Objective(s):
1.Since the kids arrive at different times it is suggested that before that start of the official program, any sort of craft/coloring that is related to the occasion is planned for the kids that come earlier to the program.
Procedures-Supplies Needed:
1.The image given at the end of this file should be printed per number of participants in A4 size.
2.Enough coloring pencils, keeping in mind that kids can share the coloring pencils.
3.One or two mentors should be present to help kids during this activity.
4.A black construction paper can be glued in the corner of the image as a sign of sorrow and mourning.
Duration:
15-20 Minutes
Warm up/ Coloring
The suggested pictures to be used for this part of the program is located at the end of this document
Objective(s):
1.Seeking means to the Holy Qur’an to illuminate our hearts that is means to salvation.
2.Becoming familiar with Surah Al-Kawther, by paying attention to meaning of the verses and its revelation to understand the exalted status of lady Zahra (PBUH).
3.The importance of knowing the meanings of the verses of the Holy Quran.
Procedures-Supplies Needed:
1.It is crucial that we teach our children the etiquettes of reciting the Holy Quran. Having a respect for this sacred book, avoid from talking and paying full attention while the verses are being recited. If possible, kids should face towards the Qibla and if possible make them recite along with the person who is reciting the verses. Teaching them to seek God’s help to better understand the meanings behind the Quranic verses and even to learn how to perform wudu. (Creating a different and holy atmosphere while the Quran is being recited, causes these etiquettes to be engraved on the child’s heart and soul).
Duration:
10 Minutes
Beginning:
Salaam my dears! How are you all doing? Are you all doing well? Are you all full of energy so you can fully enjoy today’s program and together learn new and good information?
Now for us to be more energetic and for God to help us learn good things, let’s all together say Bismillah, and remember God and by reading the Quran we can listen to God’s words and enlighten our hearts with the light of the Quran. Now let’s recite a surah that most of us are familiar with. What do you all think about reciting surah al-Kawthar? Which one of you know this surah? Great! It seems that most of you know this surah, then let’s start.
بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم … انا اعطیناک الکوثر … فصل لربک و انحر … ان شانئک هو الابتر.
Alright, do you all know the meaning of this surah? Well its this:
In the Name of God, the beneficent the merciful. O’ Prophet! We have given you something valuable and a lot of it. So, to thank God for this blessing, pray a lot and sacrifice something. Whomever has bothered you, will not have a child.
My dears, this surah has an interesting story that which I am going to tell you all.
My dears, as we all know our parents love us very much. Our parents have asked God to bless them with a child, and they are very grateful to have us as their child. Dear God, had blessed the Prophet with a few children, however they all died in childhood; but our beloved Prophet still wanted to have a child. On the other hand, a few of the Prophet’s enemies made fun of him and harassed him, and would tell him things such as: “You won’t have a child and will be always alone, and what kind of prophet are you that God has not blessed you with a child?”
So, dear God, sent surah al-Kawthar to the Prophet and in this surah, gave the Prophet the great news that soon He is going to bless him with a very important and great child that which from that child, the Prophet is going to have lots of children. Yes, my dears, God blessed the Prophet with a daughter that her name was Fatemeh: Lady Fatemeh al-Zahra, May God’s blessings be upon her. Both names are correct: she is called Lady Fatemeh as well as lady Zahra.
An interesting point is that when Lady Fatemeh-the daughter of the Prophet grew up, she married Imam Ali who was our first Imam. And God blessed them with a few children and when their children grew up they also had lots of children and just like that it continued and today in this world there a lot of people that their great, great grandfather is our Prophet.
Now do you all know why we have gathered here today? Yes, today’s program is to remember the martyrdom of the daughter of the Prophet, meaning to remember the martyrdom anniversary of lady Fatemeh al-Zahra [Peace Be Upon Her]. We Muslims, love the daughter of our Prophet-lady Zahra very much and are sad that her enemies harmed her and martyred her which broke the hearts of our Prophet and her little children. That is why every year during this time, we gather and express our sadness for her martyrdom, and learn good lessons from her life. Our elders are also sad during these days, they participate in programs and cry for the daughter of our beloved Prophet.
The Imam of Our Time-Imam Mahdi is also sad, and because we love him very much, and for us to take away a bit of his sadness, let’s all recite a loud salawat and gift it to him. Now everyone all together: Allahuma Sali ala Muahmmad wa ale Muhammad wa ajjil farajahum!
O’ God send you blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad and quicken the return of Imam Mahdi.
Objective(s):
1.Make children feel more energized and make them ready for remainder of the program.
