What you tell your children about Christmas depends on their age and level of maturity. It is also essential to start by explaining that people have different beliefs and we must respect that, in the same way as we want to be respected. The Quran highlights how we should be tolerant of others as it states,
“O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted” (49: 13).
It is well known, even among Christians, that Jesus was not actually born on the 25th of December, but this will be something difficult for a young child to comprehend. Point out that Father Christmas and Christmas trees are part of the celebrations. You can also explain that the winter nights in the UK are long, as in December it gets dark around 4.30, so people have always put up lights and decorations to make it more cheerful. Also, don’t condemn this too much, but acknowledge that yes the lights are pretty when it’s so dark and cold outside; otherwise you will create a psychological conflict within the child who is attracted to the beauty of the festivities.
When your child is older, you can go into the history of Christmas and how before Christianity, people in Northern Europe would celebrate the shortest day of the year on the 21st of December as once that point is reached, the days start to slowly get longer. This festival was called “yol” or “yule” and this word is still used by some people at Christmas, for example chocolate yule logs. In addition, Father Christmas or Santa Claus has become part of the Christian celebration as a way of making children excited about the gifts they will receive. Father Christmas is based on a Christian called Saint Nicholas who was a kind man living in Turkey who gave gifts to children. Over the years, the story evolved and was mixed in with other legends and traditions, such as the Viking Oden.
All credits belong to National Geographic
As for the date, the description in the Quran and the Bible suggest that Jesus was actually born in the spring time. The Quran states,
“And shake towards you the trunk of the palm-tree; It will drop upon you fresh ripe dates" (19:25)
With regard to when Maryam (Mary) was giving birth to Jesus, and the bible mention that the grass was green- ripe dates and green grass suggest it was spring.
It is also important to mention the important of Jesus (Prophet Isa) to us as Muslims, and how he is one of our most important prophets: “our vice-captain” is the excellent description I recently heard. In addition, Maryam is one of the four most honoured women in Islam, and the Quran contains a whole chapter in her name- Surah Maryam. In addition
Muslims believe in the virgin birth, and that Isa (Jesus) spoke when he was he was a baby, healed the sick, and was an example of kindness and humility. The difference is that we do not believe that he is the son of Allah (God), but was created just like Adam, as in the Quran it says
“the example of Jesus to Allah is like that of Adam. He created Him from dust; then He said to him, "Be," and he was” (3:59).
But well before Christmas, you must do something really, really important, and that is make our two Eids special for your children. Anas ibn Malik (RA) said:
“The Prophet (SAW) came to Madinah during two days in which the people played. The Prophet (SAW) asked: What are these two days? They said: These are two days we used to play in, during the time of ignorance. The Prophet (SAW) said: Allah has replaced them with two better days: Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr.”
Therefore the two Eids are our holidays and we should treat them as such- go out with your children, take them to Eid salat, eat the best food you can afford, treat your family. In this way, you will remove any jealousy of Christmas from little hearts.
Table showing some of the similarities and differences between Muslims and Christians:
|
Islam |
Christianity |
Jesus’ (Isa) status |
In Islam Jesus (Isa in Arabic) is a prophet and not the son of God. In the Quran it states that Allah said ‘be’ and Maryam became pregnant with Jesus/Isa in the same way that God said ‘be’ and Adam was created; actually Adam was created without a father or a mother. |
Christians believe that Jesus is the son of God and part of the trinity (God the father, God the son, and God the holy ghost). Therefore Christians pray to or through Jesus’ name. |
Jesus/Isa’s miracles |
Isa/Jesus healed the sick |
Jesus/Isa healed the sick |
Virgin birth |
God (Allah ) said ‘be’ and sent the Angel Gibreal (Gabriel) to tell Maryam (Mary) she was pregnant, which caused her surprise as she was unmarried and had never been close to a man. |
God sent Angel Gabriel (Gibreal) to tell Mary (Maryam) that she was pregnant and would give birth to a boy, which caused her surprise as she was unmarried and had never been close to a man. |
The New Testament |
Muslims must believe in the four books sent down by Allah (God), including the Injeel (the New Testament), although Muslims only follow the Quran as it is the latest book from God and remains unchanged. |
Christians believe in the New Testament which contains four main chapters- Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, which were written by religious men around that time, as well as other chapters mostly written by Paul, a late convert to Christianity. |
We recently attended an event organised by Emma Forouzan and her team at the University of South Wales. I want to express my gratitude for the invitation and for the opportunity to deliver a speech. Speaking with the MBA students was a highlight of the event, as they each had unique and inspiring stories to share. It was impressive to see their enthusiasm for their chosen fields and their determination to succeed in their careers. I met some old friends going back some 15 Years!
I appreciate the gracious invitation extended to me and the chance to be a part of such a memorable experience.
We didn't win ☺️ but it was still an immense honour to be a finalist for an award presented by the First Minister of Wales—recognising the highest achievements in the country.
My Salah Mat was proudly nominated in the Innovation, Technology, and Science category, reflecting the groundbreaking nature of our Interactive Prayer Mat, for which we have been granted a patent.
Being a part of such a prestigious event was a true privilege, i was able to be in the company of numerous remarkable individuals who have been making incredible contributions to the communities of Wales and beyond. The positive impact of their work can be seen in various aspects of society, including local communities, the environment, and other broader areas.
I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to First Minister Mark Drakeford and his outstanding team for organising and hosting such a delightful evening. The event was thoroughly enjoyable, and I am particularly grateful for the memorable moment of taking a selfie with the First Minister himself! 😄.
It was an unforgettable experience that truly highlighted the importance of innovation and dedication in making a difference to our communities and society.
My Salah Mat would not be where it is without the support of so many people, my utmost thanks gratitude to Fatiha Ali Alexander Fell youseif Mohamed khameis Mahinar Galal Alassim Mohamed Dr Wendy A Booth to name a few, who have helped raise the profile of My Salah Mat.
My faith is the reason behind this invention and for that I thank Allah (swt) has continues to bless me and my ideas.
Congratulations to all the amazing winners and finalists.
Olivia Breen Kasim Ramzan @nify Yusuf Ismail and Shawqi Hasson CanSense Câr-Y-Môr @skye Neville @huggard centre Charles Willie Cwm Arian Renewable Energy Jannat Ahmed Elysium Gallery @nia Bannister @caroline Bridge MORGANS WIGS LTD Rod Parker
We had a wonderful time presenting about Ramadan to students at my children’s Primary Schools. We introduced My Salah Mat, which the children had already seen on TikTok! I was incredibly impressed by their knowledge of Ramadan.
I admired their willingness to try new things. Many children were eager to use the My Salah Mat; several girls tried on hijabs, and the boys tried on Muslim caps.
A huge thank you to Fatiha Ali and Emine Akyuz for organising these presentations. I felt immense pride as a father, watching my son Hamzah and my daughter Maryam present a day in their life while fasting. Their presentation skills were remarkable, and it is hard to believe that they are only 8 and 11 years old, speaking in front of 60+ fellow students! Alhamdulillah!
I would like to extend my gratitude to the fantastic teachers at the Primary Schools, as well as the outstanding support from the headteachers and senior management. The children at your schools are exceptional, and they are undoubtedly receiving an excellent education.
Ramadan is a holy month of fasting, self-reflection, and spiritual growth for Muslims around the world. For Muslim reverts, or those who have embraced Islam later in life, this period can bring unique challenges and experiences. This article aims to shed light on the journey of Muslim reverts during Ramadan and discuss how the interactive adult prayer mat by My Salah Mat can help overcome some of the difficulties they may face.
Embracing a New Faith
For Muslim reverts, embracing Islam is a profound and transformative experience. They come from diverse backgrounds and cultures, each bringing their own set of beliefs and values. As they learn and adopt new practices, Muslim reverts often face various challenges, including understanding the intricacies of Islamic rituals, integrating into the Muslim community, and sometimes dealing with disapproval from family and friends.
Ramadan as a Muslim Revert
The arrival of Ramadan presents a unique set of challenges for Muslim reverts. The month-long fast, from dawn to sunset, requires a significant level of discipline, self-control, and spiritual commitment. Additionally, reverts must also learn and perform daily prayers, known as Salah, which can be difficult for those who are new to the faith.
Overcoming Challenges with My Salah Mat
My Salah Mat is an innovative and interactive adult prayer mat designed to help Muslims, including reverts, learn and perfect their daily prayers. Here's how this remarkable product can assist Muslim reverts during Ramadan:
Learning the Prayer Positions: For new Muslims, learning the correct posture and sequence of Salah can be challenging. My Salah Mat simplifies this process by providing visual cues and step-by-step guidance for each position, ensuring a smooth and accurate prayer experience.
Perfecting Pronunciation: My Salah Mat comes with built-in audio assistance, which guides users through the recitation of essential Quranic verses and supplications. This feature helps reverts perfect their pronunciation and memorization, enabling them to pray confidently and correctly.
