Weekend Learning Islamic Studies Level 1 (Revised and Enlarged Edition)
This is the revised and enlarged edition of Level 1 Islamic Studies book. The revised edition of Level 1 Islamic Studies book from Weekend Learning is for 5-7 year old children who can read short sentences and write short phrases. Ideally the book is for the 1st grade students. This is their first year in a formal Islamic class. Please note: This is the revised and enlarged edition of Islamic Studies Level 1 book. The Level 1 Islamic Studies book from Weekend Learning is for 5-7 year old children who can read short sentences and write short phrases. Ideally the book is for the 1st grade students. This is their first year in a formal Islamic class. All lessons in this book are thematically presented in distinct units. The Level 1 book introduces students to the fundamentals of Islam. These students have very little or no knowledge about Allah, Islam, the Qur'an, and the Messenger. The lessons in this book attempt to walk students through the basics of Islam. Assuming students have no prior knowledge, the book takes the first step toward formal curriculum-based learning. The goal here is to keep it simple and enjoyable, yet informative. Each chapter provides the Islamic foundation appropriate for this age group. The concepts learned in this book will be covered in greater detail in future grade levels. The book has 28 lessons on Allah, the Qur'an, Islam, Rasulullah (S), the Hadith and Sunnah and 5-pillars of Islam and so forth. The idea is to cover the basics of Islam. For example, 6 lessons cover the concepts of 5-pillars, 5 lessons cover short introduction to 5 rasuls and nabis, 9 lessons cover Islamic values and morals. Each lesson begins with a coloring page. The coloring time helps students settle down and be comfortable in the class before the lesson begins. Attention span of children is small; therefore, short paragraphs introduce two or three concepts. This is followed by in-class review section to allow for short break and reinforce learning. Some homework is included in the book, however schools and parents are encouraged to buy a separate workbook that has many more test questions and chapter-based activities.
Table of Contents
Chapter | Topic | Description |
---|---|---|
UNIT 1 | AQAID: OUR BELIEF | |
1 | Allah: Our Creator | Who is Allāh(swt) and what did He create? Why is He the Rabbul Alamin? Students will learn the answers to these questions and some essential facts about Allah(swt). This introductory lesson prepares students to take the first step toward a structured curriculum in a formal learning environment. |
2 | Islam | What is Islam and why do we follow Islam? Students will learn the basics about their religion. Islam means to submit to and obey Allah(swt). Islam is part of our daily life. The followers of Islam live all over the world. Messengers in the past also believed in and taught the basics of Islam. The lesson emphasizes that Allah(swt) is the only God we worship. |
3 | Our Faith | Islam is our religion. Every step in our lives is guided by the principles of Islam. Students will learn about our faith, or iman. The articles of our faith are introduced. The meaning of each of the articles is described in simple sentences. |
4 | Nabi Muhammad | Who was Nabi Muhammad (S)? What was his role in Islam? What did he do? Students will learn a basic outline of Nabi Muhammad's (S) life. |
5 | The Qur'ān | Now that students have learned about Allah(swt) and Nabi Muhammad (S), the next logical step is to learn about divine guidance. Students will be introduced to some of the basics of the Qur'ān. Who sent it? How long did it take to complete? What messages does it have? This lesson attempts to explain these concepts in simple language. |
UNIT 2 | KNOWING ALLAH | |
6 | Allah Loves Us | Now that students have learned about Allah (swt), Nabi Muhammad (S) and the Qur'an, this unit focuses on understanding our Creator. With our faith, living, and dying all centered on our Creator, it is time to learn one of the most important aspects of our relationship with Allah(swt). This unit begins by explaining that Allāh(swt) loves us. Our admiration and commitment to the divine comes from the fact that above all else, Allah loves us. |
7 | Remembering Allah | Children in this age group are not expected to fulfill all the ritual duties incumbent upon adults. However, this does not exclude them from establishing a preliminary connection with Allah(swt). One of the best ways to establish this connection is teach students to adopt ideal behavior in everyday life. In a subsequent unit, ideal Islamic Akhlaq and Adab will be introduced. For now, students will learn some common Islamic phrases that they can use every day. This will build their awareness of their religion. This, in turn, will help them adopt an Islamic lifestyle that will remain with them forever. |
8 | Allah Rewards Us | When we direct students' attention to the Creator, we ask them to believe in the Creator and follow His guidance. The benefit of this commitment is best understood in terms of the rewards Allah(swt) gives us. There is a fundamental difference between the rewards human beings give and the rewards Allah(swt) gives. This lesson discusses diverse aspects of Allah's(swt) rewards, focusing on who gets them, how we get them, and when we get them. We receive rewards in this life and even more in the Hereafter. Allah(swt) never runs out of rewards, and nobody can take away our share of rewards. |
UNIT 3 | OUR IBADAT | |
9 | Five Pillars of Islam | What do pillars do for a structure? How do they help building a house, a bridge, or a furniture? Using on this concept of the necessity of pillars, students will be introduced to the five important piece of pillars of Islam. The lesson will summarize each one of the pillars. |