2.Since this gathering is designed to commemorate the martyrdom of lady Fatemeh al-Zahra (Peace be upon her), it does not contain any playful games and hence a simple group exercise is an alternative for a fun physical activity.
Procedures-Supplies Needed:
1.This part of the program should not be a disturbance for the elders (especially if this program is being held simultaneously with the regular program being held for the elders).
Duration:
5-10 Minutes
Group Activity: Group Exercise
Ok, everyone stand-up, we are going to do an exercise to become more energetic for the rest of the program and take care of our health and be grateful for our good health (A few simple movements such as extension of the legs and arms and so forth… Should be done as a group).
Objective(s):
1.Prepare children for the content of the play, which comes later in the program.
2.Create a sense of emotional bond with the Prophet and the Ahlul-Bayt.
3.Emphazizing the importance of keeping a promise with God.
Duration:
10 Minutes
Story: From Ghadir till Saqifah
Alright now everyone, take a deep breath. Now that you are all energized, have a sit so I can tell you a short story and then later we can see the play.
I have a question; do you all remember Eid of Ghadir! Anyone knows what happened that day?
Yes! Great, you guys remember it well! The day of Ghadir was a day, when the Prophet was ordered by God to introduce Imam Ali (Peace be upon him) as a leader and as an Imam after him. Prophet told people, if you want to be among the good people and continue the right path in your life, you must listen and love Imam Ali (PBUH). Because God loves Imam Ali (PBUH) and Imam Ali (PBUH), did only good things, and who ever loves him and listens to his words, becomes a good person.
Alright can anyone tell me who else did the Prophet tell people to listen to their words and love them? Yes, that is right! Lady Zahra and her dear children, like Imam Hassan and Imam Hussein (Peace be upon them).
Our dear Prophet would always tell people that I want from you just one favor, that is to love my family, and not because they are my family but because God loves them. And God told our Prophet to tell everyone to love his dearest daughter, lady Fatemeh al-Zahra (PBUH), Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain who were the grandchildren of the Prophet. So why do you guys think that God wanted from all his servants meaning from everyone to love and listen to the words of these 5 people: The Prophet, Amir-al-Mu’minin, lady Fatemeh al-Zahra, Imam Hassan, Imam Hussain (Peace be Upon Them) and the rest of their children up to our twelfth Imam? Yes, because they were the best people that God had created, and they were good people and they became close to God and they are the only, and only people who can show us the right path and the path of God. My dears, humans try to be like the ones that they love. That is exactly why God told us to love and follow these people, so we can also try to be like them. Loving our dear Imam is such a blessing and it means that God loves us, which is why He ordered us to love them.
My dear kids, the people during Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH & HP) life, promised to honor and listen the words of Imam Ali (AS), lady Fatemeh al-Zahra and their dear children. Just like us! If we want to be good children, we must listen to what our parents have to say and do good things.
But unfortunately, after the Prophet passed away, people broke the promise they made to the Prophet. They forgot their promise and the devil tricked them. Those bad people, instead of helping, comforting and listening to the family of Prophet especially his dearest daughter; they bothered, harmed, and left them to be alone. Those people, instead of coming to Imam Ali (AS), asking him for guidance, and telling him that you are our Imam after the Prophet, they left Imam Ali alone. They even went and followed others as their Imam, who God did not like them. These people also distanced themselves from God, because they were no longer close to the family of the Prophet-the Ahlul-Bayt and instead listened to words of other people. Even though Imam Ali, lady Fatemeh al-Zahra, and their children were the best people on this earth, they were left all alone. But they were so kind that they were sad to see these same people have forgotten their promises and by distancing themselves from the Ahlul-Bayt they are distancing themselves from God.
Imam Ali (AS) expected that people will keep the promise they made to God and the Prophet. But they were tricked by the devil and instead of following Amir-Al-Mu’minin, Imam Ali (AS), they went and followed other people.
But my dears, we thank God that we have not been tricked, and God has helped us to be his Shia’s and be the lovers of the family of the Prophet- the Ahlul-Bayt and not follow other people. We thank God that we love and pray for the return of the son of lady Fatemeh al-Zahra (PBUH). We also try to not be like those bad people, and not leave our Imam alone and make him sad.
Well, now for us to better understand how bad it is to break the promise you make to God, we will see a play together. So, listen carefully, because after the end of the play, I want to see who can answer my questions.
Objective(s):
1.The importance of keeping the promise one makes to God.
2.Becoming familiar with the meaning of nazr [a vow with God to be fulfilled].
Procedures-Supplies Needed:
1.Carpet/mat, Pillow.