Enhancing Concentration: With its engaging design and interactive features, My Salah Mat helps reverts maintain focus during prayers. This heightened concentration leads to a deeper connection with Allah, further enhancing the spiritual experience of Ramadan.
Building a Sense of Community: Ramadan is a time for fostering connections with fellow Muslims, and My Salah Mat can serve as an icebreaker for reverts in their local community. Sharing experiences and learning together can lead to lasting friendships and a stronger sense of belonging.
Adapting to a New Routine: The daily practice of using My Salah Mat can help reverts establish a consistent prayer routine during Ramadan. This consistency can make it easier to adapt to their new faith and fully participate in the spiritual journey of the holy month.
For Muslim reverts, Ramadan presents a unique opportunity to grow spiritually and strengthen their connection to Islam. By using innovative tools like My Salah Mat, they can overcome challenges and embrace the beauty of this sacred month. As a supportive and educational tool, My Salah Mat helps reverts and seasoned Muslims alike to deepen their faith and enhance their Ramadan experience.
]]>“My beloved (the Prophet SAWS) advised me to do three things, which I will never abandon so long as I live: to fast three days of each month, to pray two rakʿahs of Duha prayer, and not to sleep until I pray Witr” (Bukhari).
So, how do we perform the Duha prayer and be among those who repent often? Firstly, the timing is important. Duha literally means the morning hours or forenoon. It starts 15 minutes after sunrise and lasts until 15 minutes before the obligatory Dhuhr prayer, which means there is a wide space of time in which it can be prayed. Duha prayer is a minimum of two rakat, and there is a difference of opinion among the scholars about whether it is a maximum of eight rakat or an unlimited number. Duha prayer is performed in the same way as Fajr and most of the other sunnah prayers.
If you are new to the Doha prayer, a simple way of implementing it is to make wudhu ready for Dhuhr half an hour before its time and pray two rakat. Although the Prophet (SAWS) said:
“If anyone sits in his place of prayer when he finishes the dawn prayer till he prays the two rakat of the forenoon prayer, saying nothing but what is good, his sins will be forgiven even if they are more than the foam of the sea” (Abu Dawud).
Therefore, there is a lot of reward in staying awake until 15 minutes after the end of Fajr to pray the Duha prayer.
While it is not compulsory, the benefits of the Duha prayer are also highlighted in the following hadith: Ibn Khuzaymah has reported that Prophet Mohammed (SAWS) said:
]]>“None is diligent in establishing Duha prayer except one who is oft-repentant, and it is the prayer of the oft-repentant” (Muslim).
Istikhara prayer is easy to do and can be performed at any time of the day. You simply pray two voluntary rakat and say the istikhara dua at the end before doing tasleem (saying salams to the right and left). Bear in mind that in circumstances where it is not possible to pray and you need guidance urgently, you can just say the dua, for example while travelling, or if a woman is menstruating, but it is better to pray two rakats in accordance with the sunnah, as Jabir bin 'Abdullah reported that: the Prophet (SAWS) used to teach us the way of doing Istikhara, in all matters as he taught us the surahs of the Quran. He said, If anyone of you thinks of doing any action, he should offer a two Rakat prayer other than the compulsory ones and say (the dua of istikhara):
Arabic
Transliteration
Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi ilmik wa astaqdiruka biqudratik wa as’aluka min fadlikal-adhim, fa innaka taqdiru wala aqdiru wa ta’lamu wala a’lamu wa anta allamul ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta’lamu anna ‘hadhal amra’ khayrun li fi dini wa ma-ashi wa aqibati amri faqdir-hu li wa yassir-hu li thumma barik li fih; wa in kunta ta’lamu anna ‘hadhal amra’ sharrun li fi dini wa ma-ashi wa aqibati amri fasrifhu anni wasrifni anhu, waqdir liyal-khayra haythu kana, thumma ardini bih.
Translation
Allah, verily I seek the best from You, by Your knowledge, and I seek ability from You by Your power, and I ask You from Your immense bounty. For indeed You have power, and I have none; You have knowledge and I know not; You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah, if You know that this matter is good for me with regard to my religion, my livelihood and the end of my affair then decree it for me, facilitate it for me, and grant me blessing in it. And if You know that this matter is not good for me with regard to my religion, my livelihood and the end of my affair then turn it away from me and me from it; and decree for me better than it, wherever it may be, and make me content with it.”
Bear in mind that you may not necessarily see a dream or anything very obvious, but Allah will make the situation easy if it is meant to be, and so we should put our trust in Him. Moreover, if the thing is bad for us, Allah will take it away inshaAllah, and we should be pleased by trusting that is what’s best for us, even if we cannot see the blessing straight away. If you are not an Arabic speaker, it is useful to read the dua in your own language afterwards, as that reinforces the points about guidance, turning it away and being content, which helps us to be satisfied whatever the outcome.
]]>Educational
It is essential for parents and guardians to educate their children in salat within the home environment when they are young as
“learning occurs when children actively engage in practical activities within a supportive social context” (Yogman et al 2018).
In addition, according to the World Health Organization (2018), what we teach young children “lays the foundation for health, well-being, learning and productivity throughout a person’s whole life, and has an impact on the health and well-being of the next generation.”
Summary: An educational tool for all types of learners.
Fun & Easy
Experts have found that play is not simply fun, but it enhances the structure and functioning of the brain, and “children playing with toys act like scientists and learn by looking and listening to those around them” (Yogman et al 2018). Therefore, providing a fun and interactive tool will encourage children to learn and understand the importance of salat.
Summary:
A fun way to engage children in salat.
Instilling good habits
Good habits in children can be acquired through practice, and as with other activities, the movement in salat will teach the child’s nerves and muscles so that the movements become natural to them. Practicing leads to good habits and influences our neuromuscular system (Holt 2017).
Summary:
Practice makes perfect and good habits last a lifetime.
Spiritual & Physical Benefits
Just as the Prophet Muhammed (SAWS) was kind to children, experts recommend being tactful when we teach and correct children (Holt 2017), and this is also important with regard to salat. My Salat Mat can support such an approach as it teaches salat in an enjoyable non-critical way.
Summary:
Salat has both spiritual and physical benefits and can clam children down
]]>
First, Push Out The Creases In The My Salah Mat With Your Hands. Each Part Of The Prayer Mat Is Touch-Sensitive, From The Keys Around The Mat To The Positions In Prayer (Feet, Knees, Chin, Hands And Head), So A Crease Or Fold Will A-Ect The Touch Sensitive Motion
The Prayer Mat Has Been Designed To Be Used By Children From Age 3 To 10 Years; Therefore It Goes From A Very Basic Level Of Understanding Of Salah To A More Advanced Level For A 10 Year Old.
If The Prayer Mat Is Being Used By A 3 Year Old, It May Be More Suitable For Them To Be Introduced To Understanding The Positions Of The Prayer Rst, That Is, Where To Place The Feet, Hands Head, Nose And So On.
For A 3 Year Old, It May Not Be Suitable For Them To Go Through The Entire Salah As They Will Not Understand This, And They May Get Bored And Leave Half Way Through. It Is Important Not To Force Them, But To Let Them Learn At Their Own Pace.
The Prayer Mat Has Been Designed As An Aid For Parents And Children To Use And Help In The Performing Of Salah. We Designed And Made This Prayer Mat So That Parents Would Be The Rst People In Their Children’s Lives To Teach Them Salah. Also, So That Children Will Love Performing Salah And Not See It As A Boring Activity. We Hope To Help Children Love Salah.
In this video we demonstrate how the Interactive prayer mat works
Make Sure There Are No Creases In The Salah Mat And Ensure It Is At.
When You Stand On The Feet Pads And The Salah Starts To Recite, All Other Keys Around The Prayer Mat Will Not Work. This Is The Design, Because If A Child Is Praying And Another Child Pushes A Key, This Will Disturb The One Praying.
When You Stand On The Feet Pads For More Than 3 Seconds, The Salah Will Begin With Allahu Akbar, Followed By Al’fatiha, Surah Ikhlas, And Then Ruku.
After Ruku It Will Stop And Nothing Will Happen Until The Child Or Person Praying Places Their Knees, Hands And Head Together In The Sujood Position. There Must Be Clear Pressure On Each Position In Order For It To Work.
When All 3 Parts Are Touched, It Will Play Subhaana Rabbiyal A’alaa. Make Sure The Hands Put Some Pressure On The Mat, As We Have Found That Some Children Do Not Put Enough Pressure.
After It Plays Subhaana Rabbiyal A’alaa It Will Stop, And Nothing Will Happen Until The Child Takes Their Head And Hands O- The Mat, At Which Point It Will It Will Recite Allahu Akbar.
The Child Will Sit In Julus Position, Then After 3 Seconds It Will Say Allahu Akbar. Then The Child Will Go Back Into Sujood, And When The Knees, Hands, Head Are Placed Correctly, It Will Say Subhaana Rabbiyal A’alaa. After It Recites This 3 Times, The Child Should Lift Up Their Head And Hands To Go Back To The Standing Position, When It Will Say Allahu Akbar.
