Introduction

 

The Islamic Weekend School Teacher Guide is a resource for teachers both new and experienced. Weekend Islamic Schools have never been more important for the future of our Muslim children as their aqeedah is challenged in public school, social media and secular society.  We must ensure we are meeting their needs to the best of our ability. It’s a fact that majority of Muslim children attend public school and often the weekend Islamic school is their only connection to Islam outside the family.  Weekend School Teachers are striving to pass Islamic knowledge to the Ummah youth to carry Islam into the future.

 

The Weekend Islamic School Teacher Guide will assist you in planning effective lessons; communicating with students, colleagues and parents positively with ease and manage your classroom more effectively. Whether you’re teaching Arabic, Quran, Seerah, Ibadah or something else this guide will inspire your own unique teacher management style centred around tawheed. 

 

Teaching is a demanding dynamic career, you have been chosen by Allah to fulfill. Leading our future generations is a great honor and a responsibility. Whoever calls to guidance will have a reward similar to those who follow him, without detracting from their rewards at all. Whoever calls to misguidance will have sin upon him similar to those who follow him, without detracting from their sins at all.  Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim

 

 

Teaching Islam

Teaching is the art of empowering students to learn. Every student and every classroom is different there is no one way to teach, but the more options we have in our skill set, the more possibilities we can implement for greater success.  A teacher is a student of education and never feels complacent that they have learned enough. As Muslim teachers we strive for Ihsan, teaching the deen of Allah is if we see Allah, knowing that Allah sees us, we are first accountable to Him before administration and parents.

Teaching is a demanding dynamic career, you have been chosen by Allah to fulfill, leading our future generations is a great honor and a responsibility. Whoever calls to guidance will have a reward similar to those who follow him, without detracting from their rewards at all. Whoever calls to misguidance will have sin upon him similar to those who follow him, without detracting from their sins at all.  Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim

Teaching is a noble career with great responsibility. In order to be successful in the classroom we need to focus on the Hereafter, continually renewing our intention to please Allah. It is only with the help of Allah we can be successful. As Prophet Shuaib told his people:…I only intend reform to the best of my ability. My success comes only through Allah. In Him I trust and to Him I turn. Surah Hud 11:88Renewing our intention to seek Allah’s pleasure and not seek praise or favoritism from creation, quietens all those voices making demands on us. We need to remind ourselves and those around us to seek Allah’s pleasure because we are rewarded according to our intention and application. Our prophet salla allahu alayhi wa sallam said:"Actions are according to intentions, and everyone will get what was intended…”  Bukhari & Muslim

Once we renew our intention to please Allah, we must complete actions of our heart, tongue, and limbs that please Allah. It was narrated that the Prophet salla allahu alayhi wa sallam said: “Whoever does any action that is not in accordance with this matter of ours (i.e., Islam), will have it rejected.” Muslim This includes our words and behavior in the class room. 

Allah is our first teacher, His speech the Quran is a guide to teach us how to live a clean, purposeful life in His obedience.  Our deen is a complete way of life. If we look to our Creator first and then His Prophet salla allahu alayhi wa salla, we have beautiful examples of how to teach, what to teach and even the priority.

Our focus starts with tawheed, knowing Allah. Without knowledge of Allah and our dependency on Him we cannot worship Him sincerely. Lacking this knowledge leads to empty rituals, which become meaningless and sometimes dropped. All the Messengers began their call with tawhid, which they were commanded by Allah to convey: "We have not sent before you from the Messengers, except We inspired to him that He is the only One worthy of worship, so worship Him." Al-Qur'an 21:25 

All lessons have to be related back to Allah, how it benefits our students now in their present life, and in their ultimate quest of success in the Hereafter. We are living in a time of secular consumerism. Religion is considered backward and ignorant. We must ensure students feel connected, respected and empowered to practice Islam in the secular society in which they live.  The Messenger of Allah, salla allahu alayhi wa sallam, said, “A time of patience will come to people in which adhering to one’s religion is like grasping a hot coal.” Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2260 Sahih (authentic) according to Al-Albani

The Angel Jibreel teaches Wudu' and Salah; A Pedagogical Lesson in the Demonstration Method

Demonstration means 'to clearly show'. This strategy improves the understanding of complex skills and principles. Students can pay attention and follow along with the learning process

This story was mentioned by Ibn Hishaam in As-Seerah, quoting Ibn Is-haaq. Ibn Is-haaq said:

“Some scholars related to me that when the prayer was enjoined on the Messenger of Allah  Jibreel (Gabriel) came to him in the upper part of Makkah. Jibreel hit the ground in the valley with his heel, so a spring of water gushed out, and Jibreel performed ablution while the Messenger of Allah  was looking at him to learn the manner of ablution for the prayer. Then the Messenger of Allah  performed ablution in the same manner as he saw Jibreel perform it. Then Jibreel stood and led him in prayer and then left. Afterwards, the Messenger of Allah  came to Khadeejah, and he performed ablution in order to show her how to perform ablution for the prayer as Jibreel had shown him. So she performed ablution in the like manner as he  had done, and then he led her in the prayer in the same manner as Jibreel led him in it.”

After Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wasallam learned wudu' and salah he taught Khadija, which further demonstrates that we should teach what we know. Teach your children wudu' and salah through demonstration and receive reward every time they perform them. If they teach someone because you taught them you will also reward. Allah is truly Ar-Raheem. 

FREE Printable Salah Puzzle

Angel Jibril came to teach you Islam; A Pedagogical lesson in The Socratic Method

 

The Socratic Method involves a shared dialogue between teacher and students. The teacher leads by posing thought-provoking questions. It encourages critical thinking skills. In this example the teacher Angel Jibril questions Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wasallam, while some of the companions of Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wasallam observed. 

Umar ibn al-Khattab reported: We were sitting with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, one day when a man appeared with very white clothes and very black hair. Teacher must take care of their appearance

There were no signs of travel on him and we did not recognize him. He sat down in front of the Prophet and rested his knees by his knees and placed his hands on his thighs. Teachers should meet students at their level, be close and friendly. 

 The man said, “O Muhammad, tell me about Islam.” The Prophet said, “Islam is to testify there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, to establish prayer, to give charity, to fast the month of Ramadan, and to perform pilgrimage to the House if a way is possible.” The man said, “You have spoken truthfully.” We were surprised that he asked him and said he was truthful. He said, “Tell me about faith.” The Prophet said, “Faith is to believe in Allah, His angels, his Books, His Messengers, the Last Day, and to believe in providence, its good and its evil.” The man said, “You have spoken truthfully.  Question and answer is a very effective teaching strategy. Questions encourage thought and keep students alert. When answers are correct the positive reinforcement is immediate.

 Tell me about excellence.” The Prophet said, “Excellence is to worship Allah as if you see Him, for if you do not see Him, He surely sees you.” The man said, “Tell me about the final hour.” The Prophet said, “The one asked does not know more than the one asking.” When the answer is unknown the reinforcement is left, no negative statement is required. Simply move on to the next point.

The man said, “Tell me about its signs.” The Prophet said, “The slave girl will give birth to her mistress and you will see barefoot, naked, and dependent shepherds compete in the construction of tall buildings.” Future knowledge is given, proving the truth for all time.

Then, the man returned and I remained. The Prophet said to me, “O Umar, do you know who he was?” I said, “Allah and his messenger know best.”  Students show respect by referring knowledge to their teacher.

The Prophet said, “Verily, he was Gabriel who came to teach you your religion.” A lesson in pedagogy. 

Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 8

Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to MuslimAn

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

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

Moving Forward in Our Lives With Covaid19 and its Variants

As we begin the new year children are may or may no be returning to brick and mortar schools with many health protocols and uncertainties facing society. Masks are now part of the back to school requirements. It’s not normal for our kids to be masked. Let’s be honest. It’s strange. It’s anti-social. We can’t see their beautiful smiles. Neither can their teachers nor classmates. There is an underlying fear of developing symptoms along with the spreading of the virus in addition to the vaccine controversy. Returning to our old normal is not possible. We have to move forward in our new reality with Covaid19.  How do we move forward with this new reality? 

There’s one answer. Tawakkul Allah; trust in Allah and His plan. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Allah wrote down the decrees of creation fifty thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth.” Saheeh Muslim (2653) This includes the trial that is Covaid19. 

This life is nothing but trial.  We are all being tested with Covaid19 and what has come with it; social distancing, masks, vaccines, higher anxiety and mental health concerns and more.  In addition we still have individual tests marital discord, illness, rebellious children, difficult family or work colleagues and more. Allah says: Blessed is He in whose hand is dominion, and He is over all things competent -[He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed - and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving. (Surah Al-Mulk 67: 1-2)

This life is a test whether it’s difficulties or blessings.  The test itself is less important than our response. Allah says:  And as for man, when his Lord tries him and [thus] is generous to him and favors him, he says, "My Lord has honored me." But when He tries him and restricts his provision, he says, "My Lord has humiliated me." (Surah Al-Fajr 89: 15,16)

Allah reminds us that blessings are also tests. How do we respond; Are we grateful or prideful for our blessings? This is our test as we enter into this new phase. Are we grateful for the blessings we do have? Our lives are moving forward, maybe not in the way we hoped or planned but we must trust Allah.“…It may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know.” (Surah Baqarah 2:216)

As parents and educators we need to take a deep breath and reflect on our own response before we can support our children’s response. Mental Health is fragile in today's quickly changing world. There’s a lot of uncertainty as we navigate through the pandemic as the fourth wave rises. We need to take time to check our own mental health. How do we gain confidence in this uncertainty?  Tawakkul Allah; trust in Allah and His plan. Trusting Allah gives us peace of mind. 

Reflect on the meaning Ayat ul-Kursi: Allah - there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great. (Surah Baqarah 2:255)

Let’s think about: Who is in charge of our affairs? Who has the ability to end this pandemic? Whose Knowledge is complete? Who has complete power over our world? As Muslims we have an advantage in that we can pour our hearts out to Allah and leave our pain, anxiety, frustration and worries with Him.  And with Him are the keys of the unseen; none knows them except Him. And He knows what is on the land and in the sea. Not a leaf falls but that He knows it. And no grain is there within the darknesses of the earth and no moist or dry [thing] but that it is [written] in a clear record. (Surah Al-An'am 6:59)

Allah knows our uncertainty, but He is not uncertain. He is All-Knowing and All-Wise. As we move forward in this uncertain new world. Allah has our back. We need to take the proper actions and leave the results to Allah. We need to strengthen our resolve through salat, seeking protection through daily adhkar (remembrance of Allah) and follow safety protocols advised by health professionals. As our prophet advised, “Tie your camel first, and then put your trust in Allah.”  (Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2517)

Now that we’ve taken time to reassure ourselves we need to support our children.