Children differ from horses

Children should not be under pressure. Children should not be given the challenges of their parents. Children should not be thrown in a hostel. Children are not horses who race for their owner. Every child is different. Children should be loved by the parents with out any expectations from them. A child should be treated nicely..

Many Pathways of Learning

Every child is special, with unique combinations of abilities and needs that affect learning. And all children deserve the opportunity to learn in ways that make the most of their strengths and help them overcome their weaknesses.

One child may see . . .

Even a young child with a gift for visual thinking might draw pictures well, and use line, shape, and color to communicate ideas. Drawing, painting, diagramming, mapping might be the ways that this child expresses herself best. Showing her pictures or charts may be a good way to help her learn.

One child may face a special obstacle. . .

A child might have an injury that keeps him from holding chalk or a pencil. Another might have poor hearing that keeps her from participating in class, or even from saying words properly.

As teachers, we can take notice of students who face special challenges, and find ways to help them. We can use our creativity to make our classes vital and filled with opportunities for all learners.

The uniqueness of each child

Every child is an individual, with special social, emotional, intellectual, and physical qualities.

Children are unique. They are individuals and no two children are alike: physically, emotionally, socially and intellectually, each child is a unique individual. Because children are unique, even if there are common needs and characteristics that children of a particular age or stage of development share, they must be understood by their parents and teachers in their uniqueness, and their individuality must be respected.

For example, even in a single-grade classroom composed of 45 to 50 seven-year-olds, not all of the seven-year-old will be reading at precisely the same ability level. They will also differ in the ways they are able to understand and solve word problems in mathematics. They will have different personalities—some will be shy, some will be confident, some outgoing, some quiet but competent. They will each have their own life experiences and feelings about themselves. They will have different likes and dislikes, interests and needs.

However, this does not mean that a teacher has to prepare 45 or 50 different lesson plans­whether it is a single-grade or a multigrade classroom. Instead the teacher must be able to get to know and understand each of the children and prepare teaching/learning activities that will respond to and reflect these individual needs of children. As children work individually or independently, in small-groups or as a whole group, they will each benefit in their own way from these activities. What is most important is that the teacher, who is primarily responsible for planning the daily activities through which the children will learn, should know every child and keep track of how well each child is able to learn.

Source: http://www.unicef.org/teachers/learner/paths.htm

Children

Hadiths about children:

1) Narrated Abu Huraira: Abu Hassan said to Abu Huraira: My two children had died. Would you narrate to me anything from Allah’s Apostle (peace be upon him) a hadith which would soothe our hearts in our bereavements? He said: Yes. Small children are the fowls of Paradise. If one of them meets his father (or he said his parents) he would take hold of his cloth, or he said with his hand as I take hold of the hem of your cloth (with my hand). And he (the child) would not take off (his hand) from it until Allah causes his father to enter Paradise. This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Tamim with the same chain of transmitters. And he is reported to have said: Did you hear from Allah’s Apostle (peace be upon him) anything which may soothe our heart in our bereavements? He said: Yes.
Sahih Muslim – Book 32 Hadith 6370

2)  Narrated Ali ibn Abu Talib: Khadijah asked Allah’s Apostle (peace be upon him) about her children who had died in the days of ignorance. Thereupon Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said: They are in Hell Fire, and when he saw the sign of disgust on her face, he said: If you were to see their station you would hate them. She said: Allah’s Messenger, what about my child that was born of your loins? He said: It is in Paradise. Then Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said: Verily the believers and their children will be in Paradise and the polytheists and their children in the Hell Fire. Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) then recited this verse: `And those who believe and whose offspring follow them in faith We unite with them their offspring and I shall deprive them of naught in their work.’ Transmitted by Ahmad.
Al-Tirmidhi – Hadith 117

3) Narrated Anas bin Malik: An Ansari woman came to the Prophet in the company of her children, and the Prophet said to her, “By Him in Whose Hand my soul is, you are the most beloved people to me!” And he repeated the statement thrice.
Sahih Al-Bukhari – Book 78 Hadith 640

4) Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “No Muslim whose three children died will go to the Fire except for Allah’s oath (i.e. everyone has to pass over the bridge above the lake of fire).”
Sahih Al-Bukhari – Book 23 Hadith 342



5) Narrated Umar bin Al Khattab: Some Sabi (i.e. war prisoners, children and woman only) were brought before the Prophet and behold, a woman amongst them was milking her breasts to feed and whenever she found a child amongst the captives, she took it over her chest and nursed it (she had lost her child but later she found him). The Prophet said to us, “Do you think that this lady can throw her son in the fire?” We replied, “No, if she has the power not to throw it (in the fire).” The Prophet then said, “Allah is more merciful to His slaves than this lady to her son.”
Sahih Al-Bukhari – Book 73 Hadith 28


6) Narrated Jabir: The Prophet said, “When night falls, then keep your children close to you, for the devil spread out then. An hour later you can let them free; and close the gates of your house (at night), and mention Allah’s Name thereupon, and cover your utensils, and mention Allah’s Name thereupon, (and if you don’t have something to cover your utensil) you may put across it something (e.g. a piece of wood etc.).”
Sahih Al-Bukhari – Book 54 Hadith 500

7) Narrated Anas bin Malik: Once the Prophet saw some women and children coming from a wedding party. He got up energetically and happily and said, “By Allah! You (i.e., the Ansar) are the most beloved of all people to me.”
Sahih Al-Bukhari – Book 62 Hadith 109

8) Narrated Ibn Abi Mulaika: Ibn Abbas recited: “Except the weak ones among men, women and children,” (Quran 4:98) and said, “My mother and I were among those whom Allah had excused.”

Sahih Al-Bukhari – Book 60 Hadith 112



9) Narrated Ibn Abbas: (In the Pre-Islamic Period) the children used to inherit all the property but the parents used to inherit only through a will. So Allah cancelled that which He liked to cancel and decreed that the share of a son was to be twice the share of a daughter, and for the parents one-sixth for each one of them, or one third, and for the wife one-eighth or one-fourth, and for the husband one-half, or one-fourth.
Sahih Al-Bukhari – Book 60 Hadith 102


10) Narrated Jabir bin ‘Abdullah: Allah’s Apostle said, “When night falls (or when it is evening), stop your children from going out, for the devils spread out at that time. But when an hour of the night has passed, release them and close the doors and mention Allah’s Name, for Satan does not open a closed door. Tie the mouth of your water-skin and mention Allah’s Name; cover your containers and utensils and mention Allah’s Name. Cover them even by placing something across it, and extinguish your lamps. ”
Sahih Al-Bukhari – Book 69 Hadith 527

11) Narrated Ibn Abbas: Allah’s Apostle (peace be upon him) was asked about the children of (Mushrikeen) pagans. The Prophet replied, “Since Allah created them, He knows what sort of deeds they would have done.”
Sahih Al-Bukhari – Book 23 Hadith 465

12) Narrated Anas: The Prophet said, “A Muslim whose three children die before the age of puberty will be granted Paradise by Allah due to his mercy for them.”
Sahih Al-Bukhari – Book 23 Hadith 340

13) Narrated Anas ibn Malik: The Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) came to some children who were playing: He saluted them.
Sunan Abu Dawood – Book 41 Hadith 5183



14) Narrated Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-‘As: The Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Command your children to pray when they become seven years old, and beat them for it (prayer) when they become ten years old; and arrange their beds (to sleep) separately.
Sunan Abu Dawood – Book 2 Hadith 495

15) Narrated An-Nu’manibn Bashir: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Act equally between your children; Act equally between your sons.
Sunan Abu Dawood – Book 23 Hadith 3537


16) Narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu’minin: The Prophet (peace be upon him) Said: The children of a man come from what he earns, rather they are his pleasantest earning; so enjoy from their property.
Sunan Abu Dawood – Book 23 Hadith 3522