When Standing Again, After 3 Seconds It Will Start To Recite Al’fatiha, Then Surah An Nas, Then Back To Ruku.
After Ruku, Again, Nothing Will Happen Until The Child Goes Back Into Sujood, When The Knees, Hands And Head Must Be Placed Correctly With Some Pressure.
At This Point It Will Again Recite Subhaana Rabbiyal A’alaa.
After Sujood Twice, This Time The Child Should Sit Down In The Julus Position. The Child Needs To Make Sure The Sitting Part Feels Pressure, And After 3-4 Seconds It Will Recite Tashahhud, Then Salawat, And Then Salaam.
Your 2 Rak’ah Touch Sensitive Prayer Is Complete.
Your Child May Need To Practice And Be Shown The Movements By An Adult A Few Times, And Then They Will Be Able To Practice On Their Own Insha’allah.
So, how to teach your children love Salah?
The best way to teach your children to love Salah is to ask them to join you in Salah even before it becomes obligatory for them. Take them to mosques for Jumuah, Taraweh during Ramadan and Eid prayers. During Ramadan let the TV run all the while the Taraweeh is on to show them how beautiful it is that so many people pray in unison together regardless of where they are in the world. This will help the kids to feel connected to the rest of the Ummah and have a sense of belonging.
Take your kids on the lap and tell them stories from your own childhood how you enjoyed prayer time with your father or mother. Children love imitating their parents, so may want to follow your example from childhood.
Teach your child to say Athaan and Iqamah and let them call for prayer in your household!
Explain to your children that we pray Salah out of love for Allah and to please Him, to gain rewards and have baraqah in our lives. The most important is to lead by example. Our kids watch us more than they listen to us. If you rush for prayer as soon as the Adhan is called, so will your child.
We feel passionate about teaching the young generation to observe Salah and therefore created My Salah Mat to help parents around the world instill love for Salah in their children.
Why kids love My Salah Mat
Children love receiving My Salah Mat - they start using it the moment they receive it!
The colourful layout, buttons to push, and audio sounds make learning salah a fun and enjoyable experience. Children are happy to spread their salah mat next to their parent to pray together or to explore Salah mat on their own. My Salah Mat has made learning to pray fun!
Why parents love My Salah Mat
Parents see the enthusiasm and excitement of their children to receive My Salah Mat as a gift.
The mat is simple to use and interactive making the job of teaching Salah easy.
Parents appreciate that this product introduces Salah to children in the most positive manner and develops the habit that will last a lifetime.
A lifetime of performing salah is the vision of the inventor of this wonder product.
My Salah Mat Kids (hyperlink to sales page) specifications and inclusions:
My Salah Mat is a poplar gift idea for children beginning to pray, starting school, birthdays, aqeeqah, Ramadan or Eid occasions or just out of love! Purchase your prayer mat here (insert link).
Can you think of a better way to introduce Salah to your children? Children are happy to learn and perform Salah. Let the journey of Salah start with My Salah Mat!
My Salah Mat is sold all over the world, to find your local retailer please go to:
https://www.mysalahmat.com/pages/local-re-seller
We sincerely pray that these kids salah mat can help your children and please remember us in your prayers! Insha'Allah
“The Messenger of Allah (S) was carrying Hasan bin ‘Ali (as), when a man said: “What an excellent mount you are riding, lad.” “What an excellent rider he is,” the Holy Prophet (S) replied” (Al Tirmidhi).
Children learn through their senses, and touching, seeing and hearing are all incorporated into the My Salah Mat: touching the touch-sensitive buttons around the edge of the mat; seeing the vibrant colours and the position of the feet, hands and nose; and hearing the My Salah Mat recitation of the prayer, Quran and dua. This is a form of sensory learning, and it is far more likely to have an impact than bland explanations. Using fun ways of teaching and learning helps children to concentrate and become absorbed in what they are doing. Moreover, it is especially important for younger children to enjoy what they are doing, as this will keep them focused and willing to learn.
We often see children happily talking away on a toy phone, or sitting on a chair pretending to drive, and such activities have been linked to intellectual development. The My Salah Mat is a similar concept, as it encourages children to carry out the actions of the prayer from a young age, along with providing the essential information they need as they grow. In addition to providing children with such resources, it is essential that we set a good example, as children learn through copying. Patience is often required, as children do not always behave in the ways that we would expect, and this is exemplified in the following hadith: The Messenger of Allah came out to us for one of the two later prayers [Dhuhr or Asr], carrying Hasan or Hussein. The Prophet (SAWS) then came to the front and put him down, said Takbir for the prayer and commenced praying. During the prayer, he performed a very long prostration, so I raised my head and there was the child, on the back of the Messenger of Allah, who was in prostration. I then returned to my prostration. When the Messenger of Allah had offered the prayer, the people said:
]]>“O Messenger of Allah! In the middle of your prayer, you performed prostration and lengthened it so much that we thought either something had happened or that you were receiving revelation!” He said: “Neither was the case. Actually, my grandson made me his mount, and I did not want to hurry him until he had satisfied his wish" (Reported by Nasaa'i).
My Salat Mat is designed to be attractive to children and it should generate enthusiasm through its interactive features and bright colours. As well as the prayer, the mat can also be used to teach duas and small surahs from the Quran, especially as the reciter learnt tajweed at Masjid Al-Haram in Mecca. In addition, the mat could be used as a kind of reward, for example, the best-behaved child in the class could get to do their salat on My Salat Mat rather than a regular prayer mat. Alternatively, a quiet area with cushions could be set up in the classroom where pupils can relax and take time out, and My Salat Mat would provide a positive addition to this.
For mainstream schools, My Salat Mat could be used to show pupils how Muslims pray in order to make the sight of Muslims praying a positive one, and not something exotic, unusual or even scary.
"Here’s Mariam (Founder and Author behind @wawstories) visiting a primary school in London to deliver sessions about Islam in line with the national curriculum" Credit: WAWStories
In this way, My Salat Mat could be used within citizenship education and to promote a multicultural environment. Moreover, pupils can get used to the sounds of the prayer, which may facilitate classroom discussions on language, travel and religious traditions. Importantly, My Salat Mat is cost effective and durable, as it is waterproof and fire resistant, making it perfect for the classroom environment.
If you'd like to feature the My Salah Mat in your lessons or simply showcase one to the class we are more than happy to help organise this. Please fill in the form below and a member of the team will get in touch Insha'Allah
]]>"O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient."(2.153)
It is really very hard to build a connection with Allah during namaz for many mothers. But, they are not alone in this never ending struggle. Nothing is permanent in this world and surely, all this will be passed. The thing we can do is to help each other and find better solutions for problems. This article will help mothers who are struggling of praying with children.
Children knowing the importance of namaz and how to join you in namaz can make a big difference in creating harmony during namaz time at home. Mothers cannot leave them unattended and alone for a peaceful namaz, but they also can't concentrate properly surrounding with kids fighting, crying, pulling and pushing. So, here is how we can help kids understand the importance of namaz and how to join in namaz with their mothers.
1.Be a perfect role model:
The act of being a role model is the precedent act in the method of teaching. Nothing can take a first place over it. This act has always been the mind-set for all humanity and Allah has ordered us to follow and obey His messengers. Our Holy Prophet (S.A.W) is a role model for all Muslims throughout the globe and it is our duty to follow his footsteps.
In Quran, Allah Almighty says:
"Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds and establish prayer and give zakah will have their reward with their Lord, and there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve."(2:277)
Similarly, all kids are born with innate nature of imitation and their first choice to imitate is their parents. Later, this act of imitation becomes stronger when they feel the desire to please their parents and others around them.
Being a perfect role model, mother is always rewarding. This act will help to make our kids sadaqah jariyah. So try to do more of what you want to teach your kids. Though, the little persuasion in the times of disobedience and laziness will be good and fruitful.
I know, this act will be the tough one for your own concentration in namaz. But fathers can help mothers in this regard by taking boys or older kids with them to masjid and mothers can offer namaz along with the little kids or daughters at home. This will give the message in the most effective and subtle way.
There are different types of namaz educational mats available in the market. These mats can attract kid’s attention and make them ready to join you in namaz.
Messenger of Allah Hazrat Muhammad (S.A.W) said:
“Teach your children to pray when they are seven years old, and smack them (lightly) if they do not pray when they are 10 years old, and separate them in their beds.”
[Abu Dawod (459) and Ahmad (6650)]
Following are some useful ideas how mothers can let their children of different age group of join within salah time:
Put your little ones in front of you on your prayer mat while offering prayers and they will be happy to see you perform namaz. Try to recite bit loudly so that they can enjoy and feel satisfied to be with you. They may giggle to see you in prostration, feeling you are playing with them. You can wrap a baby with you while praying if he/she won’t stop crying.
