Objective(s):
1.The virtue and the importance of giving Salaam.
2.Seeking means to the Holy Qur’an to illuminate our hearts that is means to salvation.
3.Becoming familiar with Surah Al-Inshirah and its meaning.
4.The importance of knowing the meanings of the Qur’anic Verses.
5. Getting to know about the concept of succession to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH & HP), and that his successor was chosen by God so the legacy of the prophet is properly followed.
Procedures-Supplies Needed:
1.A puppet named Adam [you may change the name accordingly]
Duration:
10 Minutes
Beginning:
Salaam my dear ones
How are you all doing? How’s everything going? Did you like the craft we made? What do you guys think about doing a few simple exercises so we can become energized?
(doing a few exercises like sitting down and standing up …)
(while the children are sitting down, a puppet comes out from behind the table, yawning and says:)
Adam (the puppet’s name): Hi auntie (or uncle depending on the gender of the mentor). Good morning!
Auntie/Uncle: Salaam Adam! Where were you this morning? Do you not know what time it is? Why did you sleep too much?!?
Adam: I was tired last night auntie. I slept very late. If you didn’t make noise, I would have slept longer.
Auntie: You shouldn’t sleep late at nights. If you want to be fresh and energetic, you should sleep early at night. You don’t know what’s going on here? We are having a big celebration!
Adam: Oooo! Sorry I wasn’t paying attention! Are we celebrating the New Year?
Auntie: NEW YEAR!? Nooo! This celebration is much more important than the New Year!
Adam: Say it Auntie pleeeease! I don’t know what’s going on here!
Auntie: Today’s celebration is for one of the most precious Eids. That’s why we are all happy today. We are celebrating Eid – Al – Ghadir. The day of Imam Ali (AS) was chosen as the next successor!
Adam: Wow how interesting Auntie!! Can you tell more about this big day?
Auntie: My dear absolutely!? But first let’s recite together a surah from the Quran along with the kids, and then I will explain more about this day.
Who knows “Surah Al-Inshirah”? If you know it, recited it with me.
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِیم
أَلَمْ نَشْرَحْ لَکَ صَدْرَکَ ﴿١﴾ وَوَضَعْنَا عَنْکَ وِزْرَکَ ﴿٢﴾ الَّذِی أَنْقَضَ ظَهْرَکَ ﴿٣﴾ وَرَفَعْنَا لَکَ ذِکْرَکَ ﴿٤﴾ فَإِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ یُسْرًا ﴿٥﴾ إِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ یُسْرًا ﴿٦﴾ فَإِذَا فَرَغْتَ فَانْصَبْ ﴿٧﴾ وَإِلَى رَبِّکَ فَارْغَبْ﴿٨﴾
In the Name of God
Did We not relieve your breast for you? (1) and remove your burden from you (2) that pressed down upon your back? (3) We have even raised up renown of you! (4) Yet hardship will bring ease. (5) Indeed, hardship must bring ease! (6) So whenever you have finished, still toil on! (7) Towards your Lord direct your longing! (8)
[note: The translation above is mentioned only for the instructors]
God tells the Prophet: O’ Prophet! We have given you, patience so you can lead all humans. We have removed the burden from you. We have made you important in the whole world. Now you know that after all the hardships you went through while spreading Islam, God has given you peace and calmness. So, when you finish doing one thing, return to God.
Do you guys know what the burden was upon Prophet Mohammad’s (PBUH & HP) shoulders? The thing that bothered him the most?
In the last year of Prophet Mohammad’s life, God commands him to go to Hajj and teach others how to do its rituals. Many people went to Hajj with him. God told his Prophet to introduce his successor in this journey. Successor means a person who can follow in the same footsteps as Prophet Muhammad (PBUH & HP) and teach others about the religious rituals. And so, God tells him: Ali (A.S.) is your successor.
Adam: Auntie, why wouldn’t he introduce his successor to everyone?
