1. religion and spirituality
2. islam

2013
Surat Al-Ardh
Surat Al-Ardh
'Let's face Earth'
(A Burooj Vacation Class 2013)
Burooj Realization
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Surat Al-Ardh
Preface
Burooj Realization is an ongoing effort to make Islamic Studies Curriculum interactive and
informative at the same time.
"The learned ones are the heirs of the prophets--they leave knowledge as their
inheritance; he who inherits it, inherits a great fortune."
(Abu Dawood)
In a Burooj Realization approach to education, there is a respect for childhood and deep
understanding of what children require on the journey from childhood to adulthood.
The broad - based curriculum and creative methods of teaching applied in the manuals
encourage each child to develop his or her own most effective way of learning.
The Prophet
said:
“Whomsoever Allah intends to do good, He gives right understanding of religion."
(Bukhari)
The Burooj Vision
Burooj Realization is a not for profit education research organization.
The importance of grooming children and moulding them is the pivotal pillar upon which the
future of our societies rest.
The vision of Burooj Realization is to target this segment of our community and give them
the best of Islamic education, making them proud Muslims and very effective well cultured
human beings.
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Letter to the Teachers, Parents & the Education world
Assalamualikum Wa Rahmatullah Wa Barakatahu
Dear Brothers and Sisters
Every year with the summer or the vacation around, the camps and classes for children to
teenagers becomes the norm. There are painting classes, aerobics, summer camps, rafting
rope climbing and all sorts of efforts.
However what upsets me is most of the classes end up being a theory and preaching session
with a few colouring activities. And while we think of changing the mind-set of the
children, we end up 'boring' them in these classes. Yet the efforts are appreciable and we
said to ourselves, what can we do to help!
Last year, Burooj conducted Teacher's workshop around the nation on the Bloom's
Taxonomy. Now without going on the details, what was significant was most of our
lessons and activities are still LOTS (lower order thinking skills) based. So its still rote
learning, lots of teacher talk what we call the CHALK and TALK show and no mental
cognitive efforts.
This year we planned a gift for the Ummah. A Summer camp based on HOTS (lower order
thinking skills) where the students are challenged, motivated and made to think.
Team work is essential and so are the challenges.
The theme of this years's vacation classes is SURAT AL - ARDH. Before you become
puzzled and think where is this 'new surah' in the noble Qur’an, let me quick get the facts.
Translated literally it means Face of the Earth (Surat - face) and this is the title Muslim
cartographers gave to the MAP MAKING.
We used this titled and renamed our three week class with the title ' Let's Face the Earth'. In
these documents, you will find notes and details on how to carry on the program. Each week
is a theme based on one of the aspect of living this planet as a better CITIZEN of the
EARTH and a good smart concerned MUSLIM.
These notes are free and yes if you need the free certificates, pls do email us and we will get
them to you as well. So no more boring camps!
Remember we took 10 years to share this research and we ask to you share the joy of
spreading the curriculum based on Qur'an and Sunnah among the Ummah.
Wassalam
Dawood Vaid
Lead Star
Burooj Realization
www.burooj.org
dawood@burooj.org
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Camp Planner
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Theme
Survive on an
Isolated Island
Green Newspaper
Role Model –
Date Palm Tree
Water
Think like a Journalist
Day with Dates
Keep Calm
Start a News Paper
A Date Shake
Team work
Words Hunt
Be a Date Palm
Fire and Food
Recycle
Let’s Debate
Rescue operation
News Paper Globe
The Giving Tree
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
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Week 1
Objective: Plan an entire week on how to survive on an isolated island
Steps on how to survive on an isolated island:
1. Look for water and build a shelter in a sheltered area
2. The most important thing is to remain calm and think clearly.
3. Everyone in the group should work together to collect and evaluate resources.
Ensure that all needs are met, and all resources available are put to good use.
4. Start a fire and find food
5. What to do with your time while waiting for help or just relaxing, try to make
something like digging out an SOS message in huge letters or make a boat.
Questions to ponder:
How will you wake up without the alarm clock?
When is the time for the 5 salaah?
What key things do you need to survive?
What's your recipe?
How to ward off wild animals?
Send an SOS for rescue?
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Look for water and build a shelter
in a sheltered area.
Resources Required:
1 Water Bottle
Case Study:
What will the Panther eat in the
isolated forest?
How can you help the Amazon forest
in Brazil and save drinking water?
Islamic Message:
Story of ZamZam
Activity:
Know your classmates - Spin the bottle
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Day 1 – Look for water and build a shelter in a sheltered area.
