Educational Resources IV - September 2008

• Islamic Study
  
  • What Is Islam?
    
  • Understanding Islam and the Muslims
    
  • Learn about Islam
    
  
  
  
• Math
  
  • Video Math Tutorials
    For age 10 and Up.
    
  
  
  
• Language Arts
  
  • Free Rhyming Words Generator
    
  • Learn Punctucation
    
  
  
  
• Foreign Language
  
  • Digital Dialects
    This is interactive games for learning languages and links to study resources.
    
  
  
  
• Science
  
  • Youth Science Forum
    You can listen to the audio clips on your computer, download the MP3s for
    your ipod, or burn them to a CD for listening in the car.
    
  
  
  
• Virtual Trip
  
  • Bottling coca-cola
    
  
  

Zakah Is For Purifying Wealth

Zakah is one of the five pillar of Islam.
Zakah is when we give a small portion (2.5%) of our excess wealth to the poor people. It is done annually by Muslims.
Zakah is an Obligation on All Muslims

Let's try calculating the zakah on math.
How much 2.5% of $40000 that one average American family has to pay zakah in year?

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Islam is based on five (principles):

• to testify that there is no deity but Allah and that Muhammad is Allah’s Messenger;
  
• to offer the compulsory Prayers (salah) dutifully and perfectly;
  
• to pay zakah (obligatory charity);
  
• to perform Hajj (pilgrimage to the Ka`bah in Makkah);
  
• to observe fast during the month of Ramadan.

”
(Reported by Al-Bukhari)

Muslim know that zakah is good investment for cause of Allah for the hereafter and for economic balance in this worldly life.

In the Qur’an, Allah says:
"Take alms of their wealth, wherewith thou mayst purify them and mayst make them grow, and pray for them. Lo! thy prayer is an assuagement for them. Allah is Nearer, Knower." (At-Tawbah 9:103)



Types of Zakah

• Zakat al-fitr (zakah of breaking the fast) is a fixed amount that has to be paid—by rich and poor alike—by the head of the household for every member of his or her family before the `Eid Prayers at the end of Ramadan.
  
  This must be paid by all Muslims with enough food for one day. The amount to be paid for Zakat al Fitr is much lower than Zakat al Mal. Zakat al Fitr is paid by the head of the household on behalf of all family members, both young and old.
  
  Zakat al Fitr as paid by all, both rich and poor. Because of this, even the poor earn reward for giving in charity, and they also have a chance to help those who are even more in need.
  
  
  
• Zakat al-mal (zakah of wealth), on the other hand, can be paid anytime and each individual is responsible to pay his or her own zakah. The amount of zakah is variable according to the person’s wealth.
  
  Zakat al Mal is paid on accumulated wealth over a year. So it’s not based on earnings like income tax. Instead, the amount to be paid is based on whatever amount of wealth a person has in their possession. This would usually entail savings, gold and silver jewelry, stocks, produce, cash, livestock, etc.
  
  Muslims then must pay 2.5% of this accumulated wealth as Zakaat. But not all Muslims are required to pay Zakah. Those people that fall below a certain wealth threshold, called Nisab, are excused.
  
  Zakat al Mal is paid by the wealthy to the poor and needy.
  
  

Every Muslim—man or woman, child or adult—whose wealth exceeds the nisab (the minimum zakatable amount) and who has had this amount for a whole lunar year must pay zakat al-mal.
Many Muslims choose to pay their zakah in Ramadan, for during this month their good deeds receive greater reward than at other times.



Nisab and Rate Zakah

If a person’s wealth (over and above his/her needs) reaches the nisab which is the value of 85 grams of gold, whether in savings, property, jewels, land, produce, or livestock, he or she must pay zakah.



Who Can Receive The Zakah

The recipients of Zakah are made clear in both the Quran and the statements of Prophet Mohammad sallalahu alayhi salam.

