|
subject |
Islam - Journeys |
|
topic |
Trips to visit relatives |
|
grade |
Three |
|
time |
30 minutes |
|
objective |
To enable students to see how Muslims
regard extended families, and their importance. |
|
instructional
material |
Read “Our Loving Grandparents” by Kathy
Fannoun |
INTRODUCTION
In Islam, family relations is very important;
within a Muslim family one learns security, love, understanding, patience,
confidence, kindness to others, and other teachings of Islam. Extended families are also important among
Muslims, and that is why institutional homes for the elderly is
almost non-existent in the Muslim world.
As well as serving one’s parents, especially one’s Mother, Islam
stresses kindness and closeness to one’s family regardless of where each member
might live. Note the following verses
from the Quran as well as sayings from Prophet Muhammed :
“Worship God and associate nothing with Him,
and be benevolent towards parents, and kindred, and orphans.” (
“Your Lord has decreed that you worship none
but Him, and that you be kind to your parents.
If one or both of them attain old age in life, then do not even say
‘uff’ (exclamation said when frustrated) to them, but address them in humility
and say ‘My lord! Bestow on them Your mercy even as they cherished me as a child.’.”
(17:23-24)
“And We have enjoined on man kindness to his parents : In travail upon travail did his mother bear him,
and his utter dependence on her was two years.” (31:14)
A man came to Prophet Muhammed and asked to
join in a battle. The Prophet asked him
“Are your parents alive?”. The man replied “Yes.”. Then the Prophet said “Then find your fighting in serving them.”
Prophet Muhammed said “May his nose be rubbed
in dust (and his said this three times...), who found his parents, one or both,
approaching old age and did not enter Paradise by serving them.”
DEVELOPMENT
Read “Our Loving Grandparents” by Kathy
Fannoun
REINFORCING ACTIVITIES
Ask the students to make their own children’s
book about their family.