Muslim Publishers

Muslim Kids in Daycares?!

2006-09-26T10:04:00.000-04:00

~ Opinions of Several Muslimahs on a very controversial Topic:
September 2006

Salaam:
-I think there is much criminality in putting your child into daycare - which further make the kid ruin his/her imaan from a very young age - of course, unless there is extreme need for extreme cases.- however, even for the Westerners - why send your kid into daycare before the age of one at least - I mean I think most social problems in America arise from the kids being fatherless and motherless.- any ideas on this topic?- I mean even when the parents are there and being married, etc. -they are not really there as they do not give attention to their kids'needs - and then their kids do not love them at all when they grow up.- Further, maybe in-house daycare with a friend and relative whom youreally trust may work better for those who really need daycare.- I would like your opinion on this topic.
sister mariam.

Assalamualykum:
I agree that children shouldn't be without their mothers when very young, or at least another female member of the family, like aunt/grandmother etc.you find in non western cultures that this is the case. Even if mothers have to work they usually haveextedned family taking care of the child.i have read that children build a secure base up the age of 3 (it might even be older) and that you should not leave them esp. Before that age and esp.not in day care.
sister marium

Alaikum Salaam,
NO, you don't want MY opinion on yours. "there is much criminality?" What does that mean, a parent who uses daycare is criminally negligent? Don't blame it on the western world, MANY woman work and use daycare in Saudi, Kuwait and other Muslim countries there is nothing wrong with it. In my opinion, with MY children, I think that kids who attend daycare are more intelligent, outgoing and personable and interesting to talk to. They able to get along in the world better, deal with problems and make friends with their peers, they are less shy. They are healthier (by being exposed to outside people and diseases, they build up an immunity, kids who never leave home are very sickly the first few years in school---trying to catch up). Also they are exposed to regular exercise and sports at young age, when it makes a difference. Many stay at home moms never get their butts out of the chair, (my neighbors watch soaps all day long, leave their kids to play on the stairs). Daycares have regular sports and exercises programs, as well as art and language and all kinds of wonderful programs. Not too many moms can afford to put forth that kind of effort or if they can, they lack the training and guidance. The kids who I see at home with their stay at home moms are not very world or have exposure to a variety of activities. They are shy and sheltered and introverted and have a hard time in the first few years of school and I wonder if they ever really catch up.
I have been an elementary school teacher for a long time, I can tell the kids who've been to a good daycare, they stand out and shine.
Just MY opinion,
Sakeenah
Kuwait

Alaskan Salaam:
I agree with daycares helping a child to grow socially. My son was Ian playgroup where most of the children's mothers stayed home and hewas the only one who was social. Most of them took longer to buildup and with them only meeting a few times a month it was harder forhim to enjoy himself. Now he is in a weekend playgroup, most of themothers work and the children are more open and ready to get together and have fun ; )I think even if a mother stays home if she can atleast get out a fewtimes a week at a playgroup so her child(ren) has that interaction,cause it really does help them to grow socially.
Carrie

I totally agree that it is good to send your child to some sort of daycare. I have encountered children who were not in daycare and some of the children have no idea have to interact with other children. Not saying that this is the parents fault because some of the children who stay at home have good manners but there are the few that make you wonder if they are not able to interact outside of the home how are they going to be able to do it when they go to school. My son goes to daycare after school until I can pick him up when I leave from work and I find that he is better socialized with other children. If I was able to stay at home I still would have in some kind of day care maybe for two or three days.
Vivian.

Assalamu alaikum
kindergarten was actually started so kids could get used to being in a crowd for school. Most people don't even know it, but kindergarden is not legally required in the state of California. Infact many who work at the school district don't even know that.

Salaam:
~ I am not saying there are absolutely no benefits to daycare - butI will give you a concrete example; when my daughter was about 4 years old (I did send her to daycare after 3 years old and I do notintend to do this for my son) - one time she was playing with a "Superman" toy - her teacher asked her: "is this your boyfriend?"right in front of me and I had to explain to her how inappropriatethis is - I mean even if I were non-Muslim I would still beoffended. Of course, Muslim daycare which bring MUSLIM VALUES are a totally different story.
sister mariam.

