Ramadan Family Journal: 30 days of prompts

Assalamo ‘alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.

Another Ramadan is fast approaching and I ask Allah to let us all live to see it through in His obedience and to let us benefit greatly from it.

The concept of a Ramadan family journal has been a rather shapeless idea of mine for a while. Ramadan is such a special time – despite the relative hardship that comes with it – that we cannot help having a special drawer of our memory full of “what we read that Ramadan” or “what we ate that Ramadan” and “… remember when you used to fast only until lunchtime?” All the memories related to our journey as slaves of Allah; the kids *and* the parents! All that Ramadan learning.

I mentioned the idea of a Ramadan scrapbook to some sisters, worrying it would be too open and slightly daunting; then my friend – and home educator extraordinaire (Allahumma baarik) – Umm Saphia suggested putting together a set of prompts that could help structure the activity. Some friends have helped with prompt suggestions, may Allah bless them.

Why is it called a “family” journal? because – I don’t know you – but this Ummi is totally taking part in sha’ Allah!

Below you will be able to download 30 journaling prompts for Ramadan, either as a list or in a chart (in case you want to make them in small cards, to be hidden in small envelopes, to surprise small people!). We will work on loose papers and then collect everything in a clear display book, which will accommodate (and in sha’ Allah keep in one place!) all the bits and bobs that my younger ones may want to include (dandelion heads from the garden anyone? I expect about 75 of them).

So… get your gel pens out! dig out your secret sticker stash! let the washi tape roll! And – in sha’ Allah – let us capture the benefits and the memories this Ramadan.

DOWNLOAD 30 Days of Prompts – Ramadan Family journal as a LIST

DOWNLOAD 30 Days of Prompts – Ramadan Family journal as a CHART

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CORRECTIONS: “The Prophet’s prayer described” workbook

Assalamu ‘alaykum,

going through the book with Yusef I have found 2 mistakes.

1. Page 3: I asked to colour a country in yellow twice in the same exercise so I changed it with orange.
2. Page 13: In the second of the adhkaar I wrote رَبِّي  while it should be رَبُّ . It is quite obvious if you know any Arabic, even if you didn’t know this specific dhikr. It must have been a “copy&paste” mishap!

This is the CORRECTED PDF FILE Insha’Allah.

I do apologise for the mistakes, I hope I did not cause confusion to anybody. May Allah protect me from transmitting incorrect knowledge in any form and to any degree. Ameen!

÷ يخ شحخمI I

The basics of Hajj poster/map

Assalamu ‘alaykum.

Alhamdulillah, we are no longer in the complete darkness about the rites of Hajj! it’s not just multitudes of people dressed in white cloth and looking really busy…

I wasn’t feeling very creative up to a few days ago so I started a Hajj and Dhul Hijjah Pinterest board, where I collected some relevant talks as well as some activities I that I might find inspiring. I sketched down a list of the main rites that occur on the different days of Hajj (the format was inspired by this Hajj day by day activity) and a basic map of the main Hajj locations with numbered arrows to show the sequence of events. We reproduced this on a poster, adding the definitions of some Hajj related Arabic terms.

It was a lot of fun to make it and we learned a lot. I am so happy to have come to grips with the basics of Hajj, alhamdulillah. We put the poster near the kitchen table, so these days we’ll be able to talk about it while sitting all together, insha’Allah. It seems to have worked well for Yusef too: he feels well versed about what goes on on Hajj (he was a bit concerned that they don’t have ihraam clothes at the moment*smile* all in due time insha’Allah).

Hajj themed counting activitiy

Assalamu ‘alaykum.

