“Marilah sama-sama kita pertingkatkan doa kita akhir Ramadhan yang mulia ini
agar anak-anak permata hati kita membesar menjadi anak-anak yang soleh dan
sentiasa mendapat petunjuk dari Allah swt.”

Assalamualaikum,

How’s Ramadhan with you and your child? Are you finding it difficult to train your child in Ramadhan? A few tips I can share with you are as follows:

  1. Do not force them…. the word is training. But training you must. You can train them fasting for half the day or just drinking, no food. Inshaallah lets target by the 20th Ramadhan at least they can fast for a few days. Or encourage them to fast two days a week. If they can do that willingly….Mashaa Allah let’s celebrate!
  1. Give them activities to do. If your child is in daycare then ensure that the school has many activities for our kids to do to divert their mind from food! If they are at home with you then create activities like storytelling and art and craft so that they will have something to do. A word of caution, not too much tab or tv please!
  1.  Keep talking about the rewards that Allah will give in Ramadhan if we fast. Relate to Allah’s reward and pleasure so that we can train them to fast to please Allah. Allah loves good khalifah who fast. If Allah is happy we will enter Jannah…in Jannah we can eat as many things as we like. If Allah is happy we will live a happy life.
  1. Remind them of all the children who do not have food in this world. Show them a few pictures of children who are malnourished so that they can think and have sympathy and empathy for these unfortunate children. Teach them to also give sadaqah and make doa for these children because they are also our brothers and sisters.

 

Inshaa Allah may these few tips can help us all to train our children towards becoming a good khalifah of Allah.

Children are naturally inclined to love. It is in their fitrah to wanting love and attention. And it is in their fitrah to believe in Allah swt as the creator of their beautiful world. As the child is growing  towards the age of rationality, parents should guide them in learning what is self control and the right and wrong ways of showing their feelings such as anger and jealousy. Till then, the child is not held accountable for his deeds.

Use words that create delight in the child’s heart such as,

“Aiman, Allah loves those who share their toys with friends. Now let’s play together with brother Haziq”

“Masyallah, such a clever girl you are Aisha. Can you show mummy how clever girls clean up their toys?”

“Zara, did you like the toy Abah bought you yesterday? If you want more beautiful gifts from Allah, you must eat all your vegetables. Allah loves us to be healthy.”

As said by Rasulullah saw,

”The pen is lifted from three people (i.e. their deeds are not recorded): The child until he reaches puberty, the person who is insane until he comes to his senses and the person who is asleep until he wakes up.’’ (Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah)

“Ibu….dalam perut ibu ada adik ya?” Lin bertanya ibunya. “Macam mana adik nak keluar nanti? Lin dulu dalam perut ibu juga ke? Ibu….oooh ibu..! Jawablah!”

Ibu Fadhlin Sakinah menggeleng kepala sambil meneruskan kerja di komputer ribanya. “Apa yang harus aku jawab? Ya Allah budak ni banyak pula tanyanya!”

Anak-anak kecil bertanya kerana didorong oleh rasa ingin tahunya yang besar terhadap sesuatu, bekalan rasa ingin tahu ini memang telah ada sejak manusia lahir. Kehebatan rasa ingin tahu inilah yang membuat bayi boleh merangkak, berjalan dan berbicara. Selanjutnya rasa ingin tahu ini akan menentukan kualiti perkembangan otak kanak-kanak. Kalau perasaan ingin tahu itu sentiasa diselaputi dengan perkataan ‘tidak boleh’ anak-anak yang bijak akan bertanya kembali “Kenapa tak boleh ibu? Kenapa?”

Kita munkin megira bahawa anak-anak ini masih tidak tahu apa-apa. Kebijaksanaan otak mereka tidak dapat menjangkau kefahaman alam semesta. Tidak seharusnya kita sebagai ibu bapa befikiran begitu. Potensi anak-anak jangan sesekali di ambil enteng. Ibu bapa yang rajin menyemai baja ke dalam potensi anak-anak mereka akan mendpati pelaburan masa dan tenaga mereka akan dibalasi dengan kepintaran dan kecerdasan si anak.

