Happy Eid ul Adha!
Wishing you and your family a very
HAPPY EID UL ADHA! 
Taqabbala Allaah minna wa minkum
May Allah accept good deeds from us and from you!
Ameen!
Archive for November, 2009
Today is the Day of Arafah!
Sister Reminder blogs
Since the commencement of Dhul Hijjah, I have been revisiting the last khutbah a lot that was given by Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) on the Day of Arafah. As I am not with the excited pilgrims in Mecca to perform Hajj, it has more than helped me get into the mood of this blessed month. As I read each line, tears stream down my cheeks. Picture the sight it might have been to our ummah who witnessed it that day. Imagine their thoughts when they heard their beloved Messenger say “O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I don’t know whether, after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again.” Sigh, I just get goose bumps every time I think about how this last speech might have affected all those who were present and while emotions run high performing Hajj as it is, they also heard for the first time the mention of their dear Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) possibly not being among them soon. I can hardly visualize how their minds might have digested this thought.
“….Therefore listen to what I am saying to you carefully and take these words to those who could not be present here today.” Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) commanded those who were present to convey the message to those who were not. He passed away in the following year on 12 Rabi’Awal AH. And hundreds of years after this speech was given and recorded, we sit here today reading this speech with our hearts heavy and minds geared towards his message!
His khutbah was a reminder for all of us, a reminder of what the main highlights of Islam were that we needed to focus on. How beautifully he recapitulated the points for us. It might not have been an easy task to give a fairly short speech summarizing the last 23 years of Islam that were revealed to the people in Arabia.
Let’s make our goals for the new year, and let’s try and be mindful of these points that our dear Rasul (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) stressed upon.
“Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds.”
Sister Reminder blogs
Since the commencement of Dhul Hijjah, I have been revisiting the last khutbah a lot that was given by Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) on the Day of Arafah. As I am not with the excited pilgrims in Mecca to perform Hajj, it has more than helped me get into the mood of this blessed month. While I read each line, tears stream down my cheeks. Picture the sight it might have been to our ummah who witnessed it that day. Imagine their thoughts when they heard their beloved Messenger say “O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I don’t know whether, after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again.” Sigh, I just get goose bumps every time I think about how this last speech might have affected all those who were present and while emotions run high performing Hajj as it is, they also heard for the first time the mention of their dear Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) possibly not being among them soon. I can hardly visualize how their minds might have digested this thought.
“….Therefore listen to what I am saying to you carefully and take these words to those who could not be present here today.” Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) commanded those who were present to convey the message to those who were not. He passed away in the following year on 12 Rabi’Awal AH. And hundreds of years after this speech was given and recorded, we sit here today reading this speech with our hearts heavy and minds geared towards his message!
His khutbah was a reminder for all of us, a reminder of what the main highlights of Islam were that we needed to focus on. How beautifully he recapitulated the points for us. It might not have been an easy task to give a fairly short speech summarizing the last 23 years of Islam that were revealed to the people in Arabia.
Let’s make our goals for the new year, and let’s try and be mindful of these points that our dear Rasul (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) stressed upon.
“Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds.”
Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) ended with this dua…
“All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly.”
Let’s fulfill his last wish….let’s try and focus on these main points and build ourselves to be better Muslims for our ummah and in the hope that we have understood these words BETTER than the ones who listened to him directly.
I end with a verse that Allah revealed to him as soon as this khutbah was given…
Eid Cards Are In- Download Here!
Artsy Ummi blogs
I have designed some Eid cards for easy printing…download, print and place in an envelope! Let me know if there are any particular templates you all are looking for by leaving me a comment or email me at jannahsteps@gmail.com- give me specifics and I won’t mind making them for you! I will email you the template when I’m done Inshallah! Eid Mubarak everyone!
Eid Card Weblink
I have a friend who is a talented graphic designer Mashallah, and he has shared some of his beautiful Eid Card designs with us to download from his website here. I am sure you will find them very useful now that Eid is literally around the corner and as we scram to get our cards and gifts ready for family and friends!
Umm Professional blogs
I have a friend who is a talented graphic designer Mashallah, and he has shared some of his beautiful Eid Card designs with us to download from his website here. He has uploaded some lovely high quality card designs for all to use.
I am sure you will find them very useful now that Eid is literally around the corner and as we scram last minute to get our cards and gifts ready for family and friends!
