Fifty Islamic assemblies

THEME TITLE PAGE

A New Beginning Page 3
Anger – Control it Page 6
We are all one race, the human race Page 9
Read, read, read Page 12
The meaning of friendship Page 15
Actions speak louder than words Page 18
If only……… Page 21
Helping others Page 24
Always speak the truth Page 27
To forgive & forget Page 31
Power of the tongue Page 35
The meeting…with Allah Page 38
The creation of Allah Page 41
Time-Don’t waste it Page 44
From Allah we come and to him we will return Page 48
Purchasing a ticket to Heaven –deeds Page 52
Gratefulness Page 57
The price is right Page 61
When the going gets tough Page 64
Be people of mercy Page 68
The love letter – You have a friend in Allah Page 71
Team spirit Page 74
Thank you Allah Page 77
Bad company Page 81
A testing time Page 84
Don’t fear, Allah is near Page 87
DUA – The helping hand Page 89
SABR – Have patience Page 92
GHEEBAH – Backbiting; Burning your deeds Page 96
TAQWA-You’ve been framed Page 99
It’s when good neighbours become good friends Page 102
Generosity Page 105
The Muslim character Page 108

Special occasion Assemblies

THEME TITLE PAGE
MUSLIM CALENDAR ASSEMBLIES
S1. 1st Muharram – The Muslim new year Page 111
S2. 12th Rabbi-al-Awal-Death of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Page 114
S3. 27th Rajab – The Isra & Miraaj Page 117
S4. Ramadhan assembly 1- Welcome Ramadhan Page 122
S5. Ramadhan assembly 2- The month of mercy Page 125
S6. Ramadhan assembly 3- The night of power (Laila-tul-Qadr) Page 129
S7. 1st Shawwal- Eid-ul-Fitr- Sharing Page 133
S8. 26th Shawwal- The journey to Taif Page 137
S9 Hajj assembly 1- Prophet Abraham (PBUH) Page 140
S10. Hajj assembly 2-Malcolm X Page 145
S11. Hajj assembly 3-Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) last speech Page 148
CHRISTIAN CALENDAR ASSEMBLIES
S12. Christmas 1-Family of Prophet Jesus (PBUH) Page 151
S13. Christmas 2-Miracles of Prophet Jesus (PBUH) Page 154
S14. Easter-Prophet Jesus (PBUH) the messiah Page 158
S15. Fathers Day-Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) & Children Page 161
S16. Mothers Day-Your mother, your mother, your mother Page 164
S17. International women’s day- A Woman’s World Page 167

THEME 1
New Beginnings

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“There was a man who had who had committed ninety-nine murders. Then he set out asking (whether his repentance could be accepted or not). He came upon a monk and asked him if his repentance could be accepted. The monk replied in the negative and so the man killed him. He kept on asking till a man advised him to go to such and such village. (So he left for it) but death overtook him on the way. The angels of mercy and the angels of punishment quarreled amongst themselves regarding him. Allah ordered the village (towards which he was going) to come closer to him, and ordered the village (where he had come), to go far away, and then He ordered the angels to measure the distances between his body and the two villages. So he was found to be one span closer to the village (he was going to). So he was forgiven.”
(Bukhari)

Many great Muslims that existed had done great sins before they repented and turned to Allah. Umar (2nd Caliph of the Muslims) was on his way to kill the prophet when Allah made him turn. Once Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was sitting with his companions and they were telling him of the things that they got up to before they repented to Allah. Umar told him about how he would bury any daughter that he would have. Once he went out one a business expedition and returned three years later to find out that he had a three-year-old daughter. He decided to bury this one like the others. One day Umar called her and she ran to his side. He told her he wanted to take her for a long walk and the girl skipped and hopped happily beside her father as they went along the poor little thing She never thought that a dreadful fate awaits her.

Before long Umar began to dig a hole in the ground. Whilst he was a digging a hole to bury his daughter dirt would fall on his beard and his daughter would come up to him and clean his beard. When he placed his daughter in the hole she grabbed onto his finger and cried out. Father don’t leave me in here, I will not ask you for any money or toys or sweets, I will never do anything wrong, but he just kept on covering her in earth. Once he had buried her he kept his finger in the little girls hand and slowly the grip eased as his daughter died.
It was a heartrending story. Umar was full of remorse and guilt for the dreadful murder he had committed.

REFLECTIONS
• Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said that Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, stretches out His Hand during the night so that the people repent for the fault committed from dawn till dusk and He stretches out His Hand during the day so that the people may repent for the fault committed from dusk to dawn.

• Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“All of the children of Adam do wrong, but the best of the wrong doers are those who repent”. (Tirmidhi)

• If sins like the ones mentioned can be forgiven then the sins that we have done can be forgiven.

CONCLUSION
It was narrated that in the days of Prophet Moses (PBUH) there was an intense drought that befell his people. Together, they raised their hands towards the heavens praying for the blessed rain to come. Then, to the astonishment of Prophet Moses (PBUH) and all those watching, the few scattered clouds that were in the sky vanished, the heat poured down, and the drought intensified.

It was revealed to Moses that there was a sinner amongst the people who had disobeyed Allah for more than forty years of his life. “Let him separate himself from the congregation,” Allah told Moses (PBUH). “Only then shall I shower you all with rain.”

Moses (PBUH) called out to the people, “There is a person amongst us who has disobeyed Allah for forty years. Let him separate himself from the congregation and only then shall we be rescued from the drought.” That man, waited, looking left and right, hoping that someone else would step forward, but no one did. Sweat poured forth from his brow and he knew that he was the one.

The man knew that if he stayed amongst the congregation all would die of thirst and that if he stepped forward he would be humiliated for all eternity. He raised his hands with a sincerity he had never known before, with humility he had never tasted, and as tears poured down on both cheeks he said: “O Allah, have mercy on me! O Allah, hide my sins! O Allah, forgive me!”

As Moses (PBUH) and the people waited for the sinner to step forward, the clouds hugged the sky and the rain poured. Moses (PBUH) asked Allah, “O Allah, you blessed us with rain even though the sinner did not come forward.” And Allah replied, “O Moses, it is for the repentance of that very person that I blessed all of the people with water.”

Moses (PBUH), wanting to know who this blessed man was, asked, “Show him to me O Allah!” Allah replied, “O Moses, I hid his sins for forty years, do you think that after his repentance I shall expose him?”
PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME 2
Anger:- control it

There was a little boy with a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, to hammer a nail in the back fence. The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Then it gradually dwindled down.

He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence. Finally, the day came when the boy didn’t lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper.

The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, “You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence.

The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won’t matter how many times you say I’m sorry, the wound is still there.

A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one.
If someone calls you a name or swears at you, some of us start swearing back and may even punch them. Why do we always choose the violent way? Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

“A strong person is not the person who throws his opponents to the ground.
A strong person is the one who contains himself when he is angry.”

Anger is a natural response and sometimes we will find it difficult to contain this. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) knew this and gave advice what to do in these situations:

” Shake hands and rancour will disappear. Give gifts to each other and love each other and enmity will disappear”

Anger is one of the weapons of Shaitan, we should be careful that we do not fall prey to his weapons. Allah says in the Quran:

“Heaven is prepared for those people who fear Allah, who give in times of ease and hardship, and those who control their anger and forgive others” (Quran 3:133)
If someone angers you or swears at you, then don’t harm yourself by doing the same but respond in a better way as Allah says in the Quran:

“Repel evil with what is better. Then he who was your worst enemy will become your best friend.” (Quran 41:33)

REFLECTION
• How many times have you shouted at your parents?

• Many people now are unable to control themselves and end up arguing with others, often the ones that they love: their parents, their brothers, their sisters, their friends etc………..

CONCLUSION
An old Indian Grandfather said to his grandson who came to him with anger at a friend who had done him an injustice……..

“It is as if there are two wolves inside me;
One is good and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all round him and does not take offence when no offence was intended. He will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way. He saves all his energy for the right fight.

But the other wolf, ahhh!

He is full of anger. The littlest thing will set him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all the time, for no reason.

He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is helpless anger, for his anger will change nothing.

Sometimes it is hard to live with these two wolves inside me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit.”

The boy looked intently into his Grandfather’s eyes and asked…

“Which one wins, Grandfather?”

The Grandfather smiled and quietly said……

“The one I feed.”

PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME 3
We are all one race,
the Human race

Before the creation of Human beings this earth was occupied by a creation of Allah called Jinns. One of these Jinns was so good that Allah kept him in the company of the angels. This Jinn was known as Iblis, following is the story from the Quran where Allah describes how this jinn fell and became the worst of creation when Allah decided to make a new creation known as Humans.
Allah has said in the Quran:
“And surely, I created you Adam and then gave you shape, then We told the angels, “Prostrate to Adam’; and they prostrated, except Iblis, he refused to be of those who prostrate. Allah said: ‘What prevented you (0 Iblis) that you did not prostrate, when I commanded you?” (Iblis) said: “I am better than him (Adam), You created me from fire, and him You created Adam from clay.”
(Allah) said: “0 Iblis, get down from this (Paradise), it is not for you to be arrogant here. Get out, for you are of those humiliated and disgraced.”
(Quran 7: 11-13)
This was the beginning of racism. Iblis became shaitan because he thought he was better than Adam just because he was made of something different.
A very close companion of the prophet, Bilal (RA) was among the pioneers of Islam. He was a slave to one of the Meccan leaders, since he accepted Islam in its very early days; he was made to suffer unbearable tortures. They made him lie on burning sand in the desert and put very heavy stones on his chest, leaving him in the sun for long periods. They also whipped him frequently but every time he was subjected to such tortures, he declared ‘One, One, God is One!’ After years of torture, Abu Bakr, may God be pleased with him, bought him from his master and emancipated him immediately.

After the Hijra, the great migration of Muslims to Madina, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) made Bilal his mu’adhdhin—the caller to prayer. He was so esteemed among the Companions that ‘Umar, the second Caliph, said of him: ‘Bilal is our master and our master (meaning Abu Bakr) freed him.’

The ideal of equality and human brotherhood is explicitly enjoined in the Quran and discrimination on the basis of nation or race is explicitly rejected:
“O mankind! We created you of a man and woman and made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another. The best and most honoured of you in the sight of God is the most pious and God-fearing among you. Surely God is the All-Knowing, the All-Aware.”

Abu Dharr, one of the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) companions narrates:
Once I was conversing with Bilal. Our conversation gave way to a dispute. Angry with him, the following insult burst from my mouth: ‘You cannot comprehend this, O son of a black woman!’
As Islam expressly forbade all kinds of racial, tribal and colour discrimination, Bilal was both upset and greatly angered.

A while later a man came and told me that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) summoned me. I went to him immediately. He said to me:

‘I have been informed that you addressed Bilal as the son of a black woman.’

I was deeply ashamed and could say nothing. God’s Messenger continued his reprimand: ‘This means you still retain the standards and judgements of the pre-Islamic days of ignorance. Islam has eradicated all those false standards or measures judging people by blood, fame, colour or wealth. It has established that the best and most honourable of men is he who is the most pious and upright in conduct. Is it right to defame a believer just because he is black?’

Abu Dharr felt profound remorse. He went straight to Bilal’s house and, putting his head on the threshold, said: ‘This head will not rise from here until the blessed feet of Bilal tread on the face of foolish, impolite Abu Dharr.’

REFLECTIONS

• Hitler said that white people are better than anyone else. Britain and the Allies thought that he was wrong – and fought against him. So why is there racism in Britain today.

• Remember Iblis became Shaitan because of Racism. He thought he was better than others just because of the substance he was made of.

• There is a reason why Allah made you different. The reason is that you learn from each other, familiarise yourself with other peoples cultures.

Allah said in the Quran
“I made you into nations and tribes so you learn from each other, not despise each other”
CONCLUSION

If you dislike someone because of looks or the colour of their skin then the being that you dislike is Allah himself. You did not choose your own colour of skin or your own ethnicity or your own looks, it was Allah who chose them for you.

Allah said in the Quran:

“I fashioned you the way I like in the wombs of your mother”

PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME 4
Read, Read, Read

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) grew up in Makkah. The people of Makkah worshipped idols, but Muhammad was different: he believed in only one God, Allah. Muhammad was unhappy in Makkah and he often used to leave the busy city and go off up into the hills to be by himself to think and to pray. One day, during Ramadan, Muhammad decided to go and spend some in time in the cave. He went to Mount Hira and stayed in a cave, spending his time there praying and meditating. At this time, he was about 40 years old.

While Muhammad was in the cave, the angel Jibril appeared to him and said to him: “Read!”

“I cannot read!” said the prophet for, like many people of the time, Muhammad could not read or write. Again the angel commanded “Read!” and again Muhammad replied, “I cannot!”. For a third time, the angel commanded Muhammad to read, and spoke these words:

“Read: in the name of your Lord, who created all humanity from a drop of blood, speak these words out loud! Your Lord is the Most Generous One –
He who has taught the Pen, and taught humans what they did not know.” (Quran 96:1 – 5)

Muhammad repeated these words until he knew them by heart. He rushed out of the cave and towards the city. Then the voice came again. This time it boomed out: “Oh Muhammad, you are the Messenger of Allah, and I am Jibril”.
Muhammad looked up and there, in front of him, he saw the angel towering above him in the sky. Muhammad ran home and, trembling all over, told his wife Khadijah what had happened
These words were the first words of the Quran. The people of Mecca had over 300 Gods in the kabah. They had all sorts of evil practices like burying their daughters alive, drinking to the extreme, walking around the Kabah naked. Allah chose these words as the first words to guide those people. Allah decided through reading and education this community can flourish, through reading these evil practices will disappear.
After this Allah mentioned learning and seeking knowledge over 800 times in the Quran. Allah said in the Quran:
To acquire knowledge is a must on all Muslims, whether male or female.
Once the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) entered the Mosque before the prayer time. He found two groups in the Mosque. One group was busy with its own act of worship; some were reading the Quran while the others were supplicating. The other group was in a corner busy learning. They learnt how to read and write and discussed the teachings of Islam and their application to their daily lives.
Looking at both, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“They are both engaged in useful pursuits. But I am a teacher. I shall join the group assembled to learn.”
And so he sat with the group of students.
REFLECTIONS
• Reading & learning is very important, the reward from Allah is immeasurable.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“one hour of learning is more rewarding from Allah than seventy years of prayer”

“The person who travels on a path to seek knowledge, Allah places him on a path to Paradise”

• Time is very important and should never be wasted. You should be reading and learning all the time.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave”

CONCLUSION

There was once a uneducated Muslim man, who at the age of 60 watched a drop of water fall into an empty pot. Slowly slowly as the drops gathered the pot was full of water and began to overflow with water. At the age of 60 this individual decided to learn and by the age he died he was one of the most respected scholars of Islam.

The prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“The persons whose two days are equal in knowledge is a sure loser”

Start today, make everyday count, make every lesson count and see what wonders you can achieve.

PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME 5
Meaning of friendship
(The friend of Allah)

Out of all of the creation of Allah. There is one person who is called Khaleel-ullah, the friend of Allah. That individual is Prophet Abraham (PBUH). This friendship is based on the sacrifices Prophet Abraham (PBUH) made for the sake of Allah.

Prophet Abraham (PBUH) was born into a typical family of that ancient time. The head of the family was not even an ordinary idolater, but was one who totally rejected Allah and who used to make the idols with his own hands. Into that family Prophet Abraham (PBUH) was born, destined to stand against his own family, against the entire system of his community.

The people of Nimrod decided to throw Prophet Abraham (PBUH) into the biggest fire they could build. All the citizens were ordered to gather wood as a service to their gods. For several days they collected fuel. They dug a deep pit, filled it with firewood and ignited it. They brought a catapult with which to cast Prophet Abraham (PBUH) into the fire. Prophet Abraham (PBUH) was put on the catapult, his hands and feet tied. The fire was ready with its flames reaching the sky. The people stood away from the pit because of the great heat. Then the chief priest gave his order to cast Prophet Abraham (PBUH) into the fire. The angel Gabriel came near Prophet Abraham’s (PBUH) head and asked him: “0 Abraham, do you wish for anything?” Prophet Abraham (PBUH) replied: “Nothing from you.” The catapult was shot, and Prophet Abraham (PBUH) was cast into the fire, but his descent into the blaze was as a descent on steps in a cool garden. The flames were still there, but they did not burn, for Allah the Almighty had issued His command:

“0 fire! Be you coolness and safety for Abraham.” (Quran 21:69)

One day, Prophet Abraham (PBUH) woke up and asked his wife Hagar to get her son and prepare for a long journey. In a few days, Prophet Abraham (PBUH) started out with his wife Hagar and their son Ishmael. The child was still nursing and not yet weaned. Prophet Abraham (PBUH) walked through cultivated land, desert, and mountains until he reached the desert of the Arabian Peninsula and came to an uncultivated valley having no fruit, no trees, no food, no water. The valley had no sign of life. After Prophet Abraham (PBUH) had helped his wife and child to dismount, he left them with a small amount of food and water. He turned around and walked away. His wife hurried after him asking: “Where are you going, Prophet Abraham (PBUH), leaving us in this barren valley?”

Prophet Abraham (PBUH) did not answer her, but continued walking. She repeated what she had said, but he remained silent. Finally, she understood that he was not acting on his own initiative. She realized that Allah had commanded him to do this. She asked him: “Did Allah command you to do so?” He replied: “Yes.” Then his great wife said: “We are not going to be lost, since Allah, Who has commanded you, is with us.”

Allah the Almighty told us of Prophet Abraham’s (PBUH) affliction with his beloved son:

We gave him the glad tidings of a forbearing boy. And, when he (his son) was old enough to walk with him, he said: “0 my son! I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering you as a sacrifice to Allah, so look what do you think!” He said: “0 my father! Do that which you are commanded, Allah willing, you shall find me of the patient.” Then, when they had both submitted themselves to the Will of Allah and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead for slaughtering. We called out to him: “0 Abraham! You have fulfilled the vision!” (Quran 37:99-111)

It was because of these sacrifices that Prophet Abraham (PBUH) became the friend of Allah.

REFLECTIONS
• Those who maintain a friendship with one who has fallen on hard times are true, loyal friends. Those who do not support their friends during their misfortune have nothing to do with friendship.
• Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

“Help your friend, if he is being wronged or if he is doing wrong”

The people around the prophet asked that they could help their friend if he is been wronged but how can they help him if he is doing wrong. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) replied:

“Stop him doing wrong and you will be helping him”
CONCLUSION
Two friends Qasim and Hassan were walking through the desert, as the sun was beating down on their heads, and they were thirsty for water they began to argue. The argument got more and more heated and eventually Qasim struck Hassan across the face. Hassan felt hurt inside, but without anything to say, he wrote in the sand: “Today, my best friend slapped me in the face.”

They kept on walking, until eventually they came across an oasis, where they decided to stop and have a swim. Hassan jumped in and began to wash, while Qasim sat back and relaxed. Suddenly Hassan began to scream and shout, he had developed a cramp and was having difficulty keeping his head above water, he was drowning.

Qasim dived in after him, and brought him gently to shore. When Hassan recovered from the shock, he scratched a message on a nearby stone:

“Today, my best friend saved my life”

Qasim who had saved and slapped his best friend Hassan, asked him, “Why, after I hurt you, you wrote in the sand, and now you write on a stone?”

Hassan, smiled and replied:

“When a friend hurts us, we should write his deeds in the sand, where the winds of forgiveness can blow it away, and when a friend does something good, we should engrave it in stone, where it shall remain for eternity.”

PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME 6
Actions speak louder than words

Show some simple mimes and ask the children to guess what they are: e.g. throwing pebbles during Hajj, Wudhu, Praying.
Sometimes actions can say more than words.
One old woman made a habit of throwing rubbish on Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) whenever he passed from her house. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had to pass that house daily on the way to the mosque. Even when the old woman threw rubbish on him, he would pass silently without showing any anger or annoyance. This was a regular, daily event.
One day when Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was passing by the woman was not there to throw the rubbish. He stopped and asked the neighbour about her well being. The neighbour informed the prophet that the woman was sick on bed. The prophet politely asked permission to visit the woman. When allowed he entered the house, the woman thought that he had come there to take his revenge when she was unable to defend herself because of sickness. But the prophet assured her that he had come to her, not to take any revenge, but to see her and to look after her needs, as it was the command of Allah that if any one is sick, a Muslim should visit him and should help him if his help is needed.
The old woman was greatly moved by this kindness and love of Prophet. By the example of greatness of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), she understood that he was truly the Prophet of God. She accepted Islam at once.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was not required to give the old woman a speech or a lecture on Islam. His actions spoke louder than words ever could.
Several years ago an Imam moved to London, United Kingdom. He often took the bus from his home to the downtown area. Some weeks after he arrived, he had occasion to ride the same bus. When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him twenty pence too much change.

As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, you better give the twenty pence back. It would be wrong to keep it. Then he thought, “Oh, forget it, its only twenty pence. Who would worry about this little amount? Anyway the bus company already gets too much fare; they will never miss it. Accept it as a gift from Allah and keep quiet.”

When his stop came, the Imam paused momentarily at the door, and then he handed the twenty pence back to the driver and said, “Here, you gave me too much change”. The driver with a smile, replied, “Aren’t you the new Iman in this area? I have been thinking lately about going to worship at your Mosque. I just wanted to see what you would do, if I gave you too much change.”

When the Iman stepped off the bus, his knees became weak and soft, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, and held on for support, and looked up to the heavens and cried: “Oh Allah, I almost sold You and Islam for twenty pence!”
REFLECTIONS

• Allah constantly mentions Amanu wa amalu together. These words mean belief and actions, for a Muslim these go together.

• Your actions are very important because they are constantly showing others how a Muslim behaves like; remember you are representatives of Islam.

• A person’s example is much more powerful than just his words. When we ask someone to do something, we must do it ourselves also. We should not ask others to do what we do not do ourselves.

CONCLUSION
When the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) started telling the people of Makah about Islam and Allah, many problems arose within families where the young listened to the prophet but the older generation could not give up their idols.
There was an old lady who decided to leave Makah because of all this trouble. She packed all her luggage and waited by her doorstep asking people to help her with her luggage to the outskirts of the city. The people were to busy and ignored her. She became tired and sat down, whilst he was sitting a man came up to her and asked whether he could be of service. The old woman was very glad that there are some people left in Makah who consider the needs of the old. This individual carried all her luggage and accompanied her to the outskirts of the city. On the way the man asked her why she was leaving Makah.
She replied telling the man that there is an individual in Makah known as Muhammad who is causing a lot of grief in the city and she wants to get away. She carried on saying I pray that there were more people like you in Makah who are not too busy with their own lives that they have no time for the old and needy. When they reached the outskirts of the village the old lady asked the man his name and the man replied:
“I am that same Muhammad that you have been talking about”
The old lady was shocked and said:
“If you are Muhammad then I want to become a Muslim for the way you help others you can never tell a lie”.

PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

V
THEME 7
If only………..

Not long ago, three friends came to Birmingham. They decided to stay in a hotel during the visit. It so happened that their room ended up being on the 60th floor. The policy of the hotel was that every night after 12:00 a.m. the elevators are shut down for security reasons. So on the next day, the three friends rented a car and went out to explore the city. They enjoyed movies, concerts, and other things throughout the whole day. At one point, they remembered that they have to get back to the hotel before 12 a.m. When they arrived, it was beyond 12 a.m. at night. The elevators were shut down. There was no other way to get back to their room but to take the stairs all the way to the 60th floor.
All of a sudden, one friend got an idea. He said “For the first 20 floors, I will tell jokes to keep us going. Then another one of us could say wisdom stories for the next 20 floors. Finally, we will cover the other 20 floors with sad stories.” So, one of the friends started with the jokes. With laughs and joy, they reached the 20th floor. Now, another friend started saying stories that are full of wisdom. So, they learned a lot while reaching the 40th floor. Now, it was time for the sad stories. So, the third friend started thus, “My first sad story is that I left the key for the room in the car.”

Now, what is the point of this story? This story resembles our life cycle. For the first major part of our life, we spend time in joking and enjoying whatever is out there. Then, after we reach a certain age we go into our jobs, get married, have kids and this is the time when we use our wisdom. Then, if we reach 40, we finally see the white hairs and begin to think that my life is coming to an end and the sadness begins. We start regretting all the things that we should or shouldn’t have done in our youth.

Allah, the most Exalted, said in the Quran:
“Let the life of this world not deceive you, nor let the dissembler trick you concerning Allah “

At most you get five years in secondary school, how much of that time do we actually spend in learning and how much of that time do we get preoccupied by side attractions and forget the main reason of coming to school to get an education. Then when we are suddenly in year 11 near your examinations, you start wondering where has all that time gone.

One of the biggest regrets that everyone makes is, they all say:
If only I worked during my school days.

Are you going to be one of those who will not work and end up saying IF ONLY or are you going to be those individuals who say to themselves I AM GOING TO BE SOMETHING.

REFLECTIONS

• Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) encouraged self-reflection, to look in the mirror and judge yourself. Ask yourself how well are you doing and where are you headed. Constant reflections and discussions with people who have experience of life more than you can help reduce your regrets.

• Remember the biggest regrets that people have are that they do not make proper use of their time at school, they waste too much time in the side attractions.

• The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) advised that you make use of five things before five others overtake you. Your health before sickness overtakes you, your free-time before pre-occupation overtakes you, your wealth before poverty overtakes you, your youth before old age overtakes you, your life before death overtakes you.

CONCLUSION

The decisions that you make are with you for life. Think before you say or do something that you might regret later.
Once, a group of people were travelling on rocks at night. A voice came from the sky that whosoever picks up the rocks will regret and whosoever doesn’t pick up the rocks will regret. Now, the people were confused. How can this be? Whether you pick up the rocks or not, you will regret! Anyway, some people picked up the rocks and some didn’t. In the morning when they reached their homes, they saw that the rocks turned into diamonds. Now, those people who didn’t pick up the rocks started regretting saying “If only we had picked up some rocks.” Those people who did pick some rocks also started regretting saying, “Why didn’t we pick up more rocks?” Both sides ended up regretting. Dear Muslims, this same incident will take place with us on the Day of Judgement. Those people who spent their time in useless things will start regretting by looking at those who achieved a great position in Paradise by spending their time in the way of Allah. Now, those who did achieve a position in Paradise will start regretting by looking at those who did more than them and are higher in status. “Alas! If we had only done more to please Allah.”

PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME 8
Helping others

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room’s only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.

Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.

The man in the other bed began to live for those one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and colour of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Beautiful flowers of every colour gave their scent out to the air and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn’t hear the band – he could see it. In his mind’s eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days and weeks passed. One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall.