2.A small doll.
3.Piggy Bank.
4.Actors: A woman playing as a Grandmother, a woman playing as a mother, and a kid playing as a grandchild.
Duration:
15-20 Minutes
Play: Keeping a promise with God
Setting: A house
Narrator: Little Sarah is only 6 years old. Her mother, has been sick for a few days and had to go to a hospital. Tomorrow she has a surgery, and Sarah ‘s grandmother has come to her house to take care of Sarah since her mom is at the hospital.
Sarah (She is playing with her doll; however, she is not paying any attention to her doll and instead she is in a deep thought. Finally, she puts her doll away): Grandma!!!
Grandmother (She is busy knitting, turns toward Sarah): Yes, my dear, what happened? Why are you not playing? Are you hungry?
Sarah (Shakes her head in disagreement): NO, actually I am worried about my mom, I miss her, and how long does she have to stay in the hospital for?
Grandma: Don’t worry my dear, hopefully her surgery will go well tomorrow and she will soon return home.
Sarah (Still frowning): But grandma, I am very worried about her. What if… if she doesn’t get well soon?
Grandma (She puts her knitting away and pats her head): My dear what are thinking about? Hopefully (God willing) she will become better! (Thinks for a bit) Alright let’s do something together, so you could feel better and worry less!
Sarah (Becomes Happy): WHAT grandma, what should we do?!
Grandma: You see my dear, when a person has done whatever they could do about a problem they are facing, however they are still extremely anxious for their problem to be solved and don’t know how to deal with their anxiety, or if they have a great wish and desire; they can make a deal with God and promise to God and ask God to help them like always and solve their problem.
Sarah: How great grandma. Now what should I do?
Grandma: Anything that would make God happy. Like for example, helping others. Reciting the Quran. Sending a salawat for the Prophet and his Ahlul-Bayt-his dear family. Or even promising to not do bad things such as promising to not lie anymore, don’t talk behind someone’s back, don’t blame others, and other similar things. Just anything that in your opinion can make dear God happy and can make you closer to Him. God always listens to the prayers of people, however promising Him to do something, makes us to have a strong and closer relationship with God. By the way, it also makes us to do more good things and makes us worry less about our problems.
Sarah (Goes into a deep thought): Grandma! I want my mom to get well soon, so I want to make a promise with God. What should I do?
Grandma: What a great idea, my dear!!! But first tell me what are you going to promise to God? Have you thought about it??
Sarah (She still thinking, and happily starts talking): I know…I knooow!!!Grandma!!! Do you remember the time you told me that there are a lot of poor kids, who don’t have nice clothes and shoes? And that we should help them in buying those things?! I want to promise to God, that if my mom gets well soon and returns home; I will give all the money I have collected in my piggy bank as a gift to those kids. What do you think Grandma!!!! Isn’t that a great idea???!!!
Grandma: That is wonderful, my dear!!!! Now, in your heart you just must tell God ” Dear God, like always we need your help. Please help my mother to get well soon and return to home. I will also promise that from now on I will use the money that I collect in my piggy bank, to help needy children.”
Sarah (Little Sarah closes her eyes, and slowly she mutters something under her breath): Alright grandma, I’ve said everything you told me to dear God.
Grandma: That’s Great!!! I am sure that God will listen to your words and will make your wishes come true. Because not only dear God loves kids, but you are going to do something very special and great. But remember!!! You must fulfill what you have promised. You never want to break the promise you made with God!!
Sarah: Sure Grandma!!! I will certainly remember the promise I made!!!
(The scene ends…)
The Narrator: Thanks to the Dear God, the next day the surgery of Sarah ‘s mom went well, and in a few days, she returned home.
The setting: Home
(Sarah ‘s mom is resting, and Sarah enters the room with her piggy bank in her hand)
Mom (Looks towards Sarah with surprise): Dear Sarah, what are you going to do? Why did you bring your piggy bank?
Sarah (Slowly she opens her piggy bank and takes out all the money out of it): I am fulfilling the promise I made!!!Mom!!!
Mom: What promise!!!!
Sarah: When you were sick, Grandma taught me how to make a promise with God, and if you become well soon I would do something special. And I promised God to give the money in my piggy bank to help poor kids. God, listened to me and you came home very soon. Now I am fulfilling the promise I made with dear God 🙂
Mom: But my dear, didn’t you want to use the money you saved in your piggy bank to buy a bigger and better doll??
Sarah: Yes, I wanted, but your health and well-being is so much more important to me. And Grandma told me that God always keeps the promises he makes, and that is why we should too keep our promises. I can wait a bit and save money and later buy a doll with it.
