Educational Resources III - January 2009

Islamic Study

• Story of Prophet Yusuf alayhi salam
  

Math

• Math Flashcard
  

Science

• Science and Technology
  

Geography

• Where in the world...
  

Social Study

• United States
  

Educational Resources II - January 2009

• Al-Qur'an
  
  • Let's hear and memorize Qur'an
    Please choose your surah.
    
  
  
  
• Math
  
  • Problem of the week from Mathcounts
    
    
  
  
  
• Language Art
  
  • Hangman Word Games
    
  • Word Search Games
    
  
  
  
  
• History
  
  
  
  • Inauguration of the President
    
  
  
  

To see others useful links, please click: Ikhlas Homeschool.

The Story of Abu Lahab

When we did praying salah Isha in masjid, Sheikh made doa qunut for all Muslim who were in difficulty time in this world.

Last week after salah Isha, Sheikh was talking about the story of Abu Lahab. Sheikh said that Allah subhana wa ta'aala has the power of everything in this world. Allah subhana wa ta'ala has control in everything He had created.


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Surah Al-Lahab


There is a chapter in the Al-Qur’an called surah Al-Lahab (chapter# 111) named after Abu Lahab. This chapter explained that Abu Lahab and his wife will perish in the hell fire – implying he will never become a Muslim and therefore will enter the hell fire.


Surah 115 (1-5): The Masad (Lahab)

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
(1)تَبَّتْ يَدَا أَبِي لَهَبٍ وَتَبَّ
(2)مَاأَغْنَى عَنْهُ مَالُهُ وَمَا كَسَبَ
(3) سَيَصْلَى نَارًا ذَاتَ لَهَبٍ
(4)وَامْرَأَتُهُ حَمَّالَةَ الْحَطَبِ
(5)فِي جِيدِهَا حَبْلٌ مِّن مَّسَدٍ

Meaning:
The Flame
In The Name of Allah, The Beneficent, The Merciful
1. May the hands of Abu Lahab perish, may he (himself) perish.
2. His wealth avails him not, neither what he had earned.
3. Soon will he roast in a flaming fire,
4. And his wife, the bearer of the firewood,
5. Upon her neck a rope of twisted palm-fibre.


This Surah was revealed 10 years before Abu Lahab died as an unbeliever. Many of Abu Lahab’s friends and other disbelievers accepted Islam in the span of 10 years since this surah was revealed.

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Who is Abu Lahab?

• Abu Lahab is the Prophet's uncle and the son of Abdul Muttalib. Among those people he was one of the strongest enemies of Islam.
  
  
• Abu Lahab is the Father of the Flames, whose name was 'Abdul-'Uzza and means the servant of the idol 'Uzza, was a man of fiery temperament with a reddish face. This nickname, perhaps, was chosen for him, because, 'lahab', in Arabic, means 'a flame of fire'.
  
  
• He and his wife, Umm-i-Jamil; a sister of Abu Sufyan, being specifically mentioned as the cursed ones among the enemies of Islam, hurt the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) very much.
  A person by the name of 'Tariq Muharibi' says that once Abu Labab was found going behind the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) passing through the marketplace called 'Zul-Mujaz'(it is close to 'Arafat, a short distance from Mecca). He was following behind the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wassalam) shouting was a mad man and pelting his feet with stones, causing the Prophet (salllallahu alayhi wasallam) to walk with bleeding wounds.
  
  
• Abu Lahab was a rich, proud man who boasted about his wealth and used it against Islam.
  
  
• It is narrated that after the defeat of the Meccans at Badr, Abu Lahab, who had not participated in the battle, asked Abu Sufyan, when he returned from the battlefield, about its details. Abu Sufyan described to him the event of how the Quraish were defeated and, then, he added: By Allah, we saw, in the course of battle, some riders between the earth and heaven who had come to help Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam.
  
  Here, Abu Rafi', one of the servants of Abbas tells the story thus: I was sitting there and I raised my hand and said that they were the angels of Heaven. Then, Abu Lahab became so angry that he sharply struck my face and lifted me up and I fell hard upon the ground.
  
  He continued beating me because of his grief from his disappointment. At that moment, Ummul-Fadl, Abbass' wife, who was attending there, took a stake and struck it hard on Abu Lahab's head, and said: 'Have you found this weak man alone?'.
  
  The head of Abu Lahab became wounded and bloody. One week later he died from a contagious disease and since his body gave off an unbearable, foul smell no one approached it. It was left for three days and, at last some slaves were hired to carry it out of Mecca. They watered it from a distance and then piled stones on top of it until it was buried.
  
  

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The Destiny of Umm Jamil, the Wife of Abu Lahab.

• His wife was among the leading women of the Quraysh and she was known as Umm Jamil. Her name was `Arwah bint Harb bin Umayyah and she was the sister of Abu Sufyan. She was supportive of her husband in his disbelief, rejection and obstinacy. Therefore, she will be helping to administer his punishment in the fire of Hell on the Day of Judgment.
  
  Allah says in the Qur'an that:
  
  "And his wife, the bearer of the firewood,
  Upon her neck a rope of twisted palm-fibre (Masad)."
  