The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, “Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you”

Ali, the prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) cousin, used to lead a seemingly miserly life. But when he died they discovered that he was supporting one hundred poor families in Madinah. Muhammad Ibn Ishaq said: Some people of Madinah used to live not knowing where from they got their livelihood. When Ali died they lost what used to be sent to them by night. As a matter of fact, Ali used to carry a bag of bread by night on his back and distribute it as charity. He would say: “The secret charity puts out the anger of Allah.” When Ali died and people washed his body, they found some black traces on his back. They said: What is this? Then the answer was that he used to carry bags of flour on it by night and would give them to the poor people of Madinah. That is why when he died, people of Madinah said: We only lost the secret charity when Ali died.

REFLECTIONS

• Helping others is to help yourself.

• Help others, it does not matter who they are, Muslim or not, Black or white, Person or animal- they are all the creation of Allah.

• The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“help your friend if he is being wronged or doing wrong”
His companions asked how can we help him if he is doing wrong? The Prophet (PBUH) replied
“stop him doing wrong and you will be helping him”

CONCLUSION
There is a famous tale of a soldier who died in battle as a martyr. His soul was taken to Allah and he was given the good news that he will be in Heaven. He was asked whether he had any request before he was taken there, he replied that he wanted to see the other side (hell).
When he was taken to Hell to his amazement he saw long tables laid with the most delicious food, the people at this table were very thin and hungry. They had been given chopsticks to eat their food. These chopsticks were 6ft long and due to this although they could smell the food they could not eat it, the chopsticks were too long.
The soldier was then taken to Heaven, where he saw a similar seen. He saw long tables laid with the most delicious food; the people at this table also had chopsticks that were 6ft long. But the people in Heaven had learnt to feed each other and that is what everyone was doing. In this way they all enjoyed the food.
The people in heaven learnt that to help each other they are in fact helping themselves.

PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME 9
Always speak the truth

It was narrated that a group of friends went to a shore to play and swim. Suddenly, while playing, they heard one of them crying, “Help! Help! Save me! I’m drowning!”

They hurried to him, but when they saw him, he laughed and said, “I tricked you!”

They got angry for his lying to them. But the boy repeated his action many times, and each time he laughed that he had succeeded in deceiving them.

Then one time, the boy cried, “Save me! Help me! I’m drowning!”
He was telling the truth this time, for the sea was really high. But the other boys turned a deaf ear to him, thinking that he was lying again. The boy was actually about to drown, but the Marine Rescue Team saved his life at the last minute.

The boys’ friends hurried to him to make sure he was OK. They said to him, “We thought you were lying as you did before.”

The boy said, “You’re right. Allah punished me because I lied to you. But from now on, I’ll never lie again.”
We may not believe someone who often tells lies, even when he tells the truth
We are told that Allah’s messenger did not hate anything more than lying. (Ahmed).

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was once asked “Can a Muslim be a coward?” He replied “Yes.” and then asked “Can a Muslim be a miser?” and the reply was “Yes.” The Prophet was then asked “Can a Muslim be a liar?” The Prophet replied “NO! A Muslim can never be a liar”.

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) furthermore said,
“Truth leads to piety and piety leads to Jannah. A man persists in speaking the truth till he is enrolled with Allah as a truthful. Falsehood leads to vice and vice leads to the Fire (Hell), and a person persists on telling lies until he is enrolled as a liar”.(Bukhari)

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) happened to pass by a heap of grain and inserted his hand into it; his fingers were moistened by the wet grain. At this, he asked the owner of the grain: What is this? The man replied: O Prophet! It is due to rain. The Prophet (PBUH) said: Why didn’t you put the damp grain on top of the heap, so people could see it? He who deceives people does not belong to my Ummah. (Muslim)

Once a man came to the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and said, “Oh prophet of Allah, I have many bad habits. Which one of them should I give up first?” The prophet said, “Give up telling lies first and always speak the truth.” The man promised to do so and went home.

At night the man was about to go out to steal. Before setting out, he thought for a moment about the promise he made with the prophet. “If tomorrow the prophet asks me where have I been, what shall I say? Shall I say that I went out stealing? No, I cannot say that. But nor can I lie. If I tell the truth, everyone will start hating me and call me a thief. I would be punished for stealing.”

So the man decided not to steal that night, and gave up this bad habit.

Next day, he felt like drinking wine, when he was about to do so, he said to himself, “What shall I say to the prophet if he asks me what did I do during the day? I cannot tell a lie, and if I speak the truth people will hate me, because a Muslim is not allowed to drink wine.” And so he gave up the idea of drinking wine.

In this way, whenever the man thought of doing something bad, he remembered his promise to tell the truth at all times. One by one, he gave up all his bad habits and became a good Muslim and a very good person.

Allah mentioned about truthfulness 100 places in the Quran:
” Be with the truthful.”(Quran 9:119),
“So God may reward the truthful for their truthfulness” (Quran 33:24).
“You who believe, heed God and stand by those who are truthful” (Quran 9:119).
“You who believe, guard your duty to God, and speak words straight to the point”
(Quran 33:70).

The prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“The signs of a hypocrite are three;
Whenever he speaks he tells a lie,
Whenever he promises he always breaks it,
If you trust him he proves to be dishonest”
(Bukhari & Muslim)

REFLECTIONS
• How often do we say such a phrase or say “I was only joking”. We treat lies as being trivial.

• One lie leads to another ten lies, which then lead to bad actions. Remember you can lie and think that you have got away with it but on the day of Judgement your hands, tongue and feet will bear testimony against you and tell the truth

• Once you are branded as a liar, there may come a time when you are desperate for someone to hear you out or need help, but no one will listen to you because they see you as a liar.

CONCLUSION

As a boy Abdul Qadir (a famous scholar) prepared himself to travel to Baghdad to receive his education there. His mother gave him 40 dinars for his education costs and said to him, “Son, promise me that you will never lie, no matter what the circumstances.’’
He gave her his word.

He travelled with a caravan through the desert. On the way, a gang of robbers attacked the caravan and stole everything they found. Then one of the robbers turned to the boy and said, “Do you have anything?”

He replied, “Yes, I have 40 dinars.”

The robber searched the boy and found nothing. The robber asked again “How much money do you have?”
He replied, “ I have 40 dinars.”

The robber laughed, thinking that the boy was either lying or mad. The gang took him with them to their leader.

The leader asked the boy, “Why are you lying?’’

He answered, “I promised my mother that I would never lie, and I cannot fail her.”

The leader then asked where are these forty dinars that you have. The boy showed the leader that his mother had hid them in the lining of his Jacket.

The leader was so impressed by his words that he said, “Boy, you sacrifice your money in order not to break your promise to your mother. You are afraid to fail her, while we are not ashamed of failing Allah.’’

The leader ordered the robbers to give back what they stole from the caravan. He then turned to the boy and said, “I turn to Allah in repentance thanks to you.”

The gang then said to their leader, “You have been our example in robbery, and now you are ours in repentance.” So, they all declared their repentance.

Through his truthfulness many others mended their ways.

PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME 10
To forgive and forget

A teacher told each of her students to bring a clear plastic bag and a sack of potatoes to school. The teacher suggested to her pupils that for every person they had refused to forgive in their life’s experience, they were to take a potato, and write on it the name and date, and put it in the plastic bag.

The teacher then told each of her students to carry this bag with them over their shoulders and on their backs everywhere they went for one week — keeping the bag next to them at all times even beside their beds at night and by their desk throughout the school day, basically 24-hours a day!!!
Some of her students complained that the plastic bags were too heavy to lug around.

The hassle of physically lugging these heavy plastic bags around with them made it clear to the students what their teacher was trying to convey to them about the value of friendship and forgiveness. The students realised what a weight they were carrying spiritually!

This is a great metaphor for the price we pay for keeping our pain and heavy negativity! Too often we think of forgiveness as a gift to the other person, but it clearly is for ourselves.

Of all the things we can give other people in life, forgiveness is one of those that require the most effort. This phrase seems to make the process of forgiving easier for me:
“To bear a grudge against someone is like burning down your house to get rid of a rat.”

Forgiveness is something we “give other people”, but forgiveness, really, is a gift to ourselves. When we wreak vengeance on people whom we think have done us an injustice, we invariably end up bitter and resentful. Worse still, if our vindictiveness provokes retaliation, we might start a cycle of vengeance. And when you bear hatred within your heart, what you’re essentially doing is destroying your own state of mind and potential to be happy.

Each day yields opportunities for us to let go of or hold on to grudges, although the severity of each situation may vary. Are you better off holding on to them, or letting go?
However, part of our being human is also that we make mistakes. Sometime we make mistakes without deliberation and intention. But sometime we knowingly and deliberately sin and do wrong to others. It is said, “to err is human and to forgive is divine.” Both parts of this statement are very true. As human beings we are responsible, but we do also make mistakes and we are constantly in need of forgiveness.
Islam speaks about two aspects of forgiveness:
Allah’s forgiveness & Human forgiveness.
We need both, because we do wrong in our relations to Allah as well as in our relations to each other.

Allah’s Forgiveness:
Allah is the most Forgiving. There are many names of Allah given in the Quran. Some of these names are related to His mercy and forgiveness.
Al-Ghafoor:- The most Forgiving.
Al-’Afuw:-This is another aspect of forgiveness.
Al-Tawwab:-The Acceptor of repentance.
Al-Haleem:-The Clement. This means that Allah is not quick to judgment. He gives time. He forebears and is patient to see His servant to return to Him.
Al-Rahman and Al-Rahim:- The most Merciful and Compassionate.
In one of the prayers that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) taught, he said,
“O Allah, You are most Forgiving One, You love to forgive, so forgive me.”
(Trimidhi and Ibn Majah).
Forgiving each other, even forgiving one’s enemies is one of the most important Islamic teaching. In the Quran, Allah has described the Believers as
“Those who avoid major sins and acts of indecencies and when they are angry they forgive.” (Quran 42:37)
Later in the same Sûrah Allah says,
“Whosoever forgives and makes amends, his reward is upon Allah.”
(Quran 42:40)
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was the most forgiving person. He was ever ready to forgive his enemies. When he went to Taif to preach the message of Allah, its people mistreated him. They abused him and hit him with stones. He left the city humiliated and wounded. When he took shelter under a tree, the angel of Allah visited him and told him that Allah sent him to destroy the people of Taif because of their sin of mistreating their Prophet. The Prophet (PBUH) prayed to Allah to save the people of Taif, because what they did was out of their ignorance. He said, “O Allah, guide these people, because they did not know what they were doing.”
When he entered the city of Makkah after the victory, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had in front of him some of his staunchest enemies. Those who fought him for many years persecuted his followers and killed many of them. Now he had full power to do whatever he wanted to punish them for their crimes.
It is reported that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“Today I shall say to you what Joseph said to his brothers, ‘No blame on you today. Go, you are all free.”
Soon they all came and accepted Islam at his hands. He forgave even Hind who had caused the murder of his uncle Hamza. After killing him she had his body mutilated and chewed his liver. When she accepted Islam, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) even forgave her.

REFLECTIONS
• The prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said :
“show mercy to others so the creator may show mercy to you”
• In one Hadith the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said that Allah has commanded him about nine things. One of them he mentioned was “that I forgive those who do wrong to me.”
• When you hate, how much damage do you do to yourself, and how much to the other person?

CONCLUSION
One day the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) looked at a man and said: Whoever likes to look at a man who will enter Paradise, let him look at this man. Abdullah Ibn Abbas, who was present and heard this comment, followed the man who was favoured with this promise. He asked his permission to be his guest, which the man accepted. After observing him for three consecutive nights, without seeing anything extraordinary about him, Abdullah Ibn Abbas said: I don’t see anything about you which qualifies you to enter Paradise more than the rest of us. Can you remember one special thing you do of which I may not be aware. After thinking for sometime the man said: Nothing is outstanding in my life except one thing, may be, that I go to bed with a pure and sound heart towards my friends (meaning to forgive others of their bad qualities and to think good of everybody). Then Ibn Abbas exclaimed: This is exactly what qualifies you to enter paradise.

“Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorant. If a suggestion from Satan assails your mind, seek refuge with Allah; for He hears and knows all things”

(Quran 7:199-200)

PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME 11
Power of the tongue
(talk, talk, talk)

There was a sheikh who had a beautiful daughter. This daughter was coming to the age of marriage, and she had many suitors. She was so beautiful that handsome princes and rich men of position all wanted to win her hand in marriage. Finally the sheikh said, ‘I’ll give you some tasks; after you have completed these tasks you will come back here. And the one who can succeed in all of them will be worthy of having my daughter’s hand in marriage.’

The sheikh gave a task of bringing the sweetest thing that the people could think of. The next day they all returned. Some brought honey, others the sweetest smelling flowers or just anything that had the sweetest taste or aroma, anything sweet you could dream of that was on the planet, they brought. At the end of this long line was a poor, meek student of the sheikh. The sheikh finally said to him, ‘what is it? Why are you here?’ He said, ‘Well, your daughter is very beautiful, and I am in love with her. And I would like also to attempt to answer these questions so that I may win her hand in marriage.’ The sheikh said, ‘Well, all right.’ He could not stop what he had started. The student was holding a box. ‘What’s in that box?’ asked the sheikh. He opened the box. Inside was the huge tongue of an ox. The sheikh stepped back and said, ‘Is this some kind of a joke or a game you’re playing with me, son? I asked for the sweetest thing in the world, and you bring me this tongue!’ The student said, ‘But, my sheikh, humbly I tell you that the tongue is the sweetest thing in the world, because the words that come from this tongue, if they are sweet words, they can make a sick person well. They can make an unhappy person happy. They can make someone who is sad and despondent feel that his life is worth living, and have joy. Surely, the tongue is the sweetest of all things.’ The sheikh said, ‘All right, you win this one.’

Then, addressing the others, he said, ‘The next thing you are to bring me is the bitterest thing in the world.’ The next day, the suitors all came and lined up. They brought bitter herbs and all kinds of bitter-tasting foods, plants, and whatever it was that tasted really bitter and terrible. And there was Mehmet the student at the end of the line holding a box. The sheikh said, ‘what is it now? What do you have to show us this time?’ Mehmet opened the box, and there was the same tongue. Astonished, the sheikh said, ‘Surely you’re playing a joke on us again. Yesterday you said that this was the sweetest of all things. Today you say it is the most bitter.’ ‘My sheikh,’ Mehmet offered humbly and quietly, ‘if the tongue says bitter words, it can make a happy person sad. If the tongue says bitter things to someone, it can hurt his very heart. This tongue is so bitter it can even break a heart.’ The sheikh reluctantly said, ‘All right, Mehmet, alright.’ Mehmet received the sheikh’s daughter’s hand in marriage.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“When a person gets up in the morning, all the parts of his body make a plea to his tongue saying; ‘Fear Allah regarding us, because we follow you. If you are right then we shall also be right, and if you are wrong then we shall also be wrong.” (Tirmidhi)

“Whoever can guarantee me what is between his jaws I can guarantee them Paradise.” (Bukhari)

“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last day,
LET HIM EITHER SPEAK GOOD OR KEEP SILENT”
One day one of the companions asked Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) “O Messenger of Allah. Will we be called to account for what we say?” He replied
“people will be thrown, faces down into the hellfire, only on account to what their tongues said.” (Tirmidhi).
REFLECTIONS
• Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“A man slips more by his tongue than by his foot” (Bayhaqi)
• Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

“Save yourself from Hell-fire even by giving half a date-fruit in charity,
if you cannot find any then say a good word.” (Muslim)

• A good word is a charity and will help the person who spoke it.

CONCLUSION

A group of frogs were travelling through the woods, and two of them fell into a deep pit. All the other frogs gathered around the pit. When they saw how deep the pit was, they told the two frogs that they were as good as dead.

The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit with all of their might. The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good as dead.

Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and gave up. He fell down and died.
The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die. He jumped even harder and finally made it out.

This frog, though, was deaf, unable to hear the others plea. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time.

This story teaches us two lessons.

There is power of life and death in the tongue. An encouraging word to someone who is down can lift them up and help them make it through the day.

A destructive word to someone who is down can be what it takes to kill him or her.

PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME 12
The Meeting……(with Allah)

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features save for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endlessly in either direction, had very different headings.

As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read “People I Have Liked”. I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one.

And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalogue system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn’t match.

A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. A file named “Friends” was next to one marked “Friends I Have Betrayed”.

The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. “Books I Have Read”, “Lies I Have Told”, “Comfort I Have Given”, “Jokes I Have Laughed At”. Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: “Things I’ve Yelled at My Brothers.” Others I couldn’t laugh at: “Things I Have Done in My Anger”, “Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents”. I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped.

The sheer volume of the life I had lived overwhelmed me. Could it be possible that I had the time in my 20 years to write each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.

When I pulled out the file marked “Songs I Have Listened To”, I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn’t found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of music, but more by the vast amount of time I knew that file represented.

When I came to a file marked “Lustful Thoughts”, I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded.

An almost animal rage broke on me.
One thought dominated my mind: “No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!” In an insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn’t matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it.

Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh. And then I saw it. The title bore “People that I Have Taught About Allah”. The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.

And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that the hurt started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key.
We all have two angels who are recording down our deeds. There will be a day when you will have a meeting with your creator, he will judge you for every deed that you did, spoke about or even thought. All your deeds will be recorded in your book.

The first message Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) gave to the people of Makkah was when he called everyone by shouting from a hill. He asked them if he told them that there is an army of the other side of the hill about to attack them, would they believe him, they all replied in the affirmative. He then warned them of a day that is waiting, where all of them will be called to Allah and judged for their actions.

REFLECTIONS

• Umar (the 2nd caliph) said:
“call yourself to account before you are called to account”

• Being a Muslim is nothing more or less than this.

-ONE DAY YOU WILL MEET ALLAH AND GIVE ACCOUNT OF YOUR LIFE.

PREPARE FOR THAT MEETING

CONCLUSION
Once, a group of people were travelling on rocks at night. A voice came from the sky that whosoever picks up the rocks will regret and whosoever doesn’t pick up the rocks will regret.

Now, the people were confused. How can this be? Whether you pick up the rocks or not, you will regret!

Anyway, some people picked up the rocks and some didn’t. In the morning when they reached their homes, they saw that the rocks turned into diamonds.

Now, those people who didn’t pick up the rocks started regretting saying “If only we had picked up some rocks.”

Those people who did pick some rocks also started regretting saying, “Why didn’t we pick up more rocks?” Both sides ended up regretting.

Dear Muslims, this same incident will take place with us on the Day of Judgement. Those people who spent their time in useless things will start regretting by looking at those who achieved a great position in Paradise by spending their time in the way of Allah.

Now, those who did achieve a position in Paradise will start regretting by looking at those who did more than them and are higher in status. “Alas! If we had only done more to please Allah.”

PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME 13
The creation of Allah

A man once came to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) carrying with him his belongings and a box. He said, “O Prophet! While I was passing through a jungle, I heard the voice of some bird’s babies. I took them and put them in this box. The moment I did that, their mother came fluttering around my head.”
And Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “Put them down”. When the man put the box on the ground, the mother of the young birds joined them. Seeing this, the Prophet asked the man who now had a look of surprise on his face, “Are you surprised by the affection of the mother towards her young? I swear by Allah who has sent me, surely, God is more loving to his servants than the mother to these young birds. Return these baby birds to the place from where you took them, and let their mother be with them.”
“Fear God with regard to animals”, said the Prophet of Islam; surely, there are rewards for being kind and gentle to animals, and for giving them water to drink.”
Islam has taught that in the eyes of Allah, animals also have rights in the same way as humans have. They should not be treated badly, tortured or left to starve without food or water.
It was a very hot day. The people who lived in the city of Medina were trying to find somewhere to keep cool. There were many beautiful gardens in the city with tall, shady trees. People came to the gardens to sit under the branches of the trees. They talked. They sipped refreshing drinks. They told stories, and they laughed.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was walking in one of the gardens. He loved to walk under the trees. It was so green and cool. He liked to think quietly as he walked. He smiled at the people he knew as he walked along.

While he was walking, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) heard a strange noise. It sounded like someone crying. It sounded like someone howling. It sounded like someone was very upset. As he came closer to the drying and howling, The Prophet could see it was not a sad person at all. It was a sad camel.

The Prophet (PBUH) felt very sorry for the camel. It was tied to a post, out in the sunshine. It was very hot, and looked very thirsty. Tears were running down the camel’s cheeks, its fur was very wet. No one seemed to notice the camel’s howls. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) stroked the camel, and it became calmer. After a while the howls became grunts and the grunts became snorts of pleasure. The tears stopped running down the camel’s cheeks. He knew Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was his friend.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) became angry. He strode along the pathways calling, “Who owns this camel?” At last a voice said, “I do,” and a man stepped out from under the shade of the biggest tree in the garden.

The Prophet (PBUH) looked at the man. He was not hot. He was not thirsty. He was not thinking about his camel. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) spoke quietly. As he spoke, the camel owner’s head began to droop. He realised what he had done. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) reminded him that the camel was one of Allah’s creatures. The animal would work hard for the man. It would carry heavy loads and travel to places far away. The man should take great care of the camel in return for its hard work.

The camel owner felt very bad. He had been cool, comfortable and happy while the camel was hot, bothered and upset. His behaviour had even upset the Prophet (PBUH). He was so ashamed. From that day on he looked after his animals with great care, and always made sure they had enough to eat and drink the camel never cried again.

Allah says in the Holy Quran;
“There is no beast on earth, nor bird which flies with its wings, but they are nations like you – unto the Lord will they return”.
One day Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) when he went into his house he saw his cat sleeping with her kittens on the cloak, which he wanted to wear. Rather than disturb it he cut off the end of the cloak on which the cat was sleeping and wrapped what remained around his own shoulders.
A man was once passing through a jungle. He began to feel very thirsty, so he went down a well to quench his thirst, by drinking some water. When he came out, he saw a very thirsty dog panting and licking the mud. The man felt very sorry for the dog, but had nothing with which to draw water from the well. He decided that the only way to help the dog would be to use his leather socks and go down the well to fetch water. This is exactly what he did.

As he came up, he held the socks filled with water in his mouth. He then gave the water to the dog to drink.
Allah was pleased with this man’s deed and forgave him.
REFLECTIONS
• We should treat all of Allah’s creation as he expects us to.
• How does treating the animals nicely fit with eating Halal meat?
• How do we treat the rats, mice and ant nests that come into our homes

CONCLUSION
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was once performing ablution (Wudhu) for prayers from a pot of water. A cat passed there and turned its eyes at the pot of water with a thirsty look. The Prophet realised at once that the cat was very thirsty, so he stopped the ablution (Wudhu) and placed the pot before the cat. Only after the cat had fully quenched its thirst, did the Prophet (PBUH) resume the ablution (Wudhu).
By this action, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has shown that quenching the thirst of even a small animal is a noble act full of virtue and should be given first attention before one prepares for offering prayers to God.

PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

OH ALLAH,
You are Rahman & Raheem, the most merciful and most kind.
Have mercy on us and forgive us for the mistakes that we make.
We make mistakes when we forget & we make mistakes on purpose.
Help us to learn from our mistakes & become better people.
Without your help we cannot do anything Oh Allah.
We praise you for your creation, for it’s beauty and variety.
We thank you for all the animals that you have given us;
And we pray that we may look after them as good stewards of this planet.
We pray for the endangered species that we may preserve them for our children’s children. Oh Allah we ask for your help, to help us to treat your creation with kindness.

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME 14
Time: Don’t waste it.

The time now is…………..…..(say time in Hours; min; day; month; year). That time has now gone, it does not matter what you do, you cannot bring that time back. There is a popular saying “Time is gold”, but time in Islam is more than gold or any precious material thing in this world.

Allah says in the Quran;
“By time! Surely the human being is at loss. Except for those who have faith and do righteous deeds and exhort one another to truth and exhort one another to patience.” (Quran: al-Asr)

Allah swears an oath by time because, in the course of time, changes and transformations take place. Islam guides mankind not only to the importance of time but also how to value it. Allah the Almighty and His Messenger, the Prophet Muhammad, very clearly tell us the value of time, why we must not waste it and how we can make use of our time wisely
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“Allah said: ‘The son of Adam hurts Me by abusing Time, for I am Time; in My Hands are all things and I cause the revolution of night and day.’” (Bukhari)
“There are two blessings which many people lose: Health and free time.” (Bukhari)
“A man shall be asked concerning five things on the day of Judgement: concerning his life, how he spent it; concerning his youth, and how he wasted it; concerning his wealth, where he acquired it, and in what way he spent it; and what was it that he did with the knowledge that he had.” (Tirmidhi)
There was once a sixty-year-old person sitting and staring at an empty pot. He saw drop-by-drop water drip into this empty pot until it overflowed with water. This individual thought to himself that he has wasted sixty years of his life and he has not gained any knowledge, if only he had learnt one thing everyday today he would overflow with knowledge like the empty pot is overflowing with water. He decided to go and learn at the age of sixty and he became so knowledgeable that he became a famous scholar of Islam.
Imagine there is a bank that credits your account each morning with £86,400. It carries over no balance from day to day. Every evening it deletes whatever part of the balance you failed to use during the day. What would you do? Draw out every penny, of course!!!!!!

Each of us has such a bank. Its name is TIME. Every morning, it credits you with 86,400 seconds. Every night it writes off, as lost, whatever of this you have failed to invest to good purpose. It carries over no balance. It allows no overdraft. Each day it opens a new account for you. Each night it burns the remains of the day. If you fail to use the day’s deposits, the loss is yours. There is no going back.

There is no drawing against the “tomorrow”. You must live in the present on today’s deposits. Invest it so as to get from it the utmost in health, happiness, and success!!!

A miser had accumulated, by effort, trade and lending, three hundred thousand dinars. He then decided that he would spend a year in enjoyment, living comfortably, and then decide as what his future should be.

But, almost as soon as he had stopped amassing money the Angel of Death appeared before him, to take his life away.

The miser tried, by every argument that he could muster, to dissuade the Angel, who seemed, however, adamant. Then the man said: “Grant me but three more days and I will give you one-third of my possessions.”

The angel refused, and pulled again at the miser’s life, tugging to take it away.

Then the man said:

“If you only allow me two more days on earth, I will give you two hundred thousand dinars from my store.”

But the Angel would not listen to him. And the Angel even refused to give the man a solitary extra day for all his three hundred thousand pieces.

The miser said:

“Please, then, give me just time enough to write one little thing down.”

This time the Angel allowed him this single concession, and the man wrote, with his own blood:

“Man, make use of your life. I could not buy one hour for three hundred thousand dinars. Make sure that you realize the value of your time.”

REFLECTIONS
• Make every lesson count towards your final exams. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said;
“That individual whose two days are equal in knowledge is a sure loser.”
• Spend your time collating good deeds, your wealth and money does not go with you.