Di sini izinkan saya memberi beberapa sebab yang menyebabkan kenapa anak-anak suka bertanya. Di anataranya adalah anak-anak menunjukkan minat kepada peristiwa atau pandangan sekitarnya. Kedua, kerana sikecil ini cuba mencari titik terang supaya mereka dapat memahami penjelasan yang diberikan oleh kita dan yang ketiga, kerana mereka ingin menarik perhatian.

Petanda permulaan pemikiran kritis dan kreatif ialah apabila anak-anak bertanya mengapa. Kita ibu bapa harus mempunyai beberapa ‘skil’ bila hendak melayani karenah anak-anak bijak yang selalu ingin bertanya ini.

  1. Sifat sabar

kita ni banyak kerja…. dengan kerja pejabat dan rumah lagi , malas rasanya nak melayani taluan soalan dari anak bila mereka mula bertanya. Sabarla, berikan sedikit masa dari masa kesibukan kita untuk melayani inkuiri minda intelek mereka.

  1. Jawablah dengan benar

Singkat kata , ibu bapa harus menjawab soalan mereka dengan jujur dengan memilih bahasa yang mudah mereka faham. Respons yang baik akan membantu proses berfikir dan pemahaman mereka kelak.

Seperti soalan apa di dalam perut ibu tadi. Jawab sahaja dengan jujur. “Ya sayang, dalam perut ibu ada adik. Nah… kalau dah sembilan bulan akan keluar adik bayi. Sama seperti bila ibu mengandungkan Lin dulu. Nanti kalau kita pergi berjumpa doktor , barulah ibu tahu macam mana kita nak keluarkan adik tu ok.”

  1. Ajak anak untuk mencari jawaban dari pertanyaan yang sulit.

Jika persoalan itu kita kurang pasti bagaimana hendak menjawabnya, kita berkata” Hmm, ibu tak pasti apa ya jawabannya, mari kita tengok buku siapa tahu ada jawapannya kalau tak kita cari dalam google sahaja” atau “Esok kita jumpa atuk nanti Iman tanyalah pada atuk soalan tu ya.” atau “Haa…soalan tu kita tanya cikgu esok ok”. Dengan begitu si kecil akan belajar bahwa jika kelak menghadapi masalah, dia akan mencari orang yang boleh membantunya memecahkan masaalah yang dihadapinya atau membacanya dari buku atau internet.

  1. Adakalanya tak perlu menjawab

Ini adalah khusus untuk pertanyaan ‘mengapa’ yang berhubung dengan aqidah, akhlaq, ibadah sebaiknya kita mengajak mereka memahami pada menuruti perintah Allah dan Rasulullah s.a.w. “Ibu kenapa kita harus solat begini?” ”Kerana itulah yang diajar oleh Rasulullah s.a.w bagaimana kita harus solat pada Allah.”

  1. Sediakan buku bacaan ilmu pengetahuan dan islami untuk anak.

Ajaklah anak anak melihat gambar yang menarik dan berbincang mengenai perihal gambar tersebut. Ajar mereka bertanya mengikut cara 5W dan 1H (what,when,where ,why,who dan how)

Seorang ibu memulai bersenandung mengagungkan asma Allah sejak bayi dalam kandungan lagi.

Pada usia muda anak anak harus diajar siapa Penciptanya dan kenapa mereka diciptakan serta peranan manusia kepada tuhannya, Allah.

Seiring dengan perkembangan kanak-kanak mereka akan bertanya tentang siapa yang menciptakannya , di mana tempat penciptanya dan sebagainya. Saat itulah ibubapa dituntut untuk memberikan jawaban tepat yang mengarah kepada keesaan Allah sesuai dengan usia dan kefahaman mereka.

“Allah itu di mana ibu?

Allah bersemayam di atas ArsyNya.

Arsy tu apa?

Arsy tu singgahsana Allah, ianya di langit yang jauh dari penglihatan kita.

Tapi kata ustaz Allah itu dekat dengan kita!

Arsy tu tempat Allah tapi kita tak tahu rupanya bagaimana dan di mana. Allah itu akan sentiasa dekat dengan kita kerana Dia sentiasa menjaga dan bersama-sama kita.

Kalau begitu Allah tu banyaklah…ada di arsy, ada di rumah kita…?