Assalamu alaikum
When my kids were little I used to take them to a daycare that letme stay there too. It was really fun for the kids, they liked it andthe woman who ran it used to live on a commune back in the day. Shefor sure wasn't muslim.Studies have come out showing that kids who spend 30 or morehours a week in daycare are more aggressive than kids who don'tspend the time in daycare.My personal belief is if the kids don't want to go to the daycarethen don't take them. Pretty hard to do if your working to do that,but I think if it isn't necessary,(ie a work situation) then takethe kid only when they feel like going.As for kids being interesting to talk to, that isn't the important thing. Kids need to develop at their own pace, not havethe pace forced on them.

Assalamu alaikum:
Many stay at home moms never get their butts out of the chair,(my neighbors watch soaps all day long, leave their kids to play onthe stairs). Daycares have regular sports and exercises programs,as well as art and language and all kinds of wonderful programs<<<<Sakeenah
Kuwait

Walaykium Salaam:
What is your solution for the 2 parent working family who are notworking to live a glamorous life by both working to keep up with therising cost JUST to live?What about the Single parent working 2 jobs JUST to provide thebasic need for the family?The cost of living increasing at a faster pace than the wages?What about the families who do not have family close by, if they dothey may have to work too?Parent(s) who want to better their education so that they can betterprovide for their families and have to make this sacrifice?What do people in these situations do with their child(ren)?
Carrie

Wasalam:
No one said it was easy being a parent. It's a problem for sure,and people have to figure out for themselves what they are going to do. Part of life is making decisions and there really isn't a patentanswer that fits every situation.Sometimes people have to use daycare, (and actually sometimes kidsare safer in a daycare than they are with a babysitter who doesn'thave anyone around watching how they treat the kids they arewatching.) If parents can't stay with their kids, they can't staywith them. Then, obviously, they have to find someone to watchthem. I'm not one of those muslims who criticize people for havingtheir children in a daycare.

Salaam:
~ I do agree with you that many of us are struggling financially -of course staying at home does affect our family income; whatever myhusband makes goes paycheck to paycheck.- however,you got to be VERY CAREFUL - thinking that you will sendyour kids for education, etc. since you may be able eventually to dothis financially - but by the time they are teenagers their focusmay be "Western education" and nothing else - I worked with a lot ofteenagers in high-school. And you know rebellion and disobedience toparents at a certain age is ENCOURAGED by this system . And becausethe kids were so much into schooling and spent so little time witheither of the parents - I tell you that the teachers they saw onehour a day per course can influence them more than the parents cando - although they were raised by parents from early ages.- and besides this education does not teach that KIDS ARE ALSORESPONSIBLE to take care of their parents when they age, etc. Theyteach them "so well" that with the income they may have they sendtheir parents to seniors houses - although their parents are noteven so sick that normal home care will not suffice. SHAITAAN ISVERY SUBTLE - SO LITTLE BY LITTLE KIDS ARE BEING BRAINWASHED INPUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THE PARENTS NEED TO REALLY WATCH AND DO THEIRBEST AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE TO UNDO THE DAMAGE. THE EARLIER THE KIDSSTART THE MORE DAMAGE CAN BE DONE USUALLY.- the kids have the option of working after finishing high-schooland save money for themselves to go to school in shallah;- for all sisters: also think about all/most of those educationplans also invest in bonds assets which are INTEREST bearing.- sometimes the kids may be so absorbed in the Western style - theylose their iman - so then what's the point of being adoctor/engineer/ etc.? The parents sacrifice their time with theirkids and they are not able to instill proper imaan - which is a bigchallenge especially here in the West.
sister mariam.

