Eid Al- Ghadir- Level 2 – 1st Year

Topic Overview: Understanding that During Ghadir, Religion was Brought to Perfection (Hadith of Ghadir)-Understanding the Succession of Amir-al-Mu’minin (A.S.) Regarding Prophet Muhammad (PBUH & HP)-The Verse of Perfection of the Religion and Propagation, Fulfilling Promises- A Good Friend

  • Objective(s):

    1.Since children arrive at different times, it is suggested that before the start of the official program, any sort of craft that is associated with the occasion is planned for those who come earlier.

    Procedures-Supplies Needed:

    1.White Cardboard, and blue construction paper.

    2.thick white cardboard (approximate dimensions: 35* 25 cm -).

    3.Pea or Beans.

    4.Glue Stick.

    5.Scissors.

    6.Cutter.

    Duration:

    20 Minutes

    Print the images given at the end of the document on a cardboard and give it to the kids to color. Allot approximatley 10 minutes for them to do this task. The palm trees at the end of the document also need to be colored. Then using scissors cut the picture according to the image given. (Note: The image is not shown from the coloring stage )

    Using a cutter cut the small horizontal line given in the middle of the image. For protection, make sure to use something under your hand while using the cutter. To speed up the work, you may do this step before the kids start coloring.

    Then pass the pre-cut hand through the slot made earlier.

    Move down the hand until it’s fully positioned.

    Bend the hand downwards.

    Redraw the hand. It is not important to have every little detail drawn just the hand and the sleeve should be sufficient.

    If you move the cardboard that is visible downwards, then the hand will move upwards.

    On a blue construction paper draw an oval shape and cut it with a scissor. Glue all the elements shown in the image below on a rather thick cardboard (You can use a recycled cardboard). Around the pond glue either beans or peas. This step can be easily done with a glue stick however a large amount of glue may be used. To make this simpler it is suggested that you take bean in your hand and then with it, remove a small amount of glue.

  • 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 the verse of propagation and the verse of perfection of religion.

    4.The importance of having knowledge about the meanings of Quranic verses.

    5.Understanding about the succession to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH & HP) and that his successor was chosen by Allah for the legacy of Prophet to be preserved and continued.

    Procedures-Supplies Needed:

    1.A puppet named Adam.

    Duration:

    20 Minutes

    Beginning:

    Salaam, how is everyone doing?

    For you guys to feel energized, we will start our program together with a simple workout!

    (Children will stand in a line, and they will hold hands with each other. They will raise their hands up, and do some stretching and bending. They will continue repeating these movements and …)

    Alright, everyone please have a seat.

    We are thrilled and excited to have you guys in this Grande celebration. So now I have a question from you all: who can tell me more about this Eid, so those who don’t know about it become more familiar with it? (Wait for their responses)

    Exactly! As our friend mentioned we are all gathered here to celebrate the biggest Eid of God known as Eid-Al-Ghadir. In various narrations, this Eid has been known as the Greatest Eid of God (i.e. Eid Al-Akbar) which means that this Eid is greater and more important than Eid-Al Fitr, Eid- Adha, and even more important than Fridays.

    As you guys know, in the last year of Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH & HP) life, God orders him to go on the journey of Hajj, and teach people the rituals of hajj so those who don’t know about these rituals learn them. In addition, since Muslims from all around the world were to be present in this big gathering, an important message was supposed to be announced.

    So, what was that important message??  YES!

    The public announcement of Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH & HP) successor.

    My dears! Every teacher, principle, manager, or a leader who wants to leave for a few days or even to quit their job; they will have to choose someone to continue their job. You see is it reasonable, for a teacher to leave a classroom and tell everyone to do what they like to do and study however they want? Or for example a mayor leaves the city and doesn’t choose anyone for their position? How do you guys think the city will look like, will the city maintain its order?

    (Wait for their response)

    The Prophet of Islam, may peace and blessings be upon him and his pure family, was the leader of all Muslims and God ordered him to introduce to everyone his successor, because if he didn’t do so, it would have been as if he didn’t complete his mission as a Prophet.  Therefore during this pilgrimage, Gabrielle reveals verse 67 of Surah Al-Ma’idah several times which is known as the ” propagation verse”, which says :

    یا اَیٌّها الرَّسُولَ بَلِّغْ ما اُنْزِلَ اِلیکَ مِنْ رَبِّکِ وَ اِنْ لَمْ تَفْعَلْ فَما بَلَّغْتَ رِسالَتَهُ وَ اللَّه یَعْصِمُکَ مِنَ النَّاسِ اِنَّ اللهَ لا یَهدی القومَ الکافِرینَ».