Mom: very good my dear Sarah!!!! I am proud very proud of you!!
Sarah (Laughing): Thanks Mom, (and continues with what she was doing)
The scene ends….
Objective(s):
1.Having a physical activity as a big group allows the kids to have a memorable experience. Keeping in mind that this is one of the main objectives of these gatherings and it allows the kids to be more attracted to these kinds of gatherings.
Procedures-Supplies Needed:
1.A medium size ball or a same size as a volleyball, preferably a hard ball should not be used.
Duration:
15 Minutes
Game: The Naughty Ball
Instructions: Kids will form a circle and will chant a poem and at the same time they will rotate a ball in the circle. After the end of each poem, the person with that has the ball, must sit in the middle of the circle. The mentor must have purpose for each chosen poem. And since each poem will be recited several times, kids will naturally memorize parts of each poem or even the whole poem. This will be a great opportunity for them to learn and memorize religious poems.
Few suggested poems that can be used:
I am a Shia /and worship the dear God
The Pure and Wise one/the Merciful and mighty one
My Prophet is Muhammad/ who has brought with him the Quran
He brought the religion for us/ and called us his Shias
His daughter was Zahra (SA)/the beloved Fatemeh
Her life was sacrificed for Islam/May God’s curse be upon her enemies
Or
Fatemeh the daughter of prophet/wife and the supporter of Ali (AS)
Who smelled like the fragrance of roses/ always looking after Ali (AS)
Went through many hardships in life/Accused for helping Ali
Or explain the fact that it’s a good that we should love one another and always pray for each other and that this was always done by lady Fatemeh al-Zahra (PBUH) and then chant this poem:
It’s prayers time/ bring your hands up in the air
Before praying for yourself/ pray for your neighbors
**(Note: The suggested poems are Persian, if you can find better poems related to the program, with the same theme as the above poems, utilize them for this segment)
Objective(s):
1.Further getting to know the event leading up to the martyrdom of lady Fatemeh al- Zahra (Peace be Upon Her).
2.Condoling the Imam of Our Time Imam Mahdi (May God Hasten his return) for the heart-rending martyrdom of his dear mother.
Procedures-Supplies Needed:
1.A projector and speakers are needed as well as a convenient place to present the Prezi slides.
Duration:
20-25 Minutes
Image 1:
Alright everyone, do you guys feel better! You guys full of energy? Everyone, please have a sit, we are going to have a historical trip and travel to the past!
Image 2:
As we mentioned at the start of the program, on a day called Ghadir, our dear Prophet was ordered by God to tell everyone that after him they should listen to words of Imam Ali (Peace be upon him), and he is the leader and Imam of the people. Because only, and only God knows who is a good man that can guide others in the right direction.
So, as we said, at that time, everyone accepted the words said by the Prophet. But some people who were bad; never listened to words of God, became mad that their Imam was going to be Ali. They wanted to trick people, take their money and become leaders themselves.
Image 3:
My kids! On the other hand, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH & HP) for people to always and always remember and better understand who can show them the right way to live life, how to be good human beings; every day he would tell people:
“O’ people! Lady Fatemeh al-Zahra, Imam Ali, Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain [Peace be Upon Them] are my family and God and I love them very much, therefore you should also show your love towards them, listen to them, and if you bother them, God will no longer love you.” He would also tell people: “My Ahlul-Bayt, meaning these four people and their children until the Imam of our Time-Imam Mahdi are people that know the Quran, and know everything about the Quran, and are the best teachers to teach the Quran, so never separate and distance yourselves from the Quran, my Ahlul-Bayt and my family.”
Image 4:
My dears, The Prophet tried really hard and went through many hardships to just tell others his message, and tried to make people understand, and not forget the right path. But as soon as when the Prophet past away those same people forgot everything, and they were tricked by the bad people and the devil. Our Prophet, on the last days of his life said to his family: “After I die, be patient and if people hurt you be patient for the sake of God.”
Image 5:
My kids, those people who were bad and cold hearted that acted like good people, when lady Fatemeh al-Zahra’s (PBUH), heart was filled with sadness and grief and constantly cried because of being away from her father, instead of sympathizing, supporting and comforting lady Fatemeh al-Zahra [PBUH], they did a very bad thing.
They came to force Imam Ali to work with them and accept that they become the leader of the people and mislead people. But because Imam Ali liked people and didn’t want this to happen, he didn’t accept their words.