Itulah bedanya Allah dengan kita makhlukNya. Allah boleh melihat dan menjaga semua makhlukNya tanpa bantuan apa pun. Sebab Allah itu Maha Melihat, Maha Mengetaui, Maha Bijaksana. Tapi kalau makhluq kalau ada 10 kedai harus ada 10 orang menjaganya. Allah maha berkuasa, Dia boleh jaga semuanya.

Soalan yang sering ditanya lagi oleh anak-anak

Allah itu seperti apa Ibu?

Allah itu kita tak nampak, seorang pun tak tahu macam mana rupa Allah kerana Allah itu tak serupa dengan penciptaanNya. Tapi kita boleh merasakan adanya Allah dengan kita perhatikan ciptaan ciptaan Allah di muka bumi ini . Manusia, bumi yang kita tinggal ni, bulan, matahari semuanya adalah bukti Allah itu ada.

 

Pelbagai lagi pesoalan-persoalan yang akan ditanya oleh anak-anak kita tapi sekadar ruang yang terbatas ini tak dapat saya nukilkan lagi…InshaaAllah di lain lebaran, panjang umur akan saya teruskan lagi nukilan mengenai persolan dari anak anak kita yang pintar. Sama-samalah kita berdoa agar setiap soalan yang diaju oleh sang anak, Allah akan memberi kita ilham cara yang terbaik untuk kita menjawabnya. Wabillahitaufiq walhidayah.

Assalamualaikum wbt dear parents,

Ramadhan is nearing and as parents, we would love to see our children practicing the deed with us.

And so, here is a fun way to encourage your child using the Little Caliphs Ramadhan Chart and Stickers!

 

One day of fasting earns your child one sticker on the calendar chart.

To encourage the child even more, even a half day of fasting effort deserves a sticker.

The sticker comes in many type of words such as Subhanallah, Masyallah, Alhamdulillah etc therefore you can pick and choose which is most suitable for the day’s achievement.

This wonderful chart is only priced at RM6 per chart. If you’d like to purchase one, please visit a Little Caliphs Kindergarten near you. Click on the link to find out our nearest branches.

LC Branches

Have a blessed Ramadhan.

Jazakumullah khair, wassalam.

Pada suatu ketika dulu aku didatangi seorang ibu yang bertanya soalan berikut, “Bilakah  harus kita melatih anak kita berpuasa cikgu? Boleh kah kita bermula seawal usia 4 tahun?”

Hmm….aku pun balik dan mengeluarkan kitab mengenai tarbiatul aulad, kitab-kitab yang ditulis oleh ulama Islam mengenai pendidikan kanak-kanak. Dan saya telah berjumpa dengan beberapa tips yang di ajar oleh Rasulullah s.a.w mengenai bagaimana hendak mendidikanak-anak kita berpuasa.

Seperti yang kita ketahui Rasulullah s.a.w menyuruh kita melatih anak kita solat 5 waktu sehari semalam pada usia 7 tahun dan jika mereka tidak solat pada usia 10 tahun,Rasulullah s.a.w menizinkan kita mendenda anak kita agar mengajar pada mereka peri pentingnya solat 5 waktu.Tetapi tiada sebarang hadith pula menyebut bilakah waktu yang harus kita melatih anak kita berpuasa tetapi kebanyakan ulama bersepakat untuk memulakan didikan berpuasa itu seawal munkin agar mereka dapat melakukan ibadah puasa dengan baik apabila mereka mencecah umur baligh.

Generasi sahabah memulakan latihan anak berpuasa seawal usia 5 dan 6 tahun. Ada sebuah cerita pada zaman sahabah bahawa pada bulan Ramadhan mereka akan melatih anak-anak berpuasa dan jika anak-anak mereka lapar mereka kan memberi mainan yang dibuat dari kulit dan bulu binatang agar anak-anak  leka dan terlupa akan lapar dan dahaga yang dirasainya. Lama kelamaan anak-anak akan menjadi lazim dan faham apa itu erti berpuasa dan tidak lagi meminta makan dan minum ketika waktu mereka berpuasa.

Ada juga pendapat ibubapa yang khuatir jika anak berpuasa munkin akan terbantut tumbesaran mereka. Berpuasa bukan mendera anak hingga tidak memberi  makan, hanya pada ketika bulan puasa kita memindahkan waktu biasa mereka makan pada waktu yang ditetapkan oleh syarak dan kita masih lagi boleh menyediakan makanan yang seimbang dan nutrisi yang mencukupi pada waktu maghrib dan sahur.