    “O’ Messenger, announce that which has been revealed to you from your Lord, and if you do not then you have not conveyed His Message And God will protect you from the people. Indeed, God does not guide the disbelieving people.”

    YES, everyone, this message was to publicly announce the successor of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH & HP). Prophet knew based on the revelation of God that he will soon depart from this world and therefore he had to announce to all Muslims his successor. He needed to do this so all the hard work he had done as a prophet, such as teaching everyone how to live, and telling others about Islam doesn’t become ineffective. More importantly this was the best moment to announce the succession of Imam Ali (A.S), because there were many Muslims gathered there from all around the world. It is interesting that the difference between the successor of Prophet from a teacher or a city mayor is that since Prophet is chosen by God, his successor must also be chosen by God. Because only God knows who can continue the legacy of Prophet without any wrongdoings or mistakes.

    So, prophet needed to announce this important message as soon as possible to everyone but he was worried, because among his companions there were some people who did not like Amir-al-Mu’minin the commander of faithful Imam Ali (A.S). And the Prophet was scared that they will do something to Imam Ali (A.S.) but that sentence of God which said: “We will protect you from the people” really made him feel better and therefore he gathered everyone around a place called the “Ghadir Khumm” and announced Imam Ali (A.S) as his successor. After announcing God’s order, another verse was revealed from God that said:

     الیَومَ یَئِسَ الذینَ کَفَروا مِن دینِکُم فَلا تَخشَوهُم وَ اخشَونِ الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَ أَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَ رَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الإِسْلاَمَ دِينًا

     This day those who disbelieve have despaired of [defeating] your religion; so fear them not, but fear Me. This day I have perfected for you, your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.

    According to this verse, which is the third ayah of Surah al-Ma’eda, we realize that until the time the Prophet reveals the authority (willayat) of Amir al-Muminin to the people, it was as if Islam was still incomplete. And when this respected man becomes the next successor, it turns out that the religion of Islam has now became completed.

    My dears, why do you all think that the religion of Islam became complete in this way? (wait for their responses, encourage correct answers, help with incomplete or misleading answers to become completed.)

  • Objective(s):

    1.Lending a hand to others, and helping them. Keeping promises.

    Procedures-Supplies Needed:

    1.Being familiar with the skills necessary for story telling to attract kid’s attention but also for them to understand the moral of the story.

    Duration:

    5 Minutes

    Story: Fulfilling Promises, Performing Good Deeds, and Inviting Others to do Good

    Three brothers came to Imam Ali (A.S.) and said: We want to retaliate this man who has killed our father. Imam Ali (A.S) said to the man: Why did you kill him? That man said: I am the shepherd of camels, goats, and … One of my camels started eating from one of the trees of their father’s land, and their father hit the camel with a rock, killing my camel. Therefore, I picked up the same rock and threw it at their father and he died.

    Imam Ali (A.S.) said: “For this reason you have to be punished.” That man said: “I know. However, can you give me three more days? My father has passed away and he has left for me and my younger brother a treasure.

    If you kill me that treasure will be lost and my brother will not get the treasure. He will then be in a bad situation.” Amir al-Mu’minīn the Commander of Faithful said to the man: “Can anyone guarantee that you will go and come back?” The man looked around and pointed to one of the companions of Prophet (PBUH & HP) and Amir al-Mu’minīn (AS) and said this man! Amir al-Mu’minīn (AS) said: “O’ Abazar will you guarantee that this man will come back?” Abazar replied: “Yes I will.” Amir al-Mu’minīn (AS) said: “You do not know him, and if he escapes, in return you will be punished.” Abazar said: “O’ Amir al-Mu’minīn I will guarantee of him.”

