Alhamdulillah
In 1985, Prince Sultan bin Salaman, the 28-year-old son of the governor of Riyadh [Saudi Arabia], was selected by NASA to serve as payload engineer on of its discovery space shuttle flights. He would be both the first Muslim and Arab to go into space.
To take part in this monumental mission the Prince Sultan had to undergo intensive training, both physically and mentally. Normally, the whole process would be conducted over the course of 6 to 18 months but due to the mission being moved up they only had 10 weeks to complete training. However, much of the rigorous training and the first few days of the flight would be during Ramadan. During the 10 weeks of training, all trainees were expected to do between 12 hours to 16 hours a day. For Prince Sultan bin Salaman this intensive training would happen during his fast.
After the training had ended and the sights were set to go into space, the Prince went to the Scholar Bin Baz for advice he asked -
“what should I do about fasting?”
“You can apply the Prophet’s rules about travelling” Bin Baz replied without hesitation. These rules made clear that the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) permitted the traveller, if he wished, to postpone his fast until his journey's end.
“I shall never forget it” says Prince Sultan today.
“The sight of the earth, so small and round and bright in the blackness. Everything was very clear and sharp. We have a saying in the Quran, ‘verily in the heaven, we have set mansions of the stars’ that summed it up for me”.
Food Fact: During their training, each astronaut would decide what they would eat-in space. For the first day the Prince Sultan fasted however for the rest of his flight he would eat the following foods: Chinese Sweet and Sour Chicken, steamed sweet corn, cauliflower and cheese, tuna, shrimp, salmon, meat pasta, fruit, salad, orange and pineapple juice.
An inspirational story for our young ones. Visit our social media for more amazing stories such as this during Ramadan.
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MySalahMat is the creator of the worlds first Interactive Educational Prayer Mat. See link below to view product:
https://www.mysalahmat.com/products/my-salah-mat-educational-prayer-mat?variant=4230705610793
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Ibrahim: The Father of Nations with Shaykh Afdal Feroz
These short videos document the life of Prophet Ibrahim (alayhee salam) in a way that really brings his biography to life. The major events and personalities in Prophet Ibrahim’s life are related to the modern day and the issues that we all face, such as the level of respect that he still showed his own father despite their difficult relationship. Another example is the dua that Prophet Ibrahim made when he was being set upon by his people for speaking out against idol worshipping and how this dua protected him. The shaykh explains how we should say this dua from the Quran (3:173) when we find ourselves in desperate circumstances:
Angels in Your Presence, a Ramadan Series with Shaykh Omar Suleiman
These short videos by Omar Suleiman are from Ramadan 2020. It is a beautiful series that describes the lives of the angels and how they are all around us. One of the appealing aspects is that it explains how the angels interact with us, for example how the angels pray behind us and remain in place while we make dua after our salah. It is reassuring to learn that angels are all around us, and there are some lovely examples that can be shared with children and non-Muslim friends and relatives.
Meeting Muhammad ﷺ | A Ramadan Series presented by Dr. Omar Suleiman
Meeting Muhammed (SAWS) provides an in-depth description of our beloved prophet, starting with his appearance and the way that he was more beautiful to look at than the full moon. Dr Oman Suleiman explains how Prophet Muhammed (SAWS) would interact with people and the high level of consideration that he would give to others, making each person feel special and as if they were his best friend. His (SAWS) manners are presented as an example of how we should strive to be, and the events at the time of the Prophet Muhammed (SAWS) and his responses to them are brought to life through the hadith narrated by those around him.
A Ramadan of Change by Shaykh Ali Hammuda
This set of Ramadan videos by Shaykh Ali Hammuda definitely win the award of best Ramadan theme tune, setting the mood for the advice contained therein. The second video describes Ramadan as if it is wonderful guest who visits us, but we may not realise the benefits of this guest until they are gone; therefore, we should make the most of Ramadan before it leaves us for another year. The videos contain an array of advice to encourage us throughout this holy month and increase our iman, and the reward and forgiveness that we can achieve if we try hard.
Verses of Hope and Healing series for Ramadan 2021 by Mufti Menk
This series by Mufti Menk is really pertinent considering the trial the whole world is facing as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic, with suggestions on ways to gain comfort through turning to Allah (SWT). Mufti Menk encourages us to ponder over creation to draw closer to Allah, and to be careful about how we treat Allah’s creation. The series refers to ayats from the Quran, providing clear explanations to improve our understanding and perfect our characters inshaAllah.
The Parables of The Qur'an by Shaykh Dr. Yasir Qadhi
These no nonsense videos by Shaykh Yasir Qadhi go through the parables of the Quran and provide a useful accompaniment to our reading and understanding of the Quran during Ramadan. The shaykh starts by explaining why Allah has presented us with parables and the importance of having a correct understanding of them. One of the parables that Shaykh Yasir Qadhi explains is that of those who spend ‘their’ money in the way of Allah and how it is multiplied in varying amounts, just like planting a seeds; for example, if we help to educate an orphan, this will benefit generations of people, creating a chain reaction, in the same way that plants multiply from a single seed.
We hope that you find these suggestions for short videos to watch during Ramadan useful. If you haven’t started yet, it is easy to double up – less than 10 minutes in the morning and evening. May Allah bless your Ramadan, ameen.
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Chickpea krispies from Fun Cooking
We hope you found these tips useful and we wish you a blessed Ramadan.
]]>Anafiya Gifts
Naomi Macklin-Carr, the founder of Anafiya Gifts, is passionate about products for Muslim children and she featured on BBC One's Sunday Morning Live in 2019. The good thing about the www.anafiya.com website is that it has a dropdown category for Ramadan and Eid, and the following list of categories appears:
In addition, the themes for all the items are shown, such as Black and Gold, and Marrakesh, which makes it easier to match the items to your colour scheme. One of the items that is really useful and unique is the Eid sacks for giving gifts; these come in a range of colours, and we particularly like them because they can be used year after year, which is good for the environment. The colour schemes are great, and the purple and gold tableware, banners, giftware, and even a money envelope, are particularly beautiful. This is a must visit site for those of you who like to be organised and colour coordinated.