Selalaunya pengalaman dari anak-anak yang berpuasa , mereka akan merasa lapar dan dahaga pada hari pertama hingga hari ketujuh bulan Ramdhan jika mereka berjaya untuk berpuasa pada hari-hari tersebut…hari-hari berikutnya adalah lebih mudah. Tapi jika mereka gagal…tidak mengapa, kita cuba lagi dan berilah lagi galakan yang positif agar mereka dapat mengahabiskan satu hari berpuasa.

Kita juga boleh melatih mereka menurut tahap kemampuan mereka. Pada hari pertama dan kedua mereka boleh berpuasa hingga waktu zuhur,kemudian pada hari-hari berikutnya mereka boleh berbuka pada waktu asar dan hari-hari yang seterusnya galakkan mereka berpuasa hingglah maghrib.

Izinkan saya memberikan beberapa tips untuk mendidik dan melatih anak-anak kita berpuasa berdasarkan pengalaman saya dengan anak-anak saya sendiri dan anak-anak di tadikan saya.

Sebelum Ramadhan, pada bulan Syaaban

Cuba sediakan minda mereka bahawa tidak lama lagi pada bulan Ramadhan kita akan memulakan berpuasa. Galakan mereka bertanya apa itu puasa, kenapa harus berpuasa dan bagaimana hendak berpuasa. Ibu bapa boleh menggunakan kaedah membaca buku cerita, bernasyid dan bercerita kisah ibu bapa sendiri bagaiman papa dan mama berpuasa masa kecil dulu berasama atok dan opah. Tanamkan benih pengertian dalam minda mereka bahawa bulan Ramadhan itu bulan yang sangat mulia dan special.

Berpuasa di bulan Ramadhan

Waktu iftar

Sebelum waktu berbuka puasa tiba, ajaklah anak anda membeli makanan kegemaran mereka atau memasakkan makanan kegemaran mereka. Ingatkan juga kepada anak agar tidak membazir. Makanlah bersama semasa buka puasa dan ucapkan tahniah kepada anak-anak jika mereka dapat tahan berpuasa sehari tanpa berbuka. Ibubapa juga boleh membuat carta motivasi, di mana jika anak telah berpuasa sehari, mereka boleh mendapat satu bintang dan galakan mereka mengumpul bintang sebanyak munkin dan bintang-bintang yang terkumpul boleh ditukar dengan baju raya dan kasut raya yang cantik.

Semasa watu sahur

Sebelum tidur peringatkan pada anak  “Adik, nanti mama kejut jam 5 untuk sahur, adik bangun ya.” Saya ingat lagi ayah saya mendukung saya semasa sahur agar saya dapat duduk bersahur bersama. Tersengguk sengguk juga semasa waktu makan tu, anak-anak saya pun bergitu ,ada yang tertidur terus di sebelah pinggan… tapi tak pe…yang pasti kita jangan malas dan pututs asa dalam mendidik anak anak kita berpuasa.Pastikan mereka tidur awal agar dapat bangun sahur dengan baik.

Semasa berpuasa

Semasa anak-anak berpuasa pastikan adik-adik  kecil yang lebih muda tidak makan atau minum di depan mereka, dan jika mereka merengek, sebenarnya mereka perlukan perhatian, maka ketika itu  lekakan mereka denga bermain bersama mereka , ajak jalan-jalan cari makan dan juga menganjurkan rekreasi yang ringan. Jika mereka habiskan puasa seharian, jangan lupa untuk mencium dan memuji mereka dengan perkataan Mashaa Allah Alhamdulillah dan beri mereka berita gembira bahawa Allah swt dan nabi Muhammad sangat bangga dan mengasihi anak anak yang berpuasa

Beberapa ulama tidak mendapati bahawa anak-anak yang dilatih berpuasa seawal umur 5 tahun mempunyai beberapa kebaikan:

11) Dapat merasakan kerjasama yang diberikan  sesama menjadikan ahli keluarga menjadi lebih rapat dan bahagia dengan rahmat Allah swt. Anak-anak kurang degilnya dan memberi kerjasama yang baik hasil didikan ibu bapa yang sabar dan komited untuk mengajar anak mereka berpuasa.