    And the man left. The first, second and third day passed by quickly & everyone was worried that Abazar would be punished instead of that man. It was shortly before the Maghrib Adhan did that man arrive. While he was very tired, he stood by Amir al-Mu’minīn and said: “I have given the treasure to my brother, and now I am under your command to be punished for what I have done.” Imam Ali (AS) said: “What made you to come back, knowing that you could have easily escaped?” The man said: “Well, I was afraid that they would say “fulfilling a promise” has been eliminated among people.” Amir al-Mu’minīn asked from Abazar: “Why did you guarantee of him?” Well I was worried that they would say “generosity” has been eliminated amongst people! The children that had lost their father were moved by this scene and said: “We will forgive this man!” Amir al-Mu’minīn (A.S) said: “Why?” We are worried that they would say that “forgiving and forgiveness” has been eliminated amongst people. But I have told you this story so they wouldn’t say “Inviting others to do good things” has been eliminated amongst people…

  • Objective(s):

    1.Accustom children with the culture of poetry and reciting religious poems.

    Procedures-Supplies Needed:

    1.It is suggested that before the start of the ceremony the person reciting the poem, practices and memorizes a few lines of the poem.

    2. To create a fun atmosphere for children, ask them to recite along with you the simpler lines of the poem.

    Duration:

    3 Minutes

    See the clouds / non-look the same/ one is near/ one is far/

    One is up there/ decorating / the pond down here smiles/ because it knows that it day of Eid/ Eid Al-Ghadeer/ Ali is the master of all/

    look at the tree/ green and fresh/ look at its fruits/ all red and ripe/

    Why is the flower happy?/ the world is happy/ the bird is free/ the tree is happy/ because its Eid/ Eid al Ghadeer/ Ali is the master of all/

    Look at the sky/ full of stars/ happiness you see/ in everyone’s eyes/

    Because its Eid/ Eid-Al-Ghadir/ Ali is master of all

    No other day is more renowned,
    Ali was in the heavens crowned
    Chosen by God to succeed
    The holy Prophet, and to lead.

    It’s a day when believers rejoice
    God’s wisdom and His noble choice
    To appoint a righteous, just Imam
    For the sake of the Muslims and Islam.

    When the Prophet, in the scorching heat
    Waited for all Muslims to meet
    In Ghadeer that it be shown
    Who will succeed him, and be known:

    “Whosoever takes me as his master,
    Without Ali will face disaster.
    God’s religion is now complete
    And His favor will be your treat.”

  • Objective(s):

    1.Understanding the importance of the succession to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH & HP) and having Imam Mahdi (AJ) as our Imam.

    Procedures-Supplies Needed:

    1.Table and chair.

    2. Projector for displaying the image of the library.

    3. The image of the library can be seen at the end of the document.

    Duration:

    15 Minutes

    A Play: A Perfect Religion

     

    The Narrator: Hey kids, a French scholar that researched about the mindset of people from different religions, when he came to Iran he met a Shia Scholar named: Allameh Tabatabaei. Allameh Tabatabaei was a great interpreter of Quran and the author of Tafsir al-Mizan, that I am sure the name of the book is familiar for you. The French scholar, after meeting Allameh Tabatabaei, he became interested in Shia’s and every summer he would come back to meet him; so, he could know more about Islam and Shias in general. As he learned more things from Allameh Tabatabaei he became more, and more interested in Islam. Now the French Scholar is sitting in the library and trying to gather all the information he has learned, and we want to see what he concludes after so many years of having researched about other religions:

    (display the Picture of the library located at the end of the document, the scholar is better to have glasses and wear an old person makeup, have book on a table, some open and some closed as if he is studying them and comparing the books).

    After looking over the books and thinking, he says to himself:

              

    WOW, it’s very interesting that this weak point can be seen in every religion except Islam.  Even it can be seen in the Sunni perspective but not in the Shia perspective. (with wonder and surprise)

     

    He continues: I have payed careful attention to this matter, and been trying to find answers regarding it. It’s interesting, because it’s the opposite of what the world says about Islam, and the Shia say a different thing, that you don’t hear so often. Because when everyone does research on Islam, they immediately go and see what the Sunnis say, and they care less about the Shia perspective. Because there are less of them!!!

    Then he says again: I am very happy!! That I have finally found a perfect religion.

    Narrator: Hey kids what do you all think he found in Islam, especially regarding the Shia perspective, which other religions do not have and this shows the Shia perspective is the complete religion among the rest of the other religions?

    Do you guys want to ask the scholar himself?

    Hey professor, I am very sorry to bother you during your studies, but we have a question for you and will be very happy if you answer it for us!

    French Scholar: Yes, for Sure! What’s your question?

    You just said that you have reached a conclusion in your studies, and have found something important in the Shia perspective that you couldn’t find in any other religion; what is that???