Auntie: Prophet Muhammad (PBUH & HP) was scared to tell this message to everyone. Because some of his followers didn’t like Imam Ali (PBUH). And if they knew Imam Ali (AS) will become his successor, they might of have started a fight! And not allowed the Prophet (PBUH & HP) to tell his message. But God helped him that day, and ordered him to tell his message to everyone. On this day Prophet got relieved from the burden he had. He told everyone that his successor is Imam Ali (PBUH). My dears, if Prophet (PBUH & HP) wouldn’t tell everyone this message, the religion of Islam would have not been complete.
Adam: Then that’s why everyone is so happy on this day, they greet and congratulate each other cheerfully. And they give each other candies and sweets. So, Auntie to make everyone happy I know a poem about Eid-Al-Ghadir that I want to recite for them. But first, everyone has to bring their hands up and repeat after me:
It’s Eid of Ghadir, and Ali is our Master….
Those kids who did know Surah al-Inshirah, can memorize this surah at home and recite it for me when we see each other next time. My dears, it’s a very good idea for us to know the meanings of the verses of the Quran, so when we recite it we know what God has told us. So, whenever you recite surah al-Inshirah, remember the Prophet and Amir-al muminin as his successor, and be proud that you are one of his Shia’s and his son is the Imam of Our Time (as).
Objective(s):
1.Becoming familiar with Ghadir, and the meaning behind the succession to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH & HP) in terms of a poem.
2.In the 1st part, children get to know the main points of Tawhid (i.e. Oneness of God). They learn and chant together “La ilaha ill Allah” (i.e.: There is no God but God”).
3.In the second part, they will talk about Nubuwwah (Prophet-hood). At the end of this part they will learn to say “Muhammad Rasul-Allah” (i.e. Muhammad is the Messenger of God).
4.In the 3rd part they learn about the concept of wali (i.e helper), Wilayah (i.e authority) and accepting this authority.
5.The 4th part is about the concept of Imamate (i.e.: divine leadership). The concept of accepting the oath of allegiance is mentioned for them. And at the end together they will chant: “Ali Wali Allah” (i.e. Ali is the guardian/protector of God)
6.Referring to the words once said by Hazrat Zahra (SA), in the Fadak Sermon: She has said: Our leadership (Ahlul-Bayt), is the safeguard from disunity.
Procedures-Supplies Needed:
1.Acquiring the necessary skills for storytelling, to attract kids’ attention.
Duration:
10 Minutes
Story: A Trip to Ghadir
Mentor: Hey kiddos lets travel to the land of story tales, with our friend The Hoopoe. A journey to the past, so he can say his story for us!!
Mentor facing the Hoopoe: Salaam, Salaam, Hoopoe, we came here with the kids, to be your fellow traveler to the land of story tales!
The Hoopoe: Salaam, Salaam dear kids,
Long, long time ago, when our dear Prophet was alive.
On a very hot day, I was flying in the sky.
I saw a group of people standing there, waiting for others.
They were with each other, they were all Hajji. o the smiling flowers, who knows who is a Hajji?
Hajji is a person who goes on a trip, not a trip but ziyarat, ziyarat of whom o my flowers?
Would you guys like to go on a Ziyarat? Go to God’s house? Go around and around it?
Who knows what its named?! Say it out loud!
We went and went till we got to Mecca, we all stopped, should we go around the Kaaba?
Everyone say it “La Ilaha Illa-Allah”, there is no god but Allah.
Let’s now travel with the group of Hajjis.
We went and went until we got near a pond near Mecca. Do you want to know its name, so you could all know it my dears?
It’s called Ghadir Khumm. What was the name everyone?
When the group got to the pond, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH & HP), told everyone to stop and wait there.
They waited and waited so Those who were behind, to arrive. Those who were ahead, to come back.
When they all gathered, they all chanted: Muhammad Rasul-Allah! Muhammad Rasul-Allah, Muhammad is the messenger of God!