Start your class with ice breaker Activity:
Know your classmates - Spin the bottle
•
•
•
Students sit in a circle
Each student says his/her name
If the turn is repeated, the teacher will ask the student to name any other
student and allow him/her to ask a question like School name, where they
live...etc.
Once they know each other - Brief them about the theme of the week
Choose two leaders and Divide the group in two teams (a mix of different age groups)
Let the leader sit with his team and brain storm the things they should carry.
Each student can carry only ‘X’ things which can be shared with their team.
‘X’ can vary from 1 to 4 depending on the team size.
(Example - torch, pillow, tablets, water, bed sheet, mosquito coil, biscuits)
Case Study:
What will the Panther eat in the
isolated forest?
Black panthers are carnivores, or meat
eaters. Black panthers’ food includes
just about anything that moves as long
as the prey are not too big or too strong
for them to tackle. They supplement
their meaty diet with grass, eggs, and
fruit occasionally. In general, black
panthers have no problems getting
their food because they are skilful hunters. So be careful on the island!
How can you help the Amazon forest in Brazil?
1) Reduce your paper and wood consumption.
2) Reduce your oil consumption.
3) Hold environmentally destructive businesses accountable.
4) Support organizations that work on grass root level to save the environment.
If possible get a ZamZam bottle in the classroom. Narrate the Story of
mentioned below and let the students drink ZamZam water.
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Story of ZamZam
Introduction
Allaah has made all living creatures out of water. People require water for almost everything;
for agriculture, construction, transportation, and for cooling and heating. But not all water
carries the same value and significance? Muslims refer to the water of Zamzam as something
revered and unique. They crave this mysterious liquid and love to drink it whenever they can.
And for those who managed to go to the Hajj, they return home carrying it for thousands of
miles as a prized possession and to give as special gift to their friends and families.
So, what is so special about Zamzam water? In a word: Everything.
There is nothing ordinary about it. The miracle of how it came to being in the middle of the
desert, its consistency throughout thousands of years, the beneficial qualities it has, the fact
that it never dries up. This water is special.
The fact is, this small 5 ft. deep well is far away from any other source or body of water. It is
self-replenishing. It is constantly replenishing itself in order to produce gallons upon gallons
of water for consumption of thirsty pilgrims plus the additional amount that is bottled and
also the amount that is taken as gifts distributed worldwide to millions. Zamzam water has
scientifically been proven to contain healing qualities due to its higher content of Calcium
and Magnesium Salts and also the natural fluorides that encompass a germicidal action.
It is also an established scientific fact that pools or water wells tend to grow vegetation such
as algae—especially in warm climates. Amazingly this is not the case in the well of Zamzam.
It has remained free from biological contaminants.
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From the time that Hagar wandered aimlessly through the desert in search of sustenance for
her son and herself; to the moment that Ismaa'eel
kicked his tiny feet on the sand and the
well of Zamzam was born out of the great Mercy of Allaah, Muslims have been drinking
from it. What is more fascinating is that it has never once dried up. To Muslims this blessed
water is special in significance and history.
A Lofty History
Ibn 'Abbaas
narrated that the Prophet
said: "When Ibraaheem (Abraham) had differences with
his wife, he took Ismaa’eel and his mother and went away. They had a water-skin with them containing
some water, Ismaa’eel's mother used to drink water from the water-skin so that her milk would increase
for her child. When Ibraaheem reached Makkah, he made her sit under a tree and afterwards returned
home. Ismaa’eel's mother followed him, and when they reached Kada, she called him from behind, `O
Ibraaheem! To whom are you leaving us?' He replied, '(I am leaving you) to Allaah's (Care).' She said, 'I
am satisfied to be with Allaah.' She returned to her place and started drinking water from the water-skin,
and her milk increased for her child. When the water had all been used up, she said to herself, 'I would
better go and look so that I may see somebody.' She ascended the hill of the Safaa and looked, hoping to
see somebody, but in vain. When she came down to the valley, she ran till she reached the hill of the
Marwah. She ran to and from (between the two hills) many times. Then she said to herself, 'I would
better go and see the state of the child,' she went and found it in a state of one on the point of dying. She
could not endure to watch her child dying and said (to herself), 'If I go and look, I may find somebody.'