22)  Menyemai dalam diri mereka agar menjadi hamba Allah yang beriman yang menurut perintah Allah walau harus bersusah payah.Mereka berjaya melawan hawa nafus demi meraih kasih sayang Allah swt. Berpuasa juga dapat membina rasa empati terhadap orang yang lebih susah dari kita dan rasa bersyukur atas segala pemberian Allah kepada kita

33) Anak-anak yang berpuasa mempunyai disiplin diri. Ini dalah satu sifat orang yang berjaya. Jika anak-anak boleh menjaga waktu, mendengar kata dan mendisiplin diri dan mengawal nafsu mereka, Inshaa Allah anak-anak ini akan membesar menjadi anak yang hebat satu hari nanti.

Akhir kata, ajarlah anak-anak anda seperti yang dipesankan Rasulullah (saw) kepada Ibn Abbas:

“…… Ketahuilah bahawa kemenangan datang melalui pertahanan dan bantuan datang dalam kesusahan dan bahawa dengan kesusahan datang kejayaan.”

Assalamuaikum ibu bapa yang dihormati sekalian. Seringkali dalam kehidupan seharian kita, kita akan melalui saat-saat seperti ini yang tidak asing lagi. Dan kadang-kala, di saat-saat begini, kita kaget dan sering tersilap kata dalam usaha untuk menenangkan atau memperbaiki keadaan. Di sini saya kongsikan tip-tips bagus yang diberi kepada saya, yang ada baiknya jika ibu bapa terapkan ke dalam minda agar bersedia dengan cara-cara positif untuk memujuk dan memupuk hati anak, insyallah taala,

1— Jika melihat anakmu menangis, jangan buang waktu untuk mendiamkannya. Cuba tunjuk burung atau awan di atas langit agar dia melihatnya, dia akan terdiam. Kerana psikologi manusia saat menangis, adalah menunduk.

2— Jika ingin anak-anakmu berhenti bermain, jangan berkata: “Dah, sudah main, stop sekarang!”. Tapi katakan kepada mereka: “Main 5 minit lagi yaaa”. Kemudian ingatkan kembali:”Dua minit lagi yaaa”. Kemudian barulah katakan:”Dah, waktu main sudah habis”. Mereka akan berhenti bermain.

3— Jika anak-anak sedang bertelingkah atau menyebabkan keadaan riuh di sesuatu tempat, dan engkau ingin mengalih perhatian mereka, maka katakanlah: “siapa yang mau mendengar cerita ibu? angkat tangan..”. Salah seorang akan mengangkat tangan, kemudian disusul dengan anak-anak yang lain, dan semuanya akan diam.

4— Katakan kepada anak-anak sewaktu mahu tidur:”tidur sayang.. besok pagi kan kita sholat subuh”, maka perhatian mereka akan selalu ke akhirat. Jangan berkata: “Jom tidur, besok kan sekolah”, akhirnya mereka tidak sholat subuh kerana perhatiannya adalah dunia.

5— Nikmati masa kecil anak-anakmu, kerana waktu akan berlalu sangat cepat. Kenakalan dan kekanak-kanakan mereka tidak akan lama, ia akan menjadi kenangan. Bermainlah bersama mereka, tertawalah bersama mereka, berguraulah bersama mereka.

6— Tinggalkan HP seketika, dan matikan juga TV. Jika ada teman yang menelefon urusan tak penting, katakan:”Maaf, saya sedang sibuk dengan anak-anak”. Semua ini tidak menyebabkan jatuhnya wibawamu, atau hilangnya keperibadianmu. Orang yang bijaksana tahu bagaimana cara menyeimbangkan segala sesuatu dan menguasai pendidikan anak.

Selain itu, jangan lupa berdoa dan bermohon kepada Allah. Dengarkan doa kita didepan anak-anak supaya mereka tahu betapa pentingnya mereka pada kita.

Wassalam.

Assalamu’alaikum dear parents,

A healthy family raises a happy, healthy child. Therefore, it is utmost important especially during Ramadhan to take care of our health and watch what we consume. Doctor Adeeb Rizvi Head of “S.I.U.T” Civil Hospital Karachi, who is a leading kidney specialist has appealed to everyone not to drink cold drinks such as Pepsi, Coca Cola, 7UP, Dew etc at Iftar (fast-breaking) time.