CONCLUSION
To realise the value of ONE YEAR, ask a student who failed a grade.
To realise the value of ONE MONTH, ask a mother who gave birth to a premature baby.
To realize the value of ONE WEEK, ask the editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realise the value of ONE HOUR, ask the person waiting for a late Bus.
To realise the value of ONE MINUTE, ask a person who missed the train.
To realise the value of ONE SECOND, ask a person who just avoided an accident.
To realise the value of ONE MILLISECOND, ask the person who won a silver medal in the Olympics.
Treasure every moment that you have! And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time.

And remember that time waits for no one. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is mystery. Today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present!!!

PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME 15
From Allah we come and to him we will return

A story is told about a man who was strolling among the trees in a remote African jungle.
He was enjoying nature’s beauty and listening to exotic birds sing while enjoying the smell of the wild jungle flowers.

Suddenly, he heard the unmistakable sound of an animal running with great speed. The sound grew louder and closer. As the man’s heart jumped to his throat, he turned around to see a great and obviously very hungry lion running towards him.
He ran with all his powers and the lion ran after him. Suddenly the man noticed an old well and quickly jumped into it. He clung to a rope that was hanging inside the well, which was used to fetch water.

When the lion’s roaring subsided and the man was finally able to catch his breath, he heard a sound underneath him. He looked down to see a giant snake (or python) … its mouth wide open, waiting for the man to drop right into it…

His mind raced to find a solution to this inescapable situation. As if this wasn’t enough, the man suddenly notices two mice: one black and one white and they were chewing on the rope above him! He started to shake the rope hoping to dislodge the mice and save him. In doing so, the rope started swinging and the man started bumping into the walls of the well. Then he felt something sticky on his arm (as he hit the wall) and upon tasting it he found out that it was honey and sweet as could be. He tasted it again and again until he forgot the predicament he was in.

The man suddenly woke up. It was a very bad dream!

He decided to seek an interpretation to his dream and rushed to a Scholar and Sheikh. The Scholar laughed and interpreted the dream for him. He said: “The lion was the Angel of Death; the Well with the python was your grave; the rope was your “life” (clinging to it) and the mice were the Day and the Night “eating away” from your life…”

The man was shocked but then asked: “And what about the Honey?”

The Scholar answered: “It’s the sweetness of this life that made you forget your ultimate end and what awaits.”

Allah says in the Quran:
“It is He Who gives life and who takes it, and to Him shall ye all be brought back.”
(Quran 10: 56)
“From Allah we come and to him we will return” (Quran)

Here is a true incident of two Muslim friends who died in an accident. The incident took place in 2001 in Toronto, Canada. One of the brothers who died was our neighbour. His name was Ahmed. He was a teenager and had great dreams for the future. We would visit him sometimes to talk about the purpose of life. Due to the pressure from friends, he would always say “Insha-Allah” and hope to start doing things in the near future. Then one day, it all came to an end. Brother Ahmed along with another brother was driving a car at night around 9:00 p.m. At one place, they stopped the car as the traffic light turned red. Far behind them was a police car that was chasing a stolen van. The van came really fast and hit Ahmed’s car from the back. Instantly, the two brothers passed away. May Allah forgive them and cover them with His mercy.

Everyone, mainly the youth, should take a lesson from this incident that death is unpredictable. No one should delay practising Islam for a later time, as that time may never come. Let’s make a strong commitment to start today.
DEATH POEM

It was early in the morning at four, when death knocked upon a bedroom door,
Who is there? The sleeping one cried. I’m Izrael let me inside.
At once, the man began to shiver, as one sweating in deadly fever,
He shouted to his sleeping wife, don’t let him take away my life.
Please go away, O Angel of Death! Leave me alone; I’m not ready yet.
Bewildered, the man began to cry, O Angel I’m so afraid to die,
I’ll give you gold and be your slave, don’t send me to the unlit grave.
Let me in, O Friend! The Angel said, Open the door; get up from your bed,
If you do not allow me in, I will walk through it, like a jinn.
The man held a gun in his right hand; Ready to defy the Angel’s stand.
I’ll point my gun, towards your head, you dare come in, and I’ll shoot you dead.
By now the Angel was in the room, Saying, O Friend! Prepare for you doom.
Foolish man, Angels never die, Put down your gun and do not sigh.
Why are you afraid! Tell me O man, To die according to Allah’s plan?
Come smile at me, do not be grim, Be Happy to return to Him.
O Angel! I bow my head in shame; I had no time to take Allah’s Name.
From morning till dusk, I made my wealth, not even caring for my health.
Allah’s command I never obeyed, nor five times a day I ever prayed.
A Ramadan came and a Ramadan went, But no time had I to repent.
O Angel! I appeal to you, spare my life for a year or two.
The Laws of Quran I will obey, I’ll begin SALAT this very day.
My Fast and Hajj, I will complete, and keep away from self-conceit.
I will refrain from usury, and give all my wealth to charity,
We Angels do what Allah demands; we cannot go against His commands.
Death is ordained for everyone, Father, mother, daughter or son.
I’m afraid this moment is your last, Now be reminded, of your past,
I do understand your fears, But it is now too late for tears.
You ignored the Adhaan, nor did you read the Holy Quran.
Breaking promises all your life, Backbiting friends, and causing strife.
A pint of blood you never gave, which could a little baby save.
Paradise for you? I cannot tell, Undoubtedly you will dwell in hell.
There is no time for you to repent; I’ll take your soul for which I am sent.
With a cry, he jumped out of bed, and suddenly, he fell down dead.
O Listeners! Take moral from here, you never know; your end may be near.
Change your living and make amends. For heaven, on your deeds depends.
REFLECTIONS
• A famous scholar said:
“Live as though you are going to die tomorrow, plan as though you are going to live forever”

• How long do you think you will live?
CONCLUSION
Professor Anwar, who teaches in the Ryerson University located in Toronto, Canada, narrated the following story. He said that during his student life, he was studying at a university in Bangladesh. There, he had a good friend who was very intelligent. This friend was the only child of his family. Everyone used to look up to his great future. And they were right; he graduated with the highest mark in his field. Immediately, calls came for him from big companies. One day, Dr. Anwar was requested by his friend to accompany him to one such company for an interview. They were going by riding on a motorcycle. On the way, a speeding truck was out of control itself and hit their motorcycle from the back. At that collision, Dr. Anwar flew off the motorcycle and fell on the side of the street. But his friend got hit from another vehicle that was coming from the opposite side and died instantly.

PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME 16
Purchasing a ticket to heaven:- deeds

The following incident took place during an interview with the world famous boxer, Muhammad Ali. It all started with an innocent question: You have beaten some of the toughest men in the world in the ring. What scares you the most?

Ali: [Points to his wife]
Lonnie Ali: Come on, Muhammad, joking aside, tell them what really scares you.
Ali: Not going to heaven.

Where as the toughest man in the world is wondering about his place in Heaven do you think about yourself? Will you go to Heaven?

There was a rich man who owned many buildings and lots of properties. When he attained old age, he became very sick and was counting his last days. Few days before his death, the old man kept on saying “Ana faqir, Ana faqir” which means, “I am poor, I am poor.” When his visiting children saw this, they took him around and showed him all his properties to assure him that he wasn’t poor at all. But the old man kept on saying, “I am poor, I am poor.” His children became confused and brought a local Muslim Scholar to see their father. After spending some time with the old man, the Scholar understood that the man is saying he is poor not regarding his wealth but regarding his good deeds. This is because most of his life was spent only in acquiring wealth and now that he was on his deathbed, he realized that he should’ve given more time to Allah. When that person was dieing, he was still saying Ana faqir.
“So whosoever does good equal to the weight of an atom, shall see it.” (Quran 99:7)
“And whatever good you do, (be sure) Allah knows it.” (Quran 2:197)
A person was walking down a deserted beach at sunset. As he walked along, he began to see another man in the distance. As he grew nearer, he noticed that the local native kept leaning down, picking something up and throwing it out into the water. Time and again he kept hurling things out into the ocean.

As my friend approached even closer, he noticed that the man was picking up starfish that had washed up on the beach, and, one at a time, he was throwing them back into the water.

My friend was puzzled. He approached the man and said. “Good evening, friend. I was wondering what you are doing.”

“I’m throwing these starfish back into the ocean. You see, it’s low tide right now and all of these starfish have been washed up onto the shore. If I don’t throw them back into the sea, they’ll die up here from lack of oxygen.”

“I understand,” my friend replied, “but there must be thousands of starfish on this beach. You can’t possibly get to all of them. There are simply too many. And don’t you realize this is probably happening on hundreds of beaches all up and down this coast. Can’t you see that you can’t possibly make a difference?”

The local native smiled, bent down and picked up yet another starfish, and as he threw it back into the sea, he replied, “Made a difference to that one!”

REFLECTIONS
• The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said,
“Do not belittle any good deed, even meeting your someone with a cheerful face is a good deed”. (Muslim)
• The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was asked,
“What deeds are loved most by Allah?” He said,
“The most regular constant deeds even though they may be few. Don’t take upon yourselves, except the deeds which are within your ability.” (Bukhari)
• Judge yourself before you are judged.
CONCLUSION
ETERNAL INK
I dreamed I was in heaven, where an angel kept God’s book.
He was writing so intently, I just had to take a look.

It was not, at first, his writing, that made me stop and think
But the fluid in the bottle, That was marked eternal ink.

This ink was most amazing, dark black upon his blotter.
But as it touched the parchment, it became as clear as water.

The angel kept on writing, but as quickly as a wink
The words were disappearing, with that strange eternal ink.

The angel took no notice, but kept writing on and on.
He turned each page and filled it, till all its space was gone.

I thought he wrote to no avail, his efforts were so vain.
For he wrote a thousand pages, that he’d never read again.

And as I watched and wondered that, this awesome sight was mine,
I actually saw a word stay black, as it dried upon the line.

The angel wrote and I thought I saw, A look of satisfaction.
At last he had some print to show, for all his earnest action.

A line or two dried dark and stayed, as black as black can be,
But strangely the next paragraph, became invisible to see.

The book was getting fuller, the angel’s records true,
But most of it was blank, with just a few words coming through.

I knew there was some reason, but as hard as I could think,
I couldn’t grasp the significance, of that eternal ink.

The mystery burned within me, and I finally dared to ask
The angel to explain to me, of his amazing task.

And what I heard was frightful, as the angel turned his head.
He looked directly at me, and this is what he said…

I know you stand and wonder, at what my writing’s worth
But God has told me to record, the lives of those on earth.

The book that I am filling, is an accurate account
Of every word and action, and to what they do amount.

And since you have been watching, I must tell you what is true;
The details of my journal, are the strict accounts of YOU.

The Lord asked me to watch you, as each day you worked and played.
I saw you as you went to the Masjid, I saw you as you prayed.

But I was told to document, your life through all the week.
I wrote when you were proud and bold, I wrote when you were meek.

I recorded all your attitudes, whether they were good or bad.
I was sorry that I had to write, the things that make God sad.

So now I’ll tell the wonder, of this eternal ink,
For the reason for its mystery, should make you stop and think.

This ink that God created, to help me keep my journal
Will only keep a record, of things that are eternal.

So much of life is wasted, on things that matter not
So instead of my erasing, smudging ink and ugly blot.

I just keep writing faithfully and let the ink do all the rest
For it is able to decide, What’s useless and what’s best.

And God ordained that as I write, of all you do and say
Your deeds that count for nothing, Will just disappear away.

When books are opened someday, As sure as heaven is true;
The Lord’s eternal ink will tell, what mattered most to you.

If you just lived to please yourself. the pages will be bare,
And God will issue no reward, for you when you get there.

In fact, you’ll be embarrassed, you will hang your head in shame
Because you did not give yourself, in love to Allah’s Name.

Yet maybe there will be a few, recorded lines that stayed
That showed the times you truly cared, sincerely loved and prayed.

But you will always wonder, as you enter heaven’s door
How much more glad you would have been, if only you’d done more.

For I record as God sees, I don’t stop to even think
Because the truth is written, With God’s eternal ink.

When I heard the angel’s story, I fell down and wept and cried
For as yet I still was dreaming, I hadn’t really died.

And I said: O angel tell the Lord, that soon as I awake
I’ll live my life for Allah – I’ll do all for His dear sake.

I’ll give in full surrender; I’ll do all He wants me to;
I’ll turn my back on self and sin, and whatever isn’t true.

And though the way seems long and rough, I promise to endure.
I’m determined to pursue the things that are holy, clean and pure.

With Allah as my helper, I will win lost souls to Thee,
For I know that they will live with Allah, for all eternity.

And that’s what really matters, when my life on earth is gone
That I will stand before the Lord, and hear Him say, well done.

For is it really worth it, as my life lies at the brink?
And I realize that God keeps books
With His eternal ink.

Should all my life be focused, on things that turn to dust?
From this point on I’ll serve the Lord; I can, I will, I must!

I will NOT send blank pages, up to God’s majestic throne.
For where that record’s going now, is my eternal home.

I’m giving all to Allah, I now have seen the link
For I saw an angel write my life, With God’s eternal ink.

PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME 17
Gratefulness: – Angel and 3 Men

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) related a story of three men. One of them was a leper, the other bald, and the third blind. Allah wanted to test them, so He sent an angel to them.
The angel first went to the leper and asked him: “What would you like best?” He replied: “I would like a nice complexion, a beautiful skin, and that this sickness goes away from me whereby people do not allow me to sit with them and which they hate.” The angel passed his hand over the body of that person. He was immediately cured and a nice skin and beautiful complexion appeared. The angel then asked him: “What type of wealth do you like the most?” He replied: “Camels.” So he gave him a pregnant camel and told him: “May Allah give you blessings in this.”

The angel then went to the bald person and asked him: “What would you like best?” He replied: “That my hair grows nicely and that this sickness which people dislike goes away from me!” The angel passed his hand over his head, he was immediately cured and beautiful hair began to grow. He then asked him: “What type of wealth do you like the most?” He replied: “Cows.” So he gave him a pregnant cow and told him: “May Allah give you blessings in this.”

Eventually, the angel went to the blind person and asked him: “What would you like most?” He replied: “That Allah gives me back my sight so that I may be able to see everyone.” The angel passed his hand over his eyes and Allah gave him back his sight. He then asked him: “What type of wealth do you like the most?” He replied: “Goats.” So he was given a pregnant goat and told: “May Allah give you blessings in this.”
The animals of all three delivered their babies. In a short time, the jungle was filled with his camels, his cows, and his goats. Thereafter, under the orders of Allah, that angel went in a different form to the leper and said to him: “I am a poor person. All my provisions for my journey are finished. Today I have no means of reaching home except through Allah and then through your help. In the name of that Allah who has blessed you with a nice skin and a beautiful complexion, I ask you for a camel which I could ride and reach my home.” He replied: “Get far away from here! I have a lot of other commitments to fulfil. I do not have anything to spare which I could give you.” The angel said: “I think I recognize you. Were you not a leper, for which people despised you? Were you not very poor, and then Allah blessed you with so much of wealth?” He replied: “What are you talking? I inherited this wealth from my ancestors.” The angel said: “If you are lying, may Allah return you as you were before.”

The angel then went to the bald person in a different form and asked him the same questions and he also replied in the same way. So the angel said to him: “If you are lying, may Allah return you as you were before.”

Eventually he went to the blind person in a different form and said to him: “I am a traveller and all my provisions are finished. Today I have no means except Allah and then you. In the name of that Being who returned to you your eye-sight, I ask you for a goat with which I could do my work and complete my journey.” He replied: “Without doubt, I was blind. It was only out of His mercy that Allah gave me back my eyesight. Take as much as you want and leave behind as much as you want. By Allah, I will not stop you from taking anything.” The angel replied: “Keep your wealth with you, I do not want anything. I had only come to test you three. Now the test is over. Allah is pleased with you and displeased with the other two.”

The graces of Allah are endless and countless. Allah says in the Quran:
“And if you were to count the blessings of Allah, you will never be able to count them” (Quran 14:34).
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said;
Richness does not lie in the abundance of (worldly) goods but richness is the richness of the soul (heart, self).
(Bukhari, Muslim)

If one is satisfied with small provision from Allah, Allah will be satisfied with a few good deeds from him.
(Bayhaqi, Mishkat)
2.5% of a Muslims surplus wealth must be given away as Zakat. The idea is that this cleans your wealth. If you do not give your due Zakat then your money is dirty.
REFLECTIONS
• What makes money dirty? – If your money is dirty, what else can also become dirty?

• What do we need to be grateful for?
CONCLUSION
One day, the King had woken up earlier than usual to stroll around his palace. He entered his huge living room and came to a stop when he heard someone happily singing away… following this singing… he saw that one of the servants was singing and had a very contented look on his face.
This fascinated the King and he summoned this man to his chambers. The man entered the King’s chambers as ordered. The King asked why he was so happy?
To this the man replied: “Your Majesty, I am nothing but a servant, but I make enough of a living to keep my wife and children happy. We don’t need too much, a roof over our heads and warm food to fill our tummy. My wife and children are my inspiration, they are content with whatever little I bring home. I am happy because my family is happy.”
Hearing this, the King dismissed the servant and summoned his Personal Assistant to his chambers. The King related his personal anguish about his feelings that he never felt content although he was so rich and then related the story of the servant to his Personal Assistant, hoping that somehow, he will be able to come up with some reasoning that here was a King who could have anything he wished for at a snap of his fingers and yet was not contented, whereas, his servant, having so little was extremely contented.
The Personal Assistant listened attentively and came to a conclusion. He said, “Your Majesty, I believe that the servant has not been made part of The 99 Club.”
“The 99 Club? And what exactly is that?” the King inquired.
To which the Assistant replied, “Your Majesty, to truly know what The 99 Club is, you will have to do the following… place 99 Gold coins in a bag and leave it at this servant’s doorstep, you will then understand what The 99 Club is.”
That very same evening, the King arranged for 99 Gold coins to be placed in a bag at the servant’s doorstep. Although he was slightly hesitant and he thought he should have put 100 Gold coins into the bag, but since his assistant had advised him to put 99 that is what he did.
The servant was just stepping out of his house when he saw a bag at his doorstep. Wondering about its contents, he took it into his house and opened the bag. When he opened the bag, he let out a great big shout of joy…Gold Coins… so many of them. He could hardly believe it. He called his wife to show her the coins.
He then took the bag to a table and emptied it out and began to count the coins. Doing so, he realized that there were 99 coins and he thought it was an odd number so he counted again, and again and again only to come to the same conclusion… 99 Gold Coins.
He began to wonder, what could have happened to that last 1 coin? For no one would leave 99 coins. He began to search his entire house, looked around his backyard for hours, not wanting to lose out on that one coin. Finally, exhausted, he decided that he was going to have to work harder than ever to make up for that 1 Gold coin to make his entire collection an even 100 Gold Coins.
He got up the next morning, in an extremely horrible mood, shouting at the children and his wife for his delay, not realizing that he had spent most of the night conjuring ways of working hard so that he had enough money to buy himself that gold coin. He went to work as usual – but not in his usual best mood, singing happily – as he grumpily did his daily errands.
Seeing the man’s attitude change so drastically, the King was puzzled. He promptly summoned his assistant to his chambers. The King related his thoughts about the servant and once again, his assistant listened. The King could not believe that the servant who until yesterday had been singing away and was happy and content with his life had taken a sudden change of attitude, even though he should have been happier after receiving the gold coins.
To this the assistant replied “Ah! But your Majesty, the servant has now officially joined The 99 Club.” He explained: “The 99 Club is just a name given to those people who have everything but yet are never contented, therefore they are always working hard and striving for that extra 1 to round it out to 100!
PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME 18
The price is right

All around Medina there was a famine. Nothing would grow. People were desperate for food. Babies cried with hunger and mothers could do nothing to help. There had been no rain for months and people were starving.
One day the people spotted Uthman (3rd Caliph and a close companion of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)) returning home. His camels were laden with sacks of food. The people ran to meet him. They waved bags of money at him and threw themselves at his feet. They begged him to sell them food. Some even offered to pay six times what the food was worth. Uthman shook his head and said, “I’m afraid the food is not for sale. It belongs to someone who is paying ten times what it is worth.”
Later on that day the people were amazed to find Uthman giving the food away freely to the poor! “Who is paying for the food?” they asked. Uthman smiled and replied, “The Quran, teaches us that if you do good to others, then Allah will reward you ten times over.”
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) mentioned the case of a woman of ill repute who once helped a thirsty dog by making extra effort to fetch water from a well. She was saved from hell for that small kindness alone.
Helping a destitute person with small amount of money or just some kind words, greeting a stranger, visiting the sick, joining in the funeral, consoling someone going through difficulty, removing something harmful from the path, making a quiet prayer for someone in need of help, forgiving a person who has hurt us — none of these will make big headlines but all of them can bring about major change in our lives.
What is true about good is also true about evil. What seems to be a minor evil may not be small in terms of its consequences both here and in the hereafter. Allah says in the Quran:
“You thought it to be a light matter while it was most serious in the sight of Allah.” (Quran 24:15)
Small sins, if we become comfortable with them, may lead us to bigger
Islam considers the slightest acts of helping others as charity! Even smiling at others to make them happy is counted as charity. It is due to our selfishness that mankind suffers. Let us give more and take less.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“Never did a person plant a sapling (a young tree), and then a someone ate (or benefited) from it, except that it becomes a charity for the planter.” (Muslim)

Each of us has two angels with us that record our good and bad deeds. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

“If someone intends to do a good deed and does not do it, it is recorded down as one good deed. If someone intends to do a bad deed but does not do it, it is recorded down as one good deed. If someone intends to do a good deed and does it, it is recorded down as ten good deeds. If someone intends to do a bad deed and does it, it is recorded down as one bad deed.”

REFLECTIONS

• Think of a time when you have deliberately chosen to do wrong rather than right. Why did you make that choice?
• If good is supposed to be stronger than evil, why is there still so much evil in the world.
• Are there practical ways in which you could join the fight between good & evil?
Have you decided which side you are on?

CONCLUSION

One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry. He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door.

Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry so she brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it slowly, and then asked, “How much do I owe you?” “You don’t owe me anything,” she replied. “Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness.” He said….. “Then I thank you from my heart.”

As Faisal Ahmed left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit.

Years later that young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease. eyes.

The specialist doctor was determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to the case. After a long struggle, the battle was won. The specialist doctor requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room.

She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill.

She read these words….. “Paid in full with one glass of milk”

Signed, Dr. Faisal Ahmed

Tears of joy flooded her eyes as her happy heart prayed:

PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME 19
When the going gets tough

A daughter complained to her father about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved a new one arose.

Her father, a chef, took her to the kitchen. He filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to a boil. In one he placed carrots, in the second he placed eggs, and the last he placed ground coffee beans. He let them sit and boil, without saying a word.

The daughter sucked her teeth and impatiently waited, wondering what he was doing. In about twenty minutes he and turned off the burners. He fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. He pulled the eggs out and placed them a bowl. Then he ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.

Turning to her he asked. “Darling, what do you see?”

“Carrots, eggs, and coffee,” she replied.

He brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. He then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, he asked her to sip the coffee. She smiled, as she tasted its rich aroma.

She humbly asked. “What does it mean Father?”

He explained that each of them had faced the same adversity, boiling water, but each reacted differently.

The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. But after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.

The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.

The ground coffee beans were unique however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

“Which are you,” he asked his daughter. “When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?”
Are you the carrot that seems hard, but with pain and adversity do you wilt and become soft and lose your strength?

Are you the egg, which starts off with a malleable heart? Were you a fluid spirit, but after a death, a divorce, or a layoff (or others!) have you become hardened and stiff. Your shell looks the same, but are you bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and heart?

Or are you like the coffee bean? The bean changes the hot water; the thing that is bringing the pain, takes it to its peak flavour at 212 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water gets the hottest, it just tastes better.

If you are like the coffee bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and make things better around you.

When people talk about you, do your Praises to the Lord increase? When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, does your worship elevate to another level?

How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?

Allah says in the Quran

“So lose not heart, nor fall into despair: For ye must gain mastery if ye are true in Faith” (Quran 3: 139)

“Be sure We shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere”
(Quran 2: 155)

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“Never a believer is stricken with discomfort, hardship or illness, grief or even with mental worry that his sins are not expiated for him.”
(Bukhari)

REFLECTIONS

• Are you a carrot, egg or a Coffee bean?

• Allah doesn’t place a greater burden on you than you can bear.

CONCLUSION
A parable is told of a farmer who owned an old mule.

The mule fell into the farmer’s well. The farmer heard the mule ‘braying’ – or – whatever mules do when they fall into wells.

After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule, but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving. Instead, he called his neighbours together and told them what had happened…and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.

Initially, the old mule was hysterical! But as the farmer and his neighbours continued shovelling and the dirt hit his back…a thought struck him. It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back…He should shake it off and step up! This he did, blow after blow.

“Shake it off and step up…shake it off and step up…shake it off and step up!” he repeated to encourage himself.

No matter how painful the blows, or distressing the situation seemed the old mule fought “panic” and just kept right on SHAKING IT OFF AND STEPPING UP!

You’re right! It wasn’t long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, stepped triumphantly over the wall of that well!

What seemed like it would bury him, actually blessed him…all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.

That’s life! If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness, or self-pity…The adversities that come along to bury us usually have within them the potential to benefit and bless us!

Remember that FORGIVENESS–FAITH–PRAYER– PRAISE and HOPE…all are excellent ways to “SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP” out of the wells in which we find ourselves!
PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME 20
Be people of mercy

A mother used to ask her son what is the most important part of the body. Through the years the son would take a guess at what he thought was the correct answer.

He thought sound was very important to us as humans, so he said, “My ears, Mummy.”
She said, “No. Many people are deaf. But you keep thinking about it and I will ask you again soon.”

Several years passed before she asked him again. This time he told her, “Mummy, sight is very important to everybody, so it must be our eyes.” She looked at him and said, “You are learning fast, but the answer is not correct because there are many people who are blind.”

Over the years, Mother asked him a couple more times and always her answer was, “No. But you are getting smarter every year, my child.”

Then a few years later his grandpa died. Everybody was hurt. Everybody was crying. His mum looked at him when it was their turn to say their final good-bye to Grandpa. She asked him, “Do you know the most important body part yet, my dear?”

He was shocked when she asked him this now. He always thought this was a game between her and him. She saw the confusion on his face and told him, “This question is very important. It shows that you have really lived in your life. For every body part you gave me in the past, I have told you were wrong and I have given you an example why. But today is the day you need to learn this important lesson.”

She looked down at him as only a mother can. Her eyes filled with tears. She said, “My dear, the most important body part is your shoulder.”
The son asked, “Is it because it holds up my head?”
She replied, “No, it is because it can hold the head of a friend or a loved one when they cry. Everybody needs a shoulder to cry on sometime in life, my dear.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the best example and role model for us. Concerning his character Allah says in the Quran
“It is because of Mercy of Allah that you have been so lenient with them. If you had been harsh and cruel-hearted, they would have dispersed from around you. Pardon them, seek forgiveness for them, and consult them on the matter” (Quran 3:159)

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“Whenever kindness is added to something, it adorns it; and whenever it is withdrawn from something, it leaves it defective.”(Muslim).