In Al Qur'an says:
"The alms are only for

• the poor and the needy,
  
• those who collect the zakah
  
• those newly converted Muslim
  
• slaves
  
• the debtors,
  
• the cause of Allah,
  
• the wayfarers; a duty imposed by Allah.

Allah is Knower, Wise." (At-Tawbah 9: 60)

Needy relatives (such as brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, etc.) can receive the zakah if they are poor and need help. Indeed, giving to them is both an act of charity and of maintaining family ties.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said,
“Charity given to a poor is charity and charity given to a relative is charity and maintaining family ties.” (Reported by Ahmad and An-Nasa’i)

However, zakah cannot be given to one’s wife, children, grandchildren, parents and grandparents because it is someone’s duty to take care of them first.

One category of zakah recipients is fi sabil lillah (for the cause of Allah), which leaves the Muslim a wider scope to pay the zakah.



Hadiths all about Zakah

• Narrated Ibn Umar (Radi Allah Anhu) Allah's Apostle (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ) enjoined the payment of one Sa' of dates or one Sa' of barley as Zakat-ul-Fitr on every Muslim slave or free, male or female, young or old, and he ordered that it be paid before the people went out to offer the 'Id prayer. (One Sa' = 3 Kilograms approx.)
  [Sahih Bukhari : Volume 2, Book 25 Zakat ul Fitr, Number 579]
  
  
• Abdullah bin Umar (Radi Allah Anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ) prescribed Zakat-ul-Fitr of Ramadan one sa' of dates or one sa' of barley for every individual among the Muslims (whether) free man or slave, male or female, young or old.
  [Sahih Muslim : Book 5 Kitab Al-Zakat, Number 2153]
  
  
• Narrated Ibn 'Umar (Radi Allah Anhu): The Prophet (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ) ordered the people to pay Zakat-ul-Fitr before going to the 'Id prayer.
  [Sahih Bukhari : Volume 2, Book 25 Zakat ul Fitr, Number 585]
  
  
• Narrated Nafi': Ibn 'Umar (Radi Allah Anhu) said, "The Prophet (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ) made incumbent on every male or female, free man or slave, the payment of one Sa' of dates or barley as Sadaqat-ul-Fitr (or said Sadaqa-Ramadan) ." The people then substituted half Sa' of wheat for that. Ibn 'Umar used to give dates (as Sadaqat-ulFitr) . Once there was scarcity of dates in Medina and Ibn 'Umar gave barley. 'And Ibn 'Umar used to give Sadaqat-ul-Fitr for every young and old person. He even used to give on behalf of my children. Ibn 'Umar used to give Sadaqatul-Fitr to those who had been officially appointed for its collection. People used to give Sadaqat-ul-Fitr (even) a day or two before the 'Id.
  [Sahih Bukhari : Volume 2, Book 25 Zakat ul Fitr, Number 587]
  
  

You can find zakah calculator in here.

Muslims are encouraged to give voluntary charity, or sadaqah, whenever they can.

Educational Resources III - September 2008

• Islamic Study
  
  
  • Islamic Game: Word Search-Important Dates on Islam
    
  • Islamic Game: Word Search-Islamic Months
    
  • Duas from Al Quran
    
  • Quiz for Ramadan
    
  • Another Ramadan Quiz for fun
    
    
  
  
  
• Math
  
  
  • Interactive Fraction Tutorial
    For age 7 to 13.
    
  • Calculating Percent
    This is preparing to teach the kids to calculate the zakat.
    
    
  
  
  
• Language Arts
  
  
  • Books for Kids
    For age 8 to 18.
    
    
  • Interactive Books: The Story place for elementary
    For age 3 to 10.
    
  
  
  
• Geography
  
  
  • Maps Unit of Study
    These downloadable, printable, book-style guides offer lessons about mapping.
    For age 5 to 13.
    
  
  
  
• Virtual Field Trip
  
  
  • International Space Station
    For age 9 to 18.
    