A long day of fasting causes dehydration of the kidneys. Having cold & fizzy drinks suddenly causes the kidneys to fail. So don’t drink any cold drinks specially at Iftar. Use fresh water and fresh juices instead. Children consume what is easily available and given to them so be good examples in making better choices during our daily meals. Insyallah instilling this healthy habit from young helps them to be healthy adults in the future.

I hope you and your family will benefit from this. Please enlighten your other family members, friends and loved ones as Sadqa-e-Jariya (charity with continuous reward).

Jazakumullah khair, wassalam.

Education by Setting Example 

Every parent wants the best for their children. We wish for them to have a bright and happy future. As Muslim parents we always pray that our children are pious and have good conduct, behaviour and values according to the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

Education for children is very important in a Muslim family. It starts when the baby is born and cuddled in his mother’s arms. A mother is important in a child’s life. A mother is a child’s first madrasah or school for the child. A loving and patient father and mother are the source of inspiration for a child. The environment of a home also influences the child’s upbringing. A learning child repeats whatever the parents do or say especially during their pre school years. Muslim parents is to pass along what we’ve learned – to teach our children values which is the nucleus in choreographing their behaviour.

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:

Every born child is born on the original (innateness), then his parents make him a Jew, a Christian or Magan. ( Bukhari)

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the role model in Muslim life.The Ever Gloriuos Quran says, “Indeexd you have already had affair example in the Messenger of Allah”. (AlAhzab:21)

To have our children following the example which the Prophet (pbuh) gave in the field of worship and morals is a n ambition in every Muslim family. There are many things that a

Muslim parents can learn from prophet Muhammad especially his ways and values that can help us in bringing up our child. Allow me to share with you some of these great values that should be embedded within us as bases for preparing children religiously, morally, educationally, psychologically and socially.

  1. Ar Rahman ( Loving)

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was a loving man. His love towards his ummah was pure. It was a love binded by the strong faith of Islam. As parents, Allah swt has provided us with love to bring up our children and to educate them as effectively as we can. A child brought up with love will always be kind and loving towards others. If you have to correct your child, do it with a loving heart, objectively and not emotionally.

  1. As Sabr (patient)

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has attained the climax of patience, whether in the harshness of the Bedouins or in his treatment of the enemies’ past arrogance after the victory over them. As parents, patience is an essential ingredience needed in educating our child. As mentined before , parenting is like going on a long journey with your child, one that’s filled with a lot of twists and turns. With patience, parents will be able to through this journey and their children will step ahead with confidence towards their future.

  1. Al Hilm ( Kindness)

In a hadith narrated by Imam Muslim, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) praised one of his companion Asadji Abdil Qays,

“Indeed you have two attributes and behaviour that Allah swt likes, that is Al Hilm

( kindness) and Al Anah ( calmness)”.

Parents should always be kind towards their children. Teach them to respect and be kind to others especially towards the old and the needy. Teach them to have compassion towards those less fortunate than them and show them through examples led by you on how to help these people. A child brought up by criticism will always criticize others and those brought up with kindness will propagate love and values around them.

  1. Al Fathonah ( Wisdom)

The wisdom of prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is acknowledged by both friends and foes. Here is a great example which was recorded by history so that we may know the wise policy which sprang from his wit and great morals. As parents we need wisdom to help our children in their growing years. A child’s potential should be recognized and tapped. His inquisitive mind and questions thrown to us should be answered appropriately. His faults should be addressed diplomatically. Teach them to take responsibility for their own action and help them to overcome the tendency to blame others for his difficulties. Always speak the truth to them and help them through life’s challenges with commitment and personal excellence.

  1. Al Afwan ( forgiving)

Another great attribute that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) possessed was his willingness to forgive. As parents, having a forgiving heart is utmost important. Children make mistakes and if we keep reminding them and keep highlighting those mistakes they will also keep searching for ours. Show them the values and the tendency to try to accommodate rather than argue. Nurture their ability to understand how other feel rather than simply reacting to them.