What do we do on Eid? (Slide Show)
Globe Girl blogs
This is my contribution to the wonderful Eid and Hajj posts that the others have been posting, they have inspired me immensely, Alhumdulillah…
Here is a beautiful link to Br Muhammad AlShareef’s Eid Slide Show: EID 101
Enjoy!
Hajj Countdown: 10 Hajj Activities for Kids (10 of 10)
ACTIVITY #9: GETTING READY ON MUZDALIFAH
On the night of 9th Dhul HIjjah (Day of Arafah), right after sunset, the pilgrims leave to travel to a nearby open plain called Muzdalifah, halfway between Arafah and Mina. There they spend the night praying, and collecting small stone pebbles to be used the following day at the Jamaraat. The 3 pillars of Jamaraat represent Shaitan. The act of stoning these three pillars with the collected stones takes place the next day- the reenactment of Ibrahim (Alayhis Salaam)’s stoning the devil on his way to obey Allah’s command to sacrifice his son Ismail (Alayhis Salaam).
Sr Alif blogs
ACTIVITY #9: GETTING READY IN MUZDALIFAH
On the night of 9th Dhul Hijjah (Day of Arafah), right after sunset the pilgrims leave to travel to a nearby open plain called Muzdalifah, halfway between Arafah and Mina. There they spend the night praying, and collecting small stone pebbles to be used the following day at the Jamaraat. The 3 pillars of Jamaraat represent Shaitan. The act of stoning the three pillars with the collected stones is a reenactment of the story of Ibrahim (Alayhis Salaam). He was on his way to obey Allah’s command to sacrifice his son Ismail (Alayhis Salaam) when Shaitan tried to stop him from obeying Allah’s commands. Ibrahim (Alayhis Salaam) resisted his temptation by pelting him with 7 stones each of the three times he showed up.
.Jamaraat Stones Worksheet DOWNLOAD HERE. Do the worksheet with your children after they have understood this concept. If your children are too young to grasp the concept of sacrifice, then teach them about Shaitan and how pelting the 3 pillars or Jamaraat represent Shaitan, and discuss how this may imply “pelting away” the bad thoughts or things Shaitan encourages us to do.
As Rasulallah (Sallahu Alayhi Wasalam) warned us in his final speech on the Day of Arafah, “Beware of Satan, for your safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.”
ACTIVITY #10: PREPARING FOR UDHIYAH / QURBANI
Eid is here….let’s prepare for the Udhiyah! Learn the ettiquette of Islamic Zabiha!
Design and make a poster of your own to display in your local Halal meat store before Eid ul Adha!! Help educate your community about the importance of following Islamic law on this special day! If you would rather not work from scratch, download our template instead: Template for Udhiyah- Qurbani DOWNLOAD HERE or print this: Empty Page Template with Animals DOWNLOAD HERE.
The Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, “There is a reward for doing good to all living creatures.” So let us make this day an occasion to earn Allah’s reward and to avoid the punishment of those who mistreat animals.
PS: The Etiquettes of Udhiyah poster was designed for Jannahsteps by Jazba, a group of ardent Muslimahs who strongly believe that Islam is the ‘backbone’ of liberal women, providing them the biggest support in terms of respect and rights. Jazba shares the responsibility of promoting peace and justice across the world. (Mashallah! May Allah help you succeed in everything you venture out to do for His sake. Ameen)
Hajj Countdown Links for the rest of the activities:
http://blog.jannahsteps.com/
http://blog.jannahsteps.com/2009/11/hajj-countdown-10-hajj-activities-for-kids-4-of-10/
http://blog.jannahsteps.com/
http://blog.jannahsteps.com/
http://blog.jannahsteps.com/
Hajj Countdown: 10 Hajj Activities for Kids (8 of 10)
8th day of Dhul-Hijjah has arrived….5-7 million Hajjis are making their way to Mina from Mecca!Mina is a small village east of the city. There they spend one day and one night in enormous tent cities praying hard, reading the Quran and resting for the next day.
Have your child do the worksheet. Cut and paste pictures of what Hajjis might need inside the tent of Mina. Discuss the things people might take with them when they go camping. Discuss the difficulties old people might endure living in such conditions. Why do you think old and weak people are motivated to get through the Hajj rituals?
Sr Alif blogs
ACTIVITY #7: 8th DAY OF DHUL HIJJA- WE’RE HEADING TO MINA!
