Shaykh Al Albaani Raheemahullaah on Orbiting of the Earth!

When we did study about the day and night and the movement of the sun and the moon I did not know that Shaykh Albaani raheemahullaah held a different view and that this matter had ikhtilaaf amongst the Major Scholars. Hence I read only the view of the Scholars who said that the Earth does not revolve around the sun and took that viewpoint to be the correct one.

But Alhamdulillaah a sister commented and gave me the links of Shaykh Albaani's view and I would like to share it here so that I present to you both the views Inshaa Allaah.

Question #10: “What do you say about the orbiting of the earth?”

Shaykh al-Albaani (rahimahullaah) answers:

“We in fact don’t doubt that the matter of the orbiting of the earth is an indisputable scientific fact. At the same time, we believe that it is not the purpose of the Islamic legislation in general and the Qur’aan specifically to talk about astronomy and its details. Rather, this is included in the generality of (the Prophet’s) saying (‘alayhi ssalaat wa ssalaam) which Muslim brought out in his Saheeh from the narration of Anas bin Maalik (radi Allaahu ‘anhu) about the story of pollinating the date palm trees,[1] when he [sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam] said to them: ‘It was only an opinion of mine, so if I order you to do something concerning your religious affair, then do it as much as you are able, and whatever I order you to do concerning your worldly affairs, then you are more knowledgeable about them.’[2]

So these issues were not obligatory for the Messenger (of Allaah) (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) to talk about, and if he did talk (about them) in his hadeeth or if our Lord, the Mighty and Majestic, did so in His Book, then it is only for (showing) a sign or miracle or the like. Thus, we can say that there isn’t anything in the Book nor in the Sunnahthat would contradict this scientific fact that is well-known today, which states that the earth is round and that it runs in an orbit by the Power of Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, in this vast space. Rather, it is possible for the Muslim to find that which suggests, if not clearly states, that the earth is like the sun and the moon because they are all in this space, as He, the Mighty and Majestic, says: {they all float, each in an orbit}; and (this is so) especially if we remember that before this divine statement with the word ‘all,’ (this word) means the three celestial bodies due to the fact that He began with the earth. So He said: {And a sign for them is the dead earth. We give it life, and We bring forth from it grains, so that they eat thereof},[3] then He said: {And the sun runs on its fixed course for a term (appointed). That is the Decree of the All-Mighty, the All-Knowing / And the moon, We have measured for it mansions (to traverse) till it returns like the old dried curved date stalk / It is not for the sun to overtake the moon, nor does the night outstrip the day. They all float, each in an orbit}.[4] The word ‘all’ includes the first aayah: the earth, then the sun, then the moon. Then He, the Most High, says: {They all float, each in an orbit}.

This is what is apparent from the context of these aayaat, which are no doubt amazingaayaat about the dominion of Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic. All of this is while knowing that the scholars of tafseer[5] attributed the term ‘all’ to the closest thing mentioned, which is the sun and the moon. However, there isn’t anything that would ever prevent us from extending the meaning of ‘all’ to include the earth which was mentioned before the sun and the moon.”

 [1] Saheeh Muslim #2363; the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) saw people pollinating date palm trees and expressed that it may be good if they did not do so, but after they left doing it, there was a negative impact on date production

[2] the Shaykh also mentioned some extra wordings; refer to Saheeh Muslim #2361, #2362 and Saheeh ibn Maajah #2
[3] Surah Yaa Seen, 36:33
[4] Surah Yaa Seen, 36:38-40
[5] explanation of the Qur’aan

http://alalbaany.com/2011/02/09/the-orbiting-of-the-earth/

English Lessons so far!

We are using the Nelson Developing Fiction Skills, Developing Non Fiction Skills and the Student's Work Book for English Language and Grammar.

Within the last two weeks we have completed 1 chapter each from all three books. I do Fiction skills one week and non fiction skills the other week so that I am able to finish one chapter each week. And on Thursdays I make her do the Student's work book.

The books have been good Alhamdulillaah but they do contain some pages with unislamic contents. I have explained to her that we would only do what is necessary from this book and omit things that are not proper. So far we had no major problems. But as we go on I will be not doing some activities like its says to think and write about a fairy tale and do a play script and the works. I have thought of asking her to do the same but with a different story Inshaa Allaah.