17) Narrated Jabir ibn Abdullah: Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said: Do not let your animals and children go out when the sun sets until the first and the darkest part of the night is over, for the Satan is let loose with the sinking of the sun until the darkest part of the night is over.
Sahih Muslim – Book 23 Hadith 4998


18) Narrated Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-‘As: A man came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and said: Apostle of Allah, I have property and children, and my father finishes my property. He replied; You and your property belong to your father; your children come from the pleasantest of what you earn; so enjoy from the earning of your children.
Sunan Abu Dawood – Book 23 Hadith 3523


19) Narrated Abdullah ibn Mas’ud: Allah’s Apostle (peace be upon him) said: Whom do you count as “Raqub” amongst you? They (his Companions) said: One who has not children (the children are born unto him but they do not survive). Thereupon he (the Prophet) said: He is not, but a Raqub is one who does not find his child as the forerunner (in Paradise). He then said: Whom do you count as a wrestler amongst you? We said: He who wrestles with persons. He said: No, it is not he but one who controls himself when in a fit of rage.
Sahih Muslim – Book 32 Hadith 6311


20) Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: If anyone has a female child, and does not bury her alive, or slight her, or prefer his children (i.e. the male ones) to her, Allah will bring him into Paradise. Uthman did not mention “male children”.
Sunan Abu Dawood – Book 41 Hadith 5127

21) Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri: Some women requested the Prophet to fix a day for them as the men were taking all his time. On that he promised them one day for religious lessons and commandments. Once during such a lesson the Prophet said, “A woman whose three children die will be shielded by them from the Hell fire.” On that a woman asked, “If only two die?” He replied, “Even two (will shield her from the Hell-fire).”
Sahih Al-Bukhari – Book 3 Hadith 101


22) Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “There is no believer but I, of all the people, I am the closest to him both in this world and in the Hereafter. Recite if you wish: ‘The Prophet is closer to the believers than their own selves.’ (33.6) so if a believer (dies) leaves some property then his relatives will inherit that property; but if he is in debt or he leaves poor children, let those (creditors and children) come to me (that I may pay the debt and provide for the children), for them I am his sponsor (surely).
Sahih Al-Bukhari – Book 60 Hadith 304

Source: http://hadithoftheday.com/children/

The Rivalry for worldy increase (Surah At-Takathur)

The Holy Quran

102. Surah At-Takathur

Arabic and English translation and transliteration

Period of Revelation
Mecca

Introduction

This surah is concerned with factionalism and schism amongst people.

Disagreements between individuals and groups follows us "even until you visit the graves".
Three times in a row the surah warns the reader that "you shall know" that those who sow discord are headed towards Hell. 

Here, proper understanding is required for entrance into Paradise, and should one not attain this on Earth, one will receive the "eye of certainty" on the Day of Judgment, when "you shall be questioned ... concerning true bliss".

LA ILAHA ILLALLAH

It is narrated by Bukhari and Muslim and mentioned by Jalaluddin as-Suyuti, from other collections, that 'Ali bin Abi Talib (r) said, "I asked the Prophet (s) one time, 'O Messenger of Allah, guide me to the shortest way to Allah's Presence, and the easiest way to worship, and the best way for Allah, Almighty and Exalted. The Prophet (s) said, 'O 'Ali, you have to be continuously making Dhikrullah, silently and aloud.' I replied, 'O Prophet (s), all human beings are making dhikr. Give me something special.' The Prophet (s) said, 'O 'Ali, the best of what I, and all prophets before me, said is, la ilaha illallah. If all the heavens and earth were placed on one side of the balance and la ilaha illallah were placed in the other, la ilaha illallah would be heavier. Judgment Day will never come as long as there are people on this earth saying la ilaha illallah.' Then I said, 'How should I recite.' The Prophet (s) said, 'Close your eyes and listen to me reciting la ilaha ill-Allah three times. Then you say it three times and I will listen to you.' Then the Prophet (s) said it and I repeated it in a loud voice."