  
  It means she will carry the firewood and throw it upon her husband to increase that which he is in (of torment), and she will be ready and prepared to do so.
  
  
  
• Story of Abu Lahab's Wife harming the Messenger of Allah Ibn Abi Hatim said that his father and Abu Zur`ah both said that `Abdullah bin Az-Zubayr Al-Humaydi told them that Sufyan informed them that Al-Walid bin Kathir related from Ibn Tadrus that Asma' bint Abi Bakr said, "When (Perish the two hands of Abu Lahab and perish he)!) was revealed, the one-eyed Umm Jamil bint Harb came out wailing, and she had a stone in her hand. She was saying, `He criticizes our father, and his religion is our scorn, and his command is to disobey us.' The Messenger of Allah was sitting in the Masjid (of the Ka`bah) and Abu Bakr was with him. When Abu Bakr saw her he said, `O Messenger of Allah! She is coming and I fear that she will see you.' The Messenger of Allah replied,(Verily, she will not see me.) Then he recited some of the Qur'an as a protection for himself. This is as Allah says,(And when you recite the Qur'an, We put between you and those who believe not in the Hereafter, aninvisible veil.) (17:45) So she advanced until she was standing in front of Abu Bakr and she did not see the Messenger of Allah. She then said, `O Abu Bakr! Verily, I have been informed that your friend is making defamatory poetry about me.' Abu Bakr replied, `Nay! By the Lord of this House (the Ka`bah) he is not defaming you.' So she turned away saying, `Indeed the Quraysh know that I am the daughter of their leader.''' Al-Walid or another person said in a different version of this Hadith, "So Umm Jamil stumbled over her waist gown while she was making circuits (Tawaf) around the House (the Ka`bah) and she said, `Cursed be the reviler.' Then Umm Hakim bint `Abdul-Muttalib said, `I am a chaste woman so I will not speak abusively and I am refined so I do not know. Both of us are children of the same uncle. And after all the Quraysh know best.'' This is the end of the Tafsir of this Surah, and all praise and blessings are due to Allah.
  

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Conclusion

The kids said that, insha Allah, we will not going to see alot of "Abu Lahab" in this world. I hope not but we knew that the syaitaan are still alive around us and are trying to get us to the hellfire. We should always seek refugee from Allah subhana wa ta'ala to save us from the evil behaviour by:

• doing our salah five time daily on times,
  
• fasting in Ramadan,
  
• reciting and memorizing Al-Qur'an,
  
• listening and respecting to parent or old people,
  
• be good to all muslim and non muslim,
  
• giving sadaqah or charity,
  
• helping others,
  
• and others good deeds.

May Allah protect and guide us in the right path. Ameen.
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Useful sources:

• Qur'an Tafsir: Surah 111
  

Activities for kids:

• Memorize Al Qur'an surah 111: surah Al-Lahab
  
  
• Learn about dangerous diseases.
  My kids were asking me what kind of disease that Abu Lahab's had?
  They thought that it was very scary disease. The kids said it could be because Abu Lahab had diabeties and his wounded never got recovery.
  I told the kids to learn more about diseases. Because there will be more diseases coming in this world before the Day of Judgement. We have to take care of our body to be healthy so we can pray and do more ibadaah.
  
  You can also read on and share this news about Salmonella in Crackers.
  
  

Please share your story with us in the group.
We love to hear the Islamic story.

To Be Kind To Animal

This is my kids' new friend. It is a cat. They call her NewKit.
The cat always come to the backyard and wants to get inside the house.
The kids let the cat to come in because the weather is so cold.
They are taking care the cat at home.
The neighbour also come to visit the cat and share some food for the cat, too.
We don't know who has this cat. Our kids love this cat.

My kids ask me "How can the cat or other animal can survive in this cold weather?"
I share some of hadiths and ayah of Al Qur'an to explain it.
Insha Allah, we will hear other sharing story about animals.

Animals in Hadiths

• Narrated Ibn ‘Umar:
  The Prophet said, “A woman entered the (Hell) Fire because of a cat which she had tied, neither giving it food nor setting it free to eat from the vermin of the earth.”
  Volume 4, Book 54, Number 535 : Sahih Bukhari
  


• Narated By Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "While a man was walking on a road. he became very thirsty. Then he came across a well, got down into it, drank (of its water) and then came out. Meanwhile he saw a dog panting and licking mud because of excessive thirst. The man said to himself "This dog is suffering from the same state of thirst as I did." So he went down the well (again) and filled his shoe (with water) and held it in his mouth and watered the dog. Allah thanked him for that deed and forgave him." The people asked, "O Allah's Apostle! Is there a reward for us in serving the animals?" He said, "(Yes) There is a reward for serving any animate (living being)." [Bukhari Vol. 8, Book 73, #38] & [Muslim Book 26, Chapter 39, # 5577]
  
  
• Narated By Anas bin Malik: The Prophet said, "If any Muslim plants any plant and a human being or an animal eats of it, he will be rewarded as if he had given that much in charity." – [Bukhari Vol. 8, Book 73, #41]
  
  
• The Prophet(s) told his companions of a serf who was blessed by Allah for saving the life of a dog by giving it water to drink and quenching its thirst.
  Narrated by Abu Huraira. Muslim, Vol. 4, Hadith No. 2244.
  