“He who is deprived of kindness and gentleness is, in fact, deprived of all good.”(Muslim).

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said that Allah would say on the Day of Resurrection:

“O son of Adam, I fell ill and you visited Me not. He will say: O Lord, and how should I visit You when You are the Lord of the worlds? He will say: Did you not know that My servant So-and-so had fallen ill and you visited him not? Did you not know that had you visited him you would have found Me with him?
O son of Adam, I asked you for food and you fed Me not. He will say: O Lord, and how should I feed You when You are the Lord of the worlds? He will say: Did you not know that My servant So-and-so asked you for food and you fed him not? Did you not know that had you fed him you would surely have found that (the reward for doing so) with Me?
O son of Adam, I asked you to give Me to drink and you gave Me not to drink. He will say: O Lord, how should I give You to drink when You are the Lord of the worlds? He will say: My servant So-and-so asked you to give him to drink and you gave him not to drink. Had you given him to drink you would have surely found that with Me!” (Muslim).

Let us remember to look after the needs of others and that will certainly please Allah.

REFLECTIONS

• Treating the creation of Allah with mercy whether they are people, animals or plants will be rewarded by Allah.

• The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was known to show mercy to people who hated him. Have you ever done this?

CONCLUSION
A nurse escorted a tired, anxious young man to the bedside of an elderly man. “Your son is here,” she whispered to the patient. She had to repeat the words several times before the patient’s eyes opened. He was heavily sedated because of the pain of his heart attack and he dimly saw the young man standing outside the oxygen tent.

He reached out his hand and the young man tightly wrapped his fingers around it, squeezing a message of encouragement. The nurse brought a chair next to the bedside. All through the night the young man sat holding the old mans hand, and offering gentle words of hope.

The dying man said nothing as he held tightly to his son. As dawn approached, the patient died. The young man placed on the bed the lifeless hand he had been holding, and then he went to notify the nurse.

While the nurse did what was necessary, the young man waited. When she had finished her task, the nurse began to say words of sympathy to the young man.

But he interrupted her. “Who was that man?” He asked.

The startled nurse replied, “I thought he was your father.”

“No, he was not my father,” he answered. “I never saw him before in my life.”

“Then why didn’t you say something when I took you to him?” asked the nurse.

He replied, “I also knew he needed his son, and his son just wasn’t here. When I realized he was too sick to tell whether or not I was his son, I knew how much he needed me…”

PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME 21
The love letter
(You have a friend in Allah)

As you got up this morning, I watched you and hoped you would talk to me, even if it was just a few words, asking my opinion or thanking me for something good that happened in your life yesterday, but I noticed you were too busy trying to find the right outfit to put on and wear to work.
So I waited. When you ran around the house getting ready, I knew there would be a few minutes for you to stop and say hello, but you were too busy. At one point you had to wait fifteen minutes with nothing to do except sit in a chair. Then I saw you spring to your feet, I thought you wanted to talk to me, but you ran to the phone and called a friend to get the latest gossip.
I watched as you went to work and I waited patiently all day long. With all your activities I guess you were too busy to say anything to me. I noticed that before lunch you looked around, maybe you felt embarrassed to talk to me, that is why you didn’t bow your head. You glanced three or four tables over and you noticed some of your friends talking to me briefly before they ate, but you didn’t. That’s okay, there is still more time left, and I have hope that you will talk to me even yet.
You went home and it seems as if you had lots of things to do. After a few of them were done you turned on the TV. I don’t know if I like TV or not. Just about anything goes there & you spend a lot of time each day in front of it, not thinking about anything-just enjoying the show. I waited patiently again as you watched TV and ate your meal, but again you didn’t talk to me. As you did your homework I waited again, as you did what you had to do. At bedtime I guess you felt too tired. After you said goodnight to your family you plopped into bed and fell asleep in no time. That’s okay, because you may not realize that I am always there for you.
I’ve got patience more than you will ever know. I even want to teach you how to be patient with others as well. Because I love you so much, I love you so much that I wait everyday for a nod, a prayer, a thought or a thankful part of your heart. It is hard to have a one-sided conversation
Well, you are getting up again and once again I will wait with nothing but love for you hoping that today you will give me sometime.
Have a nice day! Your friend,
REFLECTIONS
• Who could this letter be from?

• Allah is so forgiving and merciful, Allah says in the Quran
“Say: O My slaves who have transgressed against their souls! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah: verily, Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful”. (Quran 39:53)
• The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said,
“Allah, the Almighty, says: Whosoever does a good deed, will have (reward) ten times like it and I add more; and whosoever does an evil, will have the punishment like it or I will forgive (him); and whosoever approaches Me by one span, I will approach him by one cubit; and whosoever approaches Me by one cubit, I approach him by one fathom, and whosoever comes to Me walking, I go to him running; and whosoever meets Me with an earth-load of sins without associating anything with Me, I meet him with forgiveness like that”.(Muslim)
• To know if Allah loves you then you need to ask yourself do you love Allah. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“Allah said, ‘If My slave loves the meeting with Me, I too love the meeting with him; and if he dislikes the meeting with Me, I too dislike the meeting with him.'” (Bukhari)
• Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“ Forgive creation and the creator will forgive you”.

CONCLUSION

Footprints

One night a man had a dream.
He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand;
one belonging to him, and the other to the Lord.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him,
he looked back at the footprints in the sand.
He noticed that many times along the path of his life, there
was only one set of footprints.
He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest
and saddest times in his life.
This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it.
“Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,
you’d walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times
in my life there is only one set of footprints.
I don’t understand why, when I needed you most,
you would leave me.”
The Lord replied, “My precious, precious child, I love
you and I would never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one
set of footprints in the sand, it was then that I carried you.”

PRAYER
AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME 22
Team spirit

Ask a pupil to come to the front, give the pupil a piece of paper to rip and then ask if the task was difficult. Repeat this with another volunteer but five sheets of paper. Continue this until pupils find it impossible to rip the pieces of paper. Thus in unity, working with each other there is strength.

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said,
“Allah does not like to see a person distinguishing himself from his companions.”

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) himself set an example of cooperation and working together for a common good. When building the mosque in Madina he himself worked in carrying and laying bricks, when at home he washed and sewed his own clothes and when camping during travels he himself fetched firewood whilst others carried out other tasks.
The ant is an intelligent creature. During warm days it collects and stores grain inside the holes. It knows that during wet and cold months, it would not be able to go out to search for food. For fear that grain may start growing because of wetness, it splits it into two or more pieces. At times, during moonlit nights, it brings the split grains out of the stores for drying and preservation against decay. The holes under the ground are made very carefully and covered with shelter to prevent the rainwater from getting inside the holes. The ant, unlike the other animals, can lift a burden twice its own weight. It is not a selfish creature. When an ant finds some store of food grains, it runs up to its group and takes its fellow ants to that place. It shows every one of them its own find of the store. They always behave in this manner. They work and live in co-operation with each other.
Thus an Ant is one of the most wonderful small creatures in this world. Sura “Naml” (the Ant) in the Holy Quran is a chapter named after this creature. Over 1300 years ago, Ali (Prophet Muhammads (PBUH) cousin) was giving a sermon in Kufa, in which he was describing the beauties of creation in various forms of life. He was referring to small creatures and asking man to study how God made them so small yet so sturdy and strong. He described the ant in these words:
‘Look at an ant. How tiny is its body and how delicate are its features! It is such a small creature that it often escapes the eye, and few people care to attach any importance to it among the living beings found on this earth. Look at it and study its ways of life; how it crawls, how it attacks its food; how it lifts a grain so many times heavier than its body, carries it to its hole; how it stores grains; and how in summer it gathers and stocks food for winter and rainy days, and most of all how it works together with each other in cooperation and in a team.’
Hudayfa the prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) companion relates: When the Battle of Yarmuk had just ended. I was walking over the battlefield among the martyred and injured with a pitcher of water. I was looking for the son of my uncle.
I found him lying in blood on the burning sand. He was about to die. I asked him whether he wanted water. Unable to speak, he gestured that he did. I was just offering it to him when a groaning was heard: ‘Water! Water! Please, a drop of water!’

My uncle’s son, whose name was Harith, heard that and gestured that I should take the water to him. I hastened to the groaning one, who was Ikrima. Ikrima had not yet taken the pitcher when a similar groaning was heard. Refusing to take the water, Ikrima wanted me to take it to the one groaning. When I got to that one, who was ‘Iyash, he saw the water but did not live long enough to drink it. I immediately returned to take the water to Ikrima. However, I found Ikrima also martyred. Then I hastened to Harith, my uncle’s son. Unfortunately, he too was lying dead on the burning sand.

REFLECTIONS
• What is the purpose of a Mosque?

• Is it always right to stick together?

CONCLUSION
In Islam this unity is emphasised by the pillars of Islam. When Muslims read their prayers in congregation they stand together side-by-side showing unity. When Muslims perform Hajj, they all wear the same clothes and do exactly the same actions showing equality and unity among all whether rich or poor, from one part of the world or the other. When Muslims fast they are not alone, Muslims from all over the globe, over one billion people are fasting with them. All these actions emphasise unity and working together. For this reason they are referred to as Ummatun wahida – one community.
United we stand
Divided we fall

PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME 23
Thank you Allah

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) asked Umm Hani if there was anything to eat. Umm Hani said that there was only dry bread and she felt ashamed of offering it to him. He said: “No! Bring it.” He broke the bread into pieces, dipped them into water and added some salt. Then he asked her if there was any curry. She said there was nothing except vinegar. He sent for it and then, sprinkling it over the crumbs, ate them and thanked Allah. (Baihaqi).

How thankful Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was to Allah even after getting such type of food. We throw away better food than this. Aisha, the Prophet’s (PBUH) wife said:
“Whenever a servant of Allah drinks a drop of water which gets into his body and leaves it with no harm, then thanks is due.”

Allah says:
“And if you were to count the blessings of Allah, you will never be able to count them.” (Quran 14: 34)
“And whatever blessings and good you have, it is from Allah …”
(Quran 16: 53)
“And (remember) when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will surely increase you (in favour).'” (Quran 14: 7)
“And whoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, Allah will make way for him out of every difficulty, And will provide from sources he never imagined” (Quran 65:2-3)
A thanks with the tongue is praise of the giver of blessings and speaking about the blessings is also thanking. Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), said:
“To talk about blessings is being thankful.”

“It is a fine thing when a believer praises and thanks Allah if good comes to him, and praises Allah and shows endurance if smitten by affliction. The believer is rewarded for everything, even for the morsel he raises to his wife’s mouth.”
So the money that people have is actually Allah’s money, and we have been entrusted with it. Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:
“Do not shut your money bag; otherwise Allah too will withhold His blessings from you. Spend (in Allah’s cause) as much as you can afford. “
There is no better example for us than Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) who used to offer night prayers till his feet became swollen. And when told:
“Allah has forgiven you, your faults of the past and those to follow.”
On that, he said,
“Shouldn’t I be a thankful worshiper?!”
A man reached 70 years of age and was affected by a disease that made him unable to digest. The doctors told him that he needs an operation to cure the disease. He agreed to do the operation as the problem was giving him severe pain for days. When the operation was completed the doctor gave him a bill that covered all the costs. After looking at the bill, the man started crying. Upon seeing this, the doctor said “If the cost is too high then we could make some other arrangements for you.” The old man replied, “I am not crying because of the money but I am crying because Allah let me digest for 70 years and He never sent me a bill!”

We rarely thank Allah for these things that are indeed great favours. Let us ask Allah to grant us the ability to recognize His bounties and thank Him often.
“And He gave you of all that you asked for, and if you count the blessings of Allah, never will you be able to count them…” (Quran 14:34)
A man came to a good Muslim and complained that Allah made him very poor. The good man said: “Would you like to have ten thousand dinars and be insane?” The Complainer answered: “No.” The good man said: “Would you like to have ten thousand dinars but have your legs chopped off” The complainer answered: “No.” The good man then said: “Aren’t you ashamed of yourself complaining about your Lord while all of these grants which are His; have been bestowed on you?”

REFLECTIONS

• We should thank Allah for everything that he has given us, senses, limbs, family, friends, etc……………….

• Is helping people in need a method of thanking Allah? Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:
“If anyone strokes an orphan’s head, doing so only for Allah’s sake, he will have blessings for every hair over which his hand passes; and if anyone treats well an orphan girl or boy under his care, he and I shall be like these two in Paradise,” putting two of his fingers together.”
CONCLUSION

Allah asked me, “Do you love me?” I answered, “Of course Allah! You are my Lord!”
Then He asked, “If you were physically handicapped, would you still love me?”
I was perplexed. I looked down upon my arms,
legs and the rest of my body and wondered how many things
I wouldn’t be able to do, the things I took for granted.
And I answered, “It would be tough Lord, but I would still love you.”

Then the Lord said, “If you were blind, would you still love my creation?”
How could I love something without being able to see it?
Then I thought of all the blind people in the world
and how many of them still loved Allah and his creation.
So I answered, “It’s hard to think of it, but I would still love you.”

The Lord then asked me, “If you were deaf, would you still listen to my word?”
How could I listen to anything, being deaf?
Then I understand. Listening to Allah’s word is not merely using our ears but our hearts.
I answered, “It would be tough but I would still listen to your words,”

The Lord then asked, “If you were mute, would you still praise my Name?”
How could I praise without a voice?
Then it occurred to me: Allah wants us to praise from our very heart and soul.
It never matters what we sound like.
So I answered, “Though I could not physically praise, I would still praise your Name.”

And the Lord asked, “Do you really love me?” With courage and a strong conviction,
I answered boldly, “Yes Allah! I love you because you are the one and true God!”
I thought that I had answered well, but Allah asked, “Then why do you sin?”
I answered, “Because I am only human, I am not perfect.”

“Then why do in times of peace you stray the furthest?
And why only in times of trouble do you pray the earnest?”
No answer. Only tears.

You are blessed with life.
I made you not throw this gift away.
I have blessed you with talents to serve me, but you continue to turn away.
I have given my Quran to you, but you do not gain in knowledge.
I have spoken to you, but your ears were closed.
I have shown my blessings to you, but your eyes were turned away.
I have sent you servants, but you sat idly as they were pushed away.
I have heard your prayers and I have answered them all. Do you truly love Me?

I could not answer. How could I? I was embarrassed beyond belief.
I had no excuse. What could I say to this?

When my heart had cried out, and the tears had flowed,
I said, “Please forgive me Allah. I am unworthy to be your servant.”
Allah answered, “That is my grace, my servant.”
I asked, “Then why do you continue to forgive me? Why do you love me so?

Allah answered, “Because you are my creation. I will never abandon you.
When you cry, I will have compassion and cry with you.
When you shout with joy, I will laugh with you.
When you are down, I will encourage you.
When you fall, I will raise you up.
When you are tired, I will carry you.
I will be with you till the end of the days and I will love you forever.”
Never had I cried so hard before. How could I have been so cold?
And for the first time, I truly prayed.

PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME 24
Bad company

Imagine that you are in a bout with some of your friends. Some of them are rowing the bout, some are admiring the scenery, some of them are fishing, and some of them are playing cards. But one of your friends is drilling a hole in this bout. The question is when the hole has been drilled and the water starts to sip into the bout, will your friend who did the drilling be the only one to drown or will you and all your friends drown.

What do you think is the moral of this story? Discuss….

Your friends play an important part of your life. They can influence you, make you do things that you’d probably never have dreamt of doing before, and they can affect your lifestyle too. There is a well-known proverb, which goes

“Show me your friends and I will tell you what you are”.

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said that:

“You are going to be raised with your friends. Therefore you should be careful with whom you are making friends”.

Our friends and company could either be an obstacle in our way by being helpers in our downfall to Hell, or they could be a source of help and support by making it easier for us to reach Paradise, which is the true life, the eternal life and a life full of enjoyment.
Allah says in the Quran:

“On the day when the wrongdoer will worry, he will say; Would that I had never taken such one for a friend! He verily led me astray from the reminder after it had reached me. Satan was ever the deserter of people.” (Quran 27-29)

The prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“The example of a good friend in comparison with a bad one, is like that of the musk seller and the blacksmith’s bellows (or furnace); from the first you would either buy musk or enjoy its good smell while the bellows would either burn your clothes or your house, or you get a bad nasty smell from it.”

If your aim were to be an athlete, a sports personality, then you would try to be with people who also want to become athletes or those who are already athletes. You would learn from them, train with them, go to the sport centre and even hang around with them; in fact you would try to do all that you can to achieve your goal.

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has given us some advice when choosing friends, he was asked who is the person that can be the best friend. The Prophet (PBUH) replied:

“He who helps you when you remember God and reminds you when you forget him”.

He was then asked which friend is the worst? To which he replied:

“He who does not help you when you remember God and does not remind you when you forget Him”.

How many of your friends remind you to pray when you’re busy with work or just playing? How many of your friends make you forget Allah and take you away from Him by keeping you occupied with something or asking you to indulge in a sinful act. These friends are not your real friends; they will desert you when you are in need.

There was once a Muslim scholar who always taught his sons friends about Islam but not his own son. People asked him why and he replied.
“A person learns from their friends.”

Friends are those who are with you in times of happiness and also in sadness. They help you in preference to themselves. The prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

“There will be some slaves of Allah who will be neither from the prophets or martyrs but on account of their high position before Allah the prophets and martyrs will envy them.”

The people asked who would these be? The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) replied:

“Those persons who loved each other for the pleasure of Allah even though there was no blood relation, they give their wealth to one another. By God, from their faces light will shine and they will be riding the light. When the people will be shuddering with fear, they will have no fear and when the people will be sad they will have no sorrow.” (Abu Daud).

REFLECTIONS

• How do you choose your friends? What is your friendship based on?

• When you realise the people you are friends with are not the ones that you should be with, is it hard to change things?

• What tests your friendship?
• The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

“Help your friend, if he is being wronged or if he is doing wrong”

The people around the Prophet (PBUH) asked that they could help their friend if he is been wronged but how can they help him if he is doing wrong, he replied:
“Stop him doing wrong and you will be helping him”

CONCLUSION
Finding that crows were destroying his newly sown corn, a farmer one evening set a net in his field to catch the destructive birds. When he went to examine the net next morning he found a number of crows and also a stork.
“Release me, I beseech you,” cried the stork, “for I have eaten none of your corn, nor have I done you any harm. I am a poor innocent stork, as you may see – a most dutiful bird.
But the farmer cut him short. “All this may be true enough, I dare say, but I have caught you with those who were destroying my crops, and you must suffer with the company in which you are found.”

PRAYER
AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME 25
A testing time

There was a couple that used to go to Africa to shop in the beautiful stores. They both liked antiques and pottery and especially teacups. This was their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary.

One day in this beautiful shop they saw a beautiful teacup. They said, “May we see that? We’ve never seen one quite so beautiful.” As the lady handed it to them, suddenly the teacup spoke.

“You don’t understand,” it said. “I haven’t always been a teacup. There was a time when I was red and I was clay. My master took me and rolled me and patted me over and over and I yelled out, ‘Let me alone’, but he only smiled, ‘Not yet.’

“Then I was placed on a spinning wheel,” the teacup said, “and suddenly I was spun around and around and around. Stop it! I’m getting dizzy! I screamed. But the master only nodded and said, ‘Not yet.’

Then he put me in the oven. I never felt such heat. I wondered why he wanted to burn me, and I yelled and knocked at the door. I could see him through the opening and I could read his lips, as he shook his head, ‘Not yet.’

Finally the door opened, he put me on the shelf, and I began to cool. ‘There, that’s better’, I said. And he brushed and painted me all over. The fumes were horrible. I thought I would gag. ‘Stop it, stop it!’ I cried. He only nodded, ‘Not yet.’

Then suddenly he put me back into the oven, not like the first one. This was twice as hot and I knew I would suffocate. I begged. I pleaded. I screamed. I cried. All the time I could see him through the opening nodding his head saying, ‘Not yet.’

Then I knew there wasn’t any hope. I would never make it. I was ready to give up. But the door opened and he took me out and placed me on the shelf. One hour later he handed me a mirror and I couldn’t believe it was me. It’s beautiful. I’m beautiful.’

‘I want you to remember, then,’ he said, ‘I know it hurts to be rolled and patted, but if I had left you alone, you would have dried up.

I know it made you dizzy to spin around on the wheel, but if I had stopped, you would have crumbled.

I knew it hurt and was hot and disagreeable in the oven, but if I hadn’t put you there, you would have cracked.

I know the fumes were bad when I brushed and painted you all over, but if I hadn’t done that, you never would have hardened; you would not have had any colour in your life.

And if I hadn’t put you back in that second oven, you wouldn’t survive for very long because the hardness would not have held. Now you are a finished product. You are what I had in mind when I first began with you’.

Allah knows what He’s doing for all of us. He is the potter, and we are His clay. He will mould us and make us, so that we may be made into a flawless piece of work to fulfil His good, pleasing, and perfect will, which we can never escape.

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“Strange are the ways of a believer for there is good in every affair of his and this is not the case with anyone else except in the case of a believer for if he has an occasion to feel delight, he thanks (God), thus there is a good for him in it, and if he gets into trouble and shows resignation (and endures it patiently), there is a good for him in it. “
(Muslim)
REFLECTION
• Everyone will be tested whether it’s with your money, your friends or your family. To past the test you need to know what is right.

• Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“He who makes his worries many will drown in his worries. He who makes his worry one, Allah will make him successful.”
CONCLUSION
The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box. There are 5 things you need to know, he told the pencil, before I send you out into the world.
Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be.

ONE: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in someone’s hand.
TWO: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you’ll need it to become a better pencil.
THREE: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.
FOUR: The most important part of you will always be what’s inside.
FIVE: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark.
No matter what the condition, you must continue to write.
The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart.

Now replacing the place of the pencil with you; always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.

ONE: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you place your Trust in Allah.
TWO: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various problems, but you’ll need it to become a stronger person.
THREE: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.
FOUR: The most important part of you will always be what’s on the inside.
FIVE: On every surface you walk through, you must leave your mark.

No matter what the situation, you must continue to do your duties. By understanding and remembering, let us proceed with our life on this earth having a meaningful purpose in our heart.
PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME 26
Don’t fear, Allah is near

Abrahah, who came from Abyssinia-a country in Africa-conquered Yemen and was made vice-regent there. Later, he noticed that at a certain time of the year large numbers of people would travel from all over Yemen and the rest of Arabia to Makkah. He asked the reason for this and was told that they were going on pilgrimage to the Kabah.
Abrahah hated the idea of Makkah being more important than his own country, so he decided to build a church of coloured marble, with doors of gold and ornaments of silver, and ordered the people to visit it instead of the Kabah. But no one obeyed him.
Abrahah became angry and decided to destroy the Kabah. He prepared a large army led by an elephant and set off towards Makkah. When the Makkans heard that he was coming they became very frightened. Abrahah’s army was huge and they could not fight it. But how could they let him destroy the Holy Kabah? They went to ask the advice of their leader, ‘Abd al-Muttalib.
When Abrahah arrived outside Makkah, ‘Abd al-Muttalib went to meet him. Abrahah said, ‘What do you want?’ Abrahah had taken Abd al-Muttalib’s camels, which he had found grazing as he entered Makkah, so ‘Abd al-Muttalib replied, ‘I want my camels back.’ Abrahah was very surprised and said, ‘I have come to destroy your Holy Kabah, the holy place of your fathers, and you ask me about some camels?’ ‘Abd al-Muttalib replied calmly, ‘The camels belong to me; the Kabah belongs to Allah and He will protect it.’ Then he left Abrahah and went back to Quraysh and ordered them to leave Makkah and wait for their enemies in the mountains.
In the morning Abrahah prepared to enter the town. He put armour on his elephant and drew up his troops for battle. He intended to destroy the Kabah and then return to Yemen. At that moment, however, the elephant knelt down and refused to get up, no matter how much the soldiers tried to get it to move by beating it. But when they turned its face in the direction of Yemen it immediately got up and started off. In fact, it did the same in any other direction, but as soon as they pointed it towards Makkah it knelt down again.
Suddenly, flocks of birds appeared from over the sea. Each bird carried three stones as small as peas and they dropped them on Abrahahs army. The soldiers suddenly fell ill. Even Abrahah was hit by the stones and fled in fear with the rest of his army back to Yemen, where he later died. On seeing their enemy flee the Arabs came down from the mountains to the Kabah and gave thanks to Allah.
After this, Quraysh gained great respect and became known as ‘the people of Allah’, and the year in which these events took place, 570A.D, was named the ‘Year of the Elephant’. In that year Allah had saved the Kabah and later that year Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was born.
The moral of the story is that it does not matter if you perceive yourself as the size of little birds and your opposition as the size of elephants. If you work with patience and keep your faith in Allah he will make you succeed.
REFLECTIONS
• Allah does not place a greater burden on a person than they can bear. Whatever problem you may have, talk to Allah about it, rely on Allah and he will make you successful.
CONCLUSION

The above story is similar to the story of David & Goliath; Allah gave strength to little David like he gave strength to the little birds to overcome Goliath the giant.

PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME 27
The helping hand (dua)

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said,
“While three people were walking, rain began to fall and they had to enter a cave. A big rock rolled over and blocked the mouth of the cave. They decide to pray to Allah mentioning their best deed that they had performed (so Allah might remove the rock)’. One of them said, ‘O Allah! My parents were old and I used to go out for grazing (my animals). On my return I would milk (the animals) and take the milk in a vessel to my parents to drink. After they had drunk from it, I would give it to my children, family and wife. One day I was delayed and on my return I found my parents sleeping, and I disliked waking them up, I waited till it was dawn. O Allah! If You regard that I did it for Your sake, then please remove this rock from the mouth of the cave.’ So, the rock was moved a bit.
The second said, ‘O Allah! I once fell in love with my cousin. However, despite all of my appeals to her, she would not agree to marry me. Drought broke out and while all other people suffered great hunger, everything was all right for me. At that time, the girl I loved came to me. Hunger had also stricken her people. I agreed to lend them a hundred gold coins in return for her consent to stay with me. I gave her the money, when she had given the money to her people she returned to me. Before I could do anything she said: ‘Fear Allah and let me go.’ I immediately stood up without doing anything to her, I let her go and forgave her debt. O Allah! If you regard that I did if for your sake, kindly remove this rock.’ So, two-thirds of the rock was removed.
Then the third man said, ‘O Allah! I once employed a worker for one day, and when I wanted to pay him, he had left, so I invested it and from its yield I bought cows and a shepherd. After a time I met that man again. I took him so I could give him his wage. I said to him: Go to those cows and the shepherd and take them for they are for you. He asked me whether I was joking with him. I told him that I was not joking with him, and all that belonged to him. O Allah! If You regard that I did it sincerely for Your sake, then please remove the rock.’ So, the rock was removed completely from the mouth of the cave.” (Bukhari)
A man came to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on a Friday while he was delivering a sermon at Medina, and said, “There is lack of rain, so please pray to Allah to bless us with the rain.” The Prophet (PBUH) looked at the sky when no cloud could be detected. Then he prayed to Allah for rain. Clouds started gathering together and it rained till the Medina valleys started flowing with water. It continued raining till the next Friday. (Bukhari)
REFLECTIONS
• We need to rely on Allah and ask him more and more. The more we ask the more reward we get from Allah. A person will come to Allah on the day of judgement and see that he has many good deeds recorded which he didn’t do. Allah tells him those were the times he asked Allah for something, Allah wrote it down as a good deed.
• Allah said in the Quran:
“God suffices for anyone who relies on Him” (Quran 65: 3)
• Sometimes prayers are not answered WHY?
A little boy is telling his Grandma how “everything” is going wrong. School, family problems, health problems, problems with friends, etc.

