Eid Adha Game

Make a pass the parcel game for Eid Adha using the Prophet Ibrahim Quranic Facts worksheet. Rewrite the facts as questions to help children recall their learnings. Tape each question under each layer of wrapping, using an Eid nasheed or the Story of Ibrahim song while the parcel is being passed around the circle. If short on preparation time/to save paper, the questions can be put into a pot to be picked at each turn instead of unwrapping the present each time. 

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Duas of Ibrahim (a)

Dhilhajj is the perfect time for children to learn the Quranic duas of Prophet Ibrahim (a).

Worksheet from ‘My Duas from the Qur’an’ by QFatima.

Download Salaa Chart by Jeddah Mom

This free printable salaa chart by Jeddah Mom is perfect to use while learning the beautiful Dua of Prophet Ibrahim (a) about prayer. Encourage little ones to mark the salaa they pray and older ones to track which ones they manage to perform on time.  

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Prophet Ibrahim (a) in the Quran

Activity: 10 Quranic Facts about Prophet Ibrahim (a)
Read through the facts and match them up with the correct picture.

1. Instead of worshiping the stars, moon and sun, Prophet Ibrahim told the people to worship Allah, the creator of them all. 6:76-79
2. The king Nimrod claimed that he was God and ordered a large catapult to be built and Prophet Ibrahim to be thrown into a fire but Allah made the fire cool and safe 21:51-70
3. Prophet Ibrahim’s character is highly praised in the Quran 16:120-122
4. Prophet Ibrahim was always grateful for his blessings 16:121
5. Prophet Ibrahim was told by Allah to leave his wife Hajra and baby Ismail in the desert in Makkah 14:37
6. Prophet Ibrahim dreamt that he was sacrificing his son but Allah saved Ismail and in his place there was a sheep. 37:102-113
7. Allah asked Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail to build the Holy Ka’ba
8. Surah 14 of the Holy Quran is named after Prophet Ibrahim (a)
9. Prophet Ibrahim prayed to Allah to send a good leader for his people. Allah answered his dua and sent Prophet Muhammad (a) 2:129
10. Prophet Ibrahim is known as Khalilulah, the friend of Allah 4:125

Activity: Prophet Ibrahim in the Quran (a)

Use the factsheet to make a poster or present a short talk on what the Qur'an tells us about Prophet Ibrahim. Older children can be given the Quran references for their own research.

Download Worksheet: 10 Facts About Prophet Ibrahim (a) From The Qur’an

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Ibrahim: The Father of all Faiths

Draw a simple family tree to help children understand why Prophet Ibrahim (a) is called the ‘Father of all Faiths’.

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Hajj Books

Set up a themed display to invite learning through some brilliant Hajj titles.

Zaahir & Jamel The Camel Hajj
Tell Me About Hajj by Saniyasnain Khan
Going to Mecca by Na’ima B. Robert
Yan's Hajj by Fawzia Gilani
We're off to make 'Umrah by Sana Munshey
Noor Kids Go to Hajj
Two Pigeons on a Pilgrimage by Rabia Bashir
Young Explorers' Adventures in Makkah by Abu Zaynah
The Green Dinosaur Umbrella: A Hajj Story by Amina Banawan
My Hajj Funbook by Tahera Kassamali

You can find related book reviews online by Islamic School Librarian

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Hajj Kaba Calendar

Learning Objective:
- to be immersed in learning about the Hajj over the ten days.
- to gain an overview of the Hajj rituals and learn how we can apply them.
- to help visually understand that Eid Al Adha marks the end of Hajj.

Activity: Hajj Kaba Calendar
Make an interactive calendar for Dhulhijja using the calendar inserts which have been produced to be used together with the Hajj Activities EBook. The calendar can also be used as a standalone for younger children.

1. Print the Hajj calendar inserts. Colour in the images and place the inserts either into small envelopes or fold each one in half and number accordingly. The activity numbers at the bottom of each insert correspond to the page numbers in the Hajj Activities EBook.

2. Arrange the envelopes or folded inserts 3x3 onto a horizontal A4 piece of black card which can then be trimmed. You can also paint a black cardboard square. Leave room at the top of the square to decorate with a strip of gold card, paint or tape. Glue down the backs of each folded insert.