Laylatul Qadr Is In The Last Ten Days of Ramadan

Laylatul Qadr, the Night Equals a Thousand, is in the last ten days in Ramadan.
All ten days are very blessed days in the year.
Only one of these days that is the most blessed day. We called it Laylatul Qadr, or the Night Equals a Thousand.

Let's teach our kids to memorize the doa when they see the Laylatul Qadr:
Allaahumma innaka 'affuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'annee.
The meaning is : "O Allah, you the one who pardons greatly, and loves to pardon, so pardon me."


Another activity for kids, you can teach them to memorize surah Al Qadr and to learn Tafsir surah Al Qadr.

Insha Allah, our kids will try to do more ibadaah in all the last ten days of Ramadan.

Some good articles to read are as following:

• Explanation of Surah al-Qadr by Ibn Kathir
  
  
• When the Night Equals a Thousand.
  
  
• How To Seek Laylatul Qadr
  
  

In Al Qur'an

• In Surah Al Qadr 97:1-5
  
  " Verily! We have sent it (this Qur'aan) down in the Night of Decree (Lailatul-Qadr). And what will make you know what the Night of Decree is? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. Therein descend the angels and the Rooh (i.e. Gabriel) by Allaah's Permission with all Decrees, Peace! until the appearance of dawn." (Al-Qadr 97: 1-5)
  
  
• In Surah Ad Dukhaan 44:3-6
  
  " We sent it (this Qur'aan) down on a blessed Night. Verily, We are ever warning (mankind of Our Torment). Therein (that Night) is decreed every matter of ordainment. Amran (i.e. a command or this Qur'aan or His Decree of every matter) from Us. Verily, We are ever sending (the Messenger). (As) a Mercy from your Lord. Verily! He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower." (Ad-Dukhaan 44: 3-6)
  
  

When is it?

It is reported from the Prophet Salallahu Alayhi Wassalam that it is within the twenty-first, twenty-third, twenty-fifth, twenty-seventh, twenty-ninth or the last night of Ramadhan



In Hadiths

• Prophet Muhammad Salallahu Alayhi Wassalam said: "Whoever stands in (Prayer) in Lailatul-Qadr out of Eemaan and seeking reward then his previous sins are forgiven." (Bukhari)
  
  
• It is reported from Aa'ishah, radi-Allahu anha that she said: "O Messenger of Allaah! What if I knew which night Lailatul-Qadr was, then what should I say in it?" He said: "Say: Allaahumma innaka 'affuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'annee." (O Allaah you are the one who pardons greatly, and loves to pardon, so pardon me.) (at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah)
  
  
• Aa'ishah, radi-Allahu anha who said: "The Prophet Salallahu Alayhi Wassalam used to tighten his waist-wrapper (izaar) - (meaning detached himself from his wives in order to worship, and exerted himself in seeking Lailatul-Qadr), spend the night in worship, and wake the family in the last ten nights." (Bukhari, Muslim)
  
  
• Aa'ishah, radi-Allahu anha: "Allaah's Messenger Salallahu Alayhi Wassalam used to exert himself in the last ten nights more than he would at other times." (Muslim)
  
  Insha Allah, we will use extra ibadaah in this last ten Ramadan as it could be our last...
  
  
• Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet Salallahu Alayhi Wassalam said :
  "The time between the five prayers, two consecutive Friday Prayers, and two cosecutive Ramadans are expiations for all that has happened during that period, provided that one has avoided the grave (major) sins." [Muslim]
  
  
  

May Allah accept our ibadaah. Ameen.

Educational Resources II - Sept 2008

• Islamic Studies
  
  • The Excellence of Laylatul Qadr
    
  • Laylatul Qadr is Coming
    
  
  
  
  
• Math
  
  • Math Concepts
    For age 10 and Up.
    
  • Learn about Money
    For age 5 and Up.
    