Meanwhile, Grandma is baking a cake. She asks her grandson if he would like a snack, which, of course, he does.

“Here, have some cooking oil.” “Yuck” says the boy.

“How about a couple raw eggs? ” “Gross, Grandma!”

“Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?”

“Grandma, those are all yucky!”

To which Grandma replies: “Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake!

God works the same way. Many times we wonder why he would let us go through such bad and difficult times.

But Allah knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!”

Allah hears all our Duas. Whenever you want to talk, He’ll listen and Hear. He is As-Baseerul, Sameer – The Seerer, The Hearer.

“And when My servants ask you concerning Me, then surely I am very near; I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he calls on Me, so they should answer My call and believe in Me that they may walk in the right way”
(Quran 2:186)
CONCLUSION
Once there was a man who was extremely poor. So poor that he could not even afford anything for his family. One day he decided to go to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and ask for some money. On his way he remembered that once the Prophet (PBUH) said : ” Whoever asks our help, we will help. But the one who asks Allah for help, Allah will make him completely needless!” So he returns home empty handed and his family sleeps hungry again!
Next night he could not take it anymore. His family was starving, his wife was ill and he was losing his patience. So he went to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to ask for some money. When in meeting with the Prophet (PBUH), he again remembered him saying: “Whoever asks our help, we will help. But whoever asks Allah for help, Allah will make him completely needless!” Again he did not ask for money and went back home.
One day he came out and thought to himself:” what are my capabilities? What talent has Allah given me that is Halal?” Then he got an idea…he went to the desert and collected woods and weeds. He brought them to the city and sold them. He got some money. Then the next day he went to the desert again and collected more weeds and woods, brought them and sold them. He did this until he became a very rich man! One day Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) saw him; the Prophet (PBUH) smiled at him and said: ” Didn’t I tell you if people ask our help, we will help but if you ask Allah’s help, Allah will make you completely needless?”

PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME 28
SABR – Have patience

A Muslim scholar says: I was performing tawaaf once while on Hajj; when I saw a very pretty woman, shining in her beauty. I looked at her and said: “By Allah, this beauty and fine complexion must surely be because she never experienced any grief or sorrow.”

When I said this she overheard me and said: “Sir, it is that what you think? By Allah, I am bent down under all the sorrows and grief that have come my way. My heart and mind is filled with so much grief and all along there has been no one can who share these with me.”

I asked: “And how is that, lady?”

She replied: “My husband once slaughtered a goat as a offering, while I was breast feeding my infant child. My two young sons were playing around me. When I went to cook the meat, the one son said to the other: ‘Come, let me show you how father slaughtered the goat.’ The other said: ‘Well show me.’ The first one then made the second once lie down and cut his throat, as his father had slaughtered the goat. When he realized what had happened, he ran away into the mountains; where he was attacked by a wolf and eaten up.

The father went in search for him; searching from place to place until he died of extreme thirst. In the mean time I was at home frantic with worry waiting for news of him. I put down my infant child and went to the door to inquire about anyone who might have news of my husband. The child crawled to the fireplace where a pot was boiling. The child touched it and the boiling pot fell upon the baby, burning it to death in such a ghastly manner that the child’s meat became separated from the bones.

When my married daughter heard all this, in the house of her husband, she fell down of shock. Thus I was left alone to bear all that.”

I asked her: “And how, lady; did you manage all these misfortunes with patience?”

She replied: “Whoever ponders on the difference between patience and impatience, finds a world of difference between the two. The reward of patience is praiseworthy; whereas for impatience there is nothing.”

Then she recited some lines of poetry before walking away:
Patience did I exercise, For that was my strongest pillar;
Such patience did I have, that;
Had my trails descended on mountain high, in broken rocks they would have ended.
Indeed did I control my eyes, those tears not fall;
And now within my heart alone, my tears do roll.

Allah says in the Quran:
“Seek help in patience and prayer; and truly it is hard except for the humble-minded.”
(Quran 2: 45)
Patience implies firmness of purpose, dogged determination, strong will, steadfast pursuit and self-control. By patience and prayer a person strengthens his relationship with God. It has been said that:
‘Patience and prayer are the two great powers’
There is a warning in the same verse to the effect that it is indeed hard, except to those who bring a lowly spirit.
A man found a cocoon of a moth.
He took it home so that he could watch the moth come out of the cocoon. On the day, a small opening appeared, he sat and watched the moth for several hours as the moth struggled to force its body through that little hole.

Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could go no farther. It just seemed to be stuck.

Then the man, in his kindness, decided to help the moth, so he took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The moth then emerged easily. But it had a swollen body and small, shrivelled wings.

The man continued to watch the moth because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time.

Neither happened! In fact, the little moth spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shrivelled wings. It never was able to fly.

What the man in his kindness and haste did not understand, was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the moth to get through the tiny opening, were a way of forcing fluid from the body of the moth into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.

Freedom and flight would only come after the struggle. By depriving the moth of a struggle, he deprived the moth of health.

Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our life. If we were allowed to go through our life without any obstacles, it would cripple us. We would not be as strong as what we could have been.
Allah says in the Quran:
“Be sure we shall test you with fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere.”
(Quran 2:155)

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said,
“How wonderful is the case of a believer; there is good for him in everything and this applies only to a believer. If prosperity attends him, he expresses gratitude to Allah and that is good for him; and if adversity befalls him, he endures it patiently and that is better for him”. (Muslim).

REFLECTIONS

• If we do not train physically we get unfit, what happens if we don’t train our soul? How do we train our soul?
• Who is strong, the one who hits back or the one who does not? Why?
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

“Strong is not the person who can overcome others in a fight,
strong is the person who can overcome their own anger.”

CONCLUSION
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island.

He prayed feverishly for Allah to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.

Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements and to store his few possessions.

But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky.

The worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger. “Allah, how could you do this to me!” he cried.
Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island.
It had come to rescue him.
“How did you know I was here?” asked the weary man of his rescuers.
“We saw your smoke signal,” they replied.

It is easy to get discouraged when things are going badly. But we shouldn’t lose heart, because Allah is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering. His hut burning was actually a blessing in disguise. Sometimes things go wrong and we are very upset but there may come a day when you look back at that event and thank Allah for it.
PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME 29
GHEEBAH – Backbiting; burning your good deeds

It’s one of the greatest sins and yet it’s something we do day after day. Sometimes we don’t even realise it. You’re just chatting away with your friends and you begin to talk about somebody else where you start lying or backbiting. But look at what the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said about it:

The Prophet (PBUH) was sitting with his companions one day and one of them was speaking badly about someone who wasn’t there. As the man got up to leave the Prophet (PBUH) said to him: “Pick Your Teeth!” “But I haven’t eaten anything,” the man protested. “No,” Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said
“YOU HAVE EATEN THE FLESH OF YOUR DEAD BROTHER”.

As Allah tells us in the Quran:

“Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother?
No, you would hate it.” (Quran 49:12)
Some celebrated person once said:
I hold myself in so great esteem as not to punish (my enemy) with backbiting,
For backbiting is the weapon of the weak and the low.
Backbiting is like a fire that consumes good deeds in the manner of a flame eating up wood.
A Muslim scholar who lived in Egypt in the 16th century, writes:
After the people receive in the Hereafter the records in which the deeds they did in this world are registered, some people will say to God Almighty: ‘O God! Where are the prayers and fasts I did and the alms I gave? None of them have been recorded here.’
God replies to them:
Whatever good you did was recorded there. However, you were not able to keep those good deeds. You gave their merits to those you backbit. Go and look at the records of your brothers whom you backbit! You will see them there!

REFLECTIONS

• What if what I am saying is true, is it still backbiting?
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) told us:

“Backbiting is to say something about someone they wouldn’t like said about them….If what bad you said about them is true, then you have backbitten and if it is false then you have slandered them.”(MUSLIM)

• If one has engaged in backbiting or listened to it willingly, one should seek God’s forgiveness, saying, ‘O God, forgive me and the one whom I backbit’.

• May be we think it’s all right to take the mick out of someone so long as we say it to their face. We’ll make fun of the way someone talks, walks, or how they look. Allah warns us against such behaviour:

“O you who believe. Let not some men laugh at others, it may be the that they are better than you. Nor let some women laugh at others it may be that they are better than you. Nor abuse each other, nor be sarcastic to each other by using offensive nicknames…”(Quran 49:11)

CONCLUSION
A woman repeated a bit of gossip about a neighbour. Within a few days the whole community knew the story. The person it concerned was deeply hurt and offended.

Later the woman responsible for spreading the rumour learned that it was completely untrue. She was very sorry and went to a wise old teacher to find out what she could do to repair the damage.

“Go to the marketplace,” he said, “Pluck the feathers of a chicken and on your way home, drop them one by one along the road.” Although surprised by this advice, the woman did what she was told.

The next day the wise man said, “Now go and collect all those feathers you dropped yesterday and bring them back to me.”

The woman followed the same road, but to her dismay, the wind had blown the feathers all away. After searching for hours, she returned with only three in her hand.

“You see,” said the old teacher, “it’s easy to drop them, but it’s impossible to get them back.

So it is with gossip. It doesn’t take much to spread a rumour, but once you do, you can never completely undo the wrong.”
PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

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THEME 30
TAQWA – You’ve been framed

A teacher had many good students in his class but had particular regard and high respect for one of them. Some of the student’s one day asked the teacher the reason for this. In reply he said, I shall tell you tomorrow.”
The next day, he handed to each of those students one sweet. He asked them to take the sweets to a place where they would not be seen by anyone and eat it there. After a while, they returned, but his favourite student came back with his sweet.
The teacher asked him why he had not eaten it. He replied. “You had asked me to go to a place where nobody would see me. I tried hard to find a place where God Almighty could not see me. But I failed. Everywhere went I was sure that God could see me and I could not hide from Him. So I could not carry out your instructions.
On hearing this, the teacher turned to the other students and remarked, “The reason why I respect this student more is because of his constant awareness of the existence of God who can always see him, no matter where he is. Consequently, he does not commit any sin”. This constant awareness of being watched by Allah is what we call TAQWA.

Ali , the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) cousin, was asked a question as to what is Taqwa? Ali replied;
Imagine a very narrow path with nettles and thorns on either side. If you had to cross that path then every step you take you would take it with care so that you don’t get caught in the nettles. That’s what Taqwa is. In life every step that you take, you take carefully so that you don’t go over the boundaries that Allah has set, for he indeed is watching you and will ask you.
Allah says in the Quran:
The noblest, most honorable of you in the sight of God is the most advanced of you in Taqwa (Quran 49:13).
“This is the Book about and in which there is no doubt, a guidance for those people who have Taqwa” (Quran 2:2).

You will notice that more and more cameras are going up in order to deter people from speeding, or stealing or breaking the law in other ways. Even though these cameras are up people are able to dodge them and break the law. As Muslims we don’t need cameras, we need to remember wherever you are you are been watched by Allah. Whether you are in the street, in the classroom, in the playground, with your friends or alone Allah knows what you do and you cannot dodge his sight.

REFLECTIONS

• How do you know if you have Taqwa.

• How can you gain Taqwa? – Fasting, Prayer, Charity and Hajj are all there to help us gain Taqwa.
CONCLUSION
Be on the lookout for symptoms of something rare…
The hearts of a great many have already been exposed to inner peace and Taqwa. And it is possible that people everywhere could come down with it in epidemic proportions. This could pose a serious threat to what has, up to now, been a fairly stable condition of conflict in the world. Some signs to look for:

A ability to have confidence in their own ability.
The ability to allow others to share their joys and happiness.
A loss of interest in judging other people.
A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others.
A loss of interest in fighting.
A loss of the ability to worry.
Frequently thanking others.
Showing respect towards Allah’s creation.
Frequent attacks of smiling.

PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME 31
It’s when good neighbours
become good friends

Hasan al-Basri (a renowned Muslim scholar) once fell sick. His neighbour, an unbeliever, came to pay him a visit. “O Imam,” he exclaimed, “I detect a bad smell.” The Imam told him it was caused by illness, but the neighbour insisted: “That is not the odour of sickness. It is a lavatory smell. For the love of Allah, tell me what it is!”
He had not noticed that sewage was leaking from his house into that of the Imam.
When the neighbour pressed him, the Imam finally said: “For some months your drain has been seeping through to our side. I tried to fix it, but without success.”
His neighbour asked why he had not told him before, but the venerable Imam said: “I might have offended you.”
The unbeliever was so impressed by this ethical refinement that he was ennobled with True Faith, for he recognized the Imam’s morality as a ray of Islam.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said,
“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or be silent.
Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should be generous to his neighbour. Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, should be generous to his guest.”
(Muwatta)

“The best friend in the sight of Allah is he who is the well-wisher of his companions, and the best neighbour is one who behaves best towards his neighbours. “
(Tirmidhi)

“If anyone is pleased to love Allah and His Messenger, (peace be upon him) or rather to have Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him) love him, he should speak the truth when he tells anything, fulfil his trust when he is put in a position of trust, and be a good neighbour.” (Tirmidhi)

“If you guard against the things which are forbidden, you will be the most devout of men; if you are pleased with what Allah has allotted, you will be the richest of men;
if you are kind to your neighbour, you will be a believer;
if you like others to have what you like for yourself, you will be a Muslim.”
(Ahmad and Tirmidhi)

“By Him in Whose hand my soul is, a man is not a Muslim till his heart and tongue are submissive, and he is not a believer till his neighbour is safe from injurious behaviour on his part.” (Tirmidhi)

“He will not enter Paradise whose neighbour is not secure from his wrongful conduct.” (Muslim)

It is well known that Abu Hanifa (a famous Imam), did tahajjut (night prayer) every night. He would spend his night reciting the Quran. He had a neighbour who was an alcoholic, and he used to drink a lot and sing love poems. This used to bother the Imam.

But one day, the Imam did not hear this man’s revelry, so he went and asked about him. They said, “Oh, so-and-so, they took him to jail.” So, the very well respected Imam went to the jail. He was the most respected Imam and Judge at the time in that place. When the ruler found out the Imam went to the jail, he asked for the reason and was told that the imam was concerned about his neighbour who had been arrested.

The neighbour asked Imam Abu Hanifa why he did that, and he replied, “Because you have a right upon me as a neighbour, and I have not been neglectful of that.” That was the reason that the neighbour made repentance to Allah and embraced Islam.
REFLECTIONS
• Who is a neighbour? In your community, In our school…….
• How well do you know your neighbours?
CONCLUSION
Hazrat Ali (4th Caliph & cousin of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)) mentioned that the good friend and neighbour has the following qualities:
• Forgive the shortcomings of the friend
• Show pity to the friend’s difficulties
• Conceal his shortcomings
• Overlook his excuses
• Accept his forgiveness
• Stop the backbiting spoken of the friend
• Protect the friendship
• Fulfil the needs of the friend
• Visit him when he is sick
• When he dies, be present at his Janazah
• When invited, accept his invitation
• If he gives a gift, accept it
• If he does good, then reciprocate accordingly
• When the friend offers a bounty, then thank him
• When he needs help then assist him
• Preserve the honour and respect of your friend and his house
• If anything is lost of the friend, then assist him to look for it
• Reply to his Salaam
• Support and praise his good works
• If one has taken an oath to fulfil something, assist him in accomplishing the oath
• Assist your friend at all times whether he is an oppressor or oppressed. Assisting him if he is an oppressor is to stop him from oppression.
• Also communicate with him and not to create animosity.
• Not to disgrace a friend
• Not to swear at a friend
PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME 32
Generosity

A person walked with disrespect into the Masjid to ask for some money from Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) while he was among his companions. The man received some money from Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) but he was not convinced and asked for more saying “I heard that you are the most generous person in Madina, is this it”. The Prophet told him that he does not have any more money to give him at that moment. The man lost his temper and started shouting and yelling, he insulted the Prophet (PBUH) so badly that the people around wanted to kill him. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) stopped his companions and told them to let the man go.

Later, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) invited him to his house and gave him some more things. The man saw that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was not that rich after all so he apologised and was very thankful. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: ” You were so rude yesterday in front of my companions but now you are saying sweet words. Could you please say these sweet words to me in front of my companions so that they know you have changed?”

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) explained to his companions that they should practice tolerance. My example and your example is like dealing with a wild camel. You run behind a camel with harsh words, shouting and yelling and pulling at its reins to bring it under control, but the more you pull the more the camel goes out of control. My example is get close to the camel in calm friendly way standing there with a morsel of food in my hand, the camel will get close to me and become a friend.

The Prophet (PBUH) then said:” If I had let you free yesterday, you would have killed this man. But I did not let you do it and with tolerance, I made him a friend.”

WHAT IS GENEROSITY? Generosity literally means willingness and liberality in giving away ones own possessions.

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“The generous person is near Allah, near Paradise and far from Hell,
but the miserly person is far from Allah, far from Paradise and near Hell.”

“Save yourself from Hell-fire by giving charity, even saying a good word can be charity or giving a smile to others can be charity.”
“I was trained by Allah and he has ordered to me from being greedy and oppressive and there is nothing that causes God’s anger more than stinginess and immorality”
REFLECTIONS

• In what ways can a person show generosity? Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

“The most generous people after me would be those who will acquire knowledge and then teach it.”
Respect your teachers for they are the most generous people after the prophet, they share with you the knowledge that they have.
• Once you give charity you must not boast about it. You must not follow your charity by harming the one who is receiving it, nor should you keep on reminding people of your generosity. Allah says in the Quran:
“O you who believe, cancel not your charities by reminders of your generosity, or by harm” (Quran 2:263)
“And they give food to the poor, the orphan and the captive. Saying; we feed you seeking Allah’s countenance only, we wish for no reward nor thanks from you”
(Quran 76:8-9)
CONCLUSION
A great scholar was walking out of the Kabah in Makkah when he saw a man begging from everyone that passed by him. Just then a man who had parked his tinted Mercedes excessively close to the Mosque in a designated VIP parking walked passed the beggar on his way to his car. The beggar raised his finger to the sky and said, “Please, for the sake of Allah!”

Trying to end the moment and avoid a dip into the pocket, the Mercedes man said back, “Allah will provide!” The beggar said back, “What! Did you at any moment think that I thought YOU were my provider! I’m not asking for your provision, I KNOW Allah will provide for me.”

The man got into his Mercedes and drove away. A needy African sister who was sitting nearby on the street selling textiles was moved by the incident. She did not have much, but from what she did have, she pulled out 1 riyal and placed it in the hands of that beggar. He smiled and went on his way.

Meanwhile the Mercedes man could not drive on with the choke of guilt. He turned the car around and made his way through the crowd to the place where the incident had happened.
He pulled out a 10 riyal bill from his briefcase to give to the beggar. But he looked left and right and could not find him. So he found the nearest person he thought was worthy of the bill, placed it in her lap and went on his way.

The 10 riyals sat in the lap of the African sister that had given the beggar! The scholar then remembered the following Islamic teachings:

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

“Allah’s injunction is:O my servants ! Spend and you will be given.”
(Bukhari, Muslim)

“Charity does not diminish wealth”.
(Tibrani)
Allah says in the Quran:
“…And whatsoever you spend in Allah’s cause, He will replace it. And He is the best of providers” (Quran 34:39)

PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME 33
The Muslim character

In the beginning a lot of people disliked Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) because he did not worship idols. One woman, who did not like the Prophet (PBUH), used to sweep her dust and rubbish over him as he passed her house on the way to the Mosque. The Prophet (PBUH) always turned his head, and smiling would say to her in a way he would greet a friend, “Assalam-O-Alaikum”. This lady never replied. She just swept more dust over him.

One day, as Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) came near the woman’s house, she was nowhere to be seen. He immediately asked the neighbours where the lady was. The neighbours were very surprised because they knew that she did not like him and swept the dust and rubbish over him whenever his passed. However, they told him that she was living alone and was very ill. At once Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) went to her house. There he set to work, cooking a meal, fetching water from the well, and sweeping away the dust and rubbish. The lady was amazed to see someone helping her and even more so when she realised who it was. She was very sorry for her bad deeds and became a good Muslim following his example of kindness and truthfulness.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

” I was sent for no other reason but to improve peoples character”

“ There is nothing heavier than good character put in the scale of a believer on the Day of Judgement.”

“ I guarantee a house in the outskirts of Paradise for a man who avoids quarrelling even if he were in the right, a house in the middle of Paradise for a man who avoids lying even if he were joking, and a house in the upper part of Paradise for a man who made his character good.”

Your tongue and words are a big part of your character. There was a young man called Mahmud. One day, he was walking along the road, minding his own business, when a lady came up to him, and started calling him names and abusing him. This lady kept saying all kinds of nasty things, and Mahmud just listened to her patiently. Finally, when she was finished calling him names and abusing him, Mahmud just greeted her, smiled, and said
“and a nice day to you,” and continued on his way.
Why did Mahmud, the pious man, behave this way?
It is because he knew that everything she said was just a reflection of her own inner self.
If you use bad language, you are just making obvious to everybody how far away you really are from Allah, since your words are in reality a reflection of your own inner self.
REFLECTIONS

• Judge yourself, are you attracting people to yourself or repelling. Umar (2nd Caliph and close companion of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)) once said:
“The days of this world are going away from you, the days of akhirah are coming closer to you, hold tight to what is coming and let go of what is going. Call youself to account before you are called to account. ATTRACT PEOPLE TO ISLAM DO NOT REPELL”

CONCLUSION

MALIK ASHTAR was a famous commander under the rule of Imam Ali. He was a strong warrior and a powerful man.
Once a shopkeeper was sitting outside of his shop in the major street of a city. He was chatting with his friends and cracking jokes. Then he saw a man with bruises on his face, with dirty cloth and a dirty face passing by. So just for fun, the shopkeeper threw a piece of junk at the dirty man so that his friends would laugh.

A friend of his said: “Oh my God! Didn’t you know who this man was?”
Shopkeeper: “No. Probably an ordinary man who was just walking by.”
Friend: “No. That was Malek Ashtar…the brave commander of Imam Ali’s army!”
Shopkeeper: “No way!”
Friend: “Yes way!”
Shopkeeper: “Oh my God! He is a warrior. What is going to happen to me?! he might punish me really bad…I better apologize to him.”
So the shopkeeper followed Ashtar and saw that he is going to the Masjid. Then he saw that Malek Ashtar is performing a prayer…so he waited until his prayer was over. Then he approached Malek and said: ” I came here to apologize, I am the one who threw that piece of junk at you for amusement!”
Malek Ashtar: ” I swear to Allah that the only reason I came to this Masjid was because of you. I saw how lost and ignorant you were so I came here to pray for you so that Allah might guide you to the right path, because you hurt people with no good reason. And no, I am not thinking the way to thought about me (meaning punishing him).”
PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

OH ALLAH,
You are Rahman & Raheem, the most merciful and most kind.
Have mercy on us and forgive us for the mistakes that we make.
We make mistakes when we forget & we make mistakes on purpose.
Help us to learn from our mistakes & become better people.
Without your help we cannot do anything Oh Allah.
Oh Allah help us to be kind and generous to the people around us.
Oh Allah help us to have nice character and behave good to the people that
we know and the people that we don’t know.
Oh Allah give us qualities of generosity, gentleness, welcoming
and forgiving like our prophet showed us with his example.

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME S1 – 1st Muharram
The Muslim New year

THE TWO CALENDERS
The dates and the calendar that we usually follow in this country is the western calendar based upon the sun. In this calendar there are 365 days in one year, these days are split up into 12 months starting with January and finishing with December. This calendar is known as the Christian calendar and it began when Prophet Jesus left this earth.

Similar to this the Muslims have their own calendar. The Muslim calendar is based upon the moon. The Muslim calendar consists of 354-355 days in one year. These days are also split into 12 months. The first month is the month of Muharram, the ninth month is the very holy month of Ramadan and the twelfth month is the month of Dhul Hijjah, which is the month of Hajj. During this week is the 1st of Muharram and what this means is that during this week is the Muslim New Year.

We are in the Muslim year 14 – – but this does not mean that it has been 14 – – years since Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was born or left this earth. The Muslim calendar was reset for another reason; something that happened during the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was thought to be so important that it was chosen as the event to begin the Muslim calendar from.

SETTING THE ISLAMIC CALENDAR
A few years after the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) left this world, Umar who was the Caliph and other Muslims gathered to discuss when should we start the Muslim calendar from. The first suggestion was the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birth others suggested the day of 1st revelation of the Quran, the Prophet’s (PBUH) journey of Miraaj, the Day of Taif. The event of the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Hijrah, the migration from Makkah to Medina was unanimously chosen to begin the Islamic calendar because it was the first major sacrifice made by the whole Muslim community for the preservation of Islam. The caliph Umar is reported to have said:

“the Hijrah has separated truth from falsehood, so let it become the epoch of the era”.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was born in Makkah, when he began to tell people about Allah the people of Makkah went against him. They would beat him and his followers. The prophet one by one told all his companions to leave Makkah and go to Medina, where the people wanted the Muslims to come.

THE PROPHETS HIJRAH

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) himself stayed in Makkah with a few followers because he was waiting for Allah to tell him when to leave. When the people of Makkah planned to kill the prophet, Allah told him to leave. The people of Makkah placed a big reward on the Prophet’s (PBUH) head, so many people went looking for him so that they could then claim the reward.

The people at Medina were anxious for Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to arrive, looking in the direction of Makkah every day from the treetops and on the roofs of houses. When they saw the Prophet (PBUH) coming from the distance, all the children climbed down from their positions packed out the streets and sang a welcome song for him.

THALA AL BADH RUH ALAINA MINTHANIYA THIL WADA.
WAJA BAH SHUKH RUH ALAINA MADA ALIL LAHIDAA.