8th day of Dhul-Hijjah has arrived! 5-7 million Hajjis are making their way to Mina from Mecca!
Mina is a small village east of the city. There they spend one day and one night in enormous tent cities praying hard, reading the Quran and resting for the next day.
Have your child do the worksheet. Mina Tent Worksheet- DOWNLOAD HERE. Cut and paste pictures of what Hajjis might need inside the tent of Mina. Discuss the things people might take with them when they go camping. Discuss the difficulties old people might endure living in such conditions. Why do you think old and weak people are motivated to get through the Hajj rituals? Also ponder on the thought that thousands of people have waited their entire lives saving for Hajj, many old people have done the same, and now Allah has given them a chance to make Hajj.
ACTIVITY #8: DAY OF ARAFAH
On the second day of the Hajj (9th Dhul Hijjah), the pilgrims leave Mina just after dawn to travel to the Plain of Arafah. On what is known as the “Day of Arafah” the pilgrims spend the entire day making duas. Muslims around the world who are not at the pilgrimage join them in spirit by fasting for the day. Our beloved Messenger (Sallahu Alayhi Wasalam) delivered his last speech on the Mount of Arafah on this day.
Help your children understand the importance of this day and think of what they may ask Allah on this special day. Arafah Dua Worksheet DOWNLOAD HERE
Hajj Countdown Links for the rest of the activities:
http://blog.jannahsteps.com/
http://blog.jannahsteps.com/2009/11/hajj-countdown-10-hajj-activities-for-kids-4-of-10/
http://blog.jannahsteps.com/
http://blog.jannahsteps.com/
Hajj Countdown: 10 Hajj Activities for Kids (6 of 10)
Sr Alif blogs
What do Muslims wear when they go for Hajj? In this activity, children familiarize themselves with the unique hajj dress code. Cut these cute Muslim popsicle puppets and allow children to pretend play as their popsicle puppets go on Hajj.
Sr Alif blogs
ACTIVITY #5: WHAT SHALL I WEAR TO THE BIGGEST EVENT ON THE PLANET?
What do Hajjis wear when they go for Hajj? In this activity, children familiarize themselves with the unique hajj dress code. Cut these cute Muslim Popsicle puppets and allow children to pretend play as their Popsicle puppet buddies go on Hajj with them. Learn to recite the Talbiyah. Help children repeat the Talbiyah and memorize it. Ihram Puppets DOWNLOAD HERE
Extension Activity: Children love to dress up! Demonstrate with 2 pieces of white towels, how men must wear the Ihram. Allow girls to try out different hijabs and jilbabs or long dresses! Girls cannot cover their face during Hajj. Boys cannot wear anything on their heads during Hajj. Contemplate with them as to why these rules apply during Hajj. Help them understand why people from different walks of life (whether a King or a pauper) all come to Hajj and are viewed as equal in the eyes of Allah- the Hajj dress code only promotes this equality.
ACTIVITY #6: WE’RE IN AL KABA: “LABBAIK ALLAHUMMA LABAIK!”
What is the shape of the Kabah? What color is it? Do you know how to say that color in Arabic? How many doors or windows does the Kabah have? Does anyone live inside the Kabah? Who built the Kabah? These are some of the questions kids can be asked. Journey along with them as they seek answers. Download the Kabah template and decorate it with gold paper strips or glitter glue. Kaba Template DOWNLOAD HERE
Here are sample Kabahs made at Hamza School in New York by Preschoolers.
Older children can make a 3D model and do the following extension activity.
Extension Activity: Using online resources help your children learn about Al Kaba and find pictures that help them understand what the inside of the Kaba may look like. Also learn about the history of Al Kaba in the recent past. Understand what it may have looked like in the early 1900′s and compare it to images from today.
Hajj Countdown Links for the rest of the activities:
http://blog.jannahsteps.com/
http://blog.jannahsteps.com/2009/11/hajj-countdown-10-hajj-activities-for-kids-4-of-10/
http://blog.jannahsteps.com/
http://blog.jannahsteps.com/
http://blog.jannahsteps.com/
Hajj Countdown: 10 Hajj Activities for Kids (4 of 10)
Sister Alif blogs
So we’ve got our visas and have decided what to pack….but now we have to choose our mode of transport!