Now we have arrived at the same pond! Let’s all chant: Mohammad Rasul-Allah! Muhammad Rasul-Allah! Muhammad is the messenger of God!
Prophet stood on a height, he started talking to the Hajjis.
To him they listened carefully. I remember what he said clearly.
First, he thanked God. He praised and testified God.
He said when I die, you will all have to listen to one man.
The Hajjis asked who is that man? Who is your Master?
Prophet said Come here dear Ali, come faster. And Prophet raised his hand high in the air.
He said after me, Ali is your Master!
Then all the Hajjis chanted together:
Ali Wallieh-o-Allah! Ali is the protector of God!
Let’s all say with the Hajjis:
Ali Wallieh-o-Allah! Ali is the protector of God!
Then all the Hajjis shook hands with Ali.
They told the story to those who weren’t there.
Now let’s all say this together:
Congrats, congrats O’ Ali on your Authority!!
Now children can you tell me why Ali became our Master?
Think about it. Tell me why!?
(listen to their answers)
OK kids to answer this question better, think about my example, there is a family, mom, dad and children, the parents want to go out but they can’t take their children. Do you think they will leave their children alone? For no one to take care of them? What will they do when something happens? What if they do something dangerous?
Parents are kind and nice, they would never leave the house without having someone older to look after their kids. They will have someone who will replace them.
God who is kind and nice who has send us the prophets. He knows what is best for us. He will have a guide for all humans so after the Prophet, he helps and guides them to the right path.
YES exactly, if our dear Prophet (PBUH & HP) who was the world’s best teacher, didn’t have anyone like him to lead people to the right path!
People would have gone the wrong direction. They would have done whatever they wanted even if it was wrong. By the way the universe would have lost its order. So, when the Muslims chose Imam Ali (AS) as their master and teacher in life, it made them all to follow the right path, have unity, and love each other. This way everyone had the same goal. Their goal would be listening to God and doing things as he wants, helping others, doing good things, being kind and love one another.
It’s the same for us. We need someone to help us and guide us. Who knows who is our guide and Imam now?
That’s right! It’s Imam Mahdi (AJ). We should talk to him. Ask him to help us, to guide us and show us the right path and we should ask him to pray for us.
Now that we know why Imam Ali (AS) became our Imam and master, let’s clap our hands and have fun: say it along with me:
I’m happy and joyful knowing the importance of my Master
I laugh and clap my hands I say O’ Ali and I’m happy (3 times)
Good job to all of you who are the lovers of Imam Ali (AS) and Imam Mahdi (AJ) as well as you organized kids 🙂
Objective(s):
1.Understanding the importance of succession to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH & HP).
Procedures-Supplies Needed:
1.Few Chairs.
2.Sound effect of a train can be downloaded using the link below http://www.soundjay.com/train-sound-effect.html
3.Speakers for the sound of the tran
Duration:
15 Minutes
Play: The Train of Bliss
The train is moving, while it suddenly stops (The passengers are sitting and are looking outside from the windows. Show the movement of the train by sound.) The passengers (Ali, Zahra and their parents) become surprised of the sudden stop of the train, and chaos occupies the space.
Zahra: Mom, did the train get a flat tire?
Mom: No honey. Trains don’t get a flat tire, they have metal tires.
Ali: So, if it did get a flat tire, then what’s wrong? What is going on?
Dad: It’s better to go and see what has happened!
Ali and his father look out of their train compartment. His father says: It seems that the driver doesn’t feel good?
Ali: WHAT?! You mean we won’t get to Mashhad?!We won’t get to play in the courtyards of Imam Reza’s shrine?! Does that mean we have to stay in this dessert in middle of nowhere!? What will happen to us?
Zahra starts nagging and goes next to her mother.
Dad: Slow down Ali!!! What are you saying? Look, you’ve made your sister worried. Then probably the vultures come and eat the rest of us!!