  
  
  
• Spelling
  
  • Spelling City
    
  
  
  
• Science
  
  • Design a Satellite: an Interactive Game
    
  • Mouth Power Online: The secret of healthy smile is simple
    For age 9-12.
    
  
  
  
• Other
  
  • Have you heard this kids who is between 12-13 years old talk to UN? UN: ECO_92
    
  
  
  

How To Go To Paradise or Jannah

Last night lecture, Sheik gave a lecture about how to go to Paradise or Jannah.
He said that If you want to go to Paradise or Jannah, then you have to make alot of Sujud (Prostating). It means Sujud in prayer. If you are praying then you will have to do sujud which Allah loves to see us prostating and asking forgiveness.

The second thing that he said was you need to do alot of good deeds, such as giving charity, helping other in need, being good kids at home or in school, fasting, etc.

Insha Allah, this is very good naseeha (advise) for all of us that how important salah is in our life.

May Allah accept all our salah and other ibadaah. Ameen.

Let's get busy learning Qur'an from this good website:
Qur'an Explorer

How To Teach Your Kids At Home

To know how to teach your kids at home is extremely important for your success in teaching and homeschooling them.

Every child is different.
Some kids can sit and do homework seriously. Other kids don't want to sit for long enough to do the homework.
Are they good listener? Are they more active? Do they jump right in? Are they visual learners? Are they more observant when they learn? Are they more audio type of learners?
It takes the time to observe just how they learn.
It takes the time to gain an understanding of just how the learn and perceive.


Some of the tips how to teach the kids at home are:

• Making plan for short term and long term.
  
  
• Providing the kids text books, CD, paperworks, classes, internet classroom, and etc. The kids have to finish all their homeworks.
  I always give them the textbook and let the kids have to read and work on it.
  The kids will learn by themself. This is what we call selfstudy.
  When the kids have problem on their homework, you have to explain them clearly until they understand very well or give them another problem but keep in the same topic.
  You have to remember that every child is different.
  
  
• Giving them small and simple quiz.
  The Quiz is for you to see that the kids learn enough on or to see if you can give them higher level on that subject.
  
  
• Joining the contests, such as spelling bee contest, science, math, etc.
  The contests will help them to see how well the kids are in learning.
  The kids will be happy and proud to see if they win the contest.
  If they do not win, then you have to tell them that the kids need to learn more so they will understand that learning everyday is important to be successful.
  
  
• Having field trip.
  You don't have to go far away. You find the place where the kids can learn and have fun. Masjid or mosque is our favorite place for field trip. We try to go to different masjids on the weekend and in the same time the kids will listen to the lecture. The second place is the beach because we live near by beach. The kids love to see the natural environment. We love to see other places, too.
  
  
• Teaching them to see what is happening in the real world. You should teach the kids to see why they have to learn the subject that they are learning by explaining what is happening in the real world.
  
  
• Don't forget to teach the kids about our beautiful religion, Islam. The kids need this knowledge to be good leader in the future. If they learn something about Islam then the kids should practice it in in their daily activities.
  
  
• Praying and making alot of doa.
  

I want you to remember that every child is different and special. The success of teaching the kids, it is different to everyone. You can learn how the other have done to their kids.
It is all about your child's success, you can try different approaches what is working and what is not for each child. They are all different.

Don't forget that learning is process.
It is important that to have alot of sabr (patience).

May Allah make it easy to teach our kids. Ameen.

Home Edu. Resources I - September 2008

• Islamic Studies
  
  • Let's learn some of Asma ul Husna In Thy Name, We Live
    
  
  
  
• Science
  
  • Science Fair Project Ides
    
  • Virtual Froq Dissection
    
  • Virtual Froggy Dissect Kit
    
  • Other Information about Froq Dissectio
    
  
  
  
• Extra Activity
  
  • Learn how to cook with the recipes in Ramadan
    
  
  
  
• Other
  
  • College Planning Made Easy
    
  • ACT: Resources for Education