Let them see how you do wudu, involve them also. Teach them how to wear hijab so, that they can offer prayer with you. They may see here and there during namaz, don't bother.
Let kids their own prayer mat beside you. This will encourage them to offer prayers just like their moms.
One of my friends has a three year old kid and she was struggling hard to offer namaz each time with her son. According to her,
"Jamal is a good boy but he always starts crying on listening Azan. I am worried why he does so?”
Quran already tells us that it is the devil who tries to stop people to offer namaz. Kids are the easy prey and they use them for this. It is always better to involve your kids in salah with you.
You know what is the best reward in raising your eldest kid according to Islamic rules and faith? It is their love and passion to teach their younger siblings what they have learnt.
Children offering prayer in congregation is not only the lovely sight but also very effective for children who are not passionate about Salah. Allah declared in Quran:
So race to good[Quran 2:148]
And the nature of imitation is a part of every kid competing others in all good things! So use this natural gift to your advantage.
References:
Many Muslims find that the act of Sujud is the moment where you are able to free yourself from sin - illustrated in the drawing below - it is the moment where you can connect with god, detach from the physical reality of day to day life, of troubling emotions, and to find peace to move onwards with your life and daily interactions with others.
The peace one finds after prayer is universal - and there may be more going on in the brain than initially thought. A 2015 study in the Journal of Physiology-Paris, has linked the experience of ‘surrendering to god,’ with decreased activity in the frontal regions of the brain - there are the regions that govern social functions such as language, impulse control, spontaneity and judgement:
‘The findings support our hypothe-ses that these intense prayer practices, especially when accompa-nied with an experience of surrender, are associated with decreased activity in the frontal regions. In addition, the decrease of activity in the parietal regions may be associated with the subjective experience of spacelessness and a feeling of being connected to, or one with, God.’
Although the study suggests that there needs to be more research done on islamic prayer, it seems that science is learning more about the connection between spiritual states and what exactly happens in the brain. Salah is often described as a connection to the divine, and by learning how the brain reacts in the midst of prayer.
]]>It all started with an Idea 💡
2 years ago we were tracking the feedback which we were receiving on our platforms, at the time a lot of our feedback was happening on TikTok whilst we were creating original content for our interactive Kids Prayer Mat. The feedback had a common theme, it was -
"Is there an adult version?"
As a team we noticed this high demand. I should admit we were not oblivious to this product idea and have discussed it before in our product development meetings, however, our intention is always the utmost of importance when releasing products. It’s always about the needs of the people first and money or profit right at the bottom!
After seeing hundreds of these comments on a weekly basis we decided the time was right to develop and release such a product as the need was definitely there insha'Allah.
The Interactive Adult Prayer Mat
We have spent the last 2 years developing this product and only 1 month ago released it. Alhamdulillah we couldn't be more happy with the result of this product.
Meet the world’s first smart Adult interactive prayer mat, invented by My Salah Mat. Shop Here
Lauren Booth using the Adult Interactive Prayer Mat
]]>Written by Kamal Ali, founder of My Salah Mat
The true story of a meeting of fate
This is the true story of how I met the founders of ‘Omar and Hana’ and how together, we bought an exciting idea to life.
‘Omar and Hana’ is an Islamic cartoon studio with over 5 million international subscribers on YouTube so working with them is a huge opportunity.
The year is 2019 and I am browsing YouTube videos when I come across an ‘Omar and Hana’ video. I am so impressed to discover the characters, the quality of the animation and the Islamic information that is shared in this short video. My immediate thought is that I would love to create a collaboration between My Salah Mat, the world’s first interactive prayer mat and the characters of Omar and Hana. They could inspire a new generation of Muslim children to love prayer in a unique, enjoyable way.
The company is based in Malaysia and I find their email address and send them a quick message. Surprisingly, I get an instant reply. By a stroke of luck, the founder has travelled from Malaysia and is in London on business at this moment! There is an opportunity to meet him in person and it is as if it has been written by Allah for us to meet.
Kamal Ali, Founder of My Salah Mat with the founders of Omar and Hana
I immediately seize the opportunity and arrange to meet Sinan Ismail, the founder of ‘Omar and Hanna’. I book my train ticket from Wales and head to London with a MySalahMat product. We meet at Edgware Road tube station and after greeting one another, we go for lunch. I present my exciting vision of what a collaboration between ‘Omar and Hanna’ and ‘My Salah Mat’ would look like. They absolutely love the concept and express their interest in bringing it to life. We continue to talk about life, business and family and it feels like the beginning of a deep connection and friendship Insha’Allah.
The My Salah Mat Interactive prayer mat, teaching Muslims around the world how to learn to pray
We head to the local mosque to pray together where we bond in the most special way! This is the photo we took together after our prayers.
We worked on the project at a speedy rate making good progress until we faced an unbelievable obstacle- a global pandemic! Studios closed, designers stopped working and the project was set back by at least a year.
Fast forward to 2022 and both companies are determined to finally launch the new product. The prototype is produced with the Omar and Hana voices being used in English and Malay.
A special limited edition box and a unique Salah activity booklet were designed featuring the ‘Omar and Hana’ characters. We worked endless hours and had countless meetings over two weeks, and finally, the product is ready to be launched!
An epic collaboration began with a chance email and a meeting of luck, destined by Allah. Now, Malaysia and the international world will see the world’s first Islamic cartoon channel introduce the world’s first interactive prayer mat.
I make dua that this is a successful collaboration that encourages children around the world to learn and love Salah!
Ameen.
If you'd like to purchase the Omar and Hana Interactive prayer mat click below...
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Jorden har gjorts till en plats för bön för oss så vi har en skyldighet att upprätthålla denna tradition var vi än är.
Eines der Hauptmerkmale von My Salat Mat ist neben den interaktiven Funktionen, die Kinder durch das Salat führen, dass es sie ermutigt, Sujood zu machen. Tatsächlich ist die Position des Sujood für die meisten Kinder so selbstverständlich, dass Kamal Ali, der Gründer von My Salat Mat, neugierig auf die Gründe dafür wurde.
Er fand heraus, dass Sujood einer Yoga-Bewegung namens Pose des Kindes sehr ähnlich ist und dass diese Bewegung ein Gefühl der geistigen und körperlichen Erleichterung erzeugt. Wenn man darüber nachdenkt, leben Kinder in einer Welt, in der für sie alles überdimensioniert ist – Menschen sind groß, Möbel sind groß und es gibt so viele neue Dinge zu sehen und zu lernen, also fühlen sie sich vielleicht erleichtert, wenn sie in die Position von eintreten sujood.
Alle Kredite gehören Vive Health
Darüber hinaus hat sich Sujood, wie bei vielen anderen Aktivitäten im Islam, heutzutage als besonders vorteilhaft erwiesen, als eine Form der Erdung oder Erdung, die hilft, den Körper von elektrostatischen Ladungen zu befreien. Darüber hinaus bewirkt das Auflegen des Kopfes auf den Boden, dass sich die Aktivität vom Scheitel des Kopfes zum Vorderkopf verlagert, wodurch unsere Denkfähigkeit verbessert wird.
Obwohl diese Informationen faszinierend sind, müssen wir uns daran erinnern, dass der Hauptzweck von Sujood darin besteht, Allah anzubeten, und es heißt im Koran, in Sure 96, Vers 19, zum Beispiel:
…Wirf dich nieder und nähere dich Allah!“ Darüber hinaus sagte der Prophet Muhammed (SAWS): „ Der nächste Diener Allahs ist seinem Herrn im Zustand der Sujood (Niederwerfung), also erhöhe das Dua (das du vor Allah machst)“ (Sahih Muslim).
Kinder zum Sujood zu ermutigen, ermutigt sie daher, etwas Natürliches zu tun und etwas, mit dem sie sich wohl fühlen, aber noch wichtiger ist, dass es während ihres Wachstums unerlässlich ist, um ihnen dabei zu helfen, eine Routine für ihre täglichen Gebete beizubehalten, die erhalten bleibt sie auch durch ihr Erwachsenenleben. Meine Salatmatte ist ein äußerst nützliches Werkzeug, das Eltern und Erziehungsberechtigte verwenden können, um Kinder zu ermutigen, Sujood und alle anderen Bewegungen und Sprachen zu machen, die für ein perfektes Salat notwendig sind. Wir bitten Allah, all unsere Kinder mit Liebe zum Salat zu segnen, Ameen.
]]>My Salah Mat est un tapis de prière interactif adapté aux enfants avec des sons, des couleurs et des images qui plaisent aux enfants et rendent la prière agréable. Depuis son lancement, le tapis My Salah a reçu du soutien et des questions du monde entier, car les gens reconnaissent les avantages de l'apprentissage interactif grâce à la technologie.