Those bad people, didn’t even think of the sad and young daughter of the Prophet, lady Fatemeh al-Zahra the wife of Imam Ali. They wanted to come in the house of Imam Ali and take him by force. But since the door was closed they had to push and set the house of lady Fatemeh al-Zahra on fire.
lady Fatemeh al-Zahra was behind the door and when they kicked the door open, lady Fatemeh al-Zahra got hit by the door and she was badly injured.
Image 6:
Lady Fatemeh al-Zahra, was very young and was only 20 years old. But because she loved people and though she was in a lot of pain, for few days along with her young kids Imam Hassan, Imam Hussein, lady Zeinab and her husband Imam Ali (peace be upon them) went door to door to remind people of what the Prophet told everyone on the day of Ghadir.
They reminded everyone that if you want to be on the right path and be among the good people, you must listen to the words of Imam Ali and not to words of bad people. Unfortunately, most of the people were tricked by the devil and the bad people and so they didn’t help lady Fatemeh al-Zahra and her dear family.
During these days lady Fatemeh al-Zahra went out of town to cry and to complain to God about those bad people.
Image 7:
My dear kids, lady Fatemeh al-Zahra who was the best women on earth and God loved her so much, exactly after 95 days from the day Prophet (PBUH & HP) passed away, because of all the sadness and injuries she was martyred. She was later buried, the way she wanted, in the darkness of night by her husband, her young children and some of Imam Ali’s friends.
Therefore, we are all sad and mournful along with her young children because we have lost such a kind and compassionate mother. Therefore, we should love them the way that God and the Prophet asked us and listen to their words. But also dislike those people who have hurt this dear family.
Alright everyone, send a loud salawat for lady Fatemeh al-Zahra!
And Send another loud Salawat, to comfort the heart of the Imam of Our Time-Imam Mahdi for the loss of his dear mother!
Objective(s):
1.Concluding and reiterating the overall concept and message of this gathering.
2.Emphasizing the fact that Imam Mahdi (AJ) is the son of lady Fatemeh al-Zahra (PBUH). By performing good deeds and praying for him, he may reappear sooner, and he will come and fill the world with justice and tranquility just like his mother.
3.Heartfelt bond with the Imam of our Time- Imam Mahdi (AJ) and the importance of praying for his reappearance.
Procedures-Supplies Needed:
1.It is important that 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 reminding the kids about the importance of praying for the reappearance of Imam of our Time- Imam Mahdi (May God Hasten His Return).
Duration:
5 Minutes
End /Conclusion and Reciting Dua Al-Faraj:
- My dears, did you all see how important it is to keep the promise you make? It is very important that when we want to accept a person’s words, and promise to do something, to think before we take such an action. To truly understand if what we are accepting is the right thing and then promise and keep our promise and not break our promise. We don’t like to be what some people did during the Prophet’s lifetime, they promised him but never kept that promise and so they broke the heart of the only daughter of our beloved Prophet (PBUH & HP) and instead they listened to the words of the devil and they distanced themselves from dear God.
- The Imam of Our Time is the son of lady Fatemeh al-Zahra (PBUH) and during these days his heart is filled with sadness and grief, because of the martyrdom of his dear mother. And we like to show our sympathy towards our Imam to comfort him during these tragic days. We want to tell him that we love him, as well as his dear mother and father. We also want to tell him that, we kids will never leave him alone and he will never be alone and heartbroken like his mother and father, lady Fatemeh al-Zahra and Imam Ali (peace be upon them). So, let’s all pray together for our Imam’s wellbeing and his early return, so he can come and fill this world with goodness, kindness and other good things, so no one would be sad and bother another person.
- Recitation of Dua al-Faraj while facing towards the Qibla and standing up for him out of respect.
http://film.tebyan.net/film/151746
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0cXoTGnP1jk26
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
Objective(s):
1.Maximizing children’s ability in learning and memorization by doing related work at home.
Procedures-Supplies Needed:
1.Pieces of paper.
2. stickers.
Take-Home Activity: A Promise with God
Prepare pieces of paper and ask the kids if they like to make a promise to God. Mention a few examples to them. For example: always love God, whenever we wake up we should talk to God and the Imam of Our Time and start our day in His name. Before bed we should recite a surah from the Quran and have God in our heart. Memorize dua al-faraj or a surah from the Quran. Be nice to my friends, give a hand to my parents and …
Write out promise made by the kids on a piece of paper and decorate it with stickers and handed it back to them. Ask them to show it to their parents so they too can be aware of the promise their children made to God. Ask the kids to explain their promise to their parents so they can understand the importance as well as be able to follow up and help them in their efforts.