Walaykium Salaam
Some children want to learn earlier. My son is bored with coloringand crafts and wants to read. We are teaching him to read now. Hewants to learn new things earlier than Islam requires, so we offerto him what he wants to learn. I think (especially in this day) ifyou wait too long for some things they will fall behind
Carrie

Assalamu alaikum
Some kids do want to go to daycare. There are four windows forreading, 4 years, 7 years and 10 years. Those ages are the easiestto teach. There were some studies done on those children chessprodegies that showed kids under the age of seven have a problemwith stress and if someone is teaching a kid to read before seven,they need to be sure the kid doesn't start stressing themselves.Islam says to let a child play for seven years and if a kid WANTS tolearn something I think it's OK, but I don't think it's OK to make afour year old sit and learn to read if they are not interested.

Walaykium Salaam:
And I believe children learn thru playing so most should be learningand playing well before age 7.
Carrie

Assalamu alaikum:
I don't think people should be fighting over if kids should go todaycare or not. It's up to the parents, the parents are the expertsfor their own children. The only thing I want to point out is thatpeople shouldn't underestimate the value of a kid just staying homerolling around with their pillow and then taking a nap with mom.I have seen plenty of daycares, most are not worth leaving kidsat, and some of the kids do become insecure from the experience.Other daycares are really wonderful places.People have to take theclues from the kid themself. Does the kid seem to want to stay home?Then let him/her stay home if you can. Islam says to start formaleducation at seven years old, not two. There is no obligation tosocialize your kids at two years old.There is a problem of children becoming institutionalized whohave been left in daycare and then sent on to school and on toafterschool care. Unable to amuse themselvs, unable to makedecisions etc. Parents need to be aware of what they are doing andif they do have to leave kids in daycare, try to not have it be forforty plus hours a week.I don't know, I am not into the kibutz model of child rearing. Ieven think kids are in regular school for to many hours a day. The school day should be shorter.

Wasalam
No one said it was easy being a parent. It's a problem for sure,and people have to figure out for themselves what they are going todo. Part of life is making decisions and there really isn't a patentanswer that fits every situation.Sometimes people have to use daycare, (and actually sometimes kidsare safer in a daycare than they are with a babysitter who doesn'thave anyone around watching how they treat the kids they arewatching.) If parents can't stay with their kids, they can't staywith them. Then, obviously, they have to find someone to watchthem. I'm not one of those muslims who criticize people for havingtheir children in a daycare.

Assalamu alaikum
I'm not sure what your trying to say exactly with what you wrote,kids do learn from playing, is that what you mean? Playing is child generated and child initiated as oppossed to structured by an adultthat is the main point of the hadith I think, and the point I amtrying to get across.My personal view is that daycares can create some pretty niceprograms, but that they have to be nonrestrictive in the sense Ithink they should be good environments for self selection by thechild. I don't believe preschoolers should ever be told they have tosit in circle times or told they have to practice writing or readingif they don't want to until they are seven years old. I thinkpreschool teachers can HAVE a circle time, if they want to, but Idon't think any children have to attend it if they don't want to. Bythat I mean, if one has a circle time and the child walks off to goplay with something, the kid should be allowed to do so with outbeing told to sit through the circle time. I also think parentsshouldn't make a kid even go to preschool if the child doesn't wantto go. By that I mean, if the mom is staying home that day and thekid doesn't want to go to the preschool then the child should beallowed to stay home. Parents have to take direction from the childas much as they can until the child is seven years old.The Islamic idea is to create an environment where the parentsdoesn't have to enforce the work "no" alot. Put stuff away that youdon't want kids to mess with, that sort of thing.

Walaykium Salaam
My husband and I do not agree with this. Of course we should notforce a child or anyone else to do things and our son's providerdoes not force them to do things, its her job as well as the job ofher assistants to be creative to keep the children interested, butwe feel that our son is better in an environment with his peers, andit has helped him socially and even if I did not have to go to workI still would send our son to preschool
Carrie

Tips for Raising Kids

2006-06-12T16:45:00.000-04:00

SALAAM - TIPS FOR RAISING KIDS

~ This is the beginning section of "Tips for Raising Kids" - practical down to earth advice collected from sisters who have some experience in this area.
~ The idea is to help sisters who have more kids to find the balance on raising children, for minimizing sibling rivalry and feelings of jelousy among siblings.
~ Soon, sisters' advice will be posted, in shallah.
sister mariam.
====TIPS FOR RAISING A SECOND CHILD