This is from the Non Fiction Book

Non Fiction

This week we had a page with Hansel and Gretel, and Alhamdulillaah it had only the first part so there were no kufr involved. But this was also a good opportunity to explain to her that this is how people who have to trust in Allaah would react. If they have no food they must rely on Allaah as He is Ar Razzaak, and not leave the kids in the forest. She realized that it was foolishness to do such an act and again explained to her that this is fiction and did not happen and not true.

Both books do not cover the same topics and the standard of the books are good. Maimoonah is able to comprehend and answer the questions and you also get a little bit of high vocabulary but that is good as she looks up the dictionary and learns new words.

And the good thing about these books is that one chapter covers, comprehension, Vocabulary, Grammar, Punctuation and Writing, therefore it does not make it boring for the students. There are activities that she has to copy on the book and write the answers for which I am helping her initially. I do the copy work and she writes the answers.

Apart from this we do this spelling book just for the sake of doing as it also has some Grammar and comprehension. But she learns a lot of spelling by reading and doing the Nelson Books everyday.

Every other day she reads a book to me and I read a book to her. She is a fast reader when she reads to herself but when she reads aloud she adds her own description as well (words that are not on the books are added). This is a habit that some children develop over the years as I have seen this with adults as well, this is one reason that I am making her read a book to me aloud to rectify this matter Inshaa Allaah. And she still enjoys me reading aloud too.

Our Study on Usoolth Thalaathah

As you all know I have incorporated the study of this important book to this year's schedule and Alhamdulillaah it is going well.

I was not too sure how Maimoonah would manage this book but she is able to study just like any other subject.

This is one of the first books recommended by scholars to  study for a student of knowledge and indeed it is such a wonderful book to inculcate the basics of Aqeedah and Manhaj in the little minds before anything else.

 My goals on this study Inshaa Allaah are

• Memorize the Arabic Text of Usooluth Thalaathah
• Memorize the Meaning of the text in English
• Understand the basic explanation of the Text
• Answer Questions on the Text and Explanation
• Act upon the Knowledge of the Text

What do we use for this (for the links for the resources please check this post)

• The Text 
• Sharh of Usooluth Thalaathah
• What is Towheed Work Book
• Sharh Usooluth Thalaathah Audio by brother Aboo Sufyaan Uthmaan Beecher
• Salafyink Worksheet

So how do we get about this?

We start off everyday with Usooluth Thalaathah.

• First we listen to the Matn in Arabic. Not the whole of it. If you see the Matn document I use then, we did the first part of it that is the first page and the second page for two weeks. 

• Then I read the selected Matn in Arabic three times
• I do not ask her to repeat anything until she is ready to do it by herself. After few days she opts to say the Arabic for me.
• Read the English Translation of Meaning of that particular part of the Matn
• Then we listen to the audio of the explanation
• Then I explain to her again the meaning of it.
• After few days, when she is ready to answer the questions related to what we have been reading and memorising I give her the work book. 

Alhamdulillaah the work book is a huge resource and very child friendly. May Allaah reward sis Umm Saffiyah and all those who helped her with it for a wonderful work done.

 

I do not get into all details of Sharh Usooluth Thalaathah but try to give some basic explanation for the Matn. But l let her listen to the audio with the detail explanation.

So is this bearing fruits? Yes by the permission of Allaah it is. It is indeed a great opportunity for me first to study along with her and learn this wonderful dheen of Allaah. Sometimes children this age will get bored learning this kind of serious things, but I do not make it a very long session. And most of the time I talk and try and bring in many examples (from the explanation of Usooluth Thalaathah of the scholars and the students of ilm)  as possible to make her understand the matters mentioned. And I talk a lot about the lives of the Scholars and when she learnt the biography of Shaykh Imaam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhaab and Shaykh Saalih Al Uthaymeen, she knew they use to learn like this when they were her age and that itself was a motivation for her. 

So its all up to us, how we present things and the attitude we have towards learning will reflect upon our kids bi idhnillaah. And I ask Allaah to bless us and guide us to continue this noble study and enable us to act upon what we study. Aameen.

Writing!

