Five Ways to Make the Best of Il-Health
By Ruhaifa Adil
Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem
Read Part 1 of this article here.
Surah al-Kahf has many important lessons for adults and children. Here are some more activities and ideas to teach children the important learning concepts in the surah:
Lesson 3: Story of the two gardens
Story of the Titanic
Tell the children the story about the ship Titanic and how its commander had boasted that the Titanic was unsinkable! The captains statements were: “…I cannot imagine any condition which would cause the ship to flounder. I cannot conceive of any vital disaster happening to this vessel. Modern shipbuilding has gone beyond that.”
Titanic did not even last its maiden voyage! Relate the story of the two gardens and discuss the importance of attributing all power to Allah and saying: Ma sha’ Allah la quwwata illa billah. What Allah willed [has occurred]; there is no power except in Allah.
Repentance heals
Show a bandage to the children. Ask these questions
- Have you ever had a cut?
- How did it feel?
- What should we do when we get a cut? (Clean and bandage it.)
- Why should we clean and bandage a cut? (To help it heal faster.)
When we do something wrong, it is like having a cut. It hurts inside and makes us sad because we know we have done wrong. Repentance can help us when we have made a mistake. It is a way of cleaning and healing a spiritual hurt. We must not despair when we have done wrong, but instead must turn to Allah in repentance.
Lesson 4: The deceit of the world
Story of the travellers
A man once visited a scholar. He was astonished to see that his home was a simple room. The only furniture was a mat and a kerosene lamp. The man asked him: “O Shaykh, where’s your furniture?” The Shaykh replied: “Where is yours?” The main said: “Mine? But I’m only a visitor here.” The scholar replied: “So am I!”
Relate this story to the children and show them that this world is temporary! We should not be so smitten by its pomp and glamour that we forget our final destination – Jannah!
The Prophet (sa) said: “Be in this world as though you are a stranger or a wayfarer.” (Bukhari)
Choose a gift
Bring two gifts: one beautifully wrapped with frills and bows and the other a small packet in a brown paper bag. Ask the children to choose one for themselves. Encourage them to lift the boxes to see which is heavier and better. Maneuver for them to choose the beautiful box. Open both boxes. The beautiful box has vegetables and the packet has chocolates. Help the children relate this to the deceit of this world and the reality of the hereafter.
Lesson 5: The Story of Moosa (as) and Khidr
Discussion: Scenarios
Discus various scenarios with the children which highlight that what they think is the worst thing ever turns out to be a blessing in disguise. For example:
1- A man misses a plane that was doomed to crash.
2- A child gets late to school but finds that if he or she had left on time he or she would’ve been in an accident.
Discuss the scenarios given in the story of Moosa and Khidr and make the children realize that Allah knows best. When something bad happens, surely Allah has something better planned for us.
Ruhaifa Adil is a mother of four, a practising Muslimah, an avid reader, and a passionate writer. She works primarily as a trainer for mothers and teachers, advocating a multi sensorial, learner-centred approach, which she has learnt through her work as a remedial specialist for children with dyslexia. She is also an author of English textbooks, based on the teachings of the Quran (currently under editing), and creative director of a Tafseer app for kids. Her latest project is Qutor.com, a website that helps connect Quran teachers and students.
© IIPH 2016
About the author
Ruhaifa Adil is a mother of four, a practising Muslimah, an avid reader, and a passionate writer. She works primarily as a trainer for mothers and teachers, advocating a multi sensorial, learner-centred approach, which she has learnt through her work as a remedial specialist for children with dyslexia. She is also an author of English textbooks, based on the teachings of the Quran (currently under editing), and creative director of a Tafseer app for kids (soon to be launched Insha’Allah).
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