  1. Al Tawaddu’( humbleness)

The contemporaries and Companions of the Prophet (pbuh) have unanimously said that he was the one who started greeting his Companions, was attentive to his interlocutor, old or young, and was the last to withdraw his hand when he shook hands. This humbleness is another attribute of Prohet Muhammad (pbuh) that should be followed in educating our children. To show who is the boss and complete authority is not the way shown by our Prophet. In giving advice to your children, don’t forget also to take advice from them. Listen! Through listening you may learn many things that can enhance your wisdom.

Sometimes parents are too proud of their child’s achievement. Be very careful not to exaggerate his abilities. To let him know that we a re proud of him is a must; to make him an object of our achievement is a no! Tell them your expectations but remember to tell them your acceptance too. Do not let your child grow up with a lot of pressure to fulfill his parents’ expectation. Teach them to always try their best and be humble when obtaining the best. Make them understand the limits of body and mind, avoiding the dangers of extreme. If their hard work failed, teach them to stand up and try again. For many great leaders took failures and turned them into strength.

  1. Quwatus Syaksiah (Virtuous Manners abiding by principle)

The ability to influence and not be easily influenced in any situation and condition and being able to analyze each situation objectively and unemotionally are great qualities of leadership shown by our great Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Parents whoa re easily influenced by their environment, who do not stick with their Islamic principles, who are jealous of other people’s achievement will not mature in the process of a child’s upbringing.

A child will have strong principled values if they see that their parents’ principles are always consistent in any circumstances. They are not afraid to tell the truth. They dare to attempt difficult things that are good. They have the strength not to follow the crowd, to say no and mean it and influence others by it. They are true to convictions and they follow good impulses, even when they are unpopular or inconvenient.

Those listed above are some great attributes that we should bring with us in our journey as parents. To me these examples of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) are not easy to follow but with Allah’s help and mercy, I pray that Allah swt will always give me the strength and wisdom to carry out the trust and responsibility as parents.

 

Until then, wabbillahitaufiq, walhidayah.

Assalamualaikum dear parents,

Today, I would like to share with you some ways to train and encourage children to fast in the month of ramadhan.

1.Before the month of Ramadhan

Prepare and mind set your children for the upcoming fasting month of Ramadhan. Always talk to them that a great month is approaching and what Muslims must do during this month. Encourage discussions, questions and answers about the do’s and don’ts while fasting and always tell them the benefits of Ramadhan as stated in the Quran and hadith. When you have succeeded in getting their interest ask them “So, who will fast in this month of Ramadhan?” Parents and children should feel excited in answering this question. Tell them also some funny stories on how you started training for Ramadhan or how the older siblings started theirs. This will encourage the younger ones to follow their siblings’ footsteps.

  1. During the fasting month of Ramadhan.

During iftar.

Prepare your children’s favourite meal and bring them to shops to but their favourite dishes. This is to make them happy and to encourage them. Do remind them though not to overspend, for Allah does not like it if food goes to waste. During iftar, eat together and congratulate each other for the days worth.

During sahur

Before going to bed, remind each other to wake each other up, set the alarm and make dua so that we are able to wake up for sahur. Wake them up gently for sahur and keep an eye on the children, for they are more sleepy than hungry at this time.

While fasting

Be aware not to let the younger siblings not to eat or drink in front of their older siblings who are fasting. And if your young children have started to whine and groan and looking very tired, give them your attention, entertain them, divert their attention to some games or light indoor recreation or bring them outside for a walk. The small children who succeeded to fast the whole day should be hugged, kissed, praised and rewarded and tell them the good news of Allah’s rewards that awaits them.

  1. After Ramadhan

It is suggested that we buy presents for those children who completes their training in the month of Ramadhan. Explain to them what the presents a re for and if they are happy to receive these presents in this world, Allah (swt) will give them anything they want in the hereafter. Also discuss with them how they feel and do they understand the values that parents are trying to instill in them during this training.

In conclusion from what has been mentioned above is that responsibility of faith education is important and serious as it is the source of all virtues. It is the main basis for entering a child into the domain of faith and Islam.

So parents should always refrain from seizing any chance of providing their children with training and guidance that consolidate belief and straightens faith.

Lastly teach your children as the Prophet (pbuh) said to Ibn Abbas:

“O young man, I shall teach you some words….”

“……Learn also that victory comes through endurance and relief comes with distress and that with hardship comes affluence.”

 

Until then, Wabillahitaufiq walhidayah.

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