Oh the white moon rose over us from the valley of Wadah.
And we owe it to show gratefulness when the call is from Allah.

AYU HAL MABH YUTHUFINA, CHITTABILLA MRILL MUTHA
CHITHAH SHAHRAF THAL MADINA MARHABAYAA HAIRATHAA.

Oh you who were raised amongst us, coming with a call to be obeyed.
You have brought to this city nobleness, welcome best caller to Gods way.

REFLECTIONS

• How familiar are you with the Islamic calendar and its months?
• How hard do you think it was for Muslims to leave their homeland and place of birth?
• How difficult was the actual journey from Makkah to Madinah?

CONCLUSION

The Hijrah was a turning point in the history of Islam. The Muhajirun (emigrants) of Makkah gave up their family, property and homeland for the sake of Islam and the Ansar (helpers) of Madina welcomed them with great hospitality.

In life there may be many calamities and tests that come your way, but be patient and have sabr and remember that you are not alone but rely on Allah and he will be your support. Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) hijrah from Makkah to Madinah was a very dangerous one but he had Allah as his support.

PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME S2 – 12th Rabbi-al-awwal
Death of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

One night, shortly after his return to Medina, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) woke up at midnight and then left the house and went to the Baqi al-Gharqad, the burial ground of the Muslims. There the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) stood in the front of the graves and, as though he could see the Muslims buried in them, spoke to them and prayed over them. Later, ’Abd Allah reported, ’The Prophet (PBUH) told me that he was ordered to pray for the dead and that I was to go with him.’
After the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had prayed he turned to ‘Abd Allah and said, ‘I can choose between all the riches of this world, a long life and then Paradise, or meeting my Lord and entering Paradise now.’ ‘Abd Allah begged him to choose a long, rich life, followed by Paradise, but the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) told him that he had already chosen to meet his Lord now rather than remain in the world.
The following morning the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) awoke with a terrible headache, but despite this he had led the prayers at the mosque. From what he said afterwards to the people assembled there, they understood that his death was near. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) praised his best friend, Abu Bakr, who had begun to weep, and told everyone that he knew they would all meet again at a pool in Paradise. He added, however that although he was sure they would always worship Allah alone, he feared that the pleasures of the world would attract them, and they would begin to compete with one another for material possessions, forgetting spiritual things.
Soon after the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) requested that he be moved to the room of Aisha, his wife. As the days passed his fever grew worse, until one day he was so ill that he could not even get to the mosque, which was next to where Aisha lived. The people waited for him to come and lead the prayer, he got up to perform wudhu but was so ill that he fainted. When he regained consciousness he saw the people still waiting for him to lead the prayer, he again attempted to perform Wudhu but again fainted. He then attempted to do wudhu for the third time and again fainted. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) then told Aisha to tell the Muslims to let Abu Bakr, her father, lead the prayer, which made them very sad for this was the first time anyone had taken the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) place.
Later, on the 12th day of Rabi al-Awal, in the 11th year of Islam (June 8th 632 A.D.), the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) heard the voices of the people in prayer. With great effort he got up and looked from his door at all the Muslims who were assembled in rows behind Abu bakr; he smiled with great satisfaction. Abu Bakr saw him and stepped back to give the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) his place. The Muslims were happy, thinking he was going to pray with them as before, but the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who looked radiantly beautiful that day signalled to them to continue on their own. He prayed in a sitting position at the right of Abu Bakr, after which he went back inside and lay his head on ‘Aisha’s lap. He was in such pain that his daughter Fatimah cried out in pity. Then the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, ‘There is no pain for your father after this day; truly, death has appeared to me.
When the people in the Mosque heard that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was dead, they were filled with grief. ‘Umar (a close friend of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)) could not, and would not, believe it, and exclaimed that it was not true. Abu Bakr then went out and spoke gently to the people, saying ‘All praise belongs to Allah! O people, whoever worshipped Muhammad, Muhammad is dead. But for him who worships Allah, Allah is living and never dies.’ He then recited this verse from the Quran, which had been revealed after the battle of Uhud:
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Muhammad is but a messenger, messengers (the like of whom)
have passed away before him. Will it be that, when he dies or is slain,
you will turn back on your heels? He who turns back
does no hurt to Allah, and Allah will reward the thankful.
No soul can ever die except by Allah’s permission
and at a term appointed. Who so desires the
reward of the world, We bestow on him thereof;
and whosoever desires the reward of the Hereafter,
We bestow on him thereof We shall reward the thankful.
(Quran 3:144-145)
After this the people pledged their loyalty to Abu Bakr, whom the Prophet (PBUH) had chosen to lead the prayer. Abu Bakr accepted and concluded what he had to say with these words:
‘Obey me so long as I obey Allah and His Messenger. But if I
disobey Allah and His Messenger, you owe me no obedience.
Arise for your prayer, Allah have mercy upon you!’
The people rose and asked him; ‘Where will the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) be buried?’ Abu Bakr remembered that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had said, ‘No Prophet dies who is not buried on the spot where he died.’ And so the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was buried in a grave dug in the floor of Aisha’s room, in the house next to the mosque. The spot became known as the Haram al-Nabawi and Muslims from all over the world go there to pray and to give their blessings and greetings of peace the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
REFLECTIONS
• No matter how great or small someone is, apart from Allah everyone will taste death.
• The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has left a great legacy behind for us to follow.
CONCLUSION
Allah says to the believers to send peace on the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), whenever we pray we send peace.

PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME S3 – 27 Rajab
The Isra & Miraaj

“While I was lying in bed, suddenly someone came to me and cut my body open from here to here (Indicating his throat to his belly button), he then took out my heart and washed it with Zam zam water. Then a white animal called the Buraq was brought to me. The animal’s step (was so wide that it) reached the farthest point within the reach of the animal’s sight. I climbed onto the beast, and the Angel Gabriel stood beside me pointing the way northward toward the city of Jerusalem. Within a twinkling of an eye we were at the old city and I was met there by a group of Prophets: Abraham, Moses, Jesus, (PBUT) and many others. I dismounted the Buraq and led all the prophets in prayer at the site of the Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem.

I was again carried on the buraq, and Gabriel set out with me till we reached the nearest heaven.”

“When he asked for the gate to be opened, it was asked, ‘Who is it?’ Gabriel answered, ‘Gabriel.’ It was asked, ‘Who is accompanying you?’ Gabriel replied, ‘Muhammad.’ It was asked, ‘Has Muhammad been called?’ Gabriel replied in the affirmative.

Then it was said, ‘He is welcomed. What an excellent visit his is!’ The gate was opened, and when I went over the first heaven, I saw Prophet Adam (PBUH) there.

Gabriel said (to me): ‘This is your father, Adam; pay him your greetings.’ So I greeted him and he returned the greeting to me and said: ‘You are welcomed, 0 pious son and pious Prophet.’

Then Gabriel ascended with me till we reached the second heaven. Gabriel asked for the gate to be opened. It was asked: ‘Who is it?’ Gabriel answered: ‘Gabriel.’ It was asked: ‘Who is accompanying you?’ Gabriel replied, ‘Muhammad.’ It was asked: ‘Has he been called?’ Gabriel answered in the affirmative.

Then it was said: ‘He is welcomed. What an excellent visit his is!’ The gate was opened. “When I went over the second heaven, there I saw Prophet John (Yahya) and Prophet Jesus (Isa) (PBUT), who were cousins of each other. Gabriel said (to me): ‘These are John and Jesus; pay them your greetings.’ So I greeted them and both of them returned my greetings to me and said, ‘You are welcomed, 0 pious brother and pious Prophet.’

Then Gabriel ascended with me to the third heaven and asked for its gate to be opened. It was asked: ‘Who is it?’ Gabriel replied: ‘Gabriel.’ It was asked: ‘Who is accompanying you?’ Gabriel replied, ‘Muhammad.’ It was asked: ‘Has he been called?’ Gabriel replied in the affirmative.

Then it was said: ‘He is welcomed, what an excellent visit his is!’ The gate was opened, and when I went over the third heaven there I saw Prophet Joseph (Yusuf) (PBUH). Gabriel said (to me): ‘This is Joseph; pay him your greetings.’ So I greeted him and he returned the greeting to me and said: ‘You are welcomed, 0 pious brother and pious Prophet.’

Then Gabriel ascended with me to the fourth heaven and asked for its gate to be opened. It was asked: ‘Who is it?’ Gabriel replied, ‘Gabriel’ It was asked: ‘Who is accompanying you?’ Gabriel replied: ‘Muhammad.’ It was asked: ‘Has he been called?’ Gabriel replied in the affirmative.

Then it was said: ‘He is welcomed, what an excellent visit his is!’ “The gate was opened, and when I went over the fourth heaven, there I saw Prophet Enoch (Idris) (PBUH). Gabriel said (to me): This is Enoch; pay him your greetings.’ So I greeted him and he returned the greeting to me and said: ‘You are welcomed, 0 pious brother and pious Prophet.’

Then Gabriel ascended with me to the fifth heaven and asked for its gate to be opened. It was asked: ‘Who is it?’ Gabriel replied: ‘Gabriel.’ It was asked: ‘Who is accompanying you?’ Gabriel replied: ‘Muhammad.’ It was asked: ‘Has he been called?’ Gabriel replied in the affirmative.

Then it was said: “He is welcomed, what an excellent visit his is! So when I went over the fifth heaven, there I saw Prophet Aaron (Harun) (PBUH), Gabriel said (to me): ‘This is Aaron; pay him your greetings.’ I greeted him and he returned the greeting to me and said: ‘You are welcomed, 0 pious brother and pious Prophet.’

Then Gabriel ascended with me to the sixth heaven and asked for its gate to be opened. It was asked: ‘Who is it?’ Gabriel replied, ‘Gabriel.’ It was asked: ‘Who is accompanying you?’ Gabriel replied: ‘Muhammad.’ It was asked: ‘Has he been called?’ Gabriel replied in the affirmative.

It was said: ‘He is welcomed. What an excellent visit his is!’ “When I went (over the sixth heaven), there I saw Prophet Moses (Musa) (PBUH). Gabriel said (to me): ‘This is Moses; pay him your greeting. So I greeted him and he returned the greetings to me and said: ‘You are welcomed, 0 pious brother and pious Prophet.’ When I left him (i.e. Moses) he wept. Someone asked him: ‘What makes you weep?’ Moses said: ‘I weep because after me there has been sent (as Prophet) a young man whose followers will enter Paradise in greater numbers than my followers.’

Then Gabriel ascended with me to the seventh heaven and asked for its gate to be opened. It was asked: ‘Who is it?’ Gabriel replied: ‘Gabriel.’ It was asked: ‘Who is accompanying you?’ Gabriel replied: ‘Muhammad.’ It was asked: ‘Has he been called?’ Gabriel replied in the affirmative.

Then it was said: ‘He is welcomed. What an excellent visit his is!’ “So when I went (over the seventh heaven), there I saw Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) (PBUH). Gabriel said (to me): This is your father; pay your greetings to him.’ So I greeted him and he returned the greetings to me and said: ‘You are welcomed, 0 pious son and pious Prophet.’

Then I was made to ascend upto a large tree. Gabriel said: ‘This is the Lote Tree of the utmost boundary (Sidrat-ul-Muntaha)’. ‘Then Al-Bait-ul-Mamur (i.e. the Sacred House exactly like the kabah) was shown to me.”

Then I was taken further and spoke to Allah. Before I left I was given a gift for the Muslims, the gift of prayers were enjoined on me: they were fifty prayers a day. When I returned, I passed by Moses, who asked (me): ‘What have you been ordered to do?’ I replied: ‘I have been ordered to offer fifty prayers a day.’ Moses said: ‘Your followers cannot bear fifty prayers a day, and by Allah I have tested people before you, and I have tried my level best. Go back to your Lord and ask for reduction to lessen your followers’ burden.’

So I went back, and Allah reduced ten prayers for me. Then again I came to Moses, but he repeated the same as he had said before. Then again I went back to Allah, and He reduced ten more prayers. When I came back to Moses he said the same. I went back to Allah, and He ordered me to observe ten prayers a day. When I came back to Moses, he repeated the same advice, so I went back to Allah and was ordered to observe five prayers a day.

“When I came back to Moses, he said: ‘What have you been ordered?’ I replied: ‘I have been ordered to observe five prayers a day.’ He said: ‘Your followers cannot bear five prayers a day, and no doubt, I have got an experience of the people before you, so go back to your Lord and ask for reduction to lessen your followers’ burden.’ I said: ‘I have requested so much of my Lord that I feel ashamed, but I am satisfied now and surrender to Allah’s Order.’

When I left, I heard a voice saying: ‘I have passed My order and have lessened the burden of My worshippers, if they pray five times a day they will be given the reward for praying fifty.”‘
“I continued my descent from Heaven to Jerusalem. From there I returned to Mecca. It was still night when I reached the place where I had been sleeping only a few hours before.”

The night journey to Jerusalem came to be called Al-Isra and Muhammad’s ascent into Heaven is known as Al-Miraj. After the night journey the Prophet had new strength and confidence.

REFLECTIONS

• Why was the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) heart washed?

• Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was feeling down, Allah took him on the Miraj to uplift his spirit. If you are feeling down how can you have a similar experience to help lift up your spirit?

CONCLUSION

Prayer five times a day is the only command that Allah did not send an angel down with a message, but the prophet was taken up. One of the meanings of this event is that prayer is the Miraaj of a Muslim. When a Muslim prayers the barrier between them and Allah is lifted and they should imagine themselves in the same position as the Prophet (PBUH) when he was before Allah on the Miraaj.

You should fight against Shaitan in their minds by concentrating on Allah who they are speaking to in their prayer. Then the person praying will feel the sweet taste of prayer in their life.

PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

OH ALLAH,
You are Rahman & Raheem, the most merciful and most kind.
Have mercy on us and forgive us for the mistakes that we make.
We make mistakes when we forget & we make mistakes on purpose.
Help us to learn from our mistakes & become better people.
Without your help we cannot do anything Oh Allah.
Oh Allah be our support and strength during our difficult times.
Oh Allah help us to clean and wash our hearts through
fasting, prayer, charity and your remembrance.
Oh Allah give us the strength to make the necessary sacrifices
so we can say our prayers on time and perfectly.

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME S4 –Ramadhan 1
Welcome Ramadhan

Fasting is one of the most important duties in Islam. All the Prophets before Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) taught people to fast. The month of Ramadhan is arriving and Muslims must fast during this month.
Muslims will wake up early in the morning before sunrise. They will eat something and begin to prepare themselves for fasting during the day. First they do their morning prayer then at dawn the fast begins (Sahoor).
After dawn they do not eat, drink, or do anything that would nullify their fast. After sunset, when the Adhan for the evening prayer is called, they break the fast with the remembrance of Allah and eat the food prepared for them. (Iftar)
A person who is fasting must try to stay away from sin and all bad deeds. He must try to be very kind and friendly and try not to say anything bad about anyone or hurt anyone. Because whilst a person is fasting they must remember that they are in a constant state of worship and they must not do anything that will nullify their worship.

The Sermon Given By The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) On The Last Friday Of Sha’ban On The Reception Of The Month of Ramadhan
O People!
Indeed ahead of you is the blessed month of Allah.
A month of blessing, mercy and forgiveness.
A month which with Allah is the best of months.
Its days, the best of days, its nights,
the best of nights, and its hours, the best of hours.

It is the month which invites you to be the guests of Allah
and invites you to be one of those near to Him.

Each breath you take glorifies him;
your sleep is worship, your deeds are accepted
and your supplications are answered.

So, ask Allah, your Lord;
to give you a sound body and an enlightened heart
so you may be able to fast and recite his book,
for only he is unhappy who is devoid
of Allah’s forgiveness during this great month.

Remember the hunger and thirst of the day of Qiyamah with your hunger and thirst;
give alms to the needy and poor, honour your old, show kindness to the young ones,
maintain relations with your blood relations;
guard your tongues, close your eyes to that which is not permissible for your sight,
close your ears to that which is forbidden to hear,
show compassion to the orphans.

Repent to Allah for your sins and raise your hands in prayer during these times,
for they are the best of times and Allah looks towards his creatures with kindness,
replying to them during the hours and granting their needs if he is asked…
O People! One who gives Iftaar to a
fasting person during this month will be like one who has freed
someone and his past sins will be forgiven.
Even if the Iftaar (meal) is a drink of water.”
Who so ever performs a recommended prayer in this month
Allah will keep the fire of Hell away from him…
Whoever performs an obligatory prayer
Allah will reward him with seventy prayers [worth] in this month.
And who so ever prays a lot during this month
will have his load lightened on the day of measure.
He who recites one verse of the holy Quran
will be given the rewards of reciting the whole Quran during other months.

O People!
Indeed during this month
the doors of heaven are open,
therefore ask Allah not to close them for you;
The doors of hell are closed,
so ask Allah to keep them closed for you.
During this month Shaitan is imprisoned
so ask your Lord not to let him have power over you.”

REFLECTIONS

• How are you going to make the best use of this Ramadhan?

• How many prayers are you going to say? How much Quran are you going to read?

• Remember during the day when you are fasting, you are in a state of worship.

CONCLUSION

There was a little girl (six years old) who was fasting in Ramadhan, even though it is not obligatory on such a young child. She was in school, and at lunchtime, when all the other children went out to eat and have lunch, she sat in the classroom, because she was fasting. Her friend thought that she was too young to fast, and so said that it was not necessary, and she could eat a little. The girl still didn’t eat. Then the friend said: “Your parents are not here, it doesn’t matter if you eat a little”. The girl replied: “I am not fasting for my parents, I am fasting for Allah”. This simple statement had such a profound effect on the friend, that she became a Muslim later on in life. This is the whole purpose of fasting that Allah has mentioned in the Quran:

“Fasting has been made obligatory on you like it was made obligatory on the people before you so that you may gain God-consciousness”

PRAYER
AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

OH ALLAH,
You are Rahman & Raheem, the most merciful and most kind.
Have mercy on us and forgive us for the mistakes that we make.
We make mistakes when we forget & we make mistakes on purpose.
Help us to learn from our mistakes & become better people.
Without your help we cannot do anything Oh Allah.
Oh Allah help us to gain the benefits from this blessed month.
Oh Allah give us the strength so we can spend this month in your remembrance through fasting, prayer, reading Quran and acts of generosity.
Oh Allah create Taqwa in our hearts through this month of fasting.
Oh Allah make this coming month, the month that will change our lives.

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME S5 – Ramadhan 2
The month of Mercy

Fasting is difficult, especially when it is a hot day. It was on such a hot day, during the month of Ramadhan, that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) sat down to rest. He had not eaten since it was dark, and the sun was now high in the sky. He wanted a few moments of peace.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had only been sitting down for a few moments when the peace was broken. Someone was shouting loudly, just a little way down the street. A woman was obviously very angry. Her voice was loud, and the angrier she became the louder and shriller her shouting became. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) decided to investigate.

As he came closer, he saw one of the richest women in the town, beating a servant for something he should have done, but had not. She was furious. Her face was red, she was shaking her fist, and it seemed as if she was fit to burst. The servant was standing uncomfortably, his head bowed low, not daring to move or reply. The woman was so busy with her anger that at first she did not notice Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) standing beside her.

Slowly she became aware that someone was standing beside her. She turned, saw that it was the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and calmed down a little. “Why don’t you go indoors, and have something to eat?”

The woman was shocked. She did not know what to say. She always kept the fast. She wondered if the Prophet (PBUH) realised what he was saying. “But I always keep the fast,” she said. “I have not eaten anything today.”

The Prophet (PBUH) spoke quietly. “If you were keeping the fast properly,” he said, “you would be kind to others. You would be trying hard to do Allah’s will. Getting angry with your servant is as bad as eating during the fast. You might as well go and eat.”
Fasting in the holy month of Ramadan is one of the foremost of the five pillars of Islam, as well as being among the greatest of the symbols of Islam. That fasting has many purposes relating both to the Lordship of God and thanksgiving for His bounties, and to man’s individual and collective life, as well as to his self-training and self-discipline.
In the holy month of Ramadan, the believers, like an army waiting for the order ‘March!’, display a manner of worshipping in expectation of the command of ‘Help yourself!’ towards the end of the day, and they thus respond to that magnificent and universal Mercy with a comprehensive and harmonious act of collective worship.
It is in holy Ramadan that the selfhood of everyone, whether the richest or the poorest, understands that, rather than owning itself, it is owned by One Other, and rather then being free, it is a servant. Unless it is ordered, or permitted, it is unable to do even the most common thing like eating and drinking, and thereby its illusory lordship is shattered, it can admit to servant hood and performs its real duty, which is thanksgiving.
The rewards for the good deeds done in Ramadan are multiplied by a thousand. According to one hadith, ten rewards are given for each letter of the Quran that is read. The recitation of a single letter means ten good deeds, however, in the whole month of Ramadan the reward for each letter of the Quran is multiplied not by ten, but by a thousand, even by thousands for some particular verses. The reward for each letter of the holy Quran recited in the Night of Power is multiplied by thirty thousand.
To describe the objective and subjective merits of the month of Ramadhan, which justify its higher rank over other months, it is more suitable to refer to the words of the Almighty Allah, and His Last Prophet. Allah says in the Quran:

”O you who believe! fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may guard (against evil). “
“Fast for a certain number of days; but whoever among you is sick or on a journey, then (he shall fast) a (like) number of other days; and those who are not able to do it may effect a redemption by feeding a poor man; so whoever does good spontaneously it is better for him; and that you fast is better for you if you know. “
“The month of Ramadhan is that in which the Quran was revealed, a guidance to people and clear proofs of the guidance and the distinction; therefore whoever of you is present in the month, he shall fast therein, and whoever is sick or upon a journey, then (he shall fast) a (like) number of other days; Allah desires ease for you, and He does not desire for you difficulty, and (He desires) that you should complete the number and that you should exalt the greatness of Allah for His having guided you and that you may give thanks.” (Quran 2: 183 to 185)

And men who fast and women who fast…Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a vast reward. (Quran :AL AH’ZAAB: 35)
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“Whoever establishes prayers during the nights of Ramadan faithfully out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah’s rewards (not for showing off), all his past sins will be forgiven.” (Bukhari)
REFLECTIONS
• How do you think fasting helps you to show mercy to the poor people of the world?
• How does fasting help unity of the Muslims?
• Is fasting just staying hungry or more?

CONCLUSION

We are Allah’s Guests
Close the doors of hell
Cool down the fire
Angels go ring the bell
And put on your best attire
My guests will be here soon
Be ready to serve them
They only await the sighting of the moon
Then they’ll be here all women and men
This is the month of Ramadhan
In which I am their Host
To unload their sins is the plan
Let’s see who can benefit the most
For every day that they fast
And every second they restrain
Turn to dust the sins of their past
And make their future paths straight and plain
Oh! Look at him who sheds tears
And whispers to Me past midnight
Take away all his fears! Increase his years!
Fill up his heart with My Light
And give to them a special gift
The gift of a special night
The night better than a thousand years
Let their spirits take flight
Come closer to Me Oh My humble slaves
I have been waiting for you for so many days
You did forget Me but I did not
My Mercy has been there with you always
Remember with Me My Prophet too
Without him my message would not have reached you
Love his progeny if you love for him is true
In their love I open the gates of Heaven for you
Come to Me, now don’t be shy
You take one step closer and I’ll take five
You can better yourself, you must try
Hold My hand and you will surely get by
These nights are for you
So take advantage
It saddens me to see so few
Come take advantage
I could cool down hell forever
If You all turned to Me
Keep trying, don’t give up ever
Never lose hope in My Mercy
All praise is for your Lord
It’s so easy, don’t you see?
So praise Him and send mercy
On the Prophet and his family.

PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

OH ALLAH,
You are Rahman & Raheem, the most merciful and most kind.
Have mercy on us and forgive us for the mistakes that we make.
We make mistakes when we forget & we make mistakes on purpose.
Help us to learn from our mistakes & become better people.
Without your help we cannot do anything Oh Allah.
Oh Allah help us to gain the benefits from this blessed month.
Oh Allah give us the strength so we can spend this month in your remembrance through fasting, prayer, reading Quran and acts of generosity.
Oh Allah give us the strength to endure the difficulties of this month.
Oh Allah accept our fasts and our prayers.
Oh Allah help us to be merciful and show mercy to your creation.
Oh Allah create Taqwa in our hearts through this month of fasting.
Oh Allah make this Ramadhan, the month that will change our lives.

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME S6 – Ramadhan 3
The night of power (it’s a miracle)

Allah sent over 124 000 Prophets, each Prophet was supported with miracles. Prophet Moses (PBUH) was given a staff with which he performed miracles at the command of Allah. This staff turned into a snake in front of the pharaoh. The same staff turned the river into blood and finally with the same staff Prophet Moses (PBUH) split the sea into two and saved his people from the pharaoh.

Prophet Jesus (PBUH) was given the miracle to heal. He healed lepers and crippled people with the permission of Allah. He even brought the dead back to life with the permission of Allah.

Prophet David (PBUH) was given the strength to beat the giant Goliath, Prophet Joseph (PBUH) was given the ability to interpret dreams, Prophet Solomon (PBUH) was given the ability to speak the languages of the animals.

Similar to this all the other prophets were given miracles but the miracle of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is different. Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) miracle is a living miracle we still have it with us today. This is how his miracle was given to him.

Muhammad was a busy merchant in the city of Mecca. From time to time he liked to leave the city and walk into the hills where he could be alone and think clearly. He would spend time in the hills of Hira fasting, praying and pondering, trying to find answers to his questions about life. While he was there, his wife Khadija, would send him food.

It was on a day towards the end of the month of Ramadan that Muhammad set off for the hills, and spent his time fasting and praying in his usual place. He was so involved with his thoughts; he did not notice the time passing. At the darkest time of the night, just before the dawn, he heard a voice. The voice grew louder and louder, it seemed to come from all directions. Muhammad looked around. Suddenly before him there was an angel’

“Read,” said the angel. Muhammad was stunned. “I cannot read!”

“Read” the angle said again. “I cannot read” Muhammad replied.

The angel squeezed him.
“Read” said the angel “in the name of thy Lord who created man from a drop of blood: read in the name of the Almighty God who taught man the use of the pen and taught him what he knew not before…”

Muhammad recited the verse after the angel, until he knew it perfectly, word for word.

Then Muhammad looked afraid, and he was alone. The angel had gone. But the words stayed in his memory, and there was a strange sensation of having been squeezed very hard.

Suddenly Muhammad felt worried. He began to panic. Trembling, he stood up, left the cave, and began to walk, shakily, down the mountain path. He was very confused. Then a voice, the same voice, called to him:

“Oh Muhammad!  Truly you are the messenger of God.  
And I am his angel, Gabriel.”

