Monday, February 28, 2022

The Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam teaches short concepts in steps:

 It was narrated that Anas ibn Mālik (may Allāh be pleased with him) said:

 A Bedouin man came to Allāh’s Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam and said, “O Messenger of Allāh! Teach me some goodness.”

He said, “Say: Subḥānallāh, alḥamdu lillāh, lā ilāha illallāh, Allāhu akbar.”

He [Anas] said: He counted them with his hand; then he left and said: “subḥānallāh, alḥamdu lillāh, lā ilāha illallāh, Allāhu akbar.”

 Later he came back, and when Allāh’s Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam saw him, he smiled and said, “The poor man pondered.”

He said, “O Messenger of Allāḥ! Subḥānallāh, alḥamdu lillāh, lā ilāha illallāh, Allāhu akbar; This is all for Allāh, so what is for me?”

Allāh’s Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam  said:

When you say, “subḥānallāh” Allāh says, “You are right.”

When you say, “alḥamdu lillāh” Allāh says, “You are right.”

When you say, “lā ilāha illallāh” Allāh says, “You are right.”

When you say, “Allāhu Akbar” Allāh says, “You are right.”

Then you say, “Allāhummā ghfir lee,” and Allāh says, “I did indeed.”

Then you say, “Allāhummā rḥamnee,” and Allāh says, “I did indeed.”

And you say, “Allāhummā rzuqnee,” and Allāh says, “I did indeed.”

He [Anas] said, “The Bedouin counted them with his hands.”

[Ḥasan li-ghayrih]

Compiled by Ibn Abul-Dunyā and Al-Bayhaqy

Tuesday, February 22, 2022

Cleaning Up Routine With Younger Kids

Managing A Household With Small Children Can Be Very Challenging

Routines can be boring. Everyday is the same we need to spice up routines with fieldtrips, visiting interesting people and places, doing crafts and reading new books. But without routines we can fall into mess. Salah is an essential part of our routine as Muslims. We start our morning with salah and end our day with salah. The day is broken up by salah too. If we plan our day around salah, we will not miss prayers. Breaking the day up with salah provides a time to reflect, regroup and clean up. If we make it a habit to clean up quickly before salah our spaces will not get out of control.

Quick it's time to pray, everyone grab something to put away. If the room needs swept or vacuumed do it quickly, no one likes to put their face in crumbs. 

Ways to get in done: Younger Kids Can Clean UP too

1. Play Salman says (Muslimized Simon Says)  Salman says "touch your knees", "Salmon says pick up five toys and put them away"," Salmon says jump three times". 

Keep going until the room is clean.

2. Time how fast they can run and put all the toys away. Of course it must be clear that toys need to be put in specific bins.

3. Sing; "Clean up, Clean Up, Everyone Clean Up, Cleaning Up is Fun to do", While everyone climbs clean up together. 

4. Set a timer for 2 minutes and everyone clean fast before the bell rings. Works every time.



Parenting and Education