Ali: Oh, how did you know?
Dad: No, my dear. Don’t worry https://ed-danmark.com/koeb-…ra-online/. Each train or airplane has a substitute driver, so when something happens to the first driver the second one will replace him. In a few minutes, our train’s substitute driver will come and God willing we will arrive to Mashhad.
Ali: Really!? That’s very interesting. I didn’t know that there is a substitute driver. Did you hear that Zahra? Don’t worry now.
Ali looks at his mom for a second and sees that she’s thinking about something.
He says: Mom what are thinking about? Are you scared that we won’t get to Mashhad?
Mom smiles and says: No dear, I was thinking about something else.
Ali: Can you tell me what you were thinking about?
Mom: Yes of course. But first you should answer my question.
Ali: Ok, ask your question mom!
Mom: If we say life is like this train and its destination is happiness and prosperity of the people, who do you think the driver of this train would be?
Ali thinks for a bit and says: I think it should be someone that God has chosen him, right?
Mom: Excellent! So, who could this be?
Ali thinks again and says: I got it. It’s the Prophet, right mom?
His father smiles proudly and says: That’s right. Now do you think is it possible if this train of happiness and bliss, which God has chosen its driver to be Prophet Muhammad (PBUH & HP), and after him passing away, would God have left this train without a driver??? And Leave alone those who want to follow the right path and get closer to God?
Ali: NO! That’s impossible! When a train has a substitute driver, Prophet (PBUH & HP) who has worked hard on leading the train to success, he must have a successor to move this train forward. Our kind God, would never leave this train without a successor!
Dad: Good job my clever boy! God commanded Prophet Mohammad (PBUH & HP) to tell everyone that Imam Ali (AS) is his successor. And he handed over people’s train of happiness to Imam Ali (AS).
Ali: Now I understand why yesterday in the celebration we had at school my teacher said: “To whomever I am his master, this Ali is his master”. It means that after me, Imam Ali is my Successor and your Master. So, if you want to get on this train of happiness and don’t want to get lost you must love and support Imam Ali (A.S). Thanks mom, thanks dad I have learned something important today. I think I should thank the driver too. Dad! Can we go and see how the driver doing?
Dad: I think we can. It’s a great idea. Zahra, you stay with your mom we will come back soon.
***and the sound of the train’s whistle is heard as the train moves***
Objective(s):
1.Becoming familiar with the concept of succession of divine prophets and especially the Holy Prophet (PBUH & HP).
Procedures-Supplies Needed:
1.Proejctor, microphone, laptop and projector screen.
Duration:
20 Minutes
The Meaning of a Successor (Pictures 1 and 2):
My dears, does anyone know the meaning of the word successor? Where do we use this word? Yes, successor means someone who is in the position of someone else and does something in his place.
I will give you an example; you live in a house along with your dad, mother, sister and your brother. The house has a few rules, which everyone living in that family must follow. For example, they should listen to what their elders say, respect them, help them, and …Now one day the parents want to travel.
Do you think they will leave their kids on their own, so they can do whatever they wish to do? Go wherever they want to go? Get up and sleep whenever they want? Eat whatever they want? No, the parents will make sure to have someone replace them, for example have an aunt or an uncle, or grandparents to take care of their children.
And they will tell their children, that while they are gone, your aunt will stay over with you, and whatever they tell you is like our word, so please listen to what they say.
Then the parents will enjoy their travel time with a peace of mind. Because they are sure that while they are gone with God’s will nothing bad will happen for their children.
The Divine Successors (4,5,6,7,8,9):
Now my dears, after God created the humans, He did not leave them to be on their own and do whatever they wish to do like for example do any wrongdoings, not know their own worth and become bad people. However, amongst the people God chose Prophets for the guidance of the people.
Once these Prophets became a prophet they would immediately start inviting people to do the right things, inviting them to be kind, worship God and put away their wrongdoings. Some people would listen, while others would resist and continued to do their evil deeds.