  

Animals in Qur'an

• "There is no creature on (or within) the earth or bird that flies with its wings except (that they are) communities like you…".
  (Qur'an 6:38).
  

• "And there is no creature on earth but that upon Allah is its provision, and He knows its place of dwelling and place of storage. Allah is in a clear register." (Qur'an 11:6)
  

• "And the earth He has assigned to all living creatures."
  (Qur'an 55:10).

Let's learn more about animals in Islam.
We knew that:

• We can not have dog inside our house. The salive of dog is impure (Najis).
  
• We can not eat pig and other animals that are not slaughtered by saying in the name of Allah (Bismillah).
  
• We have to be nice to animals.
  
• We can not torture animals if we have to kill the animal.
  

Useful Sources:

• Islam QA about Dog
  
• Cat Anatomy
  
• Animal Printout
  
• Farm Animal
  
• National Zoo: Animals Just For Kids
  
• Kids Know it
  
• Animal For Children
  

Fasting Ashura In The Tenth of Muharram

Alhamdulillah, our kids did fasting sunnah in the tenth of Muharram. They reminded me one day before the tenth of Muharram that they wanted to fasting. They learned and practiced our religion in daily life.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) has been reported as saying when asked which prayer is better after obligatory prayer: "Prayer in the middle of the night." He was asked again which fast is better after Ramadan. He said: "In the month that is called Al-Muharram."
(Ahmed, Muslim, and Abu Dawud)

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) however, emphasizes the fast of the tenth day, 'Ashura. The word "`Ashura" is derived from `Ashara, which means ten. The observation of this day goes back to Prophet Musa bin 'Emran (alayhi sallam).

In a hadith related by Ibn Abbas (radiallah anhu) when the Messenger of Allah (sallallhu alayhi wasallam) came to Medina, he found the Jews fasting the day of 'Ashura. He inquired why do they did so. They replied that it was a good day, the day which Allah delivered Prophet Musa (alayhi sallam) and the children of Israel from their enemy. Prophet Musa (alayhi sallam) fasted that day.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) responded: "I have more right to Musa than you." He fasted the day and commanded the believers to fast." (Agreed upon.)


May Allah accept our ibadaah. Ameen.

Useful Sources:

• Fasting In Muharram
  
• Significance of Fasting The Day of Ashura
  

Educational Resources - January 2009

• Islamic Study
  
  • Islamweb for Kids
    
  
  
  
  
• Arabic
  
  • Song: Learn Arabic
    
  • Lesson Arabic letters
    
  • Arabic For Fun
    
  
  
  
  
• Math
  
  • Math for Grade K-8th
    
  • Geometry
    
  • Algebra
    
  
  
  
• Language Art
  
  • Literacy Activities
    
  
  
  
  
• Biology
  
  • Biology Corner for grade 6th -12th
    Please always advise your kids.
    
  
  
  
  
• Social Study
  
  • PBS- Islam Empire of Faith
    
  
  
  
  
  Happy Homeschooling.
  

Dean's List

On Monday, we went to campus to register Spring course. While we filled out the form in cafetaria, we met the Dean of Student. He said Hi and How are you doing? to my daughter. I said that I would like to have meeting for her. He asked me if I can wait for half an hour.
After half an hour, he came back and asked us to come to his office.

He asked my daughter student ID to log in to her academic's record for Fall semester. He called the Director admission to print out the paper and give the academic's record one for us.
He asked us to come back again tomorrow morning to do the register for the courses because He had to ask the Dean of Academics first what courses she can take for Spring.

On the way home, my daughter saw her record that she is in Dean's List. And my youngest one said if she(her older sister) is in Dean's List and then I am in Mommy's List. Her other two brothers laughed out loud.
Alhamdulillah, my daughter finished the semester with good grade.

This is just sharing story, that you can do to your older kids, too.
Of course, you will find out some of good and bad things about putting the kids early in college. For us, there are more good things than bad.

If she/he is ready in academic and her/his maturity, you can try to apply in any college close to your house. If not, you can wait until he/she is mature enough to go to college. Some kids can learn indenpendently at home very well.

There are so many way to homeschool our older kids to high level or college level.

• Taking online courses or distance learning. There are so many free courses online, such as MIT courses.
  
• Taking courses in Community College.
  
• Joining Homeschooling Coop in your area.
  
• Taking and preparing test, such as CLEP, SAT, ACT, PSAT, etc.
  

Insha Allah, we will hear sharing story from other homeschooling families who have older kids.

Useful Sources:

• Accredited Online College and Universities
  
• An Overview CLEP
  
• CLEP test
  
• Community College Finder
  
• College Board: College Planning Made Easy
  
• Free Online Course Materials from MIT Oven Course Ware
  

May Allah increase our knowledge and eeman. Ameen.