Maimoonah loves to write little notes, stories, letters and so on. And she writes everything and anything. I have never discouraged her or made any corrections on her writings but always appreciated them even though it was going a little too much about her bunny and cat and all kind of stories.

Now we started using the Write Source book where it teaches a child the writing process step by step. And this has helped me to teach her the actual writing process without making her feel that her writings need correction.

First together with Maimoonah I made this Writing Portfolio.

I printed out some writing pages from here and along with it kept a writing pad inside the file folder.

 

This portfolio would be used for all writing lessons. And all the writings will be filed here for this year.

The first chapter explains the writing process and takes you along with one writer's process.

So along with the book I asked her to follow the writer. First asked her to think about what she would want to write about as expected she chose to write about a cat.

Then asked her to draw a picture about what she has in mind. She drew something like a cat and she eating some food. Then I asked her to write and describe the picture. And this is what she wrote. This was her pre writing.

Then I read and explained to her where she has gone wrong sighting the example on the book. I explained to her while what she has written is very cute and nice but what is expected to write is something meaningful that everyone would enjoy to read. And the writing must describe the picture. So I asked her to edit her writing. She wanted me to do that. I told her to dictate and I wrote. Now she really understood the point. Subhanallaah! And now she always wants to write things better.

We also wrote a title to her story and she copied it neatly on another paper. This was her published story.

The Hungry Cat
One day I saw a cat. I was eating a bun. The little cat said "meow, meow'. It was hungry. I gave the cat some food. The cat ate the food and said "meow, meow". May be she said "Thank You", to me!

The next chapters in the book teaches guidelines and many different forms of writings. I feel this would help her to make her writings better Inshaa Allaah. As we go on we will share this writing journey Inshaa Allaah!

Work-boxes in Place!

Alhamdulillaah finally workboxes are at place.

We got these mesh file folders. Its neat and does not take too much space Alhamdulillaah.

Each file folder is labelled with the subject and inside if she has to work with me there is card that says "Work with Ummi".

Every day I fill all the file folders with the next day's work according to the time table. It takes less than 5 minutes for me to do this as everything is pre planned Alhamdulillaah. 

I used the cards to indicate to her the schedule for the day and stick all of them on the "To Do" sheet of paper. She starts the day looking at it and we continue the work.

As she finishes each file folder she takes the books and contents of the file folder and leaves them at the place I have asked her to keep them piled up and she makes it a point to remove the card and stick it on to the "Done" sheet of paper. This shows work in progress.

Alhamdulillaah at the end of the day all file folders look like this empty!

When I read this system many years ago and even last year on different blogs I did not expect to be so productive subhanallaah. I really wanted to give it a try after reading sis Umm Khadeeja's blog post. You can read her posts here and here.

And with all that I still felt Maimoonah would be the same especially where writing is concerned and moods and so on, she would only do what she would want to and leave what she does not want. But I was wrong. Its amazing with the mercy of Allaah alone that this system does make me more organized first and due to that she is settled and finishes all the work without any fuss. Looks forward to it very much. And this year there is a lot of writing to do and all activities are more or less based on text books and work books. But she is enjoying it. I feel she is the same but this system has made me a better facilitator and she is benefiting from this bi idhnillaah. 

Within a day it has helped us to achieve many things. Productivity is very high and everything gets covered, especially Usooluth Thlaathah, Quraan, Hifdhl and even snack. 

The days we start early it makes things easy for us, some days if she wakes up late it goes on even after Dhuhar and can be a little tiring. Most of the days we finish before dhuhar and she has plenty of time to do her playing and reading in the evenings. 

Inshaa Allaah next posts will be on individual subjects that we have covered so far and our progress. 

Fun Time Activities!

With the work box system in place and things are going methodical over here, Fun Time Activities have been a great hit Alhamdulillaah and aided towards more productivity bi idhnillaah!

Each day she looks forward to this and enjoys it a lot plus finishes her work to get to it with enthusiasm Alhamdulillaah!.

Just want to share some fun activities we did this week. Most of the time when I see and buy or when my husband picks up something from the store I do not give Maimoonah immediately. I collect and give as and when needed, now I collect for Fun Time Activities. So Alhamdulillaah I have few things to give her as a surprise every now and then.