Talk about how people travel to Hajj. You can discuss how people used to travel a long time ago, on camels, horses, and donkeys. Then you can compare some transportation that we use today. You can also classify ones which use land, water, and air. Complete the activity by doing the worksheet activity attached.
ACTIVITY #3: ON A CAMEL, ON A PLANE, ON A SHIP… WE’RE OFF TO MAKE OUR FIRST HAJJ TRIP!
So we’ve got our visas and have decided what to pack….but now we have to choose our mode of transport!
Talk about how people travel to Hajj. You can discuss how people used to travel a long time ago; on camels, horses, and donkeys. Then you can compare it with some transportation that we use today. You can also classify ones which use land, water, and air. Complete the activity by doing the worksheet attached. My Hajj Travel Book DOWNLOAD HERE.
.
ACTIVITY #4: WHERE ARE WE GOING?
On the plane and hours to kill…“Mommy, are we there yet?” Let’s utilize this time and brush up on some map skills, shall we?
Explore these map worksheets with your children. Help them learn about the country of Saudi Arabia.
.
Worksheet #1: World Map: Where do I live and where is Saudi Arabia?
Worksheets #2: Map of Saudi Arabia: Where will my plane land and where is Mecca?
.
Extension Activity: Learn about the flag of Saudi Arabia and do a flag activity from this weblink
http://blog.jannahsteps.com/
http://blog.jannahsteps.com/
http://blog.jannahsteps.com/
http://blog.jannahsteps.com/
Hajj Countdown: 10 Hajj Activities for Kids (2 of 10)
Hajj Countdown : 10 Days of Kids Activities
So, you wish you can make hajj-You watch one of your friends and families preparing their visas, and packing their suitcase. When you hug and shake the Hajjis good bye, your heart feels that slight pang of sadness that some how you didn’t get to be invited to the best renown world conference ever. As you pull out from the airport and you look at your children sitting in the back seat talking excitedly about the airport scene, you wonder, “Is there anything I can do before the Eidul-Adha to remind them about Hajj?”
Use this 10 days of Zil Hijjah to have teachable moments with your child. It can be 10 minutes short activity or extend it to an evening past time.
Zil Hijjah 1, 1430
Passport to Hajj
Have your child look at his/her own passport. Talk about each page and what it might be used for. Talk about how this books is international document that confirm your identity and citizenship
If you use a passport to visit other countries, it may have some national stamps and seals to show where you are going or have been.
Extension Activities: Print and use the passport template(download).Look at passports from various countries. Find out how people get passports in your country.
Sister Alif blogs
So, you wish you can make hajj- You watch one of your friends or family preparing their visas, and packing their suitcase. When you hug and shake the Hajjis good bye, your heart feels that slight pang of sadness that some how you didn’t get to be invited to the best renown world conference ever. As you pull out from the airport and you look at your children sitting in the back seat talking excitedly about the airport scene, you wonder, “Is there anything I can do before Eid ul Adha to remind them about Hajj?”
Use these 10 days of Dhul Hijjah to have teachable moments with your child. It can be a short 10 minutes activity or extend it to an evening past time.
ACTIVITY #1: CREATING YOUR VERY OWN HAJJ PASSPORT
Have your child look at his/her own passport. Talk about each page and what it might be used for. Talk about how this book is an international document that confirms your identity and citizenship.
If you use a passport to visit other countries, it may have some national stamps and seals to show where you are going or have been.
Extension Activities: Print and use the passport template Hajj Passport Template- DOWNLOAD HERE (I used a rounded edge corner cutter to make my passport). Look at passports from various countries. Find out how people get passports in your country.
ACTIVITY #2: PACK YOUR SUITCASE- WE’RE GOING FOR HAJJ!
Although we didn’t get to make Hajj this year, we can always use our imagination and pretend to take this wonderful journey from the comfort of our own home or classroom! Talk to your children about what some things you would need to take with you if you were to make a journey. Now discuss what you would pack in your suitcase and what would be considered Hajj essentials. Download the worksheet activity Lets Pack For Hajj- DOWNLOAD HERE . Cut and paste each important item in the bag. Ask the children why they feel each item is essential for their journey.
Hajj Countdown Links for the rest of the activities:
http://blog.jannahsteps.com/
http://blog.jannahsteps.com/
http://blog.jannahsteps.com/
http://blog.jannahsteps.com/