INITIAL MESSAGE:
By sister Mariam
Asaalamu- Aleikum:As some of you may know, I am expecting a child, most likely boy, according to the doctor's statement, in shallah soon - by the end of July. - My first daughter, Nadia, is quite big now; she is 8 years old. Therefore, I am writing to those sisters who are mothers to give me some advice of how to deal with balancing care for both kids, without creating jelousy for my first daughter. She seems quite excited about "the baby", but she may react differently when she will face the situation of the actual presence of the baby. I suppose some feelings of siblings rivalry are natural and will be there no matter what the age of the baby is - however some "down to earth" advice would be helpful.- This message was posted on 2 other groups. Some of the answers I get - I intend to publish in my Muslim Publishers group as well - with the intention of helping other mothers - in shallah.- I am interested more in practical advice - based on real life experience of mothers - rather than theories or research studies. - For any mother in the position to help, please post useful comments or advice in this group's section.Masalaama, sister mariam.

RESPONSES
1- By Abddawi
Al salaam o alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh..

Mashaallah this is wonderful news...I wish you all the best...
Alhamdulilah I have four (16,11,4,2) now this is what I did....for the second one
I took along a toy (for the 1st child in the bag I packed for the hospital) I told her this is from your brother...Alhamdulilah it worked....then I told her (when the baby got home) that if she wants she can be my special helper (most parents expect the older child to help don't make that mistake...sometimes the older child resents it) she helped me with little things getting the pampers etc...she loved it...NEXT..a few weeks later
as the new joy of having a baby in the house was growing old...she started to feel resentment then I got new candles(one to represent every member of the family
I light the candle that's mom and left the others unlight I showed her that the flame was mom's love and then i took the mom's candle and light everyone's candle showing her that Allah made mom's heart that she can love everyone and then I told her everyone needs mom in a different way. Then I used the big line....think about how much fun you would get as the baby grows you get to teach the baby because you're the BIG sister. .
IF YOU'RE FEELING STRESS DON'T LET THE big sister know she'll resent the baby
she'll feel that the baby did that to you......Have you husband lift her up some times to see the baby in the crib...because she'll feel left out if you're always lifting the baby...
If and when people comes over don't let them all rush to the baby first ...the older child will feel hurt...I kept the baby in the room and then I let my daughter take them to the baby...she told them you have to kiss the baby's hand etc..(the things I taught her)
Mashaallah this always work for me and I pray it helps you Inshaallah...
was salaam

Waalikumassalam
2- By Marium MS
I have a d who will be 4 and a son who will be 2insha'Allaah. so though we have a much smaller gapthan yourself, i followed advice and things i hadread, to some extent.1- by preparing the older child and involving them tosome extent even before the baby was born. by sayingthings like insha'Allaah you will have a little br. orsr. (as dd was only 2 we kept it very basic.we also had some books about it, like teddys mommy ishaving a baby and billy and the new baby and waltersandra and the new baby. subhanAllaah dd loved havingthese read to her over and over! i was surpirsed.2- we bought a gift of a baby doll with accessoriesfor dd which we gave her after the baby came home andwe also took her shopping and got a gift for the babytoo from her, sort of!3- we tried to involve her as much as poss. she helpedwith getting nappies and showing baby toys etc.4- i had my mum here alhumdullilah for the first 4weeks so dd had extra attention.5- when baby was feeding (which was v. v. often! tobegin with) i would try to read her some stories shewould choose.6- she had more quality time with her aboo.now they play and fight together!funnily enough a friend had a new baby and my dd saidi want my br. to be small again so i can hold him.then i explained that children tend to grow bigger notsmaller. i said we would have to have another baby ifshe wants a small baby. so we got into a little talkabout making dua to Allaah swt for another baby!alhumdullilah. she does still ask for another littlebaby, QadarAllaah.but thats our experience, we have our trying times andour good times.when baby had naps we would do nice little activites,even now if ds has a nap we try to do those things hewould break or mess up if he could get his hands onthem, as he wants to totally copy and do what hissister is doing, exactly.insha'Allaah things will just fit together, you mighthave an adjustment period but i am sure things willslot in smoothly, don't worry.May Allaah swt make it easy for you and bless you withgood in this life and the hereafter.ameentake carewasalam