Science in the Kitchen
This is a book that I got from Rainbow Resources and has some easy experiments to do. So this week we made bubbles. Making bubbles is this easy, she thought for the first time I guess!!!

 

Outta Gas
This is a puzzle that I got from Rainbow Resources as well. Nice way to keep the brain busy. She finds it a little difficult to make it still as she has not yet got the hang of it. But she makes different scenes as she likes and spends a lot of time on it.

Thumb Art
This little book has instructions and examples to make art with thumb prints. This is also a Rainbow Resource product.

Brain Teasing Activities - Soap Prints
This is a pack of cards with 52 activities to do with instructions. Easy but fun things to do with things that are easily accessable. This week we did this. She did not want to blow bubbles with the straw fearing she would drink the soap water. But turned out to be great fun!

 

  

Invisible Pen
You can write some secret messages and have a little fun!

 

Little things like this are motivation for the kids, Alhamdulillaah. Also sister Umm Umamah has more fun activities lined up on her blog, and I hope to use some of them too Inshaa Allaah!

First Day of the new School year!

Alhamdulillaah today was our First Day for this school year. I was to start off with the work boxes but could not do it as planned. I could not get proper boxes and I could not get the labels laminated yet. Inshaa Allaah hope to do so soon. But did not want to postpone teaching any more so managed with what was around and subhanallaah this system went off so well, innalhamdalillaah.

It was so productive, stress free and Maimoonah enjoyed the whole process, now I was thinking within me as most of you would also think since this was the first day and it was a change she enjoyed and did all her work, as time goes on she might get bored, Allaah knows best. We will have to wait and see, but I feel this method organizes me more than her. I know what I have to do and everything is in its place for teaching and no time is spent on taking the books, reference books looking for them and so on. Alhamdulillaah at the end of the day feel so satisfied that the work got done without any stress.

So I took some of the folders I had at home and stuck sticky notes on each folder with the name of the subject and filled the folders with books, worksheets and reference books that needs to be done for today and kept them in order.

Then Wrote a note on the board like this.

We started school at around 8 am and finished all by 12.30 pm. She took each folder to her desk and we did each subject.

In between she had her snack and enjoyed well with the fun activity. Fun activities are something new she would see or do on that day which she has not done before, So this surprise and curiosity makes her finish her schedules fast too. This was today's fun activity, Thumb Art!

 

These are the finished folders.

So today we could cover as planned Introduction to Usooluth Thalaathah where we studied the biography of Imaam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhaab raheemahullaah, listened to the Qur'aan, memorised the last part of a new soorah and revised one old soorah, Maths, Reading, Spelling, Geography, Arabic and English.

Inshaa Allaah will write more on work boxes when I get all my resources for it and when we implement it properly soon.

Also I have still not decided how I am going to blog of our activities this year. May be I will do it subject wise fortnightly or Monthly or only when there is something interesting that we have done. This is mainly because we are using more resources, more books and more work is done within a week. Any suggestions?

Back to Home School on Sunday Inshaa Allaah!

Alhamdulillaah all the books and resources have arrived for the new school year and Inshaa Allaah we will start our new school year on Sunday.

This is a post to refresh myself and to refresh my intentions of home-schooling Inshaa Allaah.

This is the third year of our formal home-schooling journey Alhamdulillaah and I have personally learnt a whole lot of things that I never knew before by the grace of Allaah. I feel like I am schooling once again but this time with real love for learning in a very very stress free environment. Thinking back no regrets whatsoever Alhamdulillaah we did have a nice time in school, but as far as learning was concerned I would say its nothing comparing to what I am learning now as well as what Maimoonah is learning now. Innalhamdalillaah!

So if Maimoonah was to go to a formal school then this will be the year she should have been enrolled. This year will be a bit different from last two years here at home where she would be exposed to lot of materials and information. And I am glad that she is in a better position to understand the unislamic aspects involved in secular education and the reason why we have to use some of those materials and she has also learnt to hate the kufr and the shirk involved in them while doing what she has to do. This is indeed the fruits of teaching Tawheed at an early age, Alhamdulillaah. May Allaah keep our children upright till the end with this firmness, Aameen.