In the narration of Imam Ahmad and Tabarani this hadith is continued, describing how the Prophet taught his Companions the dhikr. "'Ibada bin Samit said that the Prophet (s) said, 'Is there any stranger among you?' And we said, 'No, Ya Rasul-Allah.' He said, 'Close the door.' Then he said, 'Raise your hand and repeat after me La ilaha illallah' We raised our hand and said, la ilaha illallah. Then the Prophet (s) said, 'Praise be to Allah that He sent me to this world with this kalimah, and He ordered me with it, and He promised me the Paradise with it, and He never changes His Promise.' Then the Prophet (s) said, 'Be happy! Allah has forgiven you.'"

Miswak

The miswak is a twig from the salvadora persica tree, and is also known by the words arak, peelu and siwak. It is used to clean the teeth, and holds an important place in Islam. The reason for this is that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), along with all the other prophets, used it regularly, and strongly advised his followers to do the same. Here we present some of the evidence for this, the benefits of using miswak, and how to do so.

Evidence from Hadith

There are many statements from the Prohpet (pbuh) which make it clear that the miswak is of great benefit; nobody contests them. He said, “Had I not feared hardship for my Community, I would have ordered them to brush their teeth for every prayer.” [Bukhari and Muslim],

and “Brushing one’s teeth cleans the mouth and pleases the Lord.” [Bukhari].

One of the reasons for the miswak’s high status in Islam is the importance given to hygiene generally; according the Prophet (pbuh), “Cleanliness is half of faith.” [Muslim].

Scientific Evidence
Research shows that the bark of the miswak contains an antibiotic which suppresses the growth of a bacteria and the formation of plaque in the mouth. Regular use also reduces plaque, gingivitis, and the growth of carcinogenic bacteria. Miswak naturally contains fluoride, astringents, resins (which protect enamel) and abrasives.
A 2003 study comparing the use of miswak with ordinary toothbrushes concluded that the results clearly were in favour of the users who had been using the miswak.
The World Health Organisation recommends the use of the miswak.

Use of the Miswak
The miswak is a hard twig, and must be prepared before use. About 2cm of bark at one end should be cut away using a knife, to expose the fibres beneath. This exposed section then needs to be chewed, to soften the fibres enough for brushing. When the fibres become worn and the taste diminishes, they should be cut off and a new ‘head’ cut. Store it upright.

Before using the miswak, make a short du’a (supplication). It is better to learn this in Arabic, but in English it is “O Allah, purify my mouth, enlighten my heart, purify my body, and make my body unlawful to the Fire.” The miswak should be held in such a manner that the small finger and thumb are below the miswak and the remaining fingers are on its upper side. When brushing, brush each area three times, or any odd number of times greater than three.
Brush horizontally to avoid damage to the gums.
Using the miswak is beneficial at any time, but there are specific times at which its use has been recommended. Before entering one’s house, before and after going on a journey, on Fridays, before reciting Qur’an, before sleeping and after waking up, when experiencing hunger or thirst and before entering any good gathering. Do not use it in the bathroom, or when lying down.

Hudaifah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: Whenever the Messenger of Allah woke up, he would rub his teeth with miswak. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Hadhrat Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: We used to prepare for the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) a miswak and the water for making wudu. Whenever Allah wished to awaken him from sleep at night, he would brush his teeth with miswak, make wudu, and perform Salat. [Muslim]

Shuraih bin Hani (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I asked Aishah: “What was the first thing the Prophet (pbuh) would do when he entered his house?” She replied: “He would use miswak.” [Muslim]

Islamic scholars suggest that when using miswak, a person should start on the right of the mouth, and use a side-to-side motion rather than up-and-down, as the latter may harm the gums. It is also said that a person should not use the miswak in front of others or in public, because this is impolite. It should be washed after use, to get rid of any dirt that may be on it. Hadhrat Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: “The Prophet (pbuh) used to use miswak, then he would give it to me to wash it. I would use it first, then wash it and give it back to him.” (Reported by Abu Dawood). T

he Prophet’s method of holding the miswak, according to what Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Masood has narrated, is as follows: “Place the small finger of the right hand below the miswak. Place the thumb below the head of the miswak.
The remaining three fingers will be placed above.”