10 | Shahadah: The First Pillar | This lesson covers the basics of the first pillar of Islam. Shahadah is the fundamental idea of Islam; without it, one cannot be a Muslim. The core concept of each of the five-pillars is introduced, one pillar at a time. |
11 | Salat: The Second Pillar | After declaring Shahadah, the next step is to demonstrate faith in action by performing salat. Therefore, salat is the second pillar of Islam. This lesson covers the basics of the second pillar. Emphasis is placed on the practice of regular salat. |
12 | Zakat: The Third Pillar | Salat is a personal duty. Zakat is a duty to the community. Thus, Islam is not only about improving the self, it is also about the people around us. This lesson focuses on the third pillar of Islam. Students are encouraged at an early age to give and share. |
13 | Fasting: The Fourth Pillar | This lesson introduces students to an annual duty of Islam—fasting during Ramadan. Fasting is the fourth pillar of Islam. In this lesson, students will learn the rules and exception for fasting. |
14 | Hajj: The Fifth Pillar | Hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime duty. This lesson explains the basic concept of the fifth pillar of Islam. In this chapter, students will learn the most important steps of performing Hajj. |
UNIT 4 | MESSENGERS OF ALLAH | |
15 | Adam (A): The First Nabi | This is the first of a series of short, introductory biographies of the messengers. This chapter tells the story of Adam (A), the first nabi. A brief account of his challenges and trials is given here. This introductory lesson serves to provide the foundation for additional lessons in future grades. |
16 | Nuh (A): Saved From the Great Flood | The experiences of Nuh (A) are great examples for us. The story of his life contains dramatic turn of events—all showing that Allah(swt) saves righteous people. This divine principle is demonstrated again and again throughout the history of humanity. The chaper provides a short account of how and why Nuh (A) was saved from flood. |
17 | Ibrahim (A): Never Listen to Shaitan | This lesson is an introduction to Ibrahim (A). His life was a constant struggle against Shaitan. A short account of his experiences provides the foundation for several other lessons in future grades covering different aspects of his life. |
18 | Musa (A): Challenging a Bad Ruler | Musa (A) was sent to rescue the Israelites and guide Fir'wan. This chapter provides an introduction to the life and mission of Musa (A). Building on this foundation, additional lessons on Musa (A) will be presented in future grades. |
19 | Isa (A): A Great Nabi of Allah | One of the greatest nabis in Islam is Isa (A). His story and mission are covered in great detail in the Qur'an. This lesson offers an introduction to the life and activities of Isa (A). |
UNIT 5 | OTHER BASICS OF ISLAM | |
20 | Angels: They Always Work for Allah | What are good manners in Islam? Why should we show good manners? Some of these manners are specific to Islam, while others are universal. Students will learn the importance of good manners. This lesson provides a short list of good manners, but the list can be expanded. For now, if students remember to show good manners and practice them daily, they will become better individuals. |
21 | Shaitan: Our Enemy | Why is Shaitan our enemy? What makes him dangerous? This chapter describes shaitan and his role in our lives. This lesson will enable students to take precautions and protect themselves from his attacks from which nobody is immune. |
22 | Makkah and Madinah | Learning about Islam is incomplete unless students learn about Makkah and Madinah—two of he most important cities. Several significant events occurred in these two cities that shaped the early history of Islam. Many lessons in this curriculum are based on the events that unfolded in Makkah and Madinah. An early introduction of these places provides a good foundation for future learning. |
23 | Eid: Two Festivals | This lesson provides an overview of the two main festivals in Islam—Eid al-Fitr and Eid-al-Adha. Ideally this chapter should be taught around the time of Ramadan or Hajj. These festivities are not only fun; they also offer great lessons that are relevant in today's world. |
UNIT 6 | AKHLAQ AND ADAB IN ISLAM | |
24 | Good Manners | What are good manners in Islam? Why should we show good manners? Some of these manners are specific to Islam, while others are universal. Students will learn the importance of good manners. This lesson provides a short list of good manners, but the list can be expanded. For now, if students remember to show good manners and practice them daily, they will become better individuals. |
25 | Kindness and Sharing | Why should we show kindness to others? Why should we share with others? This chapter teaches students about Allah's(swt) kindness toward us. Allah(swt) is kind to us. In turn, we should be kind to others. Students will learn that it only takes little effort to practice kindness toward others. |
26 | Respect | One of the core adab for Muslims and non-Muslims alike is to show respect to others. A lack of respect for others can create a lot of chaos in lour lives and in society. Students will learn the importance of showing respect for everyone. The sooner students learn this moral, the sooner they will emerge as better individuals. |
27 | Forgiveness | Another important value students need to learn and practice is forgiveness. This chapter focuses especially on the forgiveness of Allah(swt). This discussion offers an excellent moral-building lesson. |
28 | Thanking Allah | Why is it important to thank Allah(swt) in addition to worshipping Him? Thanking Allah(swt) is much more than simply showing our respect for Him. This lesson explains why we should thank Allāh(swt) for our blessings. Students will learn how and when to thank Him properly. |