3- by Melsabri/ Melissa Desmarais

Wa Alaikum As Salaam Sister

What we have found to work is to involve our first child in everything for the second child. Have them help take care of the baby. Sometimes you might be scared to give so much responsibility but Subha'Allah they will be very close and the older will cherish the younger. In our case they are only 3 years apart. We were very scared that our oldest would be very jealous and try to hurt the baby, Al-hamdulillah it never happened. My son went to all of my prenatal visits with me and saw they baby on the sonogram, I made sure that he was a part of every decision. He helped us name the baby Although at first he just wanted to call it "My Baby". Really the only thing he had issues with was when we first came home he did not want anyone but me and him to hold the baby. He told everyone that the baby belonged to his mom but they could play with him, the eldest.

4 – by Saleema
As Salaamu Alaykum,
I have been there, Masha'llah, still there. I have a total of 11 children, living with me are 4, ages 13,8,2,and 1. Masha'llah, it is trying at times and joyful, Alhamdulillah, at others. I started home schooling my 8 year old this year. I could have her close to me and teach her more than school work. How to cook,pray, you know what I do. She loves to help more now as before she just wanted all my attention. I don't know if this will work for you. Insha'llah I will home school my 13 year old next year and all of them until graduation. This way I can give and get attention. You could let her be a big sister. Let her know how important it is to help and protect her siblings. Tell her she will always be your baby. Explain the baby needs alot , alot, alot of attention. If possible,Insha'llah, plan an event you can do with just you two, just dad and her. This is a reminder to myself. May Allah help us all be good examples, Ameen. Insha'llah, you may have some advice for me or others. Love for the Sake of Allah.
Saleema

5 - by Umm Junaid bint Naeem

Re: Salaam - Tips needed for raising second child - sibling rivalry
Wa 'alaikumus-salaam.As you know, I just gave birth to my second child so it may still beearly days yet to give any advise, but I echo what many people say andthat is: inclusion, inclusion, inclusion! Make your daughter feel as though she is part of everything related tothe baby; so ask her to help change the nappy, give a bath etc. Also,when the baby is asleep, try to use that time as 'Nadia time', so doan activity which you may not be able to do while the baby's awake.I hope this helps - just try not to make her feel left out.

Was-salaamu 'alaikum~ Umm Junayd.

==========================================

Value of Time

2006-05-29T13:28:00.000-04:00

VALUE OF TIME
- innitially sent by Abddawi
This was sent to me by my friend she's also a teacher:
A True Story

A man came home from work late, tired and irritated,
> to find his 5- year old son waiting for him at the door.>>
"Daddy, may I ask you a question?">
"Yeah sure, what is it?" replied the man.>
"Daddy, how much do you make an hour?">>
"That's none of your business. Why do you ask such> a thing?" the man said angrily. '>>
"I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do> you make an hour?">
Pleaded the little boy. "If you must know, I make $20 an hour.">>
"Oh," the little boy replied, with his head down.>
Looking up, he said, "Daddy, may I please borrow> $10?">>
The father was furious, "If the only reason you asked that is so you can borrow some money to buy a silly toy or some other non sense, then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. Think about why you are being so selfish.>
I work hard everyday for such this childish behavior.">>
The little boy quietly went to his room and> shut the door.
The man sat down and started to get> even angrier about the little boy's questions.>> How dare he ask such questions only to get some money? After about an hour or so, the man had calmed> down, and started to think:>> May be there was something he really needed to buy with that $10 and he really didn't ask for money very often.>
The man went to the door of the little boy's room> and opened the door.
"Are you asleep, son?" He asked.
"No daddy, I'm awake," replied the boy.>
"I've been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you> earlier," said the man,>
"It's been a long day and I took out my aggravation> on you.
Here's the $10 you asked for."> The little boy sat straight up, smiling. "Oh, thank you daddy!" He yelled.>> Then, reaching under his pillow he pulled out some> crumpled up bills.>
The man, seeing that the boy already had money, started to get angry again. The little boy slowly counted out his money, then looked up at his father.
"Why do you want more money if you already have> some?" the father grumbled.
"Because I didn't have enough, but now I do," the little boy replied. "Daddy, I have $20 now. Can I buy an hour of your time?> Please come home early tomorrow. I would like to> have dinner with you."
Share this story with someone you like.... But even better, share $20 worth of time with someone you love.>> It's just a short reminder to all of you working so hard in life. We should not let time slip through our fingers without having spent sometime with those who really matter to us, those close to our hearts. If we die tomorrow, the company that we are working> for could easily replace us in a matter of days. But the family & friends we left behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives
**As a Muslim we should know the value of time and relationship. This is just a reminder.

