The most prized gift from Allah is our children (SWT). To thrive in this life and the next, we want them to adhere to Islam’s correct path. despite the fact that you are a Muslim and your children were also born such, you should teach them Islamic studies to help them learn their religion by heart and appreciate its value.
Your children’s first reasonable inquiry would be, “What is Islam?”
Now, besides understanding what is Islam about, there are 4 essential Islamic studies your kids should learn.
The Pillars of Islam
Islam’s five pillars are regarded as the framework for all of its teachings. It’s the foundational material in Islamic studies that every Muslim should learn and comprehend well.
The Shahada (Declaration of Faith)
The first pillar of Islam is the Shahada. It is a proclamation of faith in Muhammad as God’s prophet and in the unity of God (Tawhid). The shortest form of this sentence is (in Arabic, from right to left):
لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا ٱلله مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ ٱلله There is no god but Allah. Muhammad is the messenger of Allah
This indicates that in order to be a Muslim, a person must firmly believe in Allah as the one and only God of all creation and must do so with heart and intellect.
Salat (Muslim Prayer)
The second pillar of Islam is known as Salat or Salah. It is a five-time daily obligation to worship Allah in the physical, mental, and spiritual realms at specific times.
Therefore, it is imperative that you teach your children the five prayers (salats), their rules, and their significance.
Additionally, you must demonstrate to them the proper Wudu procedure, which is a crucial component of Islamic ritual purity, especially before to conducting Salah.
Zakat (Obligatory Charity)
The third pillar of Islam is known as zakat or zakah. It entails providing alms to the impoverished and underprivileged. Every adult Muslim who is of sound mind and finances must do it.
By paying zakat, Muslims realize that whatever they possess belongs to Allah and that we should utilize it to honor Him and assist those in need. Additionally, it helps get rid of narcissism, avarice, and excessive desire.
You should show your children the Zakat ideals and let them watch you perform the zakat.
Sawm of Ramadan (Fasting Ramadan)
The fourth pillar of Islam is the Sawm (Fasting) of Ramadan. During the holy month of Ramadan, one must refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and engaging in any sexual activity from sunrise till the adhan is sounded each evening.
Muslims who fast develop greater self-control, a deeper appreciation of Allah’s bounty, and compassion for the poor.
Adults must observe the Ramadan fast unless they are ill, pregnant, nursing, or traveling. Your children should be taught how to fast for brief periods throughout Ramadan, nevertheless. It has been demonstrated that fasting is not only healthy for children but also advantageous to them spiritually.
Hajj (Pilgrimage)
The fifth and final pillar of Islam is the Hajj (Pilgrimage). All adult Muslims who are physically and financially capable of making this journey and who can support their family while they are away is required to perform the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the religion’s holiest city, at least once in their lifetime.
Take your children with you if you’re performing the Hajj so they can benefit from the experience and appreciate its significance. It is a component of educating kids about Islam.
The Quran
Another essential type of Islamic study that your kids should be learning is the Quran, the speech of Allah, and the miracles of Islam. The benefits of learning the Quran for kids whether religious, spiritual, or worldly are unlimited.
Quran Recitation (Reading)
Quran recitation brings abundant rewards to Muslims. You should teach your kids how to read the Quran in the right way that preserves the meaning of the revealed words of Allah in sound and expression.
Quran Memorization (Hifz)
Memorizing the Quran forms a relationship with this holy book and therefore gains its intercession. Also, salat (prayer) requires reciting surahs and ayat by heart, so you should teach your kids to memorize a portion of the Quran or short surahs.
Quran Interpretation (Tafsir)
Tafsir Quran is the process of interpreting the meaning of each verse in the Quran. As you teach your kids the Quran, interpret each verse (ayah) and tell them its meaning/story. They will get a better understanding and conviction of Allah’s will.
Hadith and Sira
Muslim kids should learn how to live in the perfect manners of Islam; the manners of the prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The best way for your children to embrace those manners is through Hadith and Sira of the prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
Hadith (The sayings of Prophet Muhammad)
Ḥadīth refers to the record of the words, actions, and silent approval, of the prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Through the study of his hadith, our children can learn more about our purpose in this world and benefit from the wisdom his sayings contain.
Teach your children some Hadith that could inspire them to be better Muslims. Tell your kids some Hadiths each day and discuss them together. This act will sow the seeds of faith in their hearts.
Al-Sīra Al-Nabawiyya (Prophetic Biography)
Sira or Seerah is the study of the life of the prophet Muhammad (PBUH). It covers his day-to-day life, interactions with companions and family, his role as a leader, as well as his characteristics and mannerisms.
The more your kids learn about the life of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), the more they learn about his devotion to Allah (SWT) and his concern for all of humankind. This results in an appreciation and a love for the Prophet (PBUH) which will encourage them to follow his Sunnah.
So why don’t you read them each night a story of the prophet Muhammad’s life (PBUH) as a bedtime story? This will make them excited every night to know more about the prophet’s life (PBUH). Additionally, It strengthens the bond between you and your children.
Du’a (Supplication)
The last essential type of Islamic study your kids must learn is Du’a (Supplication). Dua is a form of prayer and it could be made at any time anywhere there is no fixed time and place for making Dua. It’s a tool of rapprochement of the supplicant to Allah the Almighty.
Teach your kids the etiquette of Dua and memorize short supplications of daily life such as Du’a before eating, when going into the restroom, and when approaching the mosque, etc.
Also Read: What Makes Online Learning A Good Choice?
Islamic Studies Course
If you don’t have the time or knowledge to teach Basic Islam for Kids, knowledge Quran center is an accredited online Quran school that provides a complete Islamic Studies Program for Kids.
This course is supervised by highly professional tutors who are specialized in dealing with kids. Whether your kids have the potential and desire to learn various Islamic studies or not, our tutors will influence them through interactive and joyful learning techniques to make them love this learning journey.
During this course, your kids will expose to all essential Islamic studies mentioned above in order to make them not only better Muslims but better men & women in the future as well.
By the end of this course, the faith will lie deep in their hearts, and portions of the Quran, Hadith, Sira, and Supplication will stick into their memory.