3. Press down and close the inserts firmly or secure with a little blue tac. Open each day to discuss accordingly.

Download:
Hajj Calendar Inserts
EBook: Hajj: A Journey Towards Allah
Kaba Calendar Craft inspired by Hello Holy Days!

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Hajj: A Journey Towards Allah

Bringing together all our Hajj activities in one FREE instant download!

What’s inside?

• Simple, fun ideas and activities to introduce Hajj and help lay a foundation for preschoolers
• Creative teaching ideas and activities for each stage of the Hajj journey. 
• Covering themes of goodness, gratitude, trust and forgiveness, together with Quranic verses.
• Learn about the rituals and how we can apply them in our lives.

The Hajj Activities eBook will download as one handy PDF document, allowing you to

·        Read the book on screen

·        Save it on your computer

·        Print the entire contents as a book

·        Print just one activity at a time.

Download the FREE Hajj Activities eBook and start your learning journey towards Allah!
Use together with the corresponding Hajj Kaba Calendar, structured to teach each lesson from the eBook over the ten days of Dhulhijja.

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Popcorn Sheep!

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Eid Adha Sheep Money Box

A fun symbolic Eid craft to prompt us to follow in the footsteps of Prophet Ibrahim (as) and to sacrifice what we love for the pleasure of Allah as the little ones allocate a share of pocket money each week towards helping others. 

Activity:
Cut a small slit in the middle of a wide mouthed plastic bottle. Cover with cotton wool balls using glue. Cut out a face from black card and attach it onto the bottle lid.

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Stoning the Pillars

One of the rituals of hajj is to stone the three pillars at Jamaraat. When we are hitting these, we are thinking which of our bad habits do we want to hit and get rid of to become closer to Allah. 

Recap the concept of taqwa, reminding how no one can make you do anything. They might ‘whisper’ and give you ideas to do something wrong, but when you have taqwa, you remember Allah and have the power to fight the whispers and not listen to them.

Go in search for pebbles and write the word Taqwa on one of the stones. Discuss scenarios when you've been tempted to do something wrong. Did you fight it away and hit it with the stone of Taqwa? Display your Taqwa pebble as a reminder of the strength of Prophet Ibrahim (as) as he fought away the whispers of Shaytan. We too by remembering Allah all the time can stop becoming distracted to do what is wrong. 

See also:
Lesson plan and activities on Taqwa

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Picking Stones at Mina

One of the rituals of hajj is to stone the three pillars at Jamaraat by first picking pebbles at a place called Mina. As we collect the stones, we think about our bad habits that we want to hit away and get rid of to become closer to Allah. 

Imagine if you had to collect a stone for every wrong action you've done, would you remember each one? In the same way we forget about some of the wrong actions we've done because we think they are small but it doesn't matter what the size of the wrong action is, Allah sees and knows everything. In Hajj we have the chance to think about our actions and ask Allah to forgive us.

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Affirmations

Print by Simply fresh Designs

The station of Ibrahim reminds us of the great man who was chosen to be a Prophet. He is remembered by millions of Muslims who follow in his footsteps as they complete the Hajj. Allah tells us the story of Prophet Ibrahim in many places, describing and praising his good character and how he was His special friend. Prophet Ibrahim is admired by all the religions and an example of a person who had qualities that Allah loves and those that we too are trying to have.

One way that can help us develop a good character is by using positive affirmations. These are words that are absorbed by the mind when repeated often. Positive words remind you of what you believe in and can encourage you to behave in the right way when you are in a difficult or unsure situation.

For example if you want to teach your mind to become more grateful you can focus on and repeat the words 'I am thankful' for a few minutes everyday. If you are then faced with a situation when you feel like complaining, your mind will remind you that you are grateful and instead you will remember your blessings and say Alhamdulilah! Allah has given us an amazing mind and the power to control it! Make Dua to Allah to help you and choose a few qualities and positive words to repeat everyday.

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Make a Compass

UK Qibla direction found by using the compass to locate South East 

Quran Verse: 
Turn your face in the direction of the Holy Mosque 2:144

One of the ways we can find the Qibla direction is by using a compass. To use a compass, we need to know the direction of Makkah from where we live. For example, Makkah is approximately to the South East of the UK. Therefore, if we have a compass, we can find out which direction is South East, and pray in that direction.