Finally, one day the Prophet’s life would end, and the dear God would command every Prophet meaning order every one them that they must introduce their successor. Of course, the successor that God had appointed and not the prophets themselves.
The prophets would then introduce their successors after them to the people, and would tell the people that they must listen to their successor because they too have also been chosen by God. They also know better and more than people what is the right path in life to achieve happiness and prosperity.
The Successor of the Last Prophet (10)
The last Prophet of God, was the Holy Prophet of Islam, Prophet Muhammad Peace and Blessings be Upon Him and His Dear Family. From the time, our Holy Prophet became a prophet, in different events he would introduce his successor to the people.
And that person was none other than his cousin, Imam Ali (peace be Upon Him). The last time the Prophet (peace be upon him) told the people that Imam Ali was succeeding after him, was during the last year of his life at the Hajj ceremony.
The Last Hajj (11)
The story was that the last Messenger of God (Peace be Upon Him and His Dear Family), told the people that by the command of God he is going to Hajj and teach people the rituals of Hajj.
Everyone was eager to join the Prophet of Islam in this spiritual journey. Therefore, people from every corner of the Land of Islam came to accompany their Prophet in this great gathering. Approximately 120 thousand people attended this event, which at that time that meant a lot. Finally, the rituals of Hajj ended.
Ghadir (12,13,14,15,16,17)
The caravans left Mecca and each moved towards their own city and country. In the middle of the road was a pond surrounded with few trees, named Ghadir Khumm. When the Holy Prophet (Peace be Upon Him and His Holy Family) reached that area, he ordered all the caravans to stop.
He told a few of his companions to tell those caravans that went ahead to come back and those who were behind to return to this place called Ghadir.
All the Muslims gathered there, made Wudhu, and prayed behind the Last Messenger of God (Peace be Upon Him and His family). Then by the order of the Prophet, they made a podium from the loads of the camels and then the Prophet stood upon the podium. On that hot sunny day, the Prophet spoke to the people for three hours, and told the Muslims about the good qualities and kindness of Imam Ali (Peace be Upon Him).
Then he called over Imam Ali (Peace Be Upon Him) to stand next to him, then he grabbed onto his honorable hand, lifted his hand up, and said: Whomever I am his Master, this Ali is his Master. Then he prayed: O God, support whoever supports Ali, and be the enemy of whoever that is his enemy.
The Pledge of the Muslims (18,19)
Now my dears, do you all know what the word pledge means? Yes, it means that we shake someone else’s hand, and tell them that that we are loyal to them and will listen to their words. Our beloved Prophet may God’s blessings be upon him and his dear family, after he introduced Imam Ali as his successor to the people, he asked everyone to pledge to him, and call him Amir al-Mu’minin, the leader of all believers.
First, he told people to pledge with their tongues, and say that we believe in you as the next successor of the Prophet and then to come up and shake hands with Imam Ali peace be upon him and repeat the sentence again. Shaking hands is both a sign of pledge, and a sign of friendship and affection.
My dears, the women also pledged to Imam Ali may God’s blessings be upon him. Who can guess how? As you guys know in the religion of Islam, women can only shake hands with their close relatives, such as their father, grandpa, brother, uncle, and their husband. These people are called “Mahram”.
Therefore, women could not shake hands with Imam Ali (Peace be Upon Him) because he was non-Mahram. So, in your opinions how did they pledge? Basically, a small screen was hung in front of Imam Ali with a large bowl of water on the other side. Imam Ali (AS) would place his hand in the bowl of water. Then each woman placed her right hand in the same bowl of water, thus pledging to Imam Ali (AS).
The Last Successor (20):
My dears, during the three hours that Prophet Muhammad (Salawat) spoke to people, he introduced his successor, and asked people to tell this event to their children so that everyone can understand that God has not left the people without a guardian.