Home Schooling for us was a decision taken before even she was born, Alhamdulillaah. And the intentions were to give the correct Tasfiyah and the Tarrbiyah upon the Qur'aan and the Sunnah according to the understanding of the Salaf. To fulfill this we would be focusing and allocating more time in learning the Usools Inshaa Allaah. There will be no rush but time will be spent on Usooluth Thalaathah until she understands and learns the basics according to her level Inshaa Allaah.

The reason for home schooling was also to explore and learn the various subjects which are known as secular subjects which will benefit a believer to live in this world. And this will be done in line with a standard curriculum but it will not limit us from exploring and learning way beyond the curriculum and will not force us to learn what we really do not want to learn. We would be linking all of this secular subjects back to Our Dheen to understand the truth about what we learn Inshaa Allaah we will keep reminding ourselves that true ilm (knowledge) is What Allaah said and What the Messenger of Allaah said.

We will be using the work box system Inshaa Allaah. I have not got any boxes yet but will use whatever is available and experiment this and see how it goes Inshaa Allaah. Will write about our experience on work boxes next week after we do it for a couple days Inshaa Allaah!

Once again I thank the blogging sisters and non blogging sisters who support, encourage, appreciate and help us throughout. May Allaah reward you all immensely and make your  home-schooling journey a successful one. Aameen.

I can blog here again!

Alhamdulillaah sis Umm Umamah was kind enough to spend some time and find me a solution online for the blog space issue Maashaa Allaah and now I can blog again on this same blogspot. Jazzakillaah Khayr sis Umm Umamah.

So if any of you experience the same problem on blogger all you have to do is this. (add another contributor to your blog with one of your other email addresses, and you have to continue to use the new admin's email address to upload pictures and to write posts)

So, now what shall I do? Should I continue here or should I continue on the other blog Umm Maimoonah's Journal II? I prefer everything to be in one place Inshaa Allaah and would like to continue here while having the new blog as a back up plan, in case things go wrong I can still continue there Inshaa Allaah!

So very sorry for the inconveniences caused and please do continue to follow us here Inshaa Allaah!

New Blog - Umm Maimoonah's Journal II

Follow us here Umm Maimoonah's Journal II

Assalaamu Alaikum!

Qadarallaah Maashaa Allaah, this bog has reached its maximum space limit on blogger and we are unable to continue blogging here.

Hence from now onwards Inshaa Allaah  (from this school year onwards ) we would be recording our activities at a new blog Umm Maimoonah's Journal II We will continue on the new blog until  we have our own domain and own blog very soon bi idhnillaah!

There will be no duplicate posts this blog on the new blog. So if any one wants to refer and look into our past posts will have to do so here.

Those of you who want to subscribe by email please do so again over at the new blog Inshaa Allaah to receive updates of our Home Schooling Journey.

And those who are following me please do switch over to the new blog and follow us if you wish Inshaa Allaah for regular updates.

Sorry for all inconveniences caused, my apologies.

Once again Jazzakamullaah Khayr and Thank You for continuing to being with us since last 3 years while encouraging, appreciating and motivating us and supporting us throughout. Baarakallaah Feekum!

Hope and pray that this blog would benefit you as well as me to please Allaah alone and give our kids the correct Tasfiyah and Tarrbiya upon the Qur'aan and the Sunnah according to the understanding of the Salafus Saalih (The Sahabah, the one's who followed them and the ones who followed them). Aameen.

Science Lessons - Grade 1

Science – Grade 1

Since we are not following a particular text book for Science, these are the Topics we intend covering for this School year Inshaa Allaah based on the Cambridge Primary Curriculum

Topic -1
Scientific Inquiry
Resources – First Encyclopedia of Science
Junior Science 1 – Introduction – What is Science
Cambridge Stage 1 http://www.nclack.k12.or.us/cms/lib6/OR01000992/Centricity/Domain/98/si%20poster%20abbreviated%20K-1.pdf
http://www.nclack.k12.or.us/cms/lib6/OR01000992/Centricity/Domain/98/si%20work%20sample%20template%20K-1.pdf
Experiment – Science in the Kitchen – How Dishwashing liquids helps to make things clean.