Importance of Raising Active Muslim Children

2006-03-18T20:18:00.000-05:00

March 16, 2006

Salaam ~ Importance of Raising Active Children

* It is clear proof from the Sunna that the Prophet (saaw) used to love children and play with them as manytimes as he had the opportunity. However, I am wondering how much of the theory is being applied today in the Muslim family. I was also listening earlier to different articles on parenting and children's needs. When I usedto teach in the Islamic school, I remember the kids mentioning how their parents might give them punishments for something they didwrong. But I rarely remember kids saying how much fun they had withtheir parents or how much fun their parents are.

· Is it possible that the parents are not really the fun that they used to be? It is possible we neglect our children because wewant to make an extra buck? That seems a very plausible observationsince in both families where mothers are housewives or where theywork full-time, the primary source of entertainment for kids is TV.The "TV characters" and sadly raw models are a first in children's mind. Just spend some time listening to their conversations. I am not saying necessarily that the children should not be given anyopportunity to watch TV or DVDs, etc. I am saying that the balance is heavily skewed in that direction and we should try to offer real opportunities for enjoyment to our children.

· What are these real opportunities? First of all, we need to understand that children have a psychological need to play. Intuitively I knew this fact, but I was listening a lecture onparenting by Imam Abu Nour (www.loveallah.net) and I was thinking more deeply based on the lectures, as well as based on my experience as a mother and teacher of how we should raise our children. I could also quote Abdul Hakim Quick's lecture saying that when Christian's church attendance became very low, they developed the YMCA family entertainment centers to provide fun activities for kids and parents, in an effort to maintain some sort of a Christian community. That's how these centers started initially.

· Since we do not really have Muslim entertainment centers with different activities for kids (sports, arts, crafts, etc.) or some sort of Muslim clubs for kids ~ it becomes our duty as Muslimparents to try to fill in this void. We should take our children with us and provide appropriate fun activities to our children; thus they would come to appreciate the value of family and come to regard the family as a fun, reliable unit ~ as the place where they want to spend their time. If they have non-Muslim friends, we could invite them too. This way they also get exposure to Islam and get to regard it as a familiar thing, not something to be fearful of. Thus children could get the opportunity to experience practical family love. Saying "I love you" to a child many times may sound reinforcing, but only our actions as parents make the children experience and understand maternal and paternal love. The childneeds to find that his/her family is a safe/secure place and that security means doing things together, having fun together, naturally in a halal way. By being with the kids as often as possible, they learn to make choices between halal and haraam on a practical basis.They learn to choose halal over haraam food, to speak good versus evil, to interact with the family and other members of society, etc.They get a clear example of how to behave in a responsible way and take their family as a hero versus some injurious raw modes they could pick up from the media, bad friends, generally from a chaotic society of no real values, etc. They learn to make right versus wrong choices on an family example basis.

· We as Muslim parents have to make efforts to attract ourchildren towards our way of life and our Deen. It is clearly a necessity for them to learn the Deen in some structured form (religion lessons, etc.). However, in order for them to actually practice it, they have to love their family first and thus be willing to practice what they see and learn theoretically. Remember,children learn through play, they have a psychological need to play and they learn by example. Do you think that based on theory only kids would come to learn the Deen? No, that is why Prophet Muhammad(saaw) used to play with the children and encourage us to do the same.