She went and ascended the hill of the Safaa and looked for a long while but could not see anybody. Thus
she completed seven rounds (of running) between Safaa and Marwah. Again she said (to herself), 'I would
better go back and see how the child is doing.' But all of a sudden she heard a voice, and she said to that
strange voice, 'Help us if you can offer any help.' It was Gabriel (who had made the voice). Gabriel hit the
earth with his heel like this (Ibn 'Abbaas
hit the earth with his heel to illustrate it), and so the water
gushed out. Ismaa’eel's mother was astonished and started digging ... She started drinking from the water
and her milk increased for her child..." [Al-Bukhaari]
In another narration of Ibn 'Abbaas
the Prophet
said: "May Allaah be merciful to the mother
of Ismaa’eel! If she had left the water of Zamzam (fountain) as it was, (without constructing a basin for
keeping the water), it would have been a flowing stream. Jurhum (an ancient Arab tribe) came to Hagar
and asked her, 'May we settle at your dwelling?' She said, 'Yes, but you have no right to possess the
water.' They agreed." [Al-Bukhaari]
It was thus how the dry and barren valley of Makkah became inhabited.
The Archangel Gabriel unearthed the water of Zamzam such that the life of Ismaa’eel, the
great grandfather of Prophet Muhammad
maybe saved. Hagar, the wife of Ibraaheem the
patriarch, restricted its flow and caused it to become a well. It is located next to the holiest of
all holy places: the Ka'bah. Its water was the direct cause of Jurhum's settlement in Makkah,
The Rebirth of Zamzam
With passage of time, the inhabitants of Makkah started to forego the ways of the pious ones.
Jurhum, the core of the Makkan population, were driven out of Makkah when they became
unjust and tyrannical. They, being fully aware of the importance of Zamzam, hideously
plugged it to deny their conquerors its blessings. Zamzam was not reopened and henceforth
was forgotten.
Many generations passed in Makkah with Zamzam in complete oblivion, until AbdulMuttalib
(the paternal grandfather of the Prophet
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) resurrected the dead well. Abdul-Muttalib
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himself was oblivious to Zamzam. With the approaching of the last divine message, a
sequence of significant preludes was in order; the rebirth of Zamzam was one.
It so happened that for three consecutive nights, Abdul-Muttalib had a very clear vision about
digging a well. During each vision, the name of the well was different and no location was
mentioned. On the fourth night, however, both Zamzam and its location were communicated
to Abdul-Muttalib so clearly that he attended to the appointed task on the morning of the very
fourth night.
To the utter disbelief of the Makkans who ridiculed the seemingly futile attempt at finding
water in such an arid place, Abdul-Muttalib found water in an ancient buried well so close to
the Ka'bah. And it was only natural that the Makkans claim a share in this, obviously, special
well. Abdul-Muttalib gave no concessions and rejected any such claim.
The Makkans and Abdul-Muttalib's could not negotiate a middle ground, so both parties
agreed to seek arbitration. They set out for a priestess whose judgment was accepted by both
parties.
On their way, and while crossing the desert, the caravan ran out of water. The companions of
Abdul-Muttalib all but gave up any hope of salvation. And when all seemed lost, water
sprang out from the ever so small notch that Abdul-Muttalib's camel made with its pad. Upon
seeing this, the Makkans knew that He who saved Abdul-Muttalib from this eminent death on
this very journey to settle the very question of Zamzam, had made Abdul-Muttalib the sole
heir to this special water. The matter was settled and the family of the Prophet
was
ennobled with a mark of clearest distinction.
Being the sole heir to Zamzam meant that Abdul-Muttalib alone was to provide Zamzam
water to the pilgrims; no one else (save his family of course) could partake in this most
honourable privilege.
A Friend of the Believer
Ibn 'Abbaas
narrated that the Prophet
said: "One difference between us
(believers) and the hypocrites is that they could not drink much from Zamzam." [Ibn
Maajah]
A Muslim loves Zamzam and drinks it abundantly until he is full, whereas a hypocrite
could not. This inability is caused by innate dislike to whatever the believers do in
accordance with Allaah's wishes, which, in turn, causes the wretched one to forsake this
divine gift for a mere mortal one.
The chemical analysis of Zamzam Water
Dr. Ahmad Abdul-Qaadir Al-Muhandiss indicates that the results of chemical analyses
show that Zamzam Water is pure water, without color or smell, has a distinct taste, and
its hydrogen exponent is 7.5, indicating that it is alkaline to some extent.
A study conducted in American laboratories showed that traces of thirty elements were
identified in Zamzam water by means of energizing neutrons. Some of these elements
scored less than 0.01.
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After matching up the chemical analysis to international specifications, especially to the
specifications of the World Health Organization (WHO), results proved the portability
of Zamzam water as well as its beneficial effect on the body health. Additionally,
sodium is very high in Zamzam water and the international specifications do not put a
limit to the measurement of its composition.