Muhammad looked up, and he saw the angel in its true form. For a moment, Muhammad was awe-struck. Then he tried to escape, but no matter which way he turned, the angel was there, filling the sky. Muhammad could go neither forwards nor back until Gabriel had disappeared from the sky as suddenly as he had appeared. Only then, slowly and just as dawn was breaking, did Muhammad make his way down the path, through the hills and back to his home in Mecca.

This was the first revelation of the Quran, the word of Allah and the miracle given to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). It is because of this first revelation, which took place in the month of Ramadhan that Allah told the Muslims to fast. The actual day in which the angel came with the first words of the Quran is called Layla-tul-Qadr -the night of power. The actual night is not exactly known but the prophet told us it is one of the odd days from the last ten days of Ramadhan. Allah referring to this night said in the Quran that it is better than a thousand months.

It is because of the Quran that Ramadhan became important; it is because of the Quran the night of power became important. This Quran is indeed a miracle, not a single letter has been altered in over fourteen hundred years, this Quran is still changing the lives of many who come in contact with it, and people from all walks of life can feel the power of the Quran when they read it.

Dr. Moore was a former President of the Canadian Association of Anatomists, and of the American Association of Clinical Anatomists. He is the author of several medical textbooks. He was honoured by the Canadian Association of Anatomists with the prestigious J.C.B. Grant Award and in 1994 he received the Honoured Member Award of the American Association of Clinical Anatomists “for outstanding contributions to the field of clinical anatomy.”

At a conference in Cairo he presented a research paper and stated:
“It has been a great pleasure for me to help clarify statements in the Quran about human development. It is clear to me that these statements must have come to Muhammad from God, or Allah, because most of this knowledge was not discovered until many centuries later. This proves to me that Muhammad must have been a messenger of God, or Allah.” [1]

Gary Miller in his book, “The Amazing Quran” stated the following story:
A Muslim gave a copy of the Holy Quran to a man who was a merchant marine. This man knew nothing about the history of Islam. When he finished reading the Holy Quran, he asked his Muslim friend: “This man Muhammad (PBUH), was he a sailor? When he was told that Muhammad (PBUH) lived in a desert and probably did not even see an ocean during his whole life, he embraced Islam on the spot. He acknowledged that this description of the Holy Quran of the ocean

“The peoples state is like a vast deep ocean, overwhelmed with waves, one over the other, and above it is a cloud of darkness upon darkness, one above another; if a man stretches out his hand, he can hardly see it; For anyone to whom Allah gives no light, there is no light.” (Quran 24:40)

could only be described by one who had actually seen sea storms many times, whereas Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) never witnessed this phenomenon.

REFLECTIONS
• Why do you think Allah chose the words READ, READ, READ to begin the revelation of the Quran?

• What would you do if you had the miracles of the other prophets with you today, the staff of Prophet Moses (PBUH), The abilities of Prophet Joseph (PBUH) & Prophet Jesus (PBUH), the strength of Prophet David (PBUH) – yet we do have the miracle of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in our homes, do we use it as it is supposed to be used.

• The Night of power is better than a thousand months – how are you going to spend your time during this night.
CONCLUSION
The Muslim world becomes in Ramadan like a huge mosque where millions of people recite the Quran, that heavenly address, to the inhabitants of the earth. Demonstrating the reality of the verse, The month of Ramadan, in which the Quran was revealed, Ramadan proves itself to be the month of the Quran: while some members of the vast congregation in that great mosque of the Muslim world listen to its recitation with solemn reverence, others recite it themselves.

PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

OH ALLAH,
You are Rahman & Raheem, the most merciful and most kind.
Have mercy on us and forgive us for the mistakes that we make.
We make mistakes when we forget & we make mistakes on purpose.
Help us to learn from our mistakes & become better people.
Without your help we cannot do anything Oh Allah.
Oh Allah give us the strength so we can spend this month in your remembrance through fasting, prayer, reading Quran and acts of generosity.
Oh Allah give us the strength and the ability to reap the benefits of the night of power.
Oh Allah help us to use and benefit from the miracle of miracles, the holy Quran.
Oh Allah accept our fasts and our prayers.
Oh Allah create Taqwa in our hearts through this month of fasting.
Oh Allah make this Ramadhan, the month that will change our lives.

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME S7 – 1st Shawwal – Eid-ul-Fitr
A time of Sharing

A young man, a student in one of the universities, was one day taking a walk with a Professor, who was commonly called the student’s friend, from his kindness to those who waited on his instructions.

As they went along, they saw lying in the path a pair of old shoes, which they supposed to belong to a poor man who was employed in a field close by, and who had nearly finished his day’s work.
The student turned to the professor, saying: “Let us play the man a trick: we will hide his shoes, and conceal ourselves behind those bushes, and wait to see his perplexity when he cannot find them.”
“My young friend,” answered the professor, “we should never amuse ourselves at the expense of the poor. But you are rich, and may give yourself a much greater pleasure by means of this poor man. Put a coin in each shoe, and then we will hide ourselves and watch how this affects him.”

The student did so and they both placed themselves behind the bushes close by. The poor man soon finished his work, and came across the field to the path where he had left his coat and shoes.

While putting on his coat he slipped his foot into one of his shoes, but feeling something hard, he stooped down to feel what it was, and found the coin. Astonishment and wonder were seen upon his countenance. He gazed upon the coin, turned it around, and looked at it again and again.

He then looked around him on all sides, but no person was to be seen.
He now put the money into his pocket, and proceeded to put on the other shoe; but his surprise was doubled on finding the other coin.

His feelings overcame him; he fell upon his knees, looked up to the heavens and uttered aloud a fervent thanksgiving in which he spoke of his wife who was sick and helpless, and his children without bread, whom this timely bounty, from some unknown hand, would save from perishing.

The student stood there deeply affected, and his eyes filled with tears.
“Now,” said the professor, are you not much better pleased than if you had played your intended trick?”

The youth replied, “You have taught me a lesson which I will never forget.
I feel now the truth of these words, which I never understood before:
“It’s more blessed to give than to receive.”

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
Encouraging good, prohibiting evil, lifting the burden of the weak person and removing an offensive thing from a path are all acceptable prayers to Allah.
(Ibn Majah)

There are countless examples of sharing from the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) himself:
All the people, both young and old were dressed in their best clothes, especially for this special day of Eid. As it was time for early morning Eid prayers everyone made their way to an open piece of land on the outskirts of the city. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) arrived and led the prayers. After they had finished they all greeted each other and everyone was walking back home.
The children were running and playing in excitement, smiling and laughing, without a care in the world. As the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) walked back home, he suddenly became aware of a little boy (Zuhair) sitting by himself on the side of the path. The little boy was crying and looked very sad. The Prophet (PBUH) bent down and patted him on the shoulders and asked ‘why are you crying?’ ‘Please leave me alone’ sobbed the little boy. The boy didn’t even see who was talking to him. The Prophet (PBUH) ran his fingers through the boy’s hair and very gently and kindly asked him again why he was crying. This time the boy said, ‘My father was martyred fighting, and now my mother has married again and my stepfather does not want me to live at home any more.
Today is Eid and everyone is happy. All the children have new clothes and nice things to eat, but I don’t have any clothes except what I am wearing. I have no food and I don’t even have a place to live.’

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said to him, ‘I know how you feel, I lost both my mother and father when I was a little boy.’ The boy was surprised to hear that it was an orphan who was comforting him, and when he looked up to his great surprise it was the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and he immediately jumped up to his feet out of love and respect.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said to him ‘If I were to become your new father and Aisha your new mother, and Fatima your new sister, would that make you feel better?’ ‘Oh yes, that would be the best thing in the world!’ The boy started smiling. The Prophet took him home and gave him new clothes and good food on this beautiful day of Eid. The boy indeed had a wonderful Eid that day.

REFLECTIONS
• What sort of things can you share? – What do people share on Eid?

CONCLUSION
There once lived three men who were the very best of friends. One of the friends was named Waqidi, he tells us the following story of what happened on one Eid.

“I had two friends, a Hashimite and a Non-Hashimite, and we were very close to one another, like three inseparable companions. I did not have much money and when the day of Eid approached, my wife said to me, “We can be patient at all times, but I cannot bear to see my children weeping and crying. I feel as though my heart would break, when I see them in rags, while other children are buying new clothes and other fine things for Eid. If you could get me some money for Eid, I would sew new clothes for them.”

I then wrote a letter to my Hashimite friend and told him all about my sad story. He sent me a sealed bag with one thousand dirhams and an important note. This note explained that I could use this money as I wished.

No sooner than I had thought about how I would use the money, I received a note from my friend, the non-Hashimite. In this note, my friend told me about his story – that he also desperately needed some money. And so I sent that same bag of money to him. I then went home and told my wife what I had done with the money. She was very happy that I had helped a friend in need. Alhamdulillah!

As we sat talking to each other, my Hashimite friend came with the same bag that he had sent me three days before.

He said, “Tell me the truth about this bag of money. How has it reached me again?”

I then explained to him how I had sent it to our non- Hashimite friend.

He then said: “When I received your note, I had nothing with me, except this bag, which I sent to you. But then I wrote to my non- Hashimite friend and asked him for help. I was surprised when he sent me my own sealed bag, which I had sent you. Ah, so now I have come to solve the mystery of the sealed bag!”

PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME S8 – 26th Shawwal
Journey to Taif

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his followers were kicked out of their homeland and had to live in the dessert for three years. During this time the Muslims suffered tremendously. There was hardly any water and due to a lack of food many people tied rocks to their stomachs to keep them in.
Khadijah, the prophet’s wife, became very weak and died. This happened in 619 A.D., the year that became known as the ‘Year of Sorrow’. Soon after this, the Prophet Muhammad’s uncle and protector, Abu-talib, also died. Abu-talib had protected Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) against his enemies.
The Prophet’s (PBUH) enemies began to treat him worse than ever before. Even small children insulted him. One young man actually threw some filth on the Prophet’s head, but the Prophet (PBUH) went home without making anything of it. When one of his daughters rushed, weeping, to wash it away, he comforted her saying, ‘Do not weep my little girl, for Allah will protect your father.’
The prophet therefore, decided to travel to Taif where he hoped to find a new home. Taif is a fertile green area around Makkah in Saudi Arabia. It has plenty of fruit gardens and a pleasant climate.
He walked all the way to the town, which was 70km away. Not only did they take no notice of what he said, but they also laughed at him and ordered their children to insult him and pelt him with stones.
When he managed to be rid of them, he took shelter and rested under the shadow of a grape tree. So much did the prophet bleed that when he attempted to take his slippers off they were stuck to his feet because of the blood drying.
This event angered Allah, who sent two angels down, the angels asked the prophet if he wants they will join the hills on either side of Taif and crush the people. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) refused and said that he has been sent as a mercy to people. He raised his face toward the sky and said:
“Oh God! I complain to Thee for my inability.”
“Oh God! I pray to Thee to lead these people to the right path.”
“Oh God! You are the Forgiver and Kind”.
Incidentally Utba and his brother Shaiba were in the same garden. On hearing this prayer of the Prophet, they felt sorry.
They called their servant Adas and gave him a plate full of sweet grapes and asked him to deliver them to the Prophet so that he may recover from fatigue.
Adas took the plate of grapes and presented it to the Prophet. Before he started eating the grapes, the Prophet said “Bismillah” (in the name of one God).
Adas was an Iraqi Arab. On hearing this, he began to wonder and asked what are these words. “I have never heard them before!”
Prophet Muhammad (s) asked, “Where are you from?”
Adas replied, “I have come from Nainawa”
The Prophet asked, “Have you heard of the Prophet Yunus (Jonah) (PBUH)?”
Adas said, “Yes! Yunus was a Prophet. But why have you mentioned his name to me?”
The Prophet (PBUH) replied, “I, like Yunus, also am a Prophet and have come from the One God for the guidance of mankind.”
Adas became attracted towards him because of his kindness and good character. With tearful eyes he said: “Oh Muhammad I put my faith in your Prophethood, because no one would be willing to face such torture and trouble unless he was on the right path and had come to lead others on the path!”
This is how Adas, accepted the religion of Islam whilst under the shadow of a grape tree.
This day the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) remembered as the saddest day of his life, the day he was stoned by children.
REFLECTIONS

• Look at the hardships the Muslims went through because of their faith, through hunger they tied rocks to their stomachs.

• What would your reaction be to people who stone you?

• Many people who are on the straight path go through struggles?

CONCLUSION
Some of us get angry and retaliate over the slightest of things. Someone swears at us and we swear back harsher. Some one touches us slightly and we hit them back hard. Look at the way Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) behaved. He is the best example of how you should behave. People threw stones at him but he turned around and prayed for them. He is bleeding and in pain but he still has the strength to tell the people about Allah.

PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME S9 – Hajj 1
Prophet Abraham (PBUH)

The main feature in the city of Makkah is a curious, box-like building in the centre of town called the Kaabah or Cube. It is a holy place that was first built by the first human being ever created, Prophet Adam (PBUH), but with time it was destroyed and forgotten Four thousand years ago, the valley of Makkah was a dry and uninhabited place. It was a dry dessert and no one lived there. That is, until one day when a man brought his wife and young son there and told them this was their new home.

The man was Prophet Abraham (PBUH), who was instructed by Allah to bring his second wife Hagar and their child Ishmail, from Palestine to leave them in the dessert in Arabia. Prophet Abraham (PBUH) left his own wife and his own child in Mecca in the middle of the dessert with some food supplies and water only because Allah instructed him.
According to the Holy Quran, he prayed:
O Allah! I have left part of my family in a valley where nothing grows. So make the hearts of the people kind towards them and provide them with fruits so that they may be grateful.
(Quran 14:37)

But the supplies quickly ran out and within a few days Hagar and her son were beginning to suffer the effects of thirst and sunburn.

Hagar was desperate to find help. There were two hills, Safa and Marwa, one on either side of the valley. Hagar climbed first one, then the other, looking in all directions to find help. She saw nothing. Desperate, she ran from hill to hill seven times, searching in case she had missed any sign.

Sadly she returned to her son. She collapsed by Ishmail and prayed to Allah to save them. Next to the little Ishmail’s feet, a water spring gushed forth from the earth. The water was cool and sweet. Hagar and Ishmail were saved. With their water supply secure, they were able to trade water with wandering nomads for food and other supplies. This water supply became to be known as the well of Zam Zam. Because of the spring of Zam Zam, many people came to live there and soon Makkah became the centre of Arabia. The Well of Zamzam is still visited by Muslims on pilgrimage today.

One day the Prophet Abraham (PBUH) had a dream asking him to sacrifice the thing he loved the most. The Prophet knew that Allah was asking him to sacrifice his son Ishmail. Prophet Abraham (PBUH) sharpened his knife and took Ishmail by the hand and went to offer him as a sacrifice as instructed by Allah in his dream. On the way Abraham told Ishmail what he was about to do and why. Ishmail advised his father to carry out the command of Allah and he will be patient making sure that he will not make a sound.

On the way a person confronted Prophet Abraham (PBUH) and tried to stop him and remind him how much he loved Ishmail. The Prophet Abraham (PBUH) recognised this individual as the Devil and chased him away by throwing stones at him. The devil came back again to stop Abraham but was again chased away by stones. The Devil tried once more but had the same result.

When Abraham reached the place where he intended to make the sacrifice, he laid Ishmail down and tied his own eyes. He then placed the knife on Ishmail’s throat and began to cut but the knife would not cut. Abraham carried on trying to cut and eventually he succeeded in cutting. When the Prophet Abraham (PBUH) untied his own eyes, to his amazement he saw Ishmail standing next to him with no cuts on him. What Abraham had actually cut was a Lamb that Allah had sent from Heaven and replaced the little Ishmail with. Allah then revealed to Abraham that he had succeeded in his test.
By Allah’s command Prophet Abraham and Prophet Ishmail (PBUT) built a house that was to be used for those who wanted to worship Allah. They were told exactly where and how to build it. It was to be erected by the well of Zamzam and built in the shape of a cube. In its eastern corner was to be placed a black stone that had fallen to earth from heaven. An angel brought the stone to them from the hill of Abu Qubays.
Prophet Abraham and Prophet Ishmail (PBUT) worked hard and as they did so they prayed to Allah to send a Prophet from among their descendants. And when Prophet Abraham and Prophet Ishmail (PBUT) were raising the foundations of the House, (Abraham prayed):
Our Lord! And raise up in their midst a messenger from among them who shall recite unto them Thy revelations, and shall instruct them in the Scripture and in wisdom and shall make them grow.
(Quran 2.127-9)
When the Kabah was completed, Prophet Abraham (PBUH) walked around the kabah seven times to make sure everything was in place. Allah commanded Abraham to call mankind to pilgrimage to His Holy House. Abraham wondered how anyone could hear his call. Allah said, ‘You call and I will bring them.’ This was how the pilgrimage to the Kabah in Makkah was established and when Muslims make the pilgrimage today they continue to answer the age-old call of Prophet Abraham (PBUH).

REFLECTIONS

• Imajine standing next to the Kabah – what will be going through your mind and how would you feel?

• What effect will hajj have on you if you went there and saw over 2.5 million people all dressed the same and all worshipping Allah together?

CONCLUSION
A hajj poem by the great Imam Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah

The Journey
By Him whose House the loving pilgrims visit,
Responding with ihram at the appointed limit,
Uncovering their heads in total humility
Before One to Whom faces bow in servility.
They exclaim in the valleys, “We have responded to You –
All Praise is Yours, and Kingdom too!”
You see them on their mounts, hair dusty and dishevelled,
Yet never more content, never happier have they felt;
Leaving homelands and families due to holy yearning,
Unmoved are they by temptations of returning.
Through plains and valleys, from near and far,
Walking and riding, in submission to Allah.
At the Ka’bah
When they see His House – that magnificent sight
For which the hearts of all creatures are set alight –
It seems they’ve never felt tired before,
For their discomfort and hardship is no more.
Now for Allah, how many tears are issued,
Each one being followed by a multitude?
Vision cannot encompass this beautiful sight:
Each glance returns with greater delight!
He clothed it in Majesty, a magnificent garment;
Embroidered it with Beauty, a wonderful ornament!
The hearts all love the House therefore,
Awed and humbled, in respect and honour.
‘Arafat
Now to ‘Arafat, hoping for Mercy and Forgiveness
From the One overflowing with Generosity and Kindness;
Now for Allah is that Magnificent Standing
Like, though lesser than, the Day of Reckoning.
“My slaves have come to Me so lovingly,
I’ll be Generous and Merciful, willingly.
So joyous news! O people of that standing,
When sins are forgiven and Mercy is spreading;
Now Satan is never known to lose such face:
He’s blameworthy, rejected, in utter disgrace.
Such Forgiveness he never did see
As granted by the Lord, and such Mercy!
Muzdalifah & Mina

Now to Muzdalifah, to spend the night
In the Sacred Area, then Prayer at first light;
Now on to the Great Pillar, which they need
To stone at the time of the Prayer of ‘Id;
Now to their tents for the sacrifice prepared,
Reviving the tradition of a Father revered.
If sacrificing themselves were Allah’s demand,
They would respond, submitting to the command;
They discipline themselves, presenting the head for a shave:
Bringing humility and happiness to the obedient slave.
He invites them again to visit His House:
What honour and welcome this visit allows!

Mina
Then they return to Mina, each to his tent,
Every minute wish is granted, and they are content;
They stay there a day, then another, then a third,
They’re allowed to depart early, but to stay is preferred;
They stone the pillars daily after the sun’s decline,
With a slogan of Takbir in the presence of the Divine!
If only you could see their standing there:
Palms outstretched, hoping for Mercy’s share!
“O Lord! O Lord! Knowing as You do
That we hope for no-one, only You!
Then grant our wish, O You All-Knowing,
We pray for Your Mercy overflowing.”
The Farewell Tawaf
When they’ve achieved at Mina all their gains,
Once more they fill the valleys and plains:
To the Ka’bah, the Sacred House, by the end of the day,
To circle it seven times, and then to Pray.
When departure nears and they are certain
Now for Allah are the eyes that swell,
And for Allah are the heavy hearts that turn
Into cauldrons of desire where fire does burn;
“I depart, but there remains for You my yearning,
My fire of grief is raging and burning;
I bid farewell, but longing pulls my reins –
My heart is encamped in Your eternal plains!”

PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME S10 – Hajj 2
All equal before Allah
(Malcolm X)

In his early years, Malcolm X became a member of Nation of Islam, a religion that borrowed basic ideas from the teachings of Islam and combined them with racist views regarding whites taught by their Prophet Elijah Mohammed.

Malcolm X was a very influential and prominent priest for the Nation of Islam. Under the teachings of Elijah Mohammed, Malcolm X had targeted all whites and blamed them for position of blacks in society. He had referred to whites as devils that sought to lower the standards of blacks even more.

However, Mr. Mohammed and his Nation of Islam turned against Malcolm when he questioned some of the beliefs and actions of Elijah Mohammed. This uncertainty forced Malcolm to embark on a quest over seas to find his true beliefs.

Upon his arrival to Arabia, he found a truly different society, where race played no factor on a person’s status. This made a very positive change in Malcolm X’s beliefs. This unity of human kind had forced Malcolm to change many of his ideas including his beliefs about the solution to the racial problem in America.
When he was in Makkah, Al-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz wrote a letter to his loyal assistants in Harlem… from his heart:

“Never have I witnessed such sincere hospitality and overwhelming spirit of true brotherhood as is practiced by people of all colours and races here in this ancient Holy Land, the home of Abraham, Muhammad and all the other Prophets of the Holy Scriptures. For the past week, I have been utterly speechless and spellbound by the graciousness I see displayed all around me by people of all colours.
“I have been blessed to visit the Holy City of Makkah, I have made my seven circuits around the Kabah. There were tens of thousands of pilgrims, from all over the world. They were of all colours, from blue-eyed blondes to black-skinned Africans. But we were all participating in the same ritual, displaying a spirit of unity and brotherhood that my experiences in America had led me to believe never could exist.”
“America needs to understand Islam, because this is the one religion that erases from its society the race problem. I have never before seen sincere and true brotherhood practiced by all colours together, irrespective of their colour.”
“During the past eleven days here in the Muslim world, I have eaten from the same plate, drunk from the same glass, and slept on the same rug – while praying to the same God – with fellow Muslims, whose eyes were the bluest of blue, whose hair was the blondest of blond, and whose skin was the whitest of white. And in the words and in the deeds of the white Muslims, I felt the same sincerity that I felt among the black African Muslims of Nigeria, Sudan and Ghana.”
“We were truly all the same (brothers) – because their belief in one God.”
“All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all the Worlds.
Sincerely,
Al-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz
(Malcolm X)

REFLECTIONS

• Do you know when racism happens? How do you react?

• Many battles have been fought between religious people because they cannot tolerate each other’s beliefs- is this right?

• At what point does pride in your own culture become dangerous?

CONCLUSION
Islam’s greatest contribution to mankind was the abolition and extinction of distinction based on race and colour. The Holy Quran declared:
“Mankind were one community, then they differed among themselves, so God raised Prophets as bearers of good tidings and as warners…” (Quran 2:213)
“O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female; and made you into nations and tribes, that you might get to know one another. The noblest of you, in the sight of God, is he who is the most righteous. God is All-Knowing and Wise.” (Quran 49:13)
From the above verses, it is clear that the whole of humanity from its diverse races was originally one, deriving its existence from One Creator, and that all barriers that separate humanity by race and colour must vanish and the superiority of a person be judged by his conduct only.
Malik Shabazz entered the real Islam as a result of his journey to Makkah. In Islam he became moderate and conciliatory. He shed his racism.
The legacy of Malcolm X is the real Islam taught to us by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Malik Shabazz or Malcolm X was assassinated because of his true Islamic belief. All Muslims shall remember Malik Shabazz as a martyr.

PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

OH ALLAH,
You are Rahman & Raheem, the most merciful and most kind.
Have mercy on us and forgive us for the mistakes that we make.
We make mistakes when we forget & we make mistakes on purpose.
Help us to learn from our mistakes & become better people.
Without your help we cannot do anything Oh Allah.
Oh Allah Muslims from four corners of the world, different races, colours, cultures and backgrounds are gathering to worship you.
Oh Allah like they are uniting in Makkah, unite our hearts in our
school and our community and make us one.
Oh Allah clean our hearts, school and community from the evil cancer of Racism.

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME S11 – Hajj 3
Prophets last speech

In the tenth year of the Hijra, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) made his last pilgrimage to Makkah and delivered his farewell sermon to a congregation of about 120,000 Muslims.
The Last Sermon of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

“O people, lend me an attentive ear. For I know not if I will be with you after this year.

Just as you regard this month and day sacred, also regard the life and property of every person sacred. Return the goods that you have got to their rightful owners.

Hurt no one, so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your lord and he will indeed reckon your deeds. Beware of Satan for the safety of your religion.

O Men, it is true that you have some rights over your women but they also have rights over you. Make sure that you give them their rights for they are your partners and your committed helpers.

O people listen to me carefully, Worship God alone, Pray five times a day, give charity, Fast in Ramadan, and do Hajj if you can afford it.

All mankind is from Adam and Eve. A white person is not better than a black person, and a black person is not better than a white person. The best among you is the most pious and the one with the best actions.

Nothing is lawful for you that belongs to someone else, unless they give it to you freely and willingly.

Remember one day you will appear before God and answer for your deeds. So beware and do not go astray after I have gone.

O people I leave with you two things, The Quran and my example. Follow these and you will never go astray.

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.”

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) then looked towards the Sky and said

“Be my witness O God, that I have given your message to your people.”

On hearing this, the Muslims wept, for they knew that the end of the Prophet’s life on earth must be near. It was so. Soon after, the Prophet (PBUH) fell ill, and died of fever in Madinah.

Thus, the Last Prophet of Allah left this world. His inspiring life recorded in the Hadith literature (the SUNNAH) remains an ever-shining model to all people of all time.

REFLECTIONS

• Life & property of everyone is sacred like Hajj is sacred.

• No one is better than anyone else just because of the colour of his or her skin.

CONCLUSION

Soon after this the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) fell ill and died whilst he was lying in the chamber of Aisha (his wife). People gathered at the prophets mosque next to Aisha’s chamber could not believe how can such a man die, Umar (2nd Caliph & close friend of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)) pulled out his sword and said “whoever says the Prophet (PBUH) is dead, I will chop their head off.”

Abu bakr (!st Caliph, close friend of the Prophet (PBUH) and Aisha’s father) came out of Aisha’s chamber and went up to the pulpit in the mosque and began to address the people, he said:

“He who worships Muhammad let him know that Muhammad is dead.
He who worships Allah, let him know that Allah is alive and will never die.”

PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

OH ALLAH,
You are Rahman & Raheem, the most merciful and most kind.
Have mercy on us and forgive us for the mistakes that we make.
We make mistakes when we forget & we make mistakes on purpose.
Help us to learn from our mistakes & become better people.
Without your help we cannot do anything Oh Allah.
Oh Allah Muslims from four corners of the world, different races, colours, cultures and backgrounds have gathered to worship you.
Oh Allah like they are united in Makkah, unite our hearts in our
school and our community and make us one.
Oh Allah clean our hearts, school and community from the evil cancer of Racism.
Oh Allah help us to take heed from these final words of advice from our beloved prophet.

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME S12- Christmas 1
The family and birth of
Prophet Jesus (PBUH)

Prophet Jesus (PBUH) is the most mentioned prophet in the Quran, he is mentioned more than even Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Islam considers Jesus as one of the great Prophets of God and respects him as much as Abraham, Moses and Muhammad. Although the Quran does not present a detailed life-account of Jesus, it highlights the important aspects of his birth, his mission, and his ascension to heaven.
Two whole chapters of the Quran are named after the family members of Prophet Jesus (PBUH). One chapter called ‘The family of Imran’ who was the father of Mary, and the other chapter called ‘The chapter of Mary’.
The Quranic account of Prophet Jesus (PBUH) starts with the conception of his mother, Mary. The wife of Imran, Mary’s mother, vowed to dedicate her child to the service of God in the temple. Prophet Zachariah (PBUH) who was the father of Prophet Yahya (PBUH) or John the baptist, was the one who took charge of Mary. When he would enter Marys chamber he used to find food with Mary. When he asked her how she got it she answered that it was from God.
Allah says in the Quran:
When the wife of Imran gave birth to her daughter she said, ‘Lord, I have given birth to her, a female… And I have named her Mary end commend her to you with her seed, to protect them from the accursed Satan.’ Her Lord received the child with gracious favour, and by His goodness she grew up comely, Zechariah taking charge of her. Whenever Zachariah went to her in the Sanctuary, he found her with food. ‘Mary’, he said, ‘how comes this to you? ”From God’, she answered. Truly God provisions for whomsoever He will without reckoning. (Quran 3:95-7)
Mary was a pious woman who remembered Allah all the time and stayed away from any sort of temptation, for this treason Allah had chosen her for a greater mission.
When Mary became a woman, Angel Gabriel (the Holy Spirit) appeared to her as a man bringing her the news of a son. We read the following dialogue in the Quran between Mary and the angels:
When the angels said, ‘Mary. God gives you good tidings of a Word from Him whose name is Messiah Jesus, son of Mary; high honoured shall he be in this world and the next, near stationed to God. He shall speak to men in the cradle, and of age, and righteous she shall be.’ ‘Lord’, said Mary, ‘how shall I have a son seeing no mortal has touched me? ‘Even so’ he said, ‘God creates what He will.’ When He decrees a thing He does but say to it, “Be”, and it is.’ (Quran 3:45-7)
Mary conceived the child miraculously and retired to a distant place where she awaited her delivery. Once the child was born through a miracle of Allah, Prophet Jesus (PBUH) himself began to perform miracles with the permission of Allah. His first miracle was to defend his mother from the allegations of the people whilst he was still in the cradle.
Allah says in the Quran:
She conceived him and withdrew with him to a distant place. We told her that if she should see any mortal, say. “I have vowed to the All-Merciful a fast, and today I will not speak to any man.” Then she brought the child to her folk carrying him; and they said, ‘Mary, you have surely committed a monstrous thing. Sister of Aaron, your father was not a wicked man, nor was your mother a woman unchaste.’ Mary pointed to the child. but they said, ‘How shall we speak to one who is still in the cradle, a little child?’ He said, ‘Lo, I am God’s servant; God has given me the Book and made me a Prophet. Blessed he has made me, wherever I may be; and he has enjoined me to pray. and to give the alms, so long as I live, and likewise to cherish my mother; he has not made me arrogant or wicked. Peace be upon me, the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I am raised up alive.’ (Quran 19:22-23)
REFLECTIONS
• After birth the first miracle was to defend his mother and whilst he spoke as a child he said he was ordered by Allah to cherish his mother-what does this tell us?

• Look at the similarities Islam has with other faiths, not just the differences.
CONCLUSION
During his Prophetic mission Jesus (PBUH) performed many miracles, each one with the permission of Allah. These miracles were proof to the people that he is indeed from Allah.

Allah says in the Quran:

“I have come to you with a sign from your Lord: I make for you out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and breathe into it and it becomes a bird by God’s leave. And I heal the blind, and the lepers, and I raise the dead by God’s leave.” (Quran: 3:49)

PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME S13 – Christmas 2
The miracles of Jesus

Allah sent over 124 000 prophets to this earth. The most mentioned prophet in the Quran is prophet Jesus or Isa (PBUH) who lived about 600 years before Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He was born to Mary through a miracle and did not have a father. Because Mary did not have a husband at the time Jesus was born, many people thought that Mary had committed a sin. When they began to accuse her of an awful sin Allah told Mary to stay quiet and point towards the new born baby Jesus (PBUH). As his first miracle the baby Jesus (PBUH) defended his mother and said,
“So she (Mary) pointed to the child. They said, “How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?” He (Jesus) said, “I am indeed a servant of Allah, He has gifted me with the book and made me a prophet and made me blessed wherever I may be and He has enjoined upon me prayers and charity as long as I live, and made me kind to my mother and not overbearing and miserable.” (Quran 19/29-32)
After the miraculous birth, this was the first miracle that Prophet Jesus (PBUH) performed with the permission of Allah.
When Prophet Jesus (PBUH) had attained the age of thirty years, he began to preach the religion of Allah. Most of the people were not convinced and thus he was exposed to ridicule. Prophet Jesus (PBUH) entreated Allah to grant him a miraculous power to impress the people. Allah gave him that power. He showed many miracles, which won the hearts of the people. Gradually they became his followers and began to believe in him and his message.
Many of the miracles of Prophet Jesus (PBUH) were in curing illnesses, to be a stronger proof of his truthfulness, since the people at his time were famous for being knowledgeable in the field of medicine.
Prophet Jesus (PBUH) grew up trying to teach people about Allah. He had several disciples who helped him spread his message. One day his disciples wanted to see a miracle to prove to them that Jesus (PBUH) was really a Prophet. They asked him to bring a table from heaven that was set with food and beverage. Prophet Jesus (PBUH) warned them that if Allah were to make this miracle happen they would take on a heavy responsibility.
The angels brought down the food on a piece of material before the eyes of the people. Hundreds and hundreds of people ate from that food, and there was no sign the food had diminished in quantity. This miracle increased the belief of the believers. The blasphemers however, claimed Prophet Jesus (PBUH) had performed sorcery on their eyes.
“And remember when the disciples said, “O Jesus, son of Mary! Can your Lord send down for us a table from heaven?” Jesus said, “Fear Allah, if you have faith.” They said, “We only wish to eat from it and satisfy our hearts and know that you have told us the truth and be witnesses of the miracle.” Jesus, son of Mary, said, “O Allah, our Lord! Send us, from heaven, a table, that it may be for us – for the first and last of us – a solemn festival and a sign from You and provide our sustenance, as You are the best Sustainer.” Allah replied, “I will send it down to you.” (Quran 5:112-115)
After his revelation, Prophet Jesus (PBUH) lived on earth for about three years. He used to travel from place to place-calling people to the proper worship of Allah. He was so detached from the worldly matters that he did not worry that he did not have a house to return to at night. He used to sleep wherever the night would fall on him, whether he was in an open land or in a sheltered place. He wore clothing made out of unwoven wool. He ate from the raw plants of the earth, without desiring to cook them. He did not marry or have children.
Allah gave revelation called the Gospel to Prophet Jesus (PBUH) to teach the people the way of Allah. In Arabic the Gospel is called the Injil. The Gospel was the word of Allah, Prophet Jesus (PBUH) spoke these word to people, sometimes as stories and sometimes in parables.
One day, Prophet Jesus (PBUH) was preaching to a large gathering. He exhorted the people to believe in Allah and follow His religion. Most of them turned a deaf ear to his instructions. Prophet Jesus (PBUH) tried to convince them with a miracle.
He took some wet clay in his hand and made the statue of a bird with it. He blew his breath on the clay. It became a real bird with wings, eyes and legs by Allah’s power. It flew up chirping in the sky. The people looked at the bird but could hardly believe their eyes. They were wonder struck at the sight of this miracle. They were so impressed that they began to take the oath of allegiance to Prophet Jesus (PBUH).
Prophet Jesus (PBUH) kept on preaching and many people began to believe in Allah. One day a man came limping towards him. He had suffered from leprosy. He was looking terrible due to lumps on his face. His fingers were crooked and he had lost some toes. The people were scared of him. They detested him but the heart of Prophet Jesus (PBUH) was bleeding for the wretched man.
The diseased man said in the weak tone: Cure me, cure me. I am disgusted with my life. Prophet Jesus (PBUH) knelt and supplicated for his recovery. Prophet Jesus (PBUH) patted at his shoulders. He recovered and his face became clear. All the lumps vanished in the twinkling of an eye. The crowd was much amazed at the sight of this miracle. Every one was much impressed.
One day, Prophet Jesus (PBUH) was going through the streets that were narrow and winding. He came across a man who was blind and dumb. Prophet Jesus (PBUH) decided to show mercy to him because he was kind-hearted. Prophet Jesus (PBUH) put his hand on the shoulder of the man. The blind man opened his eyes and Allah restored his eyesight. Moreover he was endowed with the power of talking. He expressed a deep sense of gratitude for the kindness shown by the Prophet Jesus (PBUH).
A man, Lazarus passed away and his sisters, Mary and Martha were making preparations to perform burial ceremonies. The mourners flocked at the residence of the deceased. Suddenly Prophet Jesus (PBUH) appeared on the scene. He knelt down and started to pray to Almighty Allah. After a short time Lazarus was revived by the grace of Allah. He got up and began to talk.
Every one jumped out of joy. They began to acknowledge the supreme power of Allah. Prophet Jesus (PBUH) came to remind the people of the teachings of the other Prophets. He advised the people to believe in Allah and pray to Him only. He asked them not to indulge in backbiting, oppression, sinfulness and impiety. Prophet Jesus (PBUH) directed his followers to do noble deeds. He taught them to be loving and tolerant.

REFLECTIONS

• Allah supports his prophets with miracles, what are the miracles Allah supported Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) with?

• Look at the similarities Islam has with other faiths, not just the differences.

CONCLUSION
All of these miracles were performed by Allah’s permission.
Allah said in the Quran:
And He will teach him the Book, the wisdom, the Torah, the Gospel and make him a Messenger to the children of Israel saying, “I have come to you with a sign from your Lord. I will create for you out of clay as the likeness of a bird; then I will breathe into It, and it will be a bird, by the power of God. I will also heal the blind and the leper and bring to life the dead, by the power of God. I will inform you too of the things you eat, and what you treasure up in your houses. Surely in that is a sign for you if you are believers. Likewise I will confirm the truth of the Torah that is before me, and to make lawful to you certain things that before were forbidden unto you. I have come to you with a sign from your Lord; so fear God, and obey me. Surely God is my Lord and your Lord; so serve Him. This is a straight path”. (Quran 3:45-51)

Allah affirmed in many verses of the Quran that Prophet Jesus (PBUH) is a slave of Allah, whom He moulded in the womb of his mother like any other of His creatures, and that He created him without a father, as He created Adam (PBUH) without a father or mother.
PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME S14 – Easter
Prophet Jesus (PBUH) the Messiah

Whenever a prophet teaches his people about the oneness of God and urges them to accept the message from God he puts his life at risk. There will be people who do not like the message and will try to harm or even kill them. Such was the case with Jesus. Some people tried to kill him but God saved Jesus and did not allow him to be killed.
Allah had a plan for him and his followers as the Quran tells us in the following verses:
And when Jesus perceived their unbelief, he said, ‘who will be my helpers in the cause of God? The Apostles said, ‘we will be helpers of God.’ We believe in God; be witness of our submission. Lord, we believe in that which you have sent down, and we follow the Messenger. Inscribe us therefore with those who bear witness.’ And they devised, and God devised, and God is the best of devisers. When God said, ‘Jesus, I will take you to me and will raise you to Me, and I will purify you of those who do not believe. I will set your followers above the unbelievers till the Resurrection Day. Then unto Me shall you return, and I will decide between you, as to what you were at variance on. As for the unbelievers, I will punish them with a terrible punishment in this world and the next; they shall have no helpers.’ (Quran 3:52-6)
Ibn Abi Hatim and an-Nasaiyy narrated from the route of Ibn Abbas that he said:
When Prophet Jesus (PBUH) was 33 years old, the blasphemers plotted to kill him, but Allah saved him from their harm. Prophet Jesus (PBUH) was in session with twelve of his elite companions in a house. He asked them, “Who among you would want to be made to look like me, be killed in my place, and be my companion in Paradise.” The youngest among them stood up and said, “Me.” Prophet Jesus (PBUH) told him to sit and then repeated his same question. Again, the same young man said, “Me.” Again, Prophet Jesus (PBUH) told him to sit, then again asked the same question. After the same young man volunteered for the third time, Prophet Jesus (PBUH) received the Revelation that this young man would be the one who would be made to look like him and killed instead of him. Prophet Jesus (PBUH) was raised to the sky from an opening in the ceiling of the house. When the people came after Prophet Jesus (PBUH), they saw that young man, whom Allah made to look like Jesus (PBUH). They took him, thinking he was Prophet Jesus (PBUH), and crucified him. Allah says in the Quran:
And for their unbelief, and their uttering against Mary a mighty calumny, and for their saying, ‘We slew the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, the Messenger of God’… yet they did not slay him, neither crucified him, only a likeness of that was shown to them. Those who are at variance concerning him surely are in doubt regarding him, they have no knowledge of him, except the following of surmise; and they did not slay him of certainty… no indeed; God raised him up to Him; God is Almighty, All-wise.
(Quran 4:156-8).
Prophet Jesus (PBUH), peace be upon him, is still alive–in the second sky–worshipping Allah. He will descend to earth before the Day of Judgment and his descent will be one of the great signs of the nearing of that Day. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) informed us that Jesus (PBUH) would descend to earth at a place on the eastern side of Damascus, with his hands on the wings of two angels. He will meet a group of Muslims getting ready to perform the fajr Prayer.
He will kill the Dajjal, an ugly, evil blasphemer who claims himself as God, and who misleads many people to blaspheme. Prophet Jesus (PBUH) will perform Hajj and travel to visit the grave of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to greet him by saying, “As-salamu ^alaykum ya rasul Allah” (narrated by Abu Dawud at-Tayalisiyy ).
During his time, the people of Yajuj and Majuj (Gog & Magog) will appear and cause great destruction to the earth and devastation to the people. Prophet Jesus (PBUH) will take the believers to mount at-Tur to supplicate to Allah there to relieve them from these people. Allah will answer their prayer and destroy all the people of Yajuj and Majuj. After that, Prophet Jesus (PBUH) will rule the Muslims and there will be a time when peace, comfort, and safety will prevail. Prophet Jesus (PBUH) will live for forty years on earth after he descends. He will marry and have children. Then, he will die and be buried.
REFLECTIONS

• Why wasn’t Prophet Jesus (PBUH) just allowed to die and now that he has risen up why does he have to return?

• Look at the similarities Islam has with other faiths, not just the differences.

CONCLUSION
Prophet Jesus (PBUH) was a messenger of Allah revealed to convey to the people the religion of Islam and to call them to worship Allah, their Creator. Muslims believe in his Prophethood and in his truthfulness in conveying that message. Prophet Jesus (PBUH) is alive now, living in the second heaven, worshipping Allah.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
” By Him in whose hand my soul is, the son of Mary will soon descend among you as a just judge.” (Bukhari)
He will return to earth before the Day of Judgment and will rule the Muslims with the Shariah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Therefore Muslims hold Prophet Jesus (PBUH) in the utmost respect. Muslims believe that Jesus is Al-Massih, the chosen one, he has been chosen to kill the Dajjal-the one eyed beast.
PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME S15 – Fathers day
Prophet Muhammad & Children

One day, there was a great gathering in the Prophet’s Mosque where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was telling the people about Allah and the wonderful ways of Allah. It was very quiet inside the Mosque that people hardly moved as the Prophet (PBUH) spoke to them. Then suddenly without warning he stopped speaking and began to walk towards the door.

The people were surprised and puzzled where could the Prophet (PBUH) be going so suddenly? It seemed strange, but it did not remain a mystery for long.

When people in the crowd turned round and followed Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) with their eyes, they say why he had acted as he did. Two children smartly dressed in red shirts were walking towards the Mosque and as the Prophet (PBUH) had been speaking he had seen them through the door, they were his grandsons, Al-Hasan and Al-Husain the sons of the beloved daughter of the Prophet (PBUH), Fatimah and her husband Ali.

Naturally, the Prophet (PBUH) loved the two boys very much and they in turn loved him. When Al-Hasan and Al-Husain saw their beloved grandfather, they smiled widely and started to run towards him with their arms outstretched to embrace him. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was delighted to see them and brought them back into the Mosque where he told them to sit down beside him. Then the Prophet (PBUH) resumed talking and the crowd in the Mosque fell silent again as they listened to the words of Allah’s great Messenger.

One day in Madinah, the prayers were proceeding inside the Mosque and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) put his head to the ground as is done in daily prayers. Straight away one of his grandsons climbed onto his back. Minutes passed and the little boy sat there enjoying himself riding on his grandfather back it seemed a long time before the little boy climbed down and the Prophet (PBUH) was able to raise head again and continue his prayers.

The people in the Mosque were very puzzled and curious by this event. When prayers were finished they decided to ask the Prophet (PBUH) for an explanation.

Oh Messenger of Allah they said you kept your head on the ground for such a long time was this because you received a revelation or a message from God.

Oh no! Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) replied it was for this grandson of mine who was riding on my back I did not want to spoil his game by rising too soon.

Yes, despite all he had to do and all time that was occupied in his important tasks the Prophet (PBUH) never failed to greet boys and girls whenever he met them if the Prophet (PBUH) was returning from a long journey and met children on the way, he would always stop and talk and laugh with them.

And he always gave them a big treat by letting them ride with him on his camel. This was why Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) could be seen with children sitting in front of him and behind him as his camel plodded along the road towards his home. It was a truly a joyous and cheering sight to see.
One day, he was sitting with a crowd of them, talking to them. Every now and then, he patted some of them on the head and kissed them.

The children were delighted at the love, which the Prophet (PBUH) bestowed on them. The youngest children were especially pleased because they knew that whenever the Prophet (PBUH) got the season’s new fruit, he usually gave it to the youngest.

Suddenly, a Bedouin appeared close by. He stood watching Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) surrounded by happy, laughing children. It was the sort of scene that makes most people smile and feel happy. But the Bedouin was not smiling. He was not at all happy, and when he spoke the Prophet (PBUH) discovered why I have ten children the Bedouin said but I have never kissed any of them.

This was a terrible thing. The Prophet (PBUH) felt great sorrow for the unfortunate Bedouin. To have ten children ten gifts from Allah and not love them of show them love was very sad indeed. Loving and caring for dear ones is a blessing from Allah, and the Bedouin did not know that blessing.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) wanted to help the man but he knew there was a great obstacle in the way. How can I help you the Prophet (PBUH) said if Allah has taken away all the love and kindness from your heart?

At this the Bedouin felt even sadder before for to receive help and advice from the Prophet (PBUH) was a wonderful thing, and this is what he could not receive. But on reflection he also realized that he could become kind and loving. He would deserve getting help from the Prophet (PBUH) and deserve more from Allah.

REFLECTIONS

• How do you treat your parents?

• Why do your parents tell you off, do they hate you or love you?

• When is father’s day in Islam?

CONCLUSION

Like Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) loved his Grandsons, you have parents or guardians who love you, even when they are telling you off for doing something wrong – they are doing it out of love. Remember for a Muslim Mothers day and Fathers day is every day.

PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME S16 – Mothers Day
Your mother, your mother, your mother.

During the lifetime of Imam Abu-Hanifah (a renowned scholar), there was an individual who was so fascinated by what he heard Allah has prepared for his followers in heaven, that he took an oath without thinking, saying:
“ I will not eat anything until I have slept in this heaven”
A few hours later when he had calmed down, he realised what a foolish thing he had done. He began to panic because he was such an individual who would rather die than break an oath and he could not see any way of fulfilling his oath unless he died first.
The individual decided to go and ask the Imam for advice. Once the imam had heard the individual’s story he told him how foolish he had been but there was a way in which he could fulfil his oath. The Imam asked him whether his mother was alive, the individual replied in the affirmative. The Imam told him to go and sleep in his mother’s feet, for Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“Heaven lies at the feet of mothers”
• Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) quotations:
I asked, “Messenger of Allah, to who is most deserving of good care from me?” He replied, “Your mother.” I asked, “Then whom?” He replied, “Your mother.” I asked, “Then whom?” He replied, “Your mother.” I asked, “Then whom?” He replied, “Your father, and then the next closest relative and then the next.”
There was a companion of the prophet who at the time of death, the people around him were encouraging him to say the Shahadah (testimony of faith) but the words would not come out although otherwise we could talk normally with ease. The prophet asked whether his mother was alive and they replied in the affirmative but said his mother is upset with him. The prophet called his mother and told her if she does not forgive her son then Allah will not either and her son will die without saying the shahadah. The mother forgave her son and he died saying the Shahadah.

Allah says in the Quran:
“And We have enjoined on the human being to be good to his two parents – his mother bore him in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning was two years – Give thanks to Me and to your parents.” (Quran: Surah Luqman:14)

Your Lord and Sustainer has decided for you that you do not worship any but Him, and (He has determined) beautiful conduct to the two parents. If one or both of the two of them reaches the greatness of age, so neither say uff nor a harsh word to them, but speak to them nicely. Lower the wing of humility, out of gentleness, and say, “My Lord and Sustainer, have mercy upon them just as they cherished me when I was small.”(Quran Surah al-Isra:23-24)
REFLECTIONS
• For a Muslim, every day is Mothers day.
• All your parents have dreams about you, what you will be like when you are older. Each time you misbehave or do not work to your potential it is those dreams of your mother and father that you are breaking.
• Why are parents so important?
CONCLUSION
When you were 1 year old, she fed you and bathed you.
You thanked her by crying all the night.
When you were 2 years old, she taught you to walk.
You thanked her by running away when she called.
When you were 3 years old, she made all your meals with love.
You thanked her by tossing your plate on the floor.
When you were 4 years old, she gave you some crayons.
You thanked her by colouring the dinning room table.
When you were 5 years old, she dressed you for the holidays.
You thanked her by looping into the nearest pile of mud.
When you were 6 years old, she walked you into school.
You thanked her by screaming, “I’M NOT GOING”.
When you were 7 years old, she bought you a cricket ball.
You thanked her by throwing it through the next-door-neighbours window.
When you were 8 years old, she handed you an ice cream.
You thanked her by dripping it all over your lap.
When you were 9 years old, she paid for Arabic lessons.
You thanked her by never even bothering to practice it.
When you were 10 years old, she drove you to your friends.
You thanked her by jumping out of the car and never looking back.
When you were 11 years old, she took you and your friends to the movies.
You thanked her by asking to sit in the different row.
When you were 12 years old, she warned you not to watch certain TV shows.
You thanked her by waiting until she left the house.
When you were 13, she suggested a haircut that was becoming.
You thanked her by telling her she had no taste.
When you were 14, she paid for a month away at summer camp.
You thanked her by forgetting to write a single letter.
When you were 15, she came home from work, looking for a hug.
You thanked her by having your bedroom door locked.

PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN

THEME S17-International women’s day
A woman’s world

One day, during Ramadan, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) decided to go and spend some in time in the cave, spending his time there praying and meditating. At this time, he was about 40 years old.

While Muhammad was in the cave, the Angel Gabriel appeared to him and said to him: “Read!”

“I cannot read!” said the prophet for, like many people of the time, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) could not read or write.

Again the angel commanded “Read!”, and again Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) replied, “I cannot!”.

For a third time, the angel commanded Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to read, and spoke these words:

“Read: in the name of your Lord, who created all humanity from a single drop of blood, speak these words out loud! Your Lord is the Most Generous One –
He who has taught by the Pen, and taught humans what they did not know.”
(Quran 96:1 – 5)

He rushed out of the cave and towards the city fearful of what had happened. Then the voice came again. This time it boomed out:

“Oh Muhammad, you are the Messenger of Allah, and I am the Angel Gabriel”.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) looked up and there, in front of him, he saw the angel towering above him in the sky. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) ran home and, trembling all over, told his wife Khadijah what had happened. Khadijah supported him and reassured him that he was a kind and generous person and God will never forsake him.

Khadijah was a pillar of support for Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the first person he went to for support and the first person who believed him and became the first person Muslim.
In the history of Islam, many women have made themselves known in the history books due to their courage, valour and inspiring faith. Some of them have earned renown because of their brave deeds and exemplary Islamic behaviour. However some have had honour bestowed upon them solely through the grace of Almighty Allah, who saw fit to single them out with a divine reward.
One such personality was Hanna, a great and respectable lady, the wife of Imran. One day Hanna had seen a little bird feeding its baby at the branch of a tree. Years had passed and Allah had not granted Hanna and Imran a child. Her motherly instinct had raised its head from the gloom of a discouraged woman. She asked Allah to grant her a child, and she will make the child the attendant of the temple as a token of her appreciation. The impossible was done. Hanna, the barren wife of old Imran was expecting a child!
Joyful and elated with this endowment, she had started dreaming dreams of a mother; caring for her child. Allah kept His promise and granted Hanna a baby girl. Hanna named her Mariam (the woman who worships). She wrapped little Mariam and brought her to the temple, the promised place, and left her in the Hands gentler than those of a mother.
Allah raised Mariam, to a lofty level, the company of Prophets, motherhood to a prophet, and a pious envy of Zakariah. This baby girl, Mariam, became a chosen woman, who Allah fed from his bounty and granted her a child through his miraculous means, a child named Prophet Jesus (PBUH). In piety and purity, Mariam reached a status that only a handful in history could have ever reached.

REFLECTIONS

• Women can attain great heights equal to what men can – Do you know any?

• The closest Pillar of support for prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was his wife Khadijah – How many women are there in your life who you o support for? Mother, sister, aunt….

CONCLUSION

Aisha, the wife of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), became one of the most knowledgeable Muslim scholars to ever exist. She told humanity the vast majority of the sayings and doings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Scholars of today must study her narrations to understand issues.

PRAYER

AFTER ARABIC DUA SAY

(10 seconds of silence for pupils to do their individual prayers)

Oh Allah you are the most powerful.
Oh Allah you are Rahman, the most generous.
Oh Allah accept our dua’s.

AMEEN