· Hope this article helped to shed some light on improvingparenting skills in regards to activities offered to children.

· Best Regards,

Sister Mariam.

Flowers ~ A sign of Allah

2006-03-06T13:42:00.001-05:00

Flowers ~ A Sign of Allah
By sister Mariam Ignat

The beautiful fragrance,
The wonderful perfume,
The exquisite shape,
The fantastic gift
To any mother,
Expressions of joy,
To All people and All Nations
Are flowers.

Various and different
From plains to mountains
And climate to climate.
Their natural beauty,
Provided by Allah
Makes us ponder
On the Diverse Creation
Of Allah.

Who made the flowers?
Allah did,
For us to enjoy and benefit,
To give mankind a Sign,
Of Beauty, Love and Mercy
Of the Creator.

Therefore, will Man acknowledge
That everything Created
Is a Sign and a Path
Towards the Creator of All
And Everything,
Allah.

Story ~ Abdullah Learns About Patience

2006-03-06T10:35:00.000-05:00

· Abdullah Learns About Patience
Written by Sister Mariam Ignat.

Abdullah is a nine year-old boy. He likes to get things done right away. His mother takes him to the doctor’s office. He fell sick with the cold. He complains to his mom that he is feeling miserable and wants to get well in a moment. He asks his mother:
Abdullah: Mom, will the doctor give me medicine? Will it work right away?
Mom: We have to see what the doctor says. But usually it takes a few days until the cold virus gets away. No medicine cures a cold virus, it only helps you feel better, in shallah.
Abdullah: Mom, why did Allah send us sickness?
Mom: Sickness is a test from Allah and we have to be patient. Verily, Allah is with the patient. Also, the good part is that for any suffering we have Allah forgives some of our sins. Therefore, it is good to say Astafirullah when we are sick.
Abdullah: What does Allah say about patience?
Mom: There is a verse in the Holy Qur’an: “O ye who believe! seek help with patient perseverance and prayer; for Allah is with those who patiently persevere” . (Al Bakarah, ch. 2, vs. 153 Abdullah Yusuf Ali) So, you can make dua and ask Allah to make you healthy again.
Abdullah: Ok, mom. Do people get sick in Jannah, too?
Mom: Oh, no, people never get sick in Jannah. Allah makes our bodies young and strong, for those of us who go to Jannah. In shallah, if we are patient about any test Allah gives us, we will go to Jannah, too.
Abdullah gets called to the doctor’s office. He now understands that he has to be patient. When the doctor asks him how he feels like, he says he feels sick; however, he does not complain anymore and says that Patience is the key to healing. The doctor is very pleased to see that such a young boy like Abdullah have such a positive thinking. The doctor gives Abdullah his acetaminophen (Tylenol) prescription. He tells him it will help with the headache and congestion.
Abdullah thanks the doctor and asks Allah to get healed as soon as possible. Meanwhile, he tells his mom that he will be patient until he gets better.
Abdullah: Oh, mom, and do I get to stay home, too.
Mom: Only for one or two days, until you get a little better, in shallah.
I am very happy you are calm about your illness now.
Abdullah: Yes, mom, we only get better when Allah wants us to get better.
Mom: Of course, Allah in his mercy gave us doctors and medicines to help us heal as soon as possible.
Abdullah: Yes, but meanwhile we have to be Patient.
Mom: Thanks to Allah, you finally got my point.
After two days, Abdullah gets to feel better and goes to school. He gets really well five days after the disease started. He now thanks Allah for getting his health back and for learning to be Patient as well. A Patient should be Patient, he thinks! What a good new rhyme. Oh, no, any Muslim should be Patient when things are tough – for Allah plans are wise and better than what we understand with our limited knowledge. That’s what Abdullah learned from his last experience.

Poem - The Purpose of the Worm

2006-03-06T10:26:00.000-05:00

Asalamu al aikum:

The Purpose of the Worm
by Jameela Ali

Cold and wet soil in my hands,
As I dig dirt from the land.
Poke it
Scoop it
Throw it out
"Look! A wriggly thing," I shout.

