Talking about Prophet Muhammad’s life and following his footsteps should be a daily practice for Muslim families.
We continue to love, respect and obey Prophet Muhammad, as the human being who was chosen by our Lord to perfect the religion of Islam.
Here are ten tips to help your children learn about and love Prophet Muhammad; and this can be used all year round.
And for those who are homeschooling, these tips can add to the enriching experience of home-based education, nurturing the family to grow into a cohesive unit that loves and hates for the sake of Allah.
1. A Deed a Day
The “A Deed a Day” initiative is a good way to start emulating the Prophet.
He (peace and blessings be upon him) encouraged believers to engage in good deeds even if it was as small as smiling to another brother or sister.
Consciously thinking of a good deed every day raises awareness and love of Prophet Muhammad’s life, as it stated repeatedly in the Qur’an that we are to follow the way of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).
Having children think up a Deed a Day and see it through imbues their love for Allah’s Messenger, and to stand by his teachings of the Prophetic Sunnah.
Of course, it pays to get creative thinking of good deeds that are a little different or out of the way, like calling on a neighbor to help clean his or her yard.
And if a Deed a Day becomes too easy, one can always upgrade to “Two Deeds a Day,” and so on so forth.
2. Bedtime Seerah Stories
Bedtimes stories are a norm in close-knit families. Instead of reading Goodnight Moon and the like, replace bedtime stories with stories of Prophet Muhammad’s life.
Listening to stories of Allah’s Messenger before dozing off, allows children to take messages of the Prophet with them, after a long busy day.
3. Travel the World
Prophet Muhammad spoke at lengths about the great diversity found in this world, and how we should seek knowledge all the way to China.
And sure enough, it’s a great, wide world out there, with so many things to learn.
Create your own passports and decide where you wish to go, maybe on a monthly basis. And with the help of a globe, atlases, encyclopedias and the internet, do some research on the communities within the country.
Learn about their ethnic breakdowns, their languages, and their folklore.
Learn about their geographical make-up and what makes their economy tick.
Learn about their Masjids (if it is a Muslim country) or learn about their different festivities.
Understanding that the world is made up of the diverse human race helps imbue a sense of humility and appreciation for others, as well as for ourselves.
If there are opportunities for your children to have pen pals, look for like-minded parents who wish for the same.
Travelling the world from the comfort of your home helps increase knowledge and brings us closer to Allah, the way the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would have wanted.
4. Be a Green Advocate
The Prophet Muhammad loved the earth, as it was prescribed as the largest Masjid for us to worship Allah.
He encouraged the planting of trees and kindness to animals. He also loved sports and being outdoors, appreciating Allah’s beauty in this temporary abode.
So get your children out and about and in tune with nature. Let them appreciate flowers and insects.
Start an organic garden. Take up a family sport.
If your children are old enough, get them networked with green activists so they can be part of something bigger.
Have them take part in neighborhood clean-ups and other initiatives.
Everything they do to save the earth will bring them closer to Prophet Muhammad, who would have supported Earth Day any day.
5. Get in Touch with an Orphanage
Getting in touch with an orphanage to play a role in the upbringing of orphans is a great way to emulate Prophet Muhammad, who was an orphan himself.
Prophet Muhammad declared his love for someone who strokes the hair or an orphan child.
Getting into orphan-friendly programs teaches our children the feelings of gratitude and humility.
It helps us raise compassionate children who love to give to charity and appreciate all that they have.
Older children may be able to help teach classes at orphanages or organize fundraisers.
Younger children may enjoy collecting donations for orphanages or participating in educational trips that are arranged by their parents and caretakers.
The list is endless when it comes to coming into contact with orphanages, and this is one of the best ways to illuminate our love for the Prophet.
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