Eid Party
One of the largest selections of goods for Eid and Ramadan, www.eidparty.co.uk was set up by a Muslim family in 2017, when it was quite difficult to purchase such products. Their aim is to make Eid and Ramdan special for everyone, especially children. Eid Party has a huge selection of products, and particiularly useful are their decoration sets, which contain matching items such as bunting, balloons and lanterns. Eid Party have a wide selection of gift boxes of all sizes in fantastic colors, and foil balloons that can be inflated with air (no need for helium). They even have Eid chair covers!
Tajoora
The main aim of www.tajoora.co.uk is to provide books and educational materials on Islam and the Arabic language, and they also have some really nice decorations for Eid and Ramadan, such as they tableware in classic geometric designs and calligraphy styles. They also have a variety of easy to put up signs, and we really like the one for Ramadan that says “Count the blessings not the minutes - Happy Ramadan.” In addition, their range of decorative lanterns will give a really authentic feel to the home during Ramadan or Eid.
Khadijah Islamic Store
Sister Khadijah set up www.khadijahislamicstore.co.uk during her quest to find Islamic products that would engage her children. The site has a range of products, including for Ramadan and Eid. An item that stood out to us are the Ramadan advent-style calendars, which are great for little hands and to create excitement during Ramadan, as well as providing a reward for good behaviour! Khadijah Islamic Store also has a range of gift bags with illustrations of mosques in different colours, which are great for gifting packs of dates and sweets to gain extra reward for feeding a fasting person during Ramadan.
Hanan Made
We think it’s important to support smaller local businesses, and Hanan Made provides a range of unique decorative items, which can be found on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/hanan_made/
Hanan Made has a unique range of Eid bunting, drawings and window decorations, and will make bespoke commissions. Her original paintings illustrating the phases of the moon are both decorative and suitable for teaching children about the Islamic lunar calendar.
These are just a selection of websites out there that provide decorations for Ramadan and Eid. Don’t forget to check out eBay and Etsy as well. But most importantly, enjoy and make the most out this special time. My Salat Mat wishes everyone a blessed Ramadan, and Eid Mubarak to all.
]]>Make a Ramadan banner or poster
Tip: Use age-appropriate designs that include an appropriate level of skill, such as (child-safe) scissor work and colouring inside the lines for younger children, and calligraphy and origami for older children.
Design a countdown calendar
Tip: Take this opportunity to teach your child the difference between the Gregorian calendar, which is based on the sun, and the Islamic calendar which is based on the moon. You can take this a step further by looking at other calendars, such as the Chinese calendar and the Amazigh calendar. Also, remind your child that the calendar should not be a countdown to Eid, but should create awareness of how quickly Ramadan passes and that we should fit in as many good deeds as possible.
Set up a Ramadan corner
Tip: Keep it simple and cordon off the area with paper lanterns or hoops, or you could go all out and design an ‘indoor mosque’. Put prayer mats down (My Salah Mat is ideal), as well as books on Ramadan (e.g., Ramadan in Space); age-appropriate print outs; a dua poster, and some cushions and tasbih beads for chilling and remembering Allah.
Learn about Ramadan traditions in other countries
Tip: Find travel blogs on YouTube and search Google. Some examples are the drummers that go around waking people up for suhur in Turkey, Egypt and Palestine; night life and videos of families spending time outdoors during the nights in Ramadan; the storyteller (hakawati) in Syria who tells stories from the Quran and about famous heroes; the different decorations in different Muslim cities, and the different food and drink people have during Ramadan. Use a World map or a globe to add in a Geography lesson.
Wear traditional clothes
Tip: dress up in traditional clothes and as for the previous point, search traditional Muslim dress around the world and get your children to compare and see what they all have in common.
Read stories from the Quran
Tip: As you read the Quran, pick out the stories of prophets as you go along and explain them to your children. Give them books or watch videos if you find it difficult, such as the channel Quran Stories on YouTube. Get your child to make a poster of the prophets, which they can add to each time they learn about one, or make individual smaller posters, on each prophet.
Donate to those in need
Tip: whether clothes and toys, or a charity box, get your child to do some sort of sadaqa during Ramadan. Take the opportunity to learn about the place that they are donating to or collecting for, but do not make this too frightening for younger children. Look up the history of the country, including how Islam spread there, as well as finding it on a map – if you are donating clothes and toys, find possible routes on a map and learn about the countries along the way.
]]>Chickpea krispies from Fun Cooking
We hope you found these tips useful and we wish you a blessed Ramadan.
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Mix up the good deeds so that some are more difficult than others, and put any related to Eid on day 27 onwards. Don’t forget to praise your child for doing a good deed, as that will encourage them to do more. However, don’t praise them too much as it is important that they develop intrinsic motivation from inside themselves, rather than always being externally motivated, because this will foster a positive inclination towards doing good deeds in the future.
Muslim Mummy has some good ideas for good deeds jars – follow the link below:
https://www.muslimmummies.com/2018/03/islamic-crafts-good-deed-jar/
Good deeds jar by Muslim Mummy
We hope you found these suggestions helpful and wish you and your family a blessed Ramadan full of reward and good deeds.
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Mango Lassi:
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Fried Chicken:
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Frying on low-heat will allow the chicken legs to cook evenly while keeping it tender and soft inside.
Covering the pan will produce steam which will make the chicken juicy preventing it to dry out.
Cheese Mushroom Toasties:
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