    The scholar thinks for a while and says: To say the truth, I have looked at the other books from other religions and have researched for a while. But always thought about this question that for example in the religion of Mousa (Moses) and Isa (Jesus), after they passed away and left their people, they did not choose a successor to guard the relationship of the people with God, so people would not go in the wrong direction.

    I mean it’s correct that other prophets came after them but for example, the Nation of Moses did not accept Jesus as its successor and that is why for year’s Jewish people did not have someone to lead them in the right direction and for them to have strong relationship with God. Therefore, their religion changed more and more each day.

    But Shias believe that after Prophet Muhammad (PBUH &HP), God has chosen Imam Ali (AS) as his successor, and after him his descendants. And till now the child of their 11th Imam has kept the relationship between God and the people, and this way the world is not left without an Imam. Having an Imam alive at different time periods allows this religion to be stay alive.

    This point however, cannot be seen in other religions even in the Sunni perspective. And therefore, I believe the Shia perspective is the true and a complete Islam.

    My research has shown that because of the succession of Prophet Muhammad this religion is complete, and at that time I did not recite this verse in the Quran, and now that I have read this verse, I believe in my studies more firmly. I believe more in the religion and it being the right one.

    الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دينَكُمْ وَ أَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتي وَ رَضيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلامَ ديناً

    “This day have I perfected for you, your religion and completed my favor on you and chosen for you Islam as a religion.” Qur’an, 5:3

     

    Thanks for your explanation professor. We will no longer bother you with your studies. Bye

    Scholar: It was my pleasure, but I would like to recommend something to everyone, and that is to study more about your religion, so you could have a stronger faith and try to tell others about this complete and righteous religion; so, this way more people would know about Shias.

    You all have this responsibility, to help other humans to follow the right path and be closer to God and be blessed in life. Bye everyone.

  • Objective(s):

    1.The importance of finding good friends.

    2.Understanding the traits of a good friend.

    3.The expectations to have from a good friend.

    4.Understanding that Imam Mahdi (AJ) is the best friend any human being could have.

    5.Reinforcing the concepts of sympathy and participation in a discussion.

    Procedures-Supplies Needed:

    1.Being friendly with the kids and showing good attitude towards them.

    Duration:

    30 Minutes

    Group Activity: A Good Friend!

    Well, everyone! Now we would like to do a group activity and have a group discussion! What do you guys think?

    You guys know that on the day of Ghadir, there is a famous sentence that people tell each other:

     

    الحَمدُ للهِ الذی جَعَلَنا مِنَ المُتِمَسِّکینَ بِوِلایَةِ امیرِالمُؤمِنینَ وَ الأئِمَةِ المَعصومینَ عَلَیهِمُ السَّلام

    “Praise to Allah, who blessed us to be among those who hold on to the leadership of Amir al-Mu’minīn and  the Imams (AS)”

    On the day of Ghadir it is very recommended that brothers and sisters in Faith, promise each other to be like brothers and sisters. This way they share their love among the believers. This means that our friendship among the Muslims, is because of the leadership of Imam Ali (A.S.). This means that since we all agree that he is the commander of faithful and is the successor of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH & HP), as a result, we are all together following the same path in life and we are all his followers. And like a family we love and support each other.

    You see guys; it is very interesting that our Imams have taught us, that during our lifetime we should have friends that are like our brothers and sisters. They also have taught us that our best friends should be people who have the same mindset as us, like to continue the same path in life, and are the supporters of the Messenger of God and Imam Ali (A.S.) Therefore it is very important to be each other’s friend and help one another in this path. Whichever one of us knows the better path, and knows what God has said in Quran or Prophet and the Imams have said can teach the other one their beautiful words. Or if you see your friend doing a wrong thing, or following the wrong path, a path that God doesn’t like, you can politely remind them: “My dear friend! What you are doing is not right!”

    Ok, now Why do all think having a friend is so important? Why is it important that all of us have a friend that is very close to us?

    (Allow them to discuss the importance of having a good friend and say what they expect from a friend)

    • Every human being needs a friend
    • One needs someone who you can speak your heart to, and ask advice from someone who wants your good.
    • A friend can help you to succeed and help you to overcome the hard times in life
    • A person can tell a good friend their secrets and speak their heart however, we be careful of not telling others our secrets.
    • After our families, it is our friends who can have the most influence on us.

