an and Hadith since 2009 at school. On Monday at 10:30 am, four AWIS student hosts, Areeb and Farheen (Grade 3), Maha (Grade 5) and Zainab (Grade 4), greeted the 500 women and children spectators with warm welcome and introductory remarks.  The event opened with eloquent recitation of the Qur'an and its translation by Zainiab and Fatima (Grade 5), followed by student theatrical performances, nasheed carols and speeches.



Hifdh 3 students resonated the crowd with a play on the importance of reciting and memorizing the Qur'an. Apart from being a moral guide for humanity in this world, the Qur'an is also a means of salvation from Hellfire in the next world.



AWIS students, Hafsa J (Grade 5), Amna (Grade 3) and Nabiha (Grade 2) moved the audience with an ostentatious show of the story of Suleiman (a.s) from the Qur'an. The story centerpieced two young children hearing the account of the powers Allah bestowed to Suleiman (a.s,) and his encounter with the Hoopoe and the ants, from their grandmother. Manal (Grade 4) dressed in Hoopoe costume fluttered through the stage whilst Ayesha and Nabeeha (Grade 3), Javaria, Madiha, Aisha, Rabia and Mariam (Grade 2) posted as ants, with black antenna hairbands, marched into the audience, each discussing the Greatness of Allah for creating the sky and the earth, the animals and the births with tremendous artistry and fineness. Allah feeds all of His creation kindness  and compassion. Allah is the Loving and the Merciful.





Grade 5 and 4 AWIS Nasheed vocalists crooned "Animals love to hear Qur'an" and "Read Qur'an, children of the world" melodiously whilst Taha (Grade 3), Nafe (Grade 2), Amina (Grade 3) and Manal (Grade 4) acted the chorus on the stage. Dressed as squirrel, bird and kitten, students demonstrated the natural disposition of animals towards Qur'an recitation. Ergo children can make friends with animals by reciting the Qur'an to them. Even so the children should study Qur'an with meaning  and understanding because the Qur'an is Allah's loving and helpful instructions all people.  Nasheed vocalists also performed other Nasheeds like "Allah is my Creator" and "My mother" etc throughout the event.




A fun-filled Qur'an quiz competition reverberated galvanized the children. The children were requested to recite Surahs from 30th Juzz on the microphone and answer general-knowledge questions about the Qur'an for prizes.  Over 20 children received gifts.



Children played basketball hoops. Over 15 guests between the ages of seven to eleven years old were invited from the audience to shoot hoops. The crowd watched with great fervour and anticipation as each child aimed at the basket. Gifts were distributed amongst the children who scored.

AWIS's Hafsa (Grade 3), Hadia and Manal (Grade 4) and Hafsa K (Grade 5) orated the pivotal relationship with Allah every Muslim child and adult must have through Salah. The scene unfolded in a public school cafeteria as the four actors suggested ideas for their lunch break. While everyone decided to eat or play, one actor championed the cause of Salah; she reminded her friends that Salah is obligatory on its fixed times and Allah is deserving that we worship Him in the best of ways wherever we are, even if at school. Encouraging each other to make wudu the actors exchanged the health/medicinal and spiritual benefits of wudu which includes, but is not limited to, overall physical cleanliness, good hygiene, expiation of sins and luminesce of the body on the Day of Judgment.

Shaz, Imtisaal, Iqra, Shafa and Zaina (Grade 4) enacted a family scene of sibling rivalry and argumentation, receding the family when finally the eldest daughter realized that disturbing the peace at home, disrespecting her parents and troubling her younger siblings is a sin which wounds her soul, hardens her heart and displeases Allah and wounds. By learning the Qur'an and following its teachings, the eldest daughter restores peace to her family and comes close to Allah.

Dr. Idrees Zubair honoured Muslim Children with his talk. He reiterate the  power of Qur'an, it connects us to our Creator and teaches us good manners to live a decorous life. It connects to our family and the community and inculcates in us kindness and impartiality. The Qur'an connects us with our inner-self, it gives strength when we feel emotionally weak and solutions, in times of difficulties. The Qur'an is a friend and a confidant. Every child must learn the gift of Qur'an from Allah.

We were fortune to have Dr. Idrees led the children and mothers in Dhuhar Salah which followed a beautiful trill, "Tala al Badru alyina" by Mashal (Grade 3) of AWIS

Sister Aasiya Amir, Academic Incharge of Al Huda took the stage to congratulate the student performers of AWIS and welcome the guest children and their mothers in Al-Huda to learn the Qur'an.

Three rounds of Nasheed chair, an imitation of musical chair, without music but nasheed, was also delightfully adored after Salah break. Children rushed around the chairs whist loud proclamation of Tasbeeh and Dikr . The first-place participants won prizes.

The highlight of Muslim Children's Day was the reenactment of renowned "Deen Show" by Arsalan of AWIS as Eddie who invited Summaiyah (Grade 5) masquerading as Dr. Farhat Hashmi, Usman (Grade 5) as Dr. Zakir Naik and Huzaifa (Grade 3) as Shaykh Yasir Qadhi. The three actors recommend children to avoid anger, leave music and focus more on their education.

A tasty luncheon was served free of cost to all mothers and children which followed a heartfelt performance by Usamah (Grade 5), Talha (Grade 1), Ali (Grade 3) and Hazim (Grade 5). In a funeral scene of their deceased friend, they reminisced over spending time wisely and taking life seriously as death is an imminent reality for grown-ups and children. In this play, the actors advised the audience to believe in Allah with conviction, obey the sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) in all matters of life and retain an Islamic attitude to answer correctly, the questions of munkar nakeer in the grave.

Fatima's (Grade 5) powerful words to Muslim Children, urged everyone to make the goal of their life, the attainment of Paradise. Her call, to return to the teachings of the Qur'an and take their friends and role models from the companions of the Prophet (s.a.w), thrilled everyone.

Muslim Children's Day concluded at 3:10 pm with, a earnest supplication to Allah to revive the Muslim parents and Children with Islam and favour them with the correct understanding and practice of Qur'an, free pop corn and cotton candy.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Eid Gifts

AAMINAH'S AND AISHA'S EID GIFTS:
The lesson I learned from this book is that on eid day we usually forget about those misfortunate people who are living around us. Instead of enjoying the eid day by wasting our money on eating delicious food and buying expensive gifts for each other we should give that money to those who do not have enough money to buy a meal for a day. Instead of making very expensive clothes for ourselves we should surprise young muslim children by giving them eid boxes carrying toy, candy and clothes. This will not only bring cheer and happiness into the hearts of young children but also it will bring feelings of calmness and satisfaction to us and we should be greatful to Allah that He blessed us with so many wonderful things in life. - Nabeeha Gr.3