The last successor of the Prophet, is our 12th Imam, Imam Mahdi (AS). Our kind and beloved Imam, whom God has hidden him from our eyes because of the bad actions of people, so that one-day God allows him to reappear and fill the earth with goodness, kindness, peace, and tranquility.
My dears, for our beloved Imam to come amongst us we must pledge to him and tell him that he is our Mowla and Master, truly listen to his words, and with our good actions and our prayers show him that we truly love him, are thinking about him, and are waiting for his return. This way, we can be among those who do something to make the return of our Imam sooner.
This way we can be among the companions of our Imam and our Imam is no longer alone. Now raise your beautiful hands, and pray for the early return of our beloved master. اللهم عجل لولیک الفرج [allahuma ajil waliyekal faraj]- O dear God, bring back the Imam of Our Time , Amen!
Objective(s):
1.Concluding the program, and reminding the kids again the holistic meaning of succession to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH & HP).
2.Reminding them of the presence of the Imam of our time, Imam Mahdi (AJ) as the best teacher for us.
Procedures-Supplies Needed:
1.It is important for this segment of the program to be done in a quiet and calm environment while paying utmost attention the prayers.
2.Starting the dua, after conveying to the kids about the importance of praying for the return of the Imam of Our Time (AS).
3.It is suggested that that while the dua is being recited, the Arabic version of the dua along with its translation in the local language to be projected simultaneously.
4.Laptop and speakers.
Duration:
15 Minutes
End/Conclusion and Dua:
I hope you all had fun today. We wanted to not only make you happy but also tell you all, why it is so important to celebrate this big day. Now because of this beautiful day I want to give you some candy. But do you guys know who I am going to give the first candy to? Yass!! Those who tell me what they have learned today and like to tell their other friends that couldn’t be here with us today, so they can learn it too?! Right?! So, whoever tells me first, they get the first candy.
- We have learned why Prophet Muhammad should have had a successor after him! Why? Because without him, people would have slowly walked towards the wrong path and would have forgotten what the Prophet (PBUH & HP) has taught them! If Prophet didn’t introduce a new teacher, they would have slowly all forgotten the Quran. That way everyone would have done what they liked! And they wouldn’t have payed attention to the rules. Like what?!! Like a house with no parents! The children can do anything, even dangerous things!!!
So, Prophet (PBUH&HP) introduced Imam Ali (AS) as his successor and told us that we must listen to what he says!
- We understood how good it feels to be organized! And if we aren’t organized nothing goes as planned!
- The most important thing for us today is that we have come to understand with these simple examples that we now have a teacher; and God never leaves us alone without a teacher. Who can tell me who is our current teacher?
Yes, that’s right. Imam Mahdi (AJ) is the Imam and the teacher of our time!! Accepting him, doing what he says, and praying for his return, makes us all to have one common goal; So, like this we all can help one another to continue the same path and be united. Now let’s all greet him and pray for his health and his return. And tell him HOW much we miss him…
Let’s all stand up facing the Qibla and say:
Salaam my dear Imam, we love you and love to see you as soon as possible because you are our kindest father and we miss you. And we have so many questions to ask from you. We want to learn a lot from you. You are always our best teacher!!!
- Reciting Dua al-Faraj while facing the Qibla, and standing up out of love and respect for his Eminence.
My dears, don’t forget to practice Surah al-Inshirah at home and if you want you can even memorize this surah and recite it for me next time you see me, and even remind me a few things that you learned today.
http://film.tebyan.net/film/151746
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0cXoTGnP1jk26
************
Tranlation of Dua al-Faraj
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O’ God, send your blessing upon Muhammad and the Household
of Muhammad
O’ God, at this moment and every moment
Be a guardian, a protector, a leader, a helper
a proof, and an eye for Your representative &; proof, Mahdi son of Al-
Hassan,
Your blessings be upon him and his ancestors
guard him as long as he lives on this earth as a ruler
benefit him and bless him with everything You and this earth has to Offer
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