Februrary Enrichment - Verses, Stories & Art

How do you introduce your child to the best role model for humanity?

The literal meaning of Muhammad (pbuh) is 'the praised one'. His life is highlighted by his sublime character and noble manners. The world of Muhammad, was a world of idolatry, a world in which women and slaves had no rights whatsoever, a world in which men would cheat each other for a few coins. However, Muhammad was not like those around him. 

Prophet Mohammed himself was a very kind and loving person. Prophet Mohammed  treated every one, young and old, with respect and kindness, because Prophet Mohammed was spreading the word of Allah (God) to remind people of the Good.His honesty surpassed that of all others and he was known with the title of 'Al-Amin' (The trustworthy). In fact it was this quality of honesty which attracted so many people to his noble message. 

Verse -
Lyrics and translation

طلع البدر علينا
Oh the white moon rose over us

من ثنيات الوداع
From the valley of Wada

وجب الشكر علينا
And we owe it to show gratefulness

ما دعى لله داع
Where the call is to Allah

أيها المبعوث فينا
Oh you who were raised among us


جئت بالأمر
المطاع
Coming with a word to be obeyed

جئت شرفت
المدينة
You have brought to this city nobleness

مرحبا يا خير
داع
Welcome best caller to God's way

Booklets -
The five duties are faith, prayer, almsgiving, fasting, and pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca). You may choose to create a small booklet to review our duties as Muslims. The children can make their own booklets with colored paper, clip art, crayons, water color........

As Peace Maker-
In 605 CE the Kaabah was accidentally burnt down and a massive reconstruction programme had to be initiated. Many people were involved in it's rebuilding. However, upon its completion, the issue of replacing the black stone in its original place, the south east corner of the Kaabah, arose. Each of the major tribes and clans wanted the honor of placing the black stone in its proper place. Civil war loomed over the Arabian peninsula. It was then suggested by one of the elders of Makkah, that the way to settle this dispute was to let the first person to come through the gate the next morning, decide the fate of the matter. Lo and behold the first man to enter next morning was indeed Muhammed. Upon seeing him some of the Arabs exclaimed with joy, "here is the trustworthy one, we shall agree to his decision - he is Muhammed". Muhammed asked for a cloak to be brought to him and to have the black stone placed in the middle of it. He then asked the elders of each of the major tribes to lift up the cloak from each of the corners. The elders did as they were instructed and took the black stone over to the south east corner. Muhammed then took the stone and placed it firmly in its resting place.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Stone

Angel Gabriel's Visit to Mohammad-
 In 610 CE that the prophet Muhammad received the first revelation. It was the practice of Muhammad that he would often go up to the cave of Hira to meditate and pray to Allah alone. One night during the month of Ramadaan (month of fasting) while he was meditating, an angel appeared before him. This was the angel Gabriel, the very same angel who had brought down revelation to the earlier prophets of Allah such as Jesus and Moses. ln a thundering voice the angel commanded him "READ" . "I cannot read", replied Muhammad honestly. The angel grabbed hold of him and squeezed him so hard.. "READ", the angel commanded again. Muhammad's reply was the same. So the angel squeezed him again and again, each time harder than the previous, and Muhammed replied the same, each time thinking that he would be overwhelmed. The angel then released him and spoke the words which would be remembered as the first words of the final revelation to mankind:
"Read in the name of you Lord, Who Created. Who Created man out of a clot of blood. Read, and your Lord is the Most Bountiful. It is He who has taught man the use of the pen. Taught man that which he did not know."

Quran 96:1-5
 (Angel & Mountain meditation art)

Beautiful Character-
The generosity of Muhammed was so great that one of his companions described his huge generosity as being like ". . . the blowing wind"
Also, "Indeed in the messenger of Allah you have the most beautiful pattern of conduct for him who hopes in Allah and the last day, and remembers Allah much"
Quran 33:21

Kindness to Animals -
During a journey, somebody picked up some birds eggs. The bird's painful note and fluttering attracted the attention of the Prophet, who asked the man to replace the eggs. He stated, "Verily, there is heavenly reward for every act of kindness done to a living animal."

Simple Life-
Once a few of his disciples, noticing the imprint of his mattress on his body, wished to give him a softer bed but he politely declined the offer saying, "What have I to do with worldly things. My connection with the world is like that of a traveler resting for a while underneath the shade of a tree and then moving on."

He always joined in household work and would at times mend his clothes, repair his shoes and sweep the floor. He would milk, tether, and feed his animals and do the household shopping.

A Mercy to Mankind-
He stated,
"Do you love your Creator? Then love your fellow beings first."

"0' prophet. Verily We have sent you as a witness and a bearer of glad tidings and a warner, and as one who invites to Allah by His Permission, and as a lamp spreading light"
Quran 33: 45-46

http://www.americasmuslimfamily.com/hullabaloo/fanoos/fanoos.html
http://www.crayola.com/calendar/detail.cfm?event_id=208&year=2005
http://sakkal.com/CalligContents.html

Note: Islamic Art- Islamic art has focused on the depiction of patterns and Arabic calligraphy, Geometrical floral or vegetal designs in a repetition known as the arabesque. The arabesque in Islamic art is often used to symbolize the transcendent, indivisible and infinite nature of God. Mistakes in repetitions may be intentionally introduced as a show of humility by artists who believes only God can produce perfection ( i.e. woven into carpets).