Minerals
Percentages
Calcium
Magnesium
Chloride
Sulfur
Iron
Manganese
Copper
I98
43.7
335
37o
o.I5
o.I5
o.I2
This is an Analysis of a study conducted in the laboratory of the Department of Water and Waste
Water Treatment, the Western Province, Saudi Arabia (I4oo H.)
Prophet Muhammad
said: "Zamzam water is a lavish meal and a great healer,"
and, "Zamzam water is what one intends to drink it for." Thus, it is a Sunnah to Drink
Zamzam water, wash with it, and splash it on a sick person.
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Remain calm and think clearly.
Resources Required:
Pen and Paper
Case Study:
Which direction will you face, for
offering your Salaah on the
island?
Islamic Message:
Story of Salman Al Farsi
Activity:
Treasure Hunt – Explore the Island
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Day 2 - Remain calm and think clearly.
Before the students
arrive, the teacher must
hide the treasure.
Write the treasures (eg.
fire) on a cheat (piece of
paper) and hide the
cheat in the classroom.
Once the students settle
down, handout the
treasure hunt
clue/question sheet to
each team leader and let
the hunt begin!
Treasure Hunt clue/question sheet
1. The sharper your ideas are, the shorter I become. You need to sharpen me
when I go blunt.
2. I start with and ‘E’ and end with an ‘E’ but usually, I contain only one
letter.
3. Markaz Al Ardh where only Muslims dwell
4. It’ll be cold on board as the water waves take us over,
you’ll so wish to warm yourselves with burning clover.
5. When you first see me, you instantly recognize me.
I show you exactly what you show me.
6. All my wealth is in riverbank?
7. Creatures with free will that may enter Hell or Heaven, currently living
on Ardh.
8. Shams, Qamar and Najm – The Fun Learn Class
Answers:
Pencil, Envelope, Makkah (Kaba), Fire, Mirror, Fish, Man and Jinn, Burooj or Burooj Angels
After the treasure hunt narrate the Story of Salman Al Farsi – The one who
searched for the best treasure i.e. the religion of Allah, Islam.
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Case Study:
How to find Qibla without Compass?
Know where in the world you are in relation to
Makkah. While the common misconception is that
Muslims always pray facing east, that's only true if
you're west of Makkah. In the US, it's roughly southsoutheast. If you are in Japan you would face westnorthwest, and if in South Africa, you would face northnortheast.
• The exact geographical coordinates for the Kaaba are 21°25′21.15″N 39°49′34.1″E.
Use the sun. For millennia, navigators have relied on the sun to know their direction. Simply
knowing where the sun rises and sets can get you in the general direction of Mecca.
Make a sundial. Find level ground, and before noon, place a stick or other vertical object
that's about 3 feet (1m) high.
• Make a mark on the ground at the tip of the shadow.
• Measure the length of the shadow, and draw a circle around the stick using the
shadow length as the radius.
• As the day progresses, the shadow will shorten and move away from the circle. It will
eventually start to lengthen as the day wears on, and then touch the circle again. At
that point, make another mark, and draw a line between the two marks you made.
• The is west to east, with the first point being west, the second being east.
• Draw a line perpendicular to the west-east line, and this is your north-south line.
Use a watch. Using any analog watch with an hour and minute hand will allow you to find
directions.
• In the northern hemisphere. Hold the watch horizontally, and point the hour hand
towards the sun.
• The direction that lies midway between the hour hand and 12 o'clock on your watch is
south. From there, you can easily determine the other directions.
• In the southern hemisphere. Hold the watch horizontally, and point the twelve o'clock
mark at the sun.
• The direction that lies halfway between 12 o'clock and the hour hand will be north.
Use a compass. This tried and true method will not tell you where the qiblah is located, but if
you know where you are in relation to Makkah, it's far more accurate than a stick in the
ground. Prayer mats are available that contain a compass pointing towards the Qiblah.
Use your Mobile phone. There are over a dozen different iPhone or android apps that will
use the built-in GPS and compass to point in exactly the correct direction no matter where in
the world you are.
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The story of Salman Al Farsi
It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Abbaas said: Salmaan al-Faarisi told me his story from
his own lips. He said:
I was a Persian man, one of the people of Isbahaan, from a village thereof called Jayy. My
father was the chieftain of his village, and I was the dearest of Allaah’s creation to him. He
loved me so much that he kept me in his house near the fire, as girls are kept in. I strove hard
in the Magian religion until I became the keeper of the fire, which I tended and did not let go
out for a moment. My father had a huge garden, and he was busy one day with some
construction work, so he said: “O my son, I am too busy with this building today, go and
check my garden,” and he told me some of the things he wanted done. I went out, heading
towards his garden, and I passed by one of the Christian churches, where I could hear their
voices as they were praying. I did not know anything about the people because my father had
kept me in his house. When I passed by and heard their voices, I entered upon them to see
what they were doing. When I saw them, I was impressed with their prayer and I was
attracted to their way. I said: By Allaah, this is better than the religion that we follow. By
Allaah, I did not leave them until the sun set, and I forgot about my father’s garden and did
not go there. I said to them: Where did this religion originate? They said: In Syria.
Then I went back to my father, who had sent people out to look for me, and I had distracted
him from all his work. When I came to him, he said: O my son, where were you? Did I not
ask you to do what I asked? I said: O my father, I passed by some people who were praying
in a church of theirs, and I was impressed with what I saw of their religion. By Allaah, I
stayed with them until the sun set. He said: O my son, there is nothing good in that religion.
Your religion and the religion of your forefathers is better than that. I said: No, by Allaah, it
is better than our religion. He was afraid for me, and he put fetters on my legs and kept me in
his house. I sent word to the Christians saying: If any Christian merchants come to you from
Syria, tell me about them. He said: Some Christian merchants came to them from Syria, and
they told me about them. I said to them: When they have completed their business and want
to go back to their own country, tell me about that. So when they wanted to go back to their
own country, they told me about that, and I threw off the irons from my legs and went out
with them, until I came to Syria. When I reached Syria, I said: Who is the best person in this
religion? They said: The bishop in the church. So I went to him and said: I like this religion,
and I would like to stay with you and serve you in your church and learn from you and pray
with you. He said: Come in.
So I went in with him, but he was a bad man. He would command them and exhort them to
give charity, but he kept a great deal of it for himself and did not give it to the poor; he had
amassed seven chests of gold and silver. I hated him deeply when I saw what he was doing,
then he died and the Christians gathered to bury him. I said to them: This was a bad man; he
commanded you and exhorted you to give charity, but when you brought it to him he kept it
for himself and did not give any of it to the poor. They said: How do you know that? Show us
where his treasure is. So I showed them where it was and they brought out seven chests filled
with gold and silver. When they saw that they said: By Allaah, we will never bury him; then
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they crucified him and pelted him with stones. Then they brought another man and appointed
him in his place. Salmaan said: I have never seen a man who does not offer the five daily
prayers who was better than him; he shunned this world and sought the Hereafter and no one
strive harder than him night and day. I loved him as I had never loved anyone before, and I
stayed with him for a while. Then when he was about to die, I said: O So and so, I was with
you and I loved you as I had never loved anyone before, and now the decree of Allaah has
come to you as you see; to whom do you advise me to go? What do you command me to do?
He said: O my son, by Allaah, I do not know of anyone today who follows what I followed.
The people are doomed; they have changed and abandoned most of what they used to follow,
except for a man in Mosul. He is So and so, and he follows what I used to follow, so go and
join him.
When he died and was buried, I went to the man in Mosul. I said to him: O So and so, So and
so advised me when he died to come to you, and he told me that you follow the same as he
followed. He said to me: Stay with me. So I stayed with him, and I found him to be a good
man who followed the same as his companion had followed. But soon he died. When he was
dying I said to him: O So and so, So and so advised me to come to you and told me to join
you, but now there has come to you from Allaah what you see. To whom do you advise me to
go? What do you command me to do? He said: O my son, by Allaah I do not know of anyone
who follows what we used to follow except a man in Nasayyibeen. He is So and so; go to
him. When he died and was buried, I went to the man in Nasayyibeen. I came to him and told
him my story and what my companion had told me to do. He said: Stay with me. So I stayed
with him and I found him to be a follower of the same way as his two companions, and I
stayed with a good man. By Allaah, soon death came upon him, and when he was dying I
said to him: O So and so, So and so advised me to go to So and so; then So and so advised
me to come to you. To whom do you advise me to go and what do you command me to do?
He said: O my son, by Allaah we do not know of anyone left who follows our way and to
whom I can tell you to go, except a man in ‘Ammooriyyah. He follows something like what
we follow. If you wish, go to him, for he follows our way.
When he died and was buried, I went to the man in ‘Ammooriyyah and told him my story. He
said: Stay with me. So I stayed with a man who was following the same way as his
companions. I earned wealth until I had cows and sheep, then the decree of Allaah came to
him. When he was dying I said to him: O So and so, I was with So and so, and So and so told
me to go to So and so; then So and so told me to go to So and so; then So and so told me to
come to you. To whom do you advise me to go and what do you command me to do? He
said: O my son, by Allaah, I do not know of anyone who follows our way to whom I can
advise you to go. But there has come the time of a Prophet, who will be sent with the religion
of Ibraaheem. He will appear in the land of the Arabs and will migrate to a land between two
harrahs (lave fields; land with black rocks), between which there are palm trees. He will have
characteristics that will not be hidden. He will eat of what is given as a gift but he will not eat
of what is given as charity. Between his shoulder blades is the Seal of Prophethood. If you
can go to that land then do so.
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Then he died and was buried, and I stayed in ‘Ammooriyyah as long as Allaah willed I
should stay, then some merchants of Kalb passed by me and I said to them: Will you take me
to the land of the Arabs and I will give you these cows and sheep of mine? They said: Yes.
So I gave them the cows and sheep, and they took me there, but when they brought me to
Waadi al-Qura they wronged me and sold me as a slave to a Jewish man. When I was with
him I saw the palm trees, and I hoped that this was the land that my companion had described
to me, but I was not sure. Whilst I was with him, a cousin of his from Banu Qurayzah came
to him from Madeenah, and he sold me to him, and he took me to Madeenah. By Allaah, as
soon as I saw it, I recognized it from the description given to me by my companion.
I stayed there, and Allaah sent His Messenger, who stayed in Makkah as long as he stayed,
and I did not hear anything about him because I was so busy with the work of a slave. Then
he migrated to Madeenah, and by Allaah, I was at the top of a palm tree belonging to my
master, doing some work on it, and my master was sitting there. Then a cousin of his came
and stood beside him, and said: May Allaah kill Banu Qaylah! By Allaah, right now they are
gathering in Quba’ to welcome a man who has come from Makkah today, and they say that
he is a Prophet. When I heard that, I began to shiver so much that I thought I would fall on
top of my master. I came down from the tree and started saying to that cousin of his: What
are you saying, what are you saying? My master got angry and he struck me with his fist
and said: What has it got to do with you? Go back to your work! I said: Nothing; I just
wanted to make sure of what he was saying. I had something that I had collected, and when
evening came, I went to the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) when he was in Quba’, and I entered upon him and said to him: I have heard that you
are a righteous man and that you have companions who are strangers and are in need.
This is something that I have to give in charity, and I see that you are more in need of it
than anyone else. I brought it near to him and the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings
of Allaah be upon him) said to his companions: “Eat,” but he refrained from eating. I said to
myself: This is one. Then I went away and collected some more.
The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) moved to Madeenah,
then I came to him and said: I see that you do not eat (food given in) charity; this is a gift
with which I wish to honour you. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) ate some of it and told his companions to eat too. I said to myself: This is two.
Then I came to the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) when
he was in Baqee’ al-Gharqad, where he had attended the funeral of one of his companions
and he was wearing two shawls and was sitting among his companions. I greeted him with
salaam then I moved behind him, trying to look at his back to see the Seal that my companion
had described to me. When the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) saw me going behind him, he realized that I was trying to find confirmation of
something that had been described to me, so he let his rida’ drop from his back, and I saw the
Seal and recognized it. Then I embraced him, kissing (the Seal) and weeping, and the
Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to me: “Turn
around.” So I turned around and I told him my story as I have told it to you, O Ibn ‘Abbaas.
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The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) wanted his
companions to hear that. Then Salmaan was kept busy with the work of a slave, until he had
missed attending Badr and Uhud with the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him). He said: Then the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah
be upon him) said to me: “Draw up a contract of manumission, O Salmaan.” So I draw up
a contract of manumission with my master in return for three hundred palm trees which I
would plant for him, and forty uqiyahs. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) said to his companions: “Help your brother.” So they helped me with
the palm trees, one man gave thirty small trees and another gave twenty, and another gave
fifteen, and another gave ten, i.e., each man gave according to what he had, until they had
collected three hundred small trees for me. Then the Messenger of Allaah (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to me: “Go, O Salmaan, and dig the holes where
they are to be planted. When you have finished, come to me and I will plant them with
my own hand.” So I dug the holes for them, and my companions helped me, then when I had
finished, I came to him and told him. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) came out with me and we started to bring the trees close and the
Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) planted them with his own
hand. By the One in Whose hand is the soul of Salmaan, not one single tree among them
died. So I had paid off the trees but there still remained the money. A piece of gold the size of
an egg was brought to the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
from one of his campaigns. He said: “What happened to the Persian who had a contract
of manumission?” I was summoned to him and he said: “Take this and pay off what you
owe, O Salmaan.” I said: How could this pay off everything I owe, O Messenger of Allaah?
He said: “Take it, and Allaah will help you to pay off what you owe.” So I took it and
weighed it for them, and by the One in Whose hand is the soul of Salmaan, it was forty
uqiyahs, so I paid them their dues and I was set free. I was present with the Messenger of
Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) at al-Khandaq, and after that I did not
miss any major event with him.
Narrated by Ahmad in al-Musnad (5/441). The scholars of hadeeth said: Its isnaad is hasan.
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Work together
Resources Required:
Case Study:
How easy the survival would be, if
you can find a map of the island?
Should we make a map of the island?
Noble Qur'an
Sketch pens
Glue
Pencils
Chart papers
Scissors
Old Newspaper
Islamic Message:
Important events in human life with a message from the
Qur'an & Sunnah of Rasulallah SAW
Activity:
Know your Quran - Draw / Sketch the Qur'an as a map.
Search verses from Quran on different stages of life
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Day 3 - Work together
Ask the students if they can draw a map of their locality?
'Survival Map of the locality'
Qur'an is our map of life
Ask them to Draw / Sketch the Qur'an as a map and important events in human
life with a message from Quran & Sunnah of Rasulallah SAW.
Handover a Mushaf of Quran to each group and ask them to find appropriate
verses relating to different events in human life.
Example:
1. Creation of life
Sura 15 - Al-Hijr [Al-Hijr, Stoneland, Rocky City] Verse 26-26:
26. We created man from sounding clay, from mud moulded into shape;
2. Birth
Sura 4 - An-Nisa [Women] Verse 1-1:
1. O mankind! reverence your Guardian-Lord, who created you from a single person, created,
of like nature, His mate, and from them twain scattered (like seeds) countless men and
women;- reverence Allah, through whom ye demand your mutual (rights), and (reverence)
the wombs (That bore you): for Allah ever watches over you. [39:6]
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3. Youth
Chapter (21) sūrat l-anbiyāa (The Prophets)
They said, "We heard a young man mention them who is called Abraham."
4. Old
Chapter (17) sūrat l-isrā (The Night Journey)
And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment.
Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as],
"uff," and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word.
5. Death
Chapter (21) sūrat l-anbiyāa (The Prophets)
Every soul will taste death. And We test you with evil and with good as trial; and to Us you
will be returned
6. Grave
Ayesha (RA) said: Two old ladies from among the Jewish ladies entered upon me and said,
“The dead are punished in their graves,” but I thought they were telling a lie and did not
believe them in the beginning. When they went away and the Prophet (Sal-allahu-aleihiwasallam) entered upon me, I said, “O Allah’s Apostle! (Sal-allahu-aleihi-wasallam) Two old
ladies...” and told him the whole story. He said, “They told the truth; the (sinful) dead are
really punished, to the extent that all the animals hear (the sound resulting from) their
punishment.” Since then I always saw him seeking refuge with Allah from the punishment of
the grave in his prayers. [Vol 8:#377 - Sahih Bukhari]
7. Day of Judgment
Indeed, it is We who bring the dead to life and record what they have put forth and what they
left behind, and all things We have enumerated in a clear register.
8.a. Heaven
When they shall be cast therein, they shall hear a loud moaning of it as it heaves. (67.Surah
Al-Mulk : Ayah 7)
8b. Hell
And for those who disbelieve in their Lord is the punishment of hell, and evil is the resort.
(67.Surah Al-Mulk : Ayah 6)
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Start a fire and cook food
Resources Required:
Case Study:
Why you need staple foods in your
diet?
What will you do if all the grocery
stores stop supplying food to your
family?
Cooking oil / Stove /
Gas
Utensils
Raw food
Spices
Serving plates
Islamic Message:
Quiz on Halal and Haram
Activity:
Cooking food in your classroom
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Day 4 - Start a fire and find food
Each team gets raw ingredient from home to make a recipe
The team brain-storms a day earlier on what they would like to cook
Team leader gives each member a list of ingredient to bring
Example - salt, sugar, noodles, water, vegetables
The food MUST be cooked in the class
The team of experts (can be guests, parents or
teacher) will taste and judge the teams.
While the team is cooking their delicious
food, the teacher may play Quiz
In a Hadith, Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi
Wasallam) mentions, 'Verily Halaal is clear,
and verily Haraam is clear. And between them
there are certain doubtful matters many people
are unaware of, therefore, who stays away
from doubtful matters he has protected his
Deen and honour. And who gets involved in
doubtful matters, he would fall into Haraam.'
(Bukhari; Muslim)
Quiz - on Halal and Haram
1. On the Island you find a match box, can you use it?
You don’t know the owner nor has his/her permission!
2. One of your team mates lost hope and is sitting ideally doing nothing.
Can another team mate abuse him or make fun?
