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Friday, 26 August 2016

How we Teach the 99 Names of Allah

This blog-post was written in partnership with Al Maurid Books. Although I was compensated for my time, and given a review copy of the book, all opinions expressed here are 100% my own.

Teaching the 99 Names of Allah can be challenging for any Muslim parent. In our Muslim homeschool, we use a variety of creative and hands-on activities to help our children remember the names of Allah.


How to Teach the 99 names of Allah Muslim Homeschool

Teach the 99 Names of Allah Muslim Homeschool

I believe that learning the names of Allah does not need to be rushed. By taking our time, we allow the names of Allah to impact on their hearts, thereby helping to nurture a deeper and stronger connection to the Divine insha'Allah.

Each activity below is designed to help children understand the 99 names of Allah. The names themselves can seem complicated and somewhat abstract to young children. By associating the Divine name with an activity or craft, we show the children a more concrete representation of that name, creating a connection that will help with memorisation, as well as their understanding.

And besides....it's so much more fun this way!!! 

To watch a Youtube Video about all the activities we have been doing, 
CLICK ON THE VIDEO BELOW!





Why Learn the 99 Names of Allah?



Learning the names of Allah (swt) is a great way to help children to understand the nature of Allah and create a love for the divine in their hearts insha'Allah.

It has been narrated Abu Huraira that the Prophet (SAW) said, 

“Allah has ninety-nine names, i.e. one-hundred minus one, and whoever knows them will go to Paradise.”

Sahih Al-Bukhari – Book 50 Hadith 894

How We Teach the 99 Names of Allah

Allah


The first place we began is with the name "Allah."

Using a FREE TEMPLATE of the name, we filled in the letters with sequins and buttons to make a beautiful calligraphy to hang-up on our wall. 

Alternatively, you could use glitter, tissue paper or even make a collage from old magazines or newspapers. 


Teach 99 Names of Allah Muslim Homeschool

Teach the 99 Names of Allah Muslim Homeschool


Al-Khaliq


Al-Khaliq can be translated as "The Creator". 

For this name, I felt the best way to teach the children about how Allah creates, is to witness His creation.

So we went outdoors; to the park, to the woods, and just around our own garden, and spent some time talking together about what Allah had created. We talked about how He created everything from nothing, with no help

This concept is something that even the youngest of children can understand. Allah made the clouds, Allah made the sun, Allah made the birds etc. 

I asked the children to collect things from our nature walk. We came home with so many twigs, leaves and flowers! 

Once we got home, we made a poster using a FREE Colouring Page of the name Al-Khaliq. 

Around the name we stuck all the beautiful things that the chlidren had collected. It looked lovely up on the kitchen wall!

Teach 99 Names of Allah Muslim Homeschool

Teach 99 Names of Allah Muslim Homeschool


For more details about this craft, you can read my previous blogpost HERE


Al-Malik


Al-Malik translates as "The King." 

As a visual representation of this name, the children made a crown! 

Whilst they were making it, we talked about how Allah doesn't wear a crown, and how Allah does not look like any king that they can imagine. We spoke a little about the role of a king and I asked them,"Who is the King of the Kings? ..... Allah!"

Teach 99 Names of Allah Muslim Homeschool
If you would like to make this crown with your children,  CLICK HERE.

Ar- Razzaq


Recently, we have been learning the name Ar-Razzaq which translates as "The Provider."

To help the children understand this name better, we have been using the book "Aishah Learns to Bake" by Latifah Peerbux. 



Teach the 99 names of Allah Aishah learns to bake





This is the story of a young girl called Aishah who wants to bake. Her mum agrees to teach her how, but she asks her to guess all the ingredients they need. What is wonderful is how her mum uses clues with an Islamic or Prophetic twist!!! 

For example, as a clue for dates, her mum says,


"Allah even says we find this fruit up in heaven! 
It's the same fruit we eat in Ramadan to break our fast!"


Teach 99 Names of Allah Aishah Learns to bake

Aishah continues to guess all the ingredients for her cakes, learning more and more as she does so. 

The book ends with her father explaining to her how Allah is Ar-Razzaq, the Provider. 

It's a sweet and heart-warming story that helps children to understand what a blessing it is to have food, as well as the Blessings that different foods contain; and ultimately to be more grateful to Allah for providing us with them. 

As the hands-on activity, we made the Honey and Date cupcakes that Aishah and her mum baked. They were delicious! Alhumdulillah! 




Teach 99 names of Allah Aishah learns to bake
Ingredients

Teach 99 names of Allah Aishah learns to bake
Whisking is so much fun when you're 4 years-old!

Teach 99 names of Allah Aishah learns to bake
My toddler wanted to join in!

Teach 99 names of Allah Aishah learns to bake
Decorating the Cupcakes

Teach 99 names of Allah Aishah learns to bake
Honey and Date Cupcakes! Yum!





Al- Wadood


Al-Wadood can be translated as "The Most Loving." 

The idea that Allah loves us, even more than mummy and daddy, is something that even very young children will understand. This art activity is a great one for small kids too!

We drew the outline of a heart onto a piece of paper. The children then scrunched up lots of small piece of tissue paper and glued them all over the heart! 

They looked so pretty, and were a wonderful visual reminder that Allah loves them!


Teach 99 Names of Allah Muslim Homeschool

Ar-Rahman


Most recently, we have been looking at the name Ar-Rahman, which can be translated as "The Most Compassionate." 

I'm still thinking about what hands-on activity we can use to help the children to better understand this concept. 

My initial idea was to ask the children to take care of our cats for a week. I hope that this will teach them that just as they are taking care of their cats, Allah is taking care of them, and their family, and all the people in the whole world, and all of creation

What do you think? If you have a better idea I'd really appreciate it if you would share it with us all in the comments section below!!!



Have you been teaching the 99 Names of Allah to your children? 

How did you approach it?

If you have any useful resources, I'd love to hear about them.

Please let us all know by leaving a comment down below!


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In need of your duaas.

Peace and Love xx



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6 comments:

  1. Really lovely such good ideas mashaAllah

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  2. thank you so much for sharing this! I am a new teacher so its helpful to get my ideas flowing!

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  3. Excellent ideas! Just recently I was gushing about the importance of learning the 99 names of Allah. These resources and ideas would be perfect for my preschooler brother. Jazakillah! =)

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  4. Masya Allah. This is wonderful. I am also a new Islamic teacher. Teaching a class of 3-5 year olds. I would be great to get in touch and learn more.

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  5. Barakallahu alaikuma. I have an idea to practise Ar Rahman the name of Allah to kids. Give them an Activity like One Day challenge "To be Kind and compassionate towards parents,friends,relatives and neighbours" and advised their mothers to assess their performance

    ReplyDelete