Follow the Wiki How instructions for how to make a compass and use it to find the approximate Qibla direction.

1. Fill a large shallow bowl with water
2. Magnetize a needle by rubbing it in one direction across a magnet approximately 30 times.
3. Balance or thread the needle through some styrofoam or cork and place it on the water.
4. Watch it rotate as it locates north
5. Check accuracy with a compass to confirm direction.

Extension: 
Read the history about the Qibla direction from the Qur'an 2:142-150

Live it:
Having a Qibla reminds us that everything in our life must be focused and directed towards Allah. In the Qur'an, Allah tells us "make your direction the rushing to do good wherever you are". 2:148. Are we living a life in the right direction?

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Trust In Allah

Qur'an Verse: 

Tawwakkal 'allalah, Put your trust in Allah 

Allah loves those who put their trust in Him 3:159

Having trust in Allah means that whatever difficulties we are faced with, we do our best and rely on Allah to help us. Allah loves us seventy times more than our mothers and we know that He will always do what is good for us. When we put our trust in Allah and do the right thing, we do not need to worry or be afraid of anything. Our trust in Him makes us strong.

When you believe and put your trust in something you can not see, it is called having faith. 

- The people who got on the ark could not see any water or rain but they listened to Prophet Nuh and put their trust in Allah to save them from drowning. 

- Can not see wind, but have faith that if you held a kite outside it would fly!

- Can not see electricity, but have faith that when you turn on the switch, there will be light!

- We can not see Allah but we have faith that He is always there.

Lesson Introduction:

When Prophet Ibrahim was asked by Allah to leave his wife Hajra and little baby Ismail in the desert all on their own, they both put their trust in Allah. There was no food, water or even anyone else living there but their faith made them strong. They did not worry about what would happen because they knew that Allah will look after them.

Imam Husayn’s army knew that they were standing for the truth and doing what would make Allah happy. It didn’t matter how old or young they were, they were ansarAllah, helpers of Allah and Allah says in the Qur’an ‘If you help in the way of Allah, He will help you’ 47:7. They put their complete trust in Allah and knew that whatever difficulties they faced, Allah would help them. Their incredible trust in Allah gave them amazing strength! An army of only seventy two fighting against thousands, yet their faith in Allah made them strong!

Activity: Objects of Trust
Identify each item being trusted
Learning swimming (trust armbands wont drown)
Put money in bank (trust bank)
Food in freezer (trust freezer keeps food good)
Cross road zebra crossing (trust driver will stop)

Activity: Faith Makes You Strong

Take two empty plastic water bottles. Tightly cap one of them and leave the other one without the lid. Compare the uncapped bottle to a person without faith, and the capped bottle to a person who has faith. Try to crush both bottles by squeezing your hand around them. The uncapped bottle will crush, but the one with the cap will not.

When we have faith and put our trust in Allah, it gives us an invisible strength! We do not need to worry or be afraid of anything. Our trust in Him makes us strong.

If you're scared at night your mummy might tell you to recite some Surahs. If you put your trust in Allah knowing He will look after you, it will make you feel strong and safe and you will be able to sleep peacefully.

Watch visual experiment online 

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Hajj Book Corner

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Sweetness of Good Deeds

Materials Needed:

Two white plastic cups
Sweet drink
Bitter drink
Heart sticker/draw onto each cup 

Place the drinks into each cup but do not make the children aware of the difference. Explain how when we wear the Ihram, Allah is teaching us that what we see on the outside is not the most important part of us. It's what's on the inside that matters. Have the children take a small sip out of each cup and taste the difference. 

At Hajj we wear the Ihram. Rich or poor we all look the same on the outside. Allah looks at your heart inside. Is it full of sweet good deeds? 

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Ka'ba Facts

The Ka’ba, is a very special holy place and an important landmark for Muslims.

- It is in Makkah, Saudi Arabia (Also known as Bekka in the Qur'an)

- Ka’ba means cube in Arabic
- It measure 60 x 60 feet
- Allah refers to the Ka’bah as ‘My House’ so although Allah does not 'live' in the Ka’baa, it is also called ‘Bayt ulllah’, the House of Allah.

- It was built by Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail

- