Assalaamu Alaykum! As a mother of three young children and a Muslim chaplain, I’ve noticed that there has been a shift in the way Islamic knowledge is being transferred. In the past, we were accustomed to going to the masjid to hear a khutba or lecture, or attend a halaqa. Now, with the wealth of Islamic knowledge readily found online, it’s much easier to have our kids listen to a lecture or watch a YouTube clip instead of us taking a more active role in their Islamic education. We are our children’s first teachers and this can sometimes feel overwhelming. There are so many resources, how do we even begin? First and foremost, our kids are looking for ways to connect and bond with us. Something that you may view as a simple lesson can have a long lasting impact when it is delivered from you, the person your children most care about pleasing.

This is a collection of some of my favorite Islamic mini-lessons (khawatir (pl) khatira (s)) broken down in an easy to follow guide. Each lesson has multiple questions to help guide the conversation while keeping your children engaged. There is zero prep work on your end! We highly recommend that you deliver it after a specific prayer and stay consistent. That way, kids will associate positive memories with salaah and will look forward to praying in congregation as a family. Please keep in mind that this is meant as a guide; feel free to add more details, verses, and stories if/when you see fit! Please share this book with anyone you think will benefit from it and keep us in your dua. -Chaplain Marwa Aly

Day 1: The Importance of Salah

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ  would tell Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him):

أرحنا بها يا بلال

Give us rest with it, oh Bilal.

What was Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him) known for and what do you think the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was referring to with this statement? 

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and the companions would find rest in prayer! Sometimes, you may think of it as a chore, or something you’re forced to do because we tell you to do it. But, it’s actually meant to relieve us of our day’s stress and help us feel a sense of peace while we talk to Allah ﷻ. 

Ask: What do you think Allahu Akbar means? 

It means Allah ﷻ is not only Great. It means Allah ﷻ is Greater. Adding the -er means that you’re comparing something’s size to something else. Like big and bigger. 

Ask: What do you think Allah ﷻ is greater than?   

Allah ﷻ is greater than everything we have going on in our lives. Allah ﷻ is greater than the math test that’s coming up. Allah ﷻ is greater than your rumbly tummy. Allah ﷻ is greater than the video game you want to play. Allah ﷻ is greater and more deserving of our time than any chores we need to complete. 

When you put your hands up and say “Allahu Akbar,” it’s as if you’re throwing all of your worries and stress over your back and trusting that Allah ﷻ is there to help carry your burden. And once you put Allah ﷻ as the center of your life, Allah ﷻ will place more blessings in your time, and you’ll find that you’ll accomplish so much and won’t feel as rushed doing it. 

سَأَلْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَىُّ الْعَمَلِ أَفْضَلُ قَالَ ‏”‏الصَّلاَةُ لِوَ قْتِهَا”‏

One day Abdullah ibn Masud (may Allah be pleased with him) asked the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ  which deed is best? 

Question: What do you think the Prophet ﷺ said?

He said, “Praying on time.” Do you think we can try our best as a family to pray on time? What can we do to make sure that happen