La technologie est devenue le pilier de la vie moderne, et les enfants ont souvent plus d'expertise dans l'utilisation de la technologie que leurs parents ! Bien que la technologie apporte de nombreux avantages, elle a aussi ses inconvénients, et l'importance des actions dans l'islam doit être rappelée et pas seulement des rappels verbaux. C'est comme le dicton quotidien "les actions parlent plus fort que les mots". De ce point de vue, Kamal Ali, le fondateur de My Salat Mat, explique : « L'islam, c'est faire, pas seulement entendre, et l'effort physique est important.
Un exemple de l'importance des actions dans l'Islam est que les hommes musulmans gagnent plus de récompense pour sortir et assister à la prière de la congrégation avec d'autres musulmans de la communauté - cela demande des efforts, surtout si la mosquée est à une certaine distance de chez eux. C'est une façon intéressante de voir comment l'islam est pratiqué et enseigné aux enfants, et même à nous-mêmes. Il existe de nombreux autres exemples de cela dans l'Islam, comme le tasbeer lorsque nous louons Allah en comptant avec nos doigts ; faire le tawaf autour de la Kaba pendant le Hajj ou la Omra, et les actions impliquées dans la réalisation du wudhu.
De même, le My Salat Mat implique des actions et est une forme d'apprentissage qui permet aux enfants de connecter le physique au spirituel, ce qui n'est pas possible avec quelque chose comme un iPad ou en regardant des vidéos. De plus, l'incorporation d'actions dans l'apprentissage est très bénéfique pour les apprenants kinesthésiques qui apprennent plus en effectuant des activités physiques qu'en regardant ou en écoutant simplement.
My Salat Mat est amusant et interactif, et c'est une façon de s'assurer que la technologie est en harmonie avec notre deen. Ceci est important car la technologie ne doit pas dominer la religion. L'une des raisons derrière la conception de My Salat Mat est celle de l'esprit, du corps et de l'âme, et de faire des actions avec tout le corps et pas seulement de réciter avec la bouche.
]]>Technology has become the mainstay of modern life, and children often have more expertise at using technology than their parents! While technology brings many benefits, it also has its downside, and the importance of actions in Islam must be remembered and not just verbal reminders. It is like the everyday saying “actions speak louder than words.” From this perspective, Kamal Ali, the founder of My Salat Mat explains, “Islam is about doing, not just hearing, and the physical effort is important.”
An example of the importance of actions in Islam is that Muslim men gain more reward for going out and attending the congregational prayer with other Muslims in the community- this takes effort, especially if the mosque is some distance from home. This is an interesting way of looking at how Islam is practised, and teaching children, and indeed ourselves. There are many other examples of this in Islam, such as the tasbeer when we praise Allah by counting using our fingers; doing tawaf around the Kaba while on Hajj or Umrah, and the actions involved in making wudhu.
Similarly, the My Salat Mat involves actions and is a form of learning that allows children to connect the physical with the spiritual, which is not possible with something like an iPad or watching videos. In addition, incorporating actions into learning is very beneficial for kinaesthetic learners who learn more through performing physical activities than simply watching or listening.
My Salat Mat is fun and interactive, and it is a way of making sure technology is in harmony with our deen. This is important because technology should not over power the religion. One of the rationales behind the design of My Salat Mat is that of mind, body and soul, and doing actions with the whole body and not just reciting with the mouth.
If you'd like to find out more about our Interactive Prayer Mat click the image below! Or go to this link
https://www.wethrift.com/
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The Hajj pilgrimage is an obligation that should be completed at least once in all able Muslims lives. It is also believed that the journey allows Muslims to wipe away any sins and wipe the slate clean in front of Allah (SWT).
Muslims retrace the route as followed by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and prophets Ibrahim (AS) and Ismail (AS) before him, as well as the path that the wife of Ibrahim (AS), Hagar, ran seven times between two hills as she sought water for her dying son.
In Islamic belief, Allah (SWT) created a spring that continues to run to this very day. This blog will take you through the process of Hajj in a easy to understand way!
1. To complete Hajj, Muslim pilgrims visit several places around Makkah. At each place, the pilgrims perform the religious acts of previous prophets.
2. Prophet Muhammed (SAWS) did Hajj, and he explained exactly how to do it.
3. When Allah told Prophet Ibrahim (AS) to take his son, Ismail, and follow His command, Shaytan tried to stop him three times. Prophet Ibrahim (AS) realised it was Shaytan and threw stones at him.The pilgrims throw small stones at the three jamarat to symbolise what Prophet Ibrahim (AS) did.
4. Muslims spend the day at Arafat and make a lot of dua. It is a day of forgiveness.
5. The Day of Arafat is very important because this ayat of the Quran was revealed on that day: "This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favour upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion” (Surah Al Maidah vs 3).
6. On Hajj, the men wear a simple white cloth. This is so that everyone, rich or poor, is exactly the same. The best one is the most religious one - not the one with money and fancy clothes.
7. During Hajj, the pilgrims enjoy drinking Zamzam water, which comes from a well that appeared when Prophet Ismail (AS) was a baby. He was with his mother, Hajar, alone in the desert without food or water, when the Zamzam water sprung out of the ground.
8. Prophet Ismail’s (AS) mother, Hajar, ran between the hills of Safa and Marwa, desperate and searching for help, before the Zamzam water appeared. The pilgrims walk and run between these two hills just like Hajar did.
9. The day of Eid is a huge celebration. Each Muslim arranges for an animal to be sacrificed for the Eid feast. Nowadays, because there are so many pilgrims, the meat is sent to poor people in different countries.
10. At the end of Hajj, the pilgrims do farewell Hajj - doing Tawaf around the Kaba seven times just like the prophets did. The pilgrims are very sad when they leave Makkah.
Check out the illustrated version below on our instagram!
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Quran Companion
Quran Companion uses a gamification approach and tried and tested techniques to teach the memorisation of Quran. The app is fun and contains both personal and group challenges to keep learners motivated. In addition, it provides guided lesson plans, which are really useful for teachers. Quran Companion is a motivational app that we recommend for all age groups.
Learn Quran
Learn Quran is an app that claims to teach 50% of the words in the Quran in just nine hours. This makes the Quran accessible and understanding the Arabic achievable even for busy people. There is a progress bar so you can see how far you’ve come, which is really motivational. It is a really useful app, as many people are able to recite the Quran in Arabic, yet they may not understand its meaning.
Quran Now
Quran Now provides the recitation, translation and transliteration of the whole Quran. The transliteration is particularly useful for non-native speakers who are struggling with the Arabic alphabet. This app allows you to learn Tajweed and Arabic words, or simply listen to your favourite reciter.
Learn To Read The Quran
Learn To Read The Quran is an educational app which uses the original Arabic to teach. It is particularly suitable for beginners as it has Arabic alphabet lessons, and for advanced learners, it teaches Quran recitation in Arabic. Overall, it has a user friendly design.
Ayah A day
Ayah A Day does what its name suggests, which is to encourage you to learn one ayat every day. Each daily audio clip is 5 minutes long, and the app prompts you to listen to both the Arabic and its meaning, as well as an explanation of each ayat. At just 5 minutes a day, it is ideal for those who are short for time.
There are many more apps out there, and this is just a selection of what is on offer. Try to find one that suits you before Ramadan starts so that you can make progress and improve both your recitation and understanding of the Holy Quran.
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Carpet weaving is an ancient tradition, and Islamic culture transformed it into an art form. For example, it is common for tourists to want purchase carpets when visiting Muslim countries such as Turkey, Morocco or northern India. The Muslim prayer mat is known as sajjadat aṣ-ṣalat in Arabic, namazlik in Turkish, and janamaz in Urdu and Persian. During the Ottoman and Mughal dynasties, carpets were traded and were sometimes so intricate that they were used as wall decorations rather than mats. Turkish rugs became a sign of wealth and the most valuable designs would be seen as collectible items and given as gifts to visiting nobles. Prayer mats have traditionally been made from wool or cotton and silk, and their cost varies greatly, but antique Turkish rugs continue to hold a great deal of value.
A traditional Turkish carpet making co-op near Ephesus, Turkey [All creds to curiouslizard]
Prayer mats are often mass produced nowadays, but in the past the patterns and materials used would vary according to the traditions of the region and the weavers that made them. Some examples of the patterns used are the Kaba in Makkah, which is a reminder for of the direction in which they are praying, which is always towards the Kaba, known as the direction of the qibla (the prayer mat is typically set down in the direction of the qibla and rolled up and put away once the prayer has been performed). Calligraphy has a rich Islamic tradition, based on various ways of writing the Arabic letters of the Quran. While it is not permitted to write Quran on prayer mats made to go on the floor, calligraphy patterns and geometric designs are popular choices. A typical Islamic prayer mat ranges from 0.75 to 1.2 meters wide and 1.2 to 1.8 meters long.
Photo by Ramin labisheh on Unsplash
For prayer mats specifically, as opposed to rugs designed as wall decorations, the design typically includes a type of archway design (mihrab), with the pointed top of the arch placed to face towards Makkah. In this way, the person knows that they are always placing their head in the same place, and not putting their forehead where anyone’s feet have been. A prayer mat is usually a staple of the Muslim home and most certainly provided to guests when they need to pray. While there are a wide range of designs, and some Muslims prefer a simple, natural mat that emulates the one used by Prophet Mohammed (SAWS). Others prefer a plain mat without any intricate designs so that they are not distracted by any patterns while praying, while others enjoy the intricate designs and Islamic illustrations on some prayer mats as a reminder of their religion. Nowadays, many people are choosing designs that fit in with their home decor, such as floral patterns or more muted, neutral shades. What all of these prayer mats have in common is the absence of any images of living or mystical creatures, as such imagery is generally not allowed in Islam.
Nowadays, we can find some modern twists on the prayer mat. For example, some prayer mats have a compass on the front to make it easy to find the direction of the qibla, as this varies depending on where in the world you are; for example it is towards the south east from the UK. In addition, prayer mats with a layer of memory foam can now be purchased, which make it easier on the worshipper’s knees and more comfortable for sitting.
There are also mats with non-slip backing to make them extra safe on tiled floors. The My Salah Mat may be seen as the latest development in prayer mats.
Over the years the prayer mat has developed to meet the needs of the Muslim community, and My Salat Mat is ideal for the modern age of technology. With its interactive design and teaching and learning concept, My Salat Mat has taken the concept of the prayer mat to another new level and we hope that Muslims will find it useful as a tool for supporting their children in their love of Allah and this beautiful religion of ours.
]]>ISOC or Islamic Society is a student formed group found at universities aimed to provide Muslim students with the necessary means to develop spiritually and learn more about their religion. This could be done through activities, charity events and hosting guest speakers. In 2016 there was around 115,000 Muslim students and 130 Islamic Societies in the UK and Masha'Allah since then we expect that to be higher. Among these students we find a strong sense of community and ambition to create a brighter future for the world Insha'Allah.
We wanted to get in touch with some of the students behind these amazing societies to get their first hand experiences. Alhamdulillah we got in touch with two brothers from universities opposites sides of the UK. Brother Mizaan Shamaun at Cardiff University and Brother Farhaan Pathan at Liverpool University.
As-Salaamu Alaykum! What is your name?
Mizaan Shamaun
Mizaan Shamaun in-front of Cardiff University with the My Salah Mat
What’s your position?
Head of Charity 20/21
Why did you join ISOC?
I remember the day when I first met the ISoc at one of the local restaurants. I was late, had already eaten and did not want to take a step further when I saw far too many faces. However, that fear quickly subsided when I met brothers who were just like me, I built a bond with many of them during that year and I can safely say I won't lose touch with them. The ISoc is a much-needed cornerstone in any University. It helped me to build upon my social skills and studies, but most importantly it kept me steadfast in my faith.
What sort of work have you been doing in ISOC?
subhana'Allah, this is my second year being on the committee. This year I'm the Head of Charity. So that's been mainly planning and organising events, contacting sponsors/speakers/fundraisers, and helping the publicity with the posters. Big up MySalahMat for donating along with many other sponsors helping us raise over £3,000 on our auction night. Alhamdulillah, I have gained so many skills whilst also being able to serve and help members of our community.
How has this pandemic affected ISOC?
To say it's affecting us a lot is an understatement haha. Nah honestly I see it a lot like a double-edged sword. By moving all our events virtually (such as our Evening With ISoc lectures and Know Your Nabi discussions which we do weekly) we have seen an increase in participants joining, now people don't need to worry about it getting dark or missing the train home. However, brotherhood and sisterhood can only be made through face-to-face socials. That was how the ISoc started, it was a group of brothers or sisters who used to hang out with each other after Salah in the Masjid and then decide on random motives after whether it be going for Dessert all the way to climbing Brecon Beacons at midnight looool. We are quite blessed in that we are surrounded by Masjids which perform the 5 daily prayers, and we look to engage with our Freshers by encouraging them to pray there. Our Midweek Masjid Motives is one of our initiatives where we invite our members to play pool, table tennis, foosball, tug of war and anything else at the local Masjid. Alhamdulillah, we as an ISoc are blessed in that we can connect with so many Islamic organisations. We look forward to hosting more socials for our members next term insha'Allah.
What would you say to someone looking to join ISOC?
Connect, connect and connect. Wallahi, I have never seen a society which provides you with everything. Whether that be through entertainment (our banter is amazing), spirituality (Sheikhs from Sabeel and AlMaghreb have come in the past), sports (our brothers came first in the league last year so big up ISoc United), studies (you are bound to find a person in the year above you doing your course so you can get advice) and so much more. The best way to reach out to your ISoc is going to be a DM through Instagram, Facebook or through other freshers who might already be in an ISoc WhatsApp group chat.
You’ve collaborated with My Salah Mat, what do you think about the product?
Haha, omg its very beneficial and cute man. I remember them days on my own tiny little rectangular prayer mat as a kid and I enjoyed it (I still have and use it to this day lool). This product is a level up as its interactive. If your kids enjoy praying then it will stick with them for the rest of their life, it's kinda crazy when you think about it so why not buy this and help make their experience of prayer more enjoyable so that they can really taste the sakeenah of prayer later on subhana'Allah. When I have children insha'Allah, I'll need to invest in these as well
If people want to get in touch with Cardiff ISOC how can they do so?
So our Facebook handle is CardiffISoc. Our Instagram handle is cardiffislamicsociety. Get in touch with us through there and we'll be more than happy to help.
As-Salaamu Alaykum! What is your name?
My name is Farhaan Pathan and I am the secretary for the LJMU ISOC.
Tabarak Iqbal in-front of Liverpool University with the My Salah Mat
Why did you join ISOC?
I joined the ISOC as it gave me a chance to meet Muslims from different backgrounds through different socials that were held such as games night.
it also gave me a chance to learn more about Islam through different classes that were held throughout the year.
What sort of work have you been doing in ISOC?
Some of the things we have done in the ISOC is holding different socials such as movie and games night. Moreover, we have held charity week where we do events to raise money to help those in need. Some events include an auction/charity dinners, movie night and quiz night. Along with this Islamic classes are also held where we learn about fiqh. We also have weekly football which is usually 7-a side.
How has this pandemic affected ISOC?
The pandemic has forced us to cease face to face events so instead we have decided to hold our events virtually like over zoom. This also included our freshers fair so it was more difficult to see those interested in joining like in previous years where it was face to face.
What would you say to someone looking to join ISOC?
I would strongly encourage those who are looking to join the ISOC as it gives you the chance to meet new people that you wouldn't normally meet. It also allows you to learn more about Islam through the classes that are held. Furthermore, it gives you a chance to take your mind off the stress that comes with uni and have fun!
You’ve collaborated with My Salah Mat, what do you think about the product?
The My Salah Mat is amazing as it gives you the chance to learn how to pray Salah, make wudu. As it is interactive it also makes it easier for kids to understand how to pray and also how to recite surahs.
If people want to get in touch with Liverpool ISOC how can they do so?
To contact LJMU ISOC, you can send a direct message on our Instagram: ljmuisoc or email us at ljmuisoc@gmail.co
]]>Written by Kiran Sharar aka @DrBaji
“There is no school equal to a decent home and no teacher equal to a virtuous parent.”
Our children are an Amanah given to us. They are a blessing that Allah swt bestowed upon us and as Muslim parents we have an obligation to raise pious and righteous children. As their parents we have an obligation to educate, love and nurture them.
Homeschooling has many benefits and on top of the list would be the freedom to incorporate Islam into everyday learning. As we all know learning is always happening around us. You don’t need a set time to teach or be sitting in a school to learn. Believing in that notion greatly dishonors the way children actually develop and learn. Real education starts at home within us. Our desires to instill love for Islam should surpass any walls of a school. It starts at home with us. We are our children’s greatest role models and they will do what we do; not what we say. Therefore, we must lead by example.
MySalahMats Activity Booklet alongside the sisters creative way of memorising the suras.
I instill the love of Islam in our home by including my children in prayer, reading Quran together and listening to and reading the teachings of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). We teach them the importance of salah and embed the love and power of Allah swt in them.
I instill the love of Islam in our home by including my children in prayer, reading Quran together and listening to and reading the teachings of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
While many view this pandemic as negatively, I view it as a blessing! It is indeed a blessing as it has brought my family together. We have more time for reflection, to pray our salah on time and lead a life according to the ways of the Sunnah. We can all change our mindset and look at the situation on hand in a more positive light. We should use this opportunity as a means to grow closer to our Creator and work on ourselves as wholes.
MySalahMats Hajj & Umrah Booklet, Ramadan Booklet and Activity Booklet
The pandemic has given me the chance to incorporate more Islamic teaching into our schooling and that is greatly due to the wonderful resources that are readily accessible for our children. I have been using the activity books from My Salah Mat to teach my daughter. While the booklets are filled with wonderful knowledge and activities for children; I think they are more beneficial to children ages 5 and up. I have been using the Salah activity book to review the short surahs my three year old is memorizing. The books do a good job of incorporating different activates to engage a child. There are a variety of activities ranging from puzzles, matching games, crosswords, and table of prayer times, surahs, and coloring pages. I can definitely see us getting more use out of these books as my daughter grows older inshAllah as these booklets can certainly grow with the child.
Find our more about Dr Baji homeschooling experiences and advice below!
https://www.instagram.com/drbaji/
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However, this year it is crucial that we stay home and do not gather together to stop the spread of the Covid 19 corona virus.
So, what can we do?
We should still celebrate and show our gratitude to Allah that we saw through the month of Ramadan. We can still do some of the sunnahs of Eid, such as showering, wearing perfume and nice clothes, and eating dates in the morning.
Regarding the Eid prayer, it is recommended to pray it at home during these unprecedented times. If you are at home with family, gather everyone together and recite “Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, la ilaha illallahu, wallahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa lillahil Hamd” as many times as you like.
Then perform the Eid prayer: start by saying Allahu Akbar and raising your hands to your ears (the takbeer) several times, and then pray two rakat. It is Sunnah to recite Surah Ala in the first rakah and Surah Ghashiyah in the second rakah.
After praying, you can share an Islamic talk or listen to an online khutba. Try to make the day special and dress up and eat your favourite food. Make it a special day for children and tell them that they will remember this unusual Eid for years to come. May Allah bless your Eid and put joy in your heart Ameen.
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The following links provide more information on performing the 2020 Eid Al Fitr prayer at home:
https://mcb.org.uk/press-releases/eid-al-fitr-2020/
https://gulfbusiness.com/saudi-arabia-urges-people-to-offer-eid-prayer-at-home/
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/eid-fitr-prayers-home-lockdown-18274907
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According to me, it is educating children in their surrounding environment with a school curriculum. It involves parents, guardians or online tutors and the respective child.
I'll offer tips according to the age group I have at home, which is three to six years old. This is the age group I am familiar with and have homeschooled, Alhamdulillah. Therefore, some tips that have helped me may not work for you. Kindly take note of them.
It's important to always start a project by seeking Allah’s ﷻ help. It motivates you.
Teaching is passing your knowledge and wisdom to the next generation. It is a noble act, and being able to do it is a special blessing. However, it can be scary too as what you teach is what will be passed on. Thus, if you teach anything incorrect, then it will be passed on as it is- wrong knowledge!
So, seeking Allah's ﷻ help is essential in this journey.
Any surrounding can be used to teach children, but having a specific study area is better as it creates a school environment at home and enhances the kids’ experience.
Children tend to visualize everything they see, and giving them a small space that they call a school area or study area is very important for their little growing minds.
Jumping into a new thing in full gear has never brought good results. Introduce learning to them gradually; maybe start the classes with one day on and one day off. Let the children get familiar with the new system. Make it fun and something they look forward to each day.
The planner should help you plan your week and track your progress.
Meal menus should be planned. Pre-check groceries and essentials needed for the week. It’s better to go grocery shopping on weekends. You can use the kids’ help, and also consider it a learning moment for them where they identify the fruits and vegetables you need and place them in the trolley. Online shopping can also be a lifesaver. Utilize it when needed.
Pre-make food if possible, or prepare and freeze sauces to preserve them. You can also refer to some DIYs online to prolong food freshness, especially groceries.
Prepare a time table according to the active hours of your child. During the times they are wide awake, teach them the topics they find the most complicated.
The time table might change as per the child's preference, so it’s best to take their behavior and routine as a guide to making these. Also, it’s good to shuffle the time table every few months. That way, it reduces boredom and monotony.
Create an experience for them where they leave home for school. You could provide the children with a uniform to wear to their classes and a school bag to keep their books in, or simply have them pretend to take their bikes or walk holding onto each other’s shoulders as a school bus, reading the Du’aa for getting out of the house (which in this case is from one room to the study area).
Kids like to imagine things, and turning their imaginations into reality will make them enthusiastic to do these activities every single day. It's fun when you add a specific song to it. Uplift the spirit of school in the house by fulfilling their imaginary vision.
You don't just wake up one day and decide to homeschool when you do not know where to begin. You can't teach if you have no teaching skills, and these skills are not born but learned. They keep developing as you continue teaching. You need to educate yourself on advanced teaching strategies.
Be flexible with the child's learning preference. The same content can be taught using different methods. Hence, I strongly support the theory of multiple intelligences as it enables us, as humans, to acknowledge the fact that each child is different and each child learns differently.
For example, the letter ق in the Arabic alphabet is for “قطة” (cat).
One of my kids is an audio learner, meaning, she learns through hearing. To teach her, I searched on YouTube for real sounds of animals and found one for a cat. I let her hear it and then pronounce the meow sound after we said the word. I know it's funny, but that's how she learns. My other kid is a visual learner, so I let her color a printed picture of a cat and allowed the image to sink into her memory.
The next time I showed them a cat’s image, they simply started with ق- قطة - Cat- Meow, and we moved on to the next letter using the same process.
I grew up learning in a traditional classroom method and all we had was a pen, pencil, colors, and papers. However, the world we live in now is always undergoing technological advancements. It’s hard to keep up with technology, but there’s no harm in giving it a try. In fact, the use of technology could make your homeschooling life very easy.
Also, it’s rare to find a school that teaches kids how to solve their daily problems or teaches them to save money. This is a chance to teach your kids all that you missed learning at your traditional school.
This could be in the form of letting them exercise and have P.E. lessons. Try to teach through these fun activities. Whilst they are jumping and running, check their memory by asking them to count their steps in Arabic or English, or by making them sing the alphabet song as they jump
Sometimes, it's okay to let them follow a YouTube P.E. lesson while you take the time to finish your chores.
You are targeting to check their memorization and, at the same time, making them exercise for a healthy productive life. If you are able to join in, then do so!
It’s not a fantasy. It’s real. So, tantrums are inevitable. Hence, making a peace impeachment is very important if you have more than one kid.
Fights might occur, and it could be something very silly that triggers them. For instance, when you assign the older one to use a computer and the younger one to use a paper, they won't agree peacefully. So, you've got to learn how to resolve these trivial issues and avoid them from re-occurring.
Teaching the same content to children of different ages will need you to master the skill of making them do the same activity in different ways to avoid the occurrence of wars.
For example, I had my older one use a keyboard to type the words we were searching, whilst the other clicked on the mouse following my directions.
The older one was learning how to write, whilst the younger one mastered the image of what we were searching for. It could have been something as simple as an elephant that we were searching for; nevertheless, it was a team effort.
United we stand, divided we fall!
Be the student, and let them be the teacher and teach you. It's for fun, and you are also employing Bloom's taxonomy. By letting them teach you what they know, you are allowing them to reveal their knowledge to you.
Many parents prefer going by their own likes and preferences, but it's essential to make sure your child learns the same content a child attending classes at a school does. The only difference is that you are improvising what you have at home to teach the same syllabus.
Sometimes, you may wake up sick, and that is something you can't avoid. However, you can use that day as a break or holiday for the kids, or you can let them learn practically how to tend to a sick person and teach the Du’aas to them.
Make use of the available resources to teach. For instance, to teach addition and subtraction, use the items at home which can be counted.
Using blocks to count can be fun too!
It can be difficult as first-timers, but when you fall, you get up stronger.
Remember, you are their parent/guardian. They may take advantage of that and use it against you- the motherly/fatherly love.
Giving yourself a break and making the study time shorter will help you rejuvenate and focus on the aspects you need to improve. Self- reflection is also imperative.
Umar (May Allah be Pleased with Him) said: “Judge yourselves before you are judged, weigh your deeds before they are weighed for you...” (narrated by Ahmad in the book Al-Zuhd; page 120)
Sometimes, the problem lies in you and not them. You have to figure that out.
Giving them a warning and not following through with the punishment will give them the idea that their “mommy/daddy is just joking!” They'll grow up with that mentality, causing additional stress to you, where you eventually give up.
Likewise, following through with the rewards when they behave well is also very important.
The things you would need in case of emergency, write them down at a place where you can easily go through the list. You can even note them in your planner.
Here's what I call “allowing the child to guide you.”
If they want to help with cooking, let them. If they want to help in cleaning and washing clothes, let them be your guest. Use this time to build your interaction and improve your relationship with them. You can even give them lessons on life skills.
In the end, we all do need to learn to wash and clean, and Islam advocates cleanliness. So, take advantage of their interest, and teach them more of it from an Islamic perspective. Bear in mind, be an example of what you teach.
Believe in yourself, and you can do it! However, remember, your kids may feel deprived when they see other kids going to school. The answer to their question will depend on your reasons for opting for homeschooling. Accordingly, be prepared to deal with the situation in a way they can understand.
Plan your life, prepare the necessary schedules, and Tawakkal ala-Allah ﷻ! Tie your camel first. Then, have faith in Allah ﷻ that things will happen according to the best of plans.
By:
Sr. Amatullah B.M
Founder & President of Islamic Reflections Ltd.
Being the founder and the brain of this platform, Amatullah has a mother-like instinct when it comes to Islamic Reflections – her child whom she nurtured on her own at first and then let it grow as the bonds of sisterhood strengthened it and gave it its wings.
A passionate IT enthusiast and a brilliant writer of inspiring quotes and an author, her aim is to spread her knowledge and leave behind a legacy. She is a lecturer by profession doing her part in bringing positivity which this world desperately needs. She's homeschooling her kids using educational teaching methods.
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Jazak'Allah Sr. Amatullah B.M for this incredibly in-depth piece of writing on Homeschooling tips. Insha'Allah we all benefit from this.
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Do you want to get involved with helping other Muslim Parents out there with your own experiences and tips?
Please email with your article ideas!
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Thank you to My Salah Mat for asking me to be a part of this initiative. Below are some of my thoughts on the predicament we all find ourselves in.
We are living in a strange time, all of us simultaneously finding ourselves in a situation we haven’t experienced before. All caught off guard and thrown into something we were not prepared for. Although so much of this situation is out of our control, we shouldn’t forget that how we react and what we take away from this time is still in our control.
Like many of you, I have suddenly found myself not only having to absorb the gravity of a global pandemic, but now also having to entertain and educate my children, mostly in the confines of our home.
I would be lying, if I said I wasn’t scared and overwhelmed at first. The thought of having to keep two young children engaged, with no outside help was definitely scary. However, upon further reflection what I have realized in the past few weeks, is that instead of looking at what I am losing out on, I want to approach this with positivity and rather focus on what I have gained.
Sure this may be hard, but this is also an opportunity for families to get closer, have a positive impact on one another and create lasting memories, inshAllah.
Like everything, this too will pass. But what will we have to show when we come out on the other side. My advice to myself and to all of you is to enjoy the moments. learning doesn’t just happen in a classroom, it is happening all the time. Use this opportunity you have to be with your children as a gift, time to play and engage with them that you may otherwise not have had. Trust your parental instincts. You know your child better than anyone and thus you know the best ways to help them learn.
As you tackle this time at home, ask yourself what is it that you want to achieve when you look back. In our family, we have been using this time to pray together more and play together more.
There is no right way to ‘homeschool’ and there is no right way to approach this lockdown. Do what is right for you and your family. Stop putting so much pressure on yourselves as parents to do things and be a certain way. If you are a loving parent who cares for your child, then your child will be successful. It is not what you teach your child that will make them successful, but rather the nurturing environment which you create around them that will foster their success.
You only need cardboard and some colouring pens for this one!
30 Days - 30 crafts. Set yourself and the children a challenge..they will love it.
Here are some things that have worked for us and our family.
FREE DOWNLOADS
https://www.lunarlearners.com/crafts-and-more
https://www.mysalahmat.com/pages/free-downloads-1
A massive Jazak'Allah Khair to Khadijah!!!
Bio:
Khadijah Khaki is an accountant by profession, but more recently has devoted her time to authoring Islamic children’s books (The Prophet Series) and raising her two young children. She is the face behind Lunar Learners, who provide creative resources to help parents introduce Islam with a fun, engaging and simple narrative.
Website: https://www.lunarlearners.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lunar_learners/
GET IN INVOLVED
This is an unprecedented time for us all. Any help, advice or resources for parents at home with the children will be greatly appreciated by everyone.
If you would like to participate or have some free resources you would like us to link then email us on info@mysalahmat.com we would love to hear from you.
My Salah Mat has asked people who Homeschool their children and have experience in what works and what does not. Here is Samia from "my Little Alim" who has kindly taken time to write this blog and has produced a great video for us all. For more information, all details and links are within the blog. We hope this helps!
TIPS AND ADVICE ON HOMESCHOOLING
Assalamu alaykum, my name is Jameela [ilmaeducation] and I’m a teacher. I don’t homeschool my children but I’ve been asked to give some teaching advice.
I’ve tried to find a tip that’s easy to do but is based on research. That tip would be to teach the important subjects early on such as Islam, Quran, Arabic, mathematics, English and you could include science. This is because children have higher energy and attention in the morning. After lunch, it’ll be harder for them to concentrate. Watch this video below.
I have plenty of other teaching tips on my blog such as:
The best way to teach anything is by using the teaching loop http://www.ilmaeducation.com/2018/02/the-teaching-loop-best-way-to-teach.html
Help your child develop a growth mindset for learning http://www.ilmaeducation.com/2018/01/confident-children-have-growth-mindset.html
Ways to help your child focus http://www.ilmaeducation.com/2017/12/5-ways-to-help-your-child-to-focus.html
Teach your child within their perfect learning zone http://www.ilmaeducation.com/2017/08/how-to-teach-children-within-their.html
I also have plenty of free printables. You can download here: http://www.ilmaeducation.com/p/free-downloads.html
Bio:
Jameela Ho holds a Master of Education at Macquarie University, Sydney and a Diploma of Counselling. She is currently studying and researching children's health and academic achievement. She blogs on the subject of both education and parenting, each on two separate blogs. ILMA Education is where she motivates, inspires and enables kids to excel at studying and learning. Her Muslim Parenting blog is where she helps parents to raise kids with good morals, manners and behaviour.
Social Media
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ilmaeducation/
Website: http://www.ilmaeducation.com/p/free-downloads.html
FREE DOWNLOADS
https://mylittlealim.com/blog-2/
https://www.mysalahmat.com/pages/free-downloads-1
GET IN INVOLVED
This is an unprecedented time for us all. Any help, advice or resources for parents at home with the children will be greatly appreciated by everyone.
If you would like to participate or have some free resources you would like us to link then email us on info@mysalahmat.com we would love to hear from you.
]]>My Salah Mat has asked people who Homeschool their children and have experience in what works and what does not. Here is Samia from "my Little Alim" who has kindly taken time to write this blog and has produced a great video for us all. For more information, all details and links are within the blog. We hope this helps!
TIPS AND ADVICE ON HOMESCHOOLING
Salaam,
My Salah Mat reached out to ask me about my top advice for parents who have suddenly landed themselves with a new task of homeschooling!
My name is Samia and I live in Canada. I am a working and homeschooling mother of two kids, 4 and 1 years old. Last year, we pulled my eldest out of traditional school so that we could home educate him. So, I have a little bit of a headstart on the situation that parents are currently finding themselves in today.
So, let’s try and understand what is going on here: as a parent, you already have a job: firstly, you are a parent of one or multiple children. Secondly, you are either a working parent or a stay at home parent. That’s already at least two jobs that you are doing. Then, by the will of Allah swt, the entire world goes under a pandemic and the safest thing we can do for our families is to stay home. Schools, libraries, extra-curricular activities, playgroups, daycares - everything gets shut down. So now, on top of the at least two other jobs you are already doing, you have a third job: being a teacher to your kids.
Your kids are used to attending a school which is a system designed to educate children. This system has classrooms, teachers, other students, resources - things that your home does not have. You are not their teacher, their siblings are not their classmates, you are not familiar with the resources or curriculum the school uses. Simply put, your home is not designed to be an educational system.
So here is my one and only advice: google the term DESCHOOL. Deschooling is classified as an adjustment period when transitioning from a traditional school system to a home based learning environment. Methods of learning at home are much different than a classroom of 20+ kids. At home, fractions can be taught by baking a cake; letter recognition can be taught by drawing in some sand; reading can be taught one on one cuddling with your child on the couch.
I suggest you take some time off to spend with your kids. As much as your world has turned upside down, so has theirs. Love each other, pray together and count your blessings! After that, introduce learning through play, see what happens. Children are like sponges, they will absorb your behaviour. So, please be kind, be patient and don’t put so much pressure on yourself. Your children are not going to fall behind by you taking some time to be a family.
That is my number one advice for new homeschoolers; I hope there was something here that you were able to resonate with. Please check out my Instagram page for more homeschooling tips and trying to manage the chaos between balancing work and homeschool. Jazak’Allah to My Salah Mat for including me and until next time, stay safe!
BIO
Salaam! I am Samia and I have two kids whom I homeschool along with work and a home. It's a pretty crazy lifestyle but I am trying to manage it all. I share homeschool activities, printables, kitchen hacks and productivity tips. Join me on my journey as I share the ways I manage my beautiful chaos!
FREE DOWNLOADS
https://mylittlealim.com/blog-2/
https://www.mysalahmat.com/pages/free-downloads-1
GET IN INVOLVED
This is an unprecedented time for us all. Any help, advice or resources for parents at home with the children will be greatly appreciated by everyone.
If you would like to participate or have some free resources you would like us to link then email us on info@mysalahmat.com we would love to hear from you.
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