3. A Hyena is trying to attack, can you all plan to kill an animal?
4. You all are waiting for help and apparently have no work.
Can you make rhythm with wooden sticks for entertainment?
5. Early morning you see dead fishes and crabs on the shore; can you cook
and eat them?
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Case Study:
What will you do if all the grocery stores stop supplying food to your family?
Story from Seerah – Boycott
The Muslims were a very small minority but they drew their strength from their firm belief in
Allah and also that Hamza and Umar had joined their ranks. They also mustered up enough
courage to offer Salaah at the Kabah.
The Quraish were confused and angry.
They demanded Abu Talib to hand Rasulullah
to them. Not doing so would result in the
boycott of the whole Banu Hashim family of Makkah. The boycott would also include all
those who sympathies with the Muslim cause.
Consequently all the heads of the Quraish met and drew up a 'charter' to publish a complete
list of items of boycott. The list included among other things,
The charter was signed by all the heads of the Quraish and hung in the Kabah for the notice
of all.
Thus for three long years, from the seventh year of Nabuwat to the tenth year of Nabuwat, the
Muslims suffered severe hardship and starvation. They did not have basic clothes or food.
Abu Talib had moved the Banu Hashim family to 'Sh'ob-e-Abu Talib', a valley in Makkah.
The stock of grain which Abu Talib had gathered was soon used up and there was not a grain
of food left. Some Muslims ate leaves of trees. Men, women and children were thin and weak
from starvation.
During the years of this terrible treatment, a wonderful thing happened. Instead Of Islam
becoming weaker, it grew stronger.
Allah sent more and more Revelations. It was as though the Muslims were being
strengthened and cleansed by the hardships they suffered and were being tested in their faith.
Finally, at the end of three years, some Quraish were convinced that the time had come to put
an end to the persecution of the Muslims, and they decided to take down the notice hanging at
the Kabah.
To their astonishment, the sheet of paper had been
completely eaten up by worms, all except the words, 'In
Your Name, O Allah', which had been written at the top
of the paper.
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Rescue operations
Resources Required:
Case Study:
Can Zheng He help you escape the
island?
Ropes
Strings
Paper
Card board
Water proof tape
Cutter/Scissor
Newspaper
Islamic Message:
Once we are dead, we won’t get any help!
Activity:
How will you leave the island?
a. Kite Making & Flying the help message
b. Make Boat
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Day 4 – Rescue
Operation
How will you leave the
island?
Let children brain storm
ideas. Focus on one
practical doable (non
dangerous) idea and
implement it in the class
Examples should be
practical
a. Kite Making & Flying:
Learn about the art of Kite Making and create and fly your own kite with a Help
Message. You can write your message 'HELP ME' on a BIG chart
b. Make a boat
c. Bon fire
d. Asking a nearby Tribe for help (Even a dawah opportunity).
Let the students finalize one plan and start executing it...
Case Study:
Can Zheng He help you escape the island?
When people think of great explorers, they think of the usual names: Marco Polo, Ibn Battuta,
Evliya Çelebi, Christopher Columbus, etc. But not many know of one of the most interesting
and influential of all time. In China, he is well known, although not always recognized or
glorified. He is Zheng He, the Muslim who became China’s greatest admiral, explorer, and
diplomat.
Zheng He was born in 1371 in the southern China region of Yunnan to a Hui (a Muslim
Chinese ethnic group) family. Both his father and his grandfather were able to travel to
Makkah and complete the Hajj, so Zheng He came from a practicing Muslim family.
In 1405, when emperor Zhu Di decided to send out a giant fleet of ships to explore and trade
with the rest of the world, he chose Zheng He to lead the expedition. This expedition was
massive. In all, almost 30,000 sailors were in each voyage, with Zheng He commanding all of
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them. Between 1405 and 1433, Zheng He led 7 expeditions that sailed to present day
Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, Iran, Oman, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Somalia,
Kenya, and many other countries. It is probable that during one of his journeys, Zheng He
was even able to go to Makkah to complete the Hajj.
He and his Muslim advisors regularly promoted Islam wherever they traveled.
Make a Cardboard Boat
Step 1: Gather Materials
Check your resources
Step 2: Get a basic shape
Step 3: Create the walls.
Step 4: Strengthen and Decorate it
Step 5: Set sail
After their rescue operation, ask the students what all they learned this week.
Starting from ZamZam water, Story of Salman Al Farsi, Quran as our map,
Halal and Haram, the activities and the case studies they did along the way.
End up giving the good news – ‘Final destination of a Muslim is Jannah’.
Let them be happy and proud of their identity as Muslims.
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