 

Honey

Honey is a sweet and sticky fluid produced by honey bees from the nectar of flowers and plants. Its colour, flavour, thickness and aroma vary depending on the flower or plant from which the bees gather the nectar. Bees ingest the nectar they collect into their ‘honey stomach’, the nectar is regurgitated and dehydrated repeatedly until it reaches the desired quality at which stage it is placed by the honey bee into a honeycomb cell where it gradually converts into honey.

Evidence from Qur’aan and Sunnah
In the Qur’aan, Allah informs us about the honey of honey bees, that their honey varies in colour and that it is a healing for mankind. He the Most High said: “There comes forth from their bellies, a drink of varying colour wherein is healing for men. Verily, in yhis is indeed a sign for people who think. [16:69]

He, the Most High, also mentions honey in the Qur’aan as one of the foods of paradise: “The description of Paradise which the Muttaqûn (pious) have been promised is that In it are rivers of water the taste and smell of which are not changed; rivers of milk of which the taste never changes; rivers of wine delicious to those who drink; and rivers of clarified honey (clear and pure)...” [47:15]

Honey has also been mentioned in the authentic Sunnah. It is reported that the Prophet (upon be salah and salah) said: “Cure is in three (things): a drink of honey, a slash of the knife used in Hijaamah and branding (cauterizing) by fire. And I prohibit my nation from cauterizing.” [Bukhaaree 5356]

In another hadeeth, it states: “Upon you is the two cures: the honey and the Qur’aan” [Ibn Maajah 3452, Shaykh al-Albani graded this hadeeth weak and said that it is authentic saying of Abdullah Ibn Mas’ood]

Abu Sa'eed al-Khudree narrated, “A man came to the Messenger (upon be salah and salam) and said, ‘My brother has pain in his stomach’, so the Messenger (upon be salah and salam) said, ‘give him honey to drink.’ The man came back and said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah! It only increased his illness!’ So the Messenger (upon be salah and salam) said, ‘Give him honey to drink.’ The man came back and said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah! It only increased his illness!’ The Messenger of Allaah (upon him be salah and salam) said ‘Allaah spoke the truth and your brother’s belly has lied. Go and give him honey to drink.’ He
went and gave him honey and was cured.” [Bukhaaree (5684), Muslim (2217)].

Medical uses
Honey has been used throughout centuries by many nations. The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Chinese, Assyrians and Romans used it in healing and as food. It is a natural antiseptic which prevents infection and is an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent. Its properties make it far superior than most of the antibiotics prescribed today. Honey is a food, a drink, a sweet, a remedy a type of refreshment and an ointment and that there is no substance that is more beneficial. Since the medical uses of honey are many for the purpose of brevity we will only mention some of the maladies it is most commonly used for.

Actions while Praying

Bukhari :: Book 2 :: Volume 22 :: Hadith 289

Narrated Kuraib Maula Ibn Abbas:
'Abdullah bin Abbas said that he had passed a night in the house of Maimuna the mother of the faithful believers , who was his aunt. He said, "I slept across the bed, and Allah's Apostle along with his wife slept lengthwise. Allah's Apostle slept till mid-night or slightly before or after it. Then Allah's Apostle woke up, sat, and removed the traces of sleep by rubbing his hands over his face. Then he recited the last ten verses of Surat-Al Imran (2). Then he went towards a hanging leather water-container and performed a perfect ablution and then stood up for prayer." 'Abdullah bin Abbas added, "I got up and did the same as Allah's Apostle had done and then went and stood by his side. Allah's Apostle then put his right hand over my head and caught my right ear and twisted it. He offered two Rakat, then two Rakat, then two Rakat, then two Rakat, then two Rakat, then two Rakat and then offered one Raka Witr. Then he lay down till the Muadh-dhin came and then he prayed two light Rakat and went out and offered the early morning (Fajr) prayer."