Squatting low on hands and knees,
I watch as it tries to flee.
Squirming
Twisting
Burrowing away
Won't you come back here to play?

What is it, I wonder with a frown,
It is small, thin and brown.
No legs
No arms
Not even a wing
What a funny looking thing!

Mother, mother did you see?
What could it possibly be?
Has it a mum?
Has it a dad?
Has it a home?
From where did it come?

Come my child and let me tell you,
About things that are right and true.
Look here
See that?
See this?
Allah says, "Be!" and it is.

Listen well to what I say,
For Allah made things in different ways.
Big and small
Tall and short
Beautiful and ugly
Allah even made you and me.

About that thing which you just saw,
It's a worm that Allah made small.
It lives
It eats
It dies below
To give food for plants to grow.

Allah made all things for good reasons,
When you see something think of the lessons.
Stop
Look
And think
Why it breathes, eat, die and even blink!

Now my child I'll give you a clue,
As to why Allah has made you:
Be kind
Be true
Believe in Him
And always be a good Muslim.

Poems Section

2006-03-04T08:47:00.000-05:00

ADAM (AS)
by sister Sakinah

Adam is our father this is true.
He was created by Allah.
He is the father of me and you.
He walked this earth.
His wife gave birth to beautiful children justlike you.
The first human man.This was all in Allah's plan.
To create this first man.
So always remember we are sisters and brothers.
And that Allah wants us to love one another.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FRIENDS
by Sister Mariam

They learn the Deen together
Competing in good deeds,
While in times of need
They offer good advice and
Speedy acts of kindness,
Expecting no rewards,
Except from Allah T’Ala.

They do not know selfishness
Envy does not ruin their Soul,
They do things for each other,
To make their Imaan strong.

They are the ones to whom Allah
Bestows Mercy upon.
Believing Friends are shiny Jewels,
Whose company advance
A crystal-clear cooling breeze,
Precious Fragrance of Paradise.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HAJJ POEM
by Umm Nour

The Month of Hajj is soon to come
To Mecca the people will begin to run
Around the Kaaba they will make Tawaaf
Then, to Arafat they will be off
On Arafat the people will stand
Then the next day Eid Aludha will begin
In the Eid morning together we will pray
Then the rest of the day it is eat, run, and play
Now it is off to Moozdelifah where the pilgrims will stay
Their stop in this place is until the next day
The next place is Mina where the pilgrims will go
At this stop is the Jammrah and pebbles they’ll throw.
The tenth day of Hajj for the pilgrims is busy indeed
But for the rest of the Muslims it is the Eid.
The pilgrims are busy to Mecca they return
They have the hopes that all of these good deeds they will soon earn
One of these acts is sacrificing a sheep
Then they will trim their hair with still the hope of good deeds to reap
Again the pilgrims will make Tawaaf
Then running between Saffa and Marwa they will be off
On the 11th day of Hajj back to Mina they will go
For the next three days at the Jammrah they will throw.
The Hajj for the pilgrims is coming to an end
They are hoping that Allah accepted it all from where they began
There is one more thing that the pilgrims must make
It is seven more times around the Kaaba for Allah’s sake
Back to their lives the pilgrims return
Hoping Allah accepted all that they earned.

Muslim Publishers

2006-03-04T08:37:00.000-05:00

ASSSALAMU ALEIKUM:

This webpage supports the Muslim Publishers Group
(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/muslimpublishers/)

~ designed to encourage Muslimahs to write different Islamic articles
for children and adults.

~ in shallah, we will attach some of the group member posting to provide a collection of Islamic writings. Also, files of works written by the group members
can be found in the Muslimpublishers Yahoo web-group under the Files folder.

~ Certain Writing Categories are suggested here: - RELIGIOUS STORIES FOR CHILDREN- POEMS - FICTION STORIES - FABLES - MUSLIM ARTICLES.

~ LINKS/ ATTACHMENTS TO MEMBERS CONTRIBUTIONS WILL BE ATTACHED PERIODICALLY, IN SHALLAH.

MASALAAMA,
sister Mariam.