As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

There are a countless number of lectures, articles, and books alhumduliLlah on the purpose of Ramadaan, and on ways we can make the best of the blessed month.

Well this isn't going to be a lecture, or an article.. just a humble effort in trying to open a doorway to collectively do something different this year - to actually apply what those lectures/books talk about. Something I know a lot of people would like to do, but don't always have the means.


Project Description: To sponsor a child for a year, as a group.. insha'Allah. It will cost a total of $360 (Canadian). The more people who join the less money you spend, and your reward stays the same, insha'Allah.. just make sure you have the correct intention.

Are you ready to make your Ramadaan different this year? If you are interested, email me at amtullah79@yahoo.ca On September 3rd, I will let you know how much you will be required to pay. If you agree to this amount, you will be expected to pay it on September 5th. Make sense? (ie: by you signing up it does not mean you are committed, until you know how much and agree to that amount)

Sign-up date due: Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Payment agreement: Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Payment must be made: Friday, September 5, 2008

Before emailing me.. please make sure have the correct intention, (ie: to do it to please Allah).

Note: As a sponsor you will receive a profile of the child, and have permission to write/send cards, etc. to the child. The child will likely be from Kenya or Afghanistan.

Labels: help

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

To all my dear readers, those who comment and those who don't.. please keep the orphans in your prayers... especially during the blessed month coming up.

Abu Darda' (radiAllahu anhu) reported: The Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wa-salaam) said,"The supplication of a Muslim for his (Muslim) brother in his absence will certainly be answered. Everytime he makes a supplication for good for his brother, the angel appointed for this particular task says: 'Ameen! May it be for you, too.' " [Muslim, 1495]

We just received an update on what's happening at the Orphanage in Zambia.

Labels: help

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuh

I'm done z lesson.. yaaaaaaay! I'm so happy. I thought I wasn't going to get it done, alhumduliLlah.

Seerah Of The Prophet

It is based on the book, "Goodnight Stories from the life of the Prophet Mohammad", published by Goodword.



The lesson plan is designed for children ages 5-6. Since they are so young all I really want them to get from this is general idea of what the Prophet's (salAllahu alayhi wa-salaam) life consisted of, and to build a love for the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wa-salaam). So the entire 23 day lesson plan is a scenery! For example when a chapter talks about him traveling to Madinah, we'll be making two camels, and we'll stick that on a wall that has a path set towards 'Madinah' - well.. the cave he hid in. Simple.. fun!

This might not be effective for other children, but I know for Abdullah it is. He also understands we don't use 'images' to represent Prophets, etc. Hence the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wa-salaam) is represented with 'the seal'. I however have images to represent Khadija (face removed), Buraq (horse with wings), and the Blind Man (mentioned in the Qur'an). You do not have to use these if don't feel it's right.

Insha'Allah I didn't forget anything.. if I did, just email me, or if you have any questions.

This lesson goes great with the Ramadaan Cave.

Labels: lesson

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

Jazakum'Allahu khair to all the sisters who joined the Ramadaan Theme Swap. Insha'Allah I hope you enjoy it, and are rewarded abundantly for your intentions and deeds.

The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wa-salaam) said, exchange gifts, as that will lead to increasing your love to one another. Bukhari

Here is a list of the wonderful suggested themes:

Prayer Journals, Bookmarks & Pens

Don't Worry, Be Happy

Nature Inspired

Another Cuppa

Sisterhood

Time

Increasing Daily Devotion

From Our Table To Yours: how we celebrate ramadaan

Cute Essential Kit For The Modern Muslimah

Light (Wisdom)

Ten Goodies

Nature

Ramadaan Around The World

Unity

Turquoise

Ramadaan Celebration In Your Country

Getting To Know The ONE

Daily Items

Spa & Beauty

Roses

Once you know who your swap partner is: send them an email to introduce yourself (try not to make this the only email you send them).

After purchasing or making your gift: take a picture and send it to me.

When mailing your package: get a tracking number and email it to me. (If it costs more to get a tracking number, you can skip that.. and get me a scan/photo of your receipt.)

Email your swap partner to let her know you have sent out her package.

.... wait for yours.

Once your gift has arrived: email me, and send (snail mail) a thank you to your swap partner.

Note: If your name is green I need a tracking number from you first, (only then will your swap partner send her gift out to you.)
If your swap partner is in green.. please wait for me to tell you when to ship out your package. (make sure it is ready to go by Sep. 2nd.)

- received reply to email titled "How's the swap?"

- picture of gift received

- gift sent out

- gift received

Islamic Unit Studies [&] Stolen Light

sketchedsoul [&] Hijabi Apprentice

Egyptian's wife [&] forgive me...

Gulnarita [&] Nadi

Aaminah [&] UmmUmar

Em [&] the almost nomad..

lifeAgift [&] Islamic Gems

Reflective Dust [&] AlMiskeenah

Nazee [&] Old School Muslima

zamzam design [&] That Silly Girl

Wayfarer's Journey [&] ONtheGo

Please continue to visit this post for swaps updates, from who has sent me a tracking number to who has received a package, and a thank you.

Have fun! I look forward to seeing what everyone comes up with, insha'Allah.

Labels: swaps

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

Yaaay, I'm finally done! Phew... alright, I must admit.. I rushed to get this project done so that others have enough time to copy it before Ramadaan... and well, I've taken a few short cuts.

If you are a regular reader of my blog (jazak'Allahu khair) you'll know that every Ramadaan I have a project for my nephews (now 5 and 3.5 years old) that not only teaches them a thing or two, but it's designed to make Ramadaan something to look forward to. And yes, they really do look forward to it, in addition to all the other exciting things happening in Ramadaan. (Like cranky people who need food.. I'm kidding.)


This is the 'Cave of Hira', where Prophet Muhammad (salAllahu alayhi wa-salaam) received his first revelation. Insha'Allah I'd like to focus on the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wa-salaam) this whole month. The cave will be filled with goodies (like stickers, balloons, candy, etc.) as well as a hadith (attached to the goodie). Each hadith is in the shape of a palm tree leaf, and once we learn the hadith, we'll stick it up in our scenery (ie: for the lesson plan).

We'll be reading "Goodnight Stories from the life of the Prophet Mohammad", published by Goodword. It has 23 short chapters, which is wonderful, because we can read one each day and do a lesson after each (skipping weekends).


I used a larger box, because I need it for two boys. Cut the front flaps off.. this will be the cave entrance.


This is not the right way of doing paper mache, but it's the method I use when in a rush..it's great! Scrunch up paper and tape it down with white masking tape (green might show through). Try and picture how you would want the cave to end up looking, and just add paper where needed. Make sure to add some in the front (where you cut the flaps, over lapping the sides, bottom, etc.


Add a little water, white (pva/craft) glue, and some brown acrylic paint together. Cut strips of paper towel, and cover the entire cave. This makes the structure stronger, you'll use less paint (next step), and gives it a better finish.


Once it's dry, using a darker acrylic brown paint (you can thin it down with a little water), cover the entire cave. Don't do a good job.. yes you read right. It will give a more realistic look. You are done at this point.

I added a little more glue to the paint and sprinkled some sand over. The palm trees can be made with whatever you have around the house. I used green fabric (with wire stuck under each leaf to angle it right) and branches I found outside. (As far as I know, there were no palm trees near the real cave.. but mine needs some life! - and now the kids know you don't only get coconuts on palm trees.) Make sure everything is dry.. add your goodies.

Caves done by others:

Sister Sonia

Jazaki'Allahu khair for sharing.

Labels: crafts, paper, ramadaan