    Now of all the things you all mentioned, it seems like that a good friend is very important, but what is more important is having a very good friend not just any friend: RIGHT? A friend who can give us the things you guys mentioned earlier. But if we have a bad friend they can have the worst influence on us!

    Have you guys ever had a very good friend or a bad one that you can describe them in one sentence? What should a good friend be like, what characteristics should they have? And what is our responsibility toward our good friend?

    • Because we learn things from our friends, if they do bad things we will learn from them
    • An important characteristic of a friend is honesty, if two friends are not honest with each other, it is no good
    • It’s good that we tell our friends their mistakes, and ask them to point out your mistakes
    • A good friend is very valuable, and we should keep them and don’t make them sad
    • Some people become your friend to use you?! For example, they want to use your things, or just talk to you about anything or do things that only matters to them. BUT a good friend is helpful and beneficial to you as well.

    Now I want to tell you, who is a true friend according to the Quran and the Imams (A.S.)

    First you guys must know, that God tells every believer that all Muslims should be friends and kind with one another. That is why we must listen to God’s commands, and love and show our kindness to those that have faith. Do you guys know why? Because both of us love God and the Imams (A.S.), therefore we must love each other.

    We will now talk about a beautiful narration from Imam Sadigh (A.S.) and then each one of you can tell what you think about this narration:

    A person can be worthy of a friendship who is:

    • Gives you whatever they have in their power to help you when you need it
    • Doesn’t leave you alone during hard times.
    • They don’t change their relationship with you even if they become wealthy or reach a better situation
    • Inside and outside they look like you
    • They see your good, as their own; and see your wrong doings as their own; meaning if something affects your fame, it should be important to them as well, and they should respect it as if it affects their own fame. On the other hand, if something makes you sad, or ruins your fame, it would be as if they are worried of their own fame and be worried of yours too, in the same way.

    This narration teaches us how to find an ideal friend. And how to keep a good friend and don’t lose them. It also teaches us how to be good friends with each other. And if we are all like this towards our friends, we would have less problems in our life.

    A very very important point that I want to make, is that since friends are close to each other they can have a huge influence on each other. Therefore, their thoughts, faith, morals and manners can have a huge influence on each other. For example, if we find a person that has great morals or you are always in their thoughts, and help you but has a few bad morals or they don’t have a strong faith with God, and don’t follow God or the Imams (A.S.), we should be careful and don’t say “Oh it’s ok we won’t learn their bad morals.” This has never been a true statement and has never worked out. It’s very common that if one becomes someone else’s friend their morals would be like each other as well, without you even thinking about it. So, pay attention, if you have a friend like this, either help them to choose the right path or if that doesn’t work you should find a new friend.

    Does anyone have anything in their mind that they want to say? Or even a story or an experience they had?

    Now tell me, other than God; who loves us more than anyone? Yes, exactly our Imam of Time Imam Mahdi (AJ) and after him our parents.

    Right now, in this world, Imam Mahdi (AJ) after God, loves us more than anyone else. He always has us in his thoughts and prayers. And wants the best for us. He knows our wishes and needs. There is not a time when we need him and he doesn’t answer us and leave us alone. He is always aware of what we do, and if we do good things it will make him happy. But God forbid, if we do something bad we would make him sad. Now that you guys know the characteristics of a good friend from the perspective of our Imams (A.S), it’s easier for us to better know the Imam of our Time, because we know that Imam Mahdi (AJ) is our best friend. The closer we become to Imam Mahdi (AJ) we will learn more things about him, and we will become better people. So, let’s love him like a real, best friend and always have him in our thoughts and remember him by praying for his return. We can tell him, what’s in our hearts, try to learn more about him and try to follow his words.

                                  ***May God make the return of our Imam sooner***

  • Objective(s):

    1.Introducing children to the message of wilayah (i.e Authority) in the Sermon of Ghadir.

    Procedures-Supplies Needed:

    1.Group kids based on their comprehension levels and based on that strengthen their level of comprehension.

    2.This part of the ceremony can be done individually, with each kid receiving its own paper and pencil.

    3.Or it can be done as a group. Therefore, the sentences either need to be written on a board or displayed on a projector and be completed by the mentor with the help of the kids.

    4.Having in mind awards/gifts for them.

    Duration:

    20 Minutes

    Competition (Take Home Activity): Lessons from the Ghadir Sermon

    If you plan to not do this competition during your program, print out the given sentences and give it to the parents or children. Ask them to complete this along with their families with the knowledge they have acquired during the duration of this celebration.