Topic - 2
Plants  
Resources - First Encyclopedia of Science – Page 20
Quick Links Activities
Cambridge Stage 1
Nature Set – Science on a Garden Adventure
Just Look Microscope
http://www.teachervision.fen.com/tv/printables/scottforesman/sci_1_ARS_A1_exp2.pdf
http://www.teachervision.fen.com/tv/printables/scottforesman/sci_1_ARS_A1_exp1.pdf
http://www.teachervision.fen.com/tv/printables/scottforesman/sci_1_ARS_A1_inv1.pdf
http://www.gscdn.org/library/cms/27/13927.pdf



Topic - 3
Humans and Animals
Resources - First Encyclopedia of Science – Pages 22/24
First Encyclopedia of Animals
Quick Links Activities
Junior Science 1 – Chapter 1
Cambridge Stage 1
Use Venn Diagram to note Differences and similarities between Humans and Animals
Healthy Diet – Junior Science Book 1 – Chapter 1
http://www.gscdn.org/library/cms/81/14481.pdf
http://www.gscdn.org/library/cms/68/14168.pdf
Humans and Animals Reproduce and the babies grow and become adults



Topic -  4
Humans and Animals – Your Body / Senses
Resources - First Encyclopedia of Science – Pages
First Encyclopedia of the Human Body
Quick Links Activities
Junior Science 1 – Chapter 1
Cambridge Stage 1
My 5 Senses – Book
http://www.gscdn.org/library/cms/11/14011.pdf



Topic -  5
Material Properties –
http://www.gscdn.org/library/cms/29/14029.pdf
http://www.gscdn.org/library/cms/47/14047.pdf
http://www.gscdn.org/library/cms/31/14131.pdf
http://www.gscdn.org/library/cms/24/14324.pdf
http://www.gscdn.org/library/cms/25/14625.pdf


Rocks
Resources - Cambridge Stage 1
First Encyclopedia of Science – Pages 36
Junior Science 1 – Chapter 3
Let’s go Rock Collection – Reading Book
Rocks Activity Set
Rocks on Card
Jelly Stones – Hands on
http://www.gscdn.org/library/cms/41/14041.pdf
http://www.gscdn.org/library/cms/95/14595.pdf
http://www.gscdn.org/library/cms/86/14586.pdf



Topic - 6
Material Changes – Solid, Liquid, Gas
http://www.gscdn.org/library/cms/21/14321.pdf
http://www.gscdn.org/library/cms/68/14568.pdf
http://www.gscdn.org/library/cms/54/13954.pdf
Resources - Cambridge Stage 1
First Encyclopedia of Science – Pages 34
Junior Science 1 – Chapter 3
Quick Links Activities
What is the World Made of
My First Chemistry Kit



Topic - 7
Forces and Motion / Gravity / Friction
http://www.gscdn.org/library/cms/69/14369.pdf
Resources - Cambridge Stage 1 and 2
First Encyclopedia of Science – Pages 40
Quick Links



Topic -  8
Sound
http://www.gscdn.org/library/cms/84/13984.pdf
http://www.gscdn.org/library/cms/71/14071.pdf
http://www.gscdn.org/library/cms/58/14158.pdf
Resources - Cambridge Stage 1
First Encyclopedia of Science – Pages 54
Quick Links



Topic -  9
Weather / Change of Environment/ Pollution
Resources - Cambridge Stage 1
First Encyclopedia of Science – Pages 12 -14
Quick Links
Where does the Garbage Go



Topic -  10
Light / Colour/ Shadows
Resources - Cambridge Stage 1 and 2
First Encyclopedia of Science – Pages 52
Quick Links
Junior Science 1 – Chapter 5




Topic -  11
Earth and Beyond – Day and Night / Change of Shadows / 
http://www.gscdn.org/library/cms/52/14152.pdf
Resources - Cambridge Stage 1 and 2
First Encyclopedia of Science – Pages 8,
First Encyclopedia of Our World
First Encyclopedia of Space
Quick Links
What Makes Day and Night
Floating in the Space




Topic -  12
Electricity
Resources - Cambridge Stage 1 and 2
First Encyclopedia of Science – Pages 56
Quick Links
Electricity Experiment Kit