Today Bilal and I finished the Hajj activity we have been working on (with Yusef’s help) over the last few days. I won’t lie it was completely my idea and the boys were interested in the decorative aspect of it and left me to do all the “structural work” of gluing the finished product on heavy card, cutting that out and work out how to hang them… (who am I kidding here – I had lots of fun alhamdulillah!!!). Here it is:

Each number 1-10 has 3 components: a card showing the number, a smaller one with the corresponding number of dots/stickers (I am sure there is a specific way to describe numbers written like this …) and a third part at the bottom with counted items, in our case Hajj related items. I’ll tell you what they are because some are … erm… less than obvious:

1- Ka’bah    2-Hills     3-Jamaraat    4-Airplanes    5-Mawaaqeet   6-Suitcases    7-Pebbles   8-Tents     9-Sheep     10-Pilgrims

I used some A3 coloured papers, each cut in half and each strip divided into 3 (with the middle one being about half the size of the other 2). Then I glued everything on card. I didn’t laminate because I knew I wanted to stick some sensory materials and textured papers on, but I supposed you could laminate the base and then stick stuff on top of it?

I had some craft papers which I used as well as an old map, scraps of colourful paper, cotton wool, gauze (for the ihram clothing!), and magazine/crossword paper… but the fun in these kind of project is that you can just rummage in your recycling bag/cupboards and use creatively what is already there! (fun fun fun).

The 3 components are put together with paper clips (fashioned into hooks) and holes punched at the top. I’ll be honest, I put them up this morning and by noon 3 had already fallen off (taping the hooks couldn’t hold the weight of the 2 bottom bits… enters the stapler!).

They are meant to be removable so they can be used for a matching game that will help number recognition and – when Hajj season is over – we can make different cards for counted things according to whatever theme we want insha’Allah. Exciting!

How well do you know your Hajj rites?

In my case – regrettably – not very.

Like many Muslims who know they don’t have the means to perform the pilgrimage, nor do they expect to have them in the near future (although only Allah knows this!), I always put off learning about the rites of Hajj.

This year I bought a book, but I found it hard to get my head around that volume of information, particularly because  the different types of hajj as well as ‘Umrah were being explained simultaneously taking for granted some basic knowledge (such as the difference between the different types of Hajj) which I did not have.

I am writing this post to recommend listening to the lessons on the rites of Hajj, ‘Umrah and Ziyarah by Abu Khadeejah (may Allah preserve him), Insha’Allah. I haven’t gone through all of them yet but I have found them hugely informative, masha’Allah. You can find all 11 of them, as well as other beneficial talks about Hajj and the virtues of Dhul Hijjah, on Salafi Sounds (click image below), Alhamdulillah.

I plan to use the notes I am taking from these classes to put together a map/poster of the rites of Hajj with Yusef, insha’Allah.  Regardless of what our situation is, we should know our pillars inside and out, Insha’Allah: What a lovely way to use the time in these precious days of Dhul Hijjah for those who are not preparing to actually go on Hajj, Alhamdulillah.

The Prophet’s prayer described WORKBOOK

Assalamo ‘aleykum.

Ramadan has left us and, after the festivities, our thoughts return to homeschooling and to how we can implement all those good “Ramadan resolutions” in the upbringing of our children, Insha’Allah.

I put together a little workbook based on the great work of shaykh al-Albani (rahimahullah) “The Prophet’s prayer described”.

I just came up with a few easy questions and activities to consolidate the comprehension of each one of the main topics, Alhamdulillah. It is a very simple workbook. I tried to include only the basic topics and require minimal writing. Yet I think it should be quite effective, and only Allah grants every success. Again, it is a pretty rudimentary production *smile* I just lack the skills and I didn’t want it to take weeks in the making.

Also, please not that this does not include the conditions and pillars of salah! (this is next on my to-do list Insha’Allah)

It was brought to my attention that Abu Mu’adh Taqweem Aslam (hafeedhahullah) has made a workbook on the same topic. You can find it here Insha’Allah and if your child can do this, I obviously recommend to go with it rather than mine!!!

Yusef is 7 and has started to do all his daily prayers, Allahumma baarik. However – how shall I put it? – his training is far from complete. In fact, we should all go back to shaykh al-Albani’s book throughout our life to brush up on our salah.

Below is my workbook. All you need to do is, at the beginning of each page, fill in the page numbers for your edition of “The Prophet’s prayer described”, so the child will know what to read before completing the activities Insha’Allah.

I think I will find out how to have a certificate printed out for Yusef when he finishes this Insha’Allah, and I might get him his own copy of the book too *smile*

Click on the image to download:

(If you find typos or mistakes please let me know Insha’Allah!)