    Using the given word bank, fill in the blanks, so you can understand sections of Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH & HP) speech during Ghadir:

     

    Safe, Guided, Right, Deviated (depart from), Holy Quran, Appointed (Chosen), God’s Mercy, Punished, Forgive, Helper of God’s Religion, Defender of God’s Messenger, Prayer (Salah), Zakat , Enemy, Wilayah (i.e. Leadership)

     

    O’ People do listen to the orders of Imam Ali (A.S) in order to stay……..

    Obey him in order to be ……..

    Accept his warnings to be in the ……. Direction

    Walk on towards his ultimate destination, so you will not be ….towards the wrong path

    O’ People, do deeply reflect on the ——and try to comprehend its verses.

    O’ People, accept Imam Ali (A.S) because God has ——him.

    Anyone who opposes him is ——-

    Whoever accepts him and believes in him may —–be upon them.

    Almighty God will ——— who ever listens to him and obeys him.

    O’ People, he is ————– and —————– and he is the purest, and sincere guide.

    Your Messenger is the best Messenger, and his successor is the best successor, and his descendants are the best successors.

    Ali-ibn-Abi-Talib is the one who set up ——— and while bowing down to pray paid out ———-

    Whoever becomes Ali’s ——- and does not accept his ——– let my anger be upon them.

  • Objective(s):

    1.Concluding the program and trying to re-emphasize the general concept of the succession to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH & HP) and the importance of being a proud Shia.

    2. Creating a heartfelt bond with the Imam of Our Time (PBUH) and praying for the hastening of his return.

    Procedures-Supplies Needed:

    1.It is important for this part of the program to be done in a quiet and calm environment, while paying utmost attention to the prayers.

    2.Starting the dua, after conveying to children about the importance of praying for the return of the Imam of Our Time (AS).

    3.It is suggested 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:

    10 Minutes

    End/Conclusion and Reciting the Dua:

    Did everyone enjoy this celebration? Did you all learn new things? The new information that you learned today, was is interesting for you? Alright, now think back for a moment to all the information you learned today, then tell me what can you do with all the information you learned today, and how can it be useful for you and others?

    YES exactly, today we learned that we should be proud that we are Shias and that we have accepted Amīr al-Mu’minīn the Commander of Faithful as the successor of our dear Prophet (PBUH & HP). WHY? Because we understood that if we did not accept the successor chosen by God, our religion wouldn’t have been completed. As God said in the Quran: The religion of Islam becomes complete, when the leadership and successorship of Imam Ali (A.S.) and the descendants after him, are accepted. So, we thank God who has placed the love and guidance of Amir al-Mu’minīn the Commander of Faithful and his descendants in our hearts. And has given us the chance to be real Muslims. We thank God, that during our time he has not left us without his representative and proof and we have Imam Mahdi (A.J). But we want to tell God that we miss our Imam and from the bottom of our hearts we would like to see him and feel his loving hand on our heads. We would like to see the Imam of Our Time (AS) happy, be besides him and learn from him. We would like to learn many new things, and would like our teacher, Imam Mahdi (AJ) to teach it to us. So, let’s remember our Imam more often, and know that he always looks after us and if we remember him more often and talk with him. He will become happy and he will answer us. And now at the end of our celebration we want pray for his reappearance and good health, so we would make him much happier on this great day.

    So now tell me, what do guys think it means when we say that we have accepted the leadership of Amir al-Mu’minīn the Commander of the Faithful and his children and that we will always fulfill our promise? What do we exactly have to do? Let’s just pretend that I don’t know anything, and you want to explain it to me that what is our responsibility towards our past Imams and the Imam of Our Time?

    (Guide children toward the answers mentioned below, and help them conclude the message of love and friendship)

    1- Accepting by language, meaning saying that We are Shia’s and we accept their leadership

    2- Accepting them through our actions, meaning that our actions show the fact we are Proud Shia’s even without speaking or saying anything. Meaning that our Imams are our role models, and what we do in our daily life, is according to what they have told us.

    3- Be friends with the Imam of Our Time, Imam Mahdi (AS) and talk to him by our hearts. During our life, ask for his help when doing good things. While performing good deeds think and look after our Imam, and make him happy.

    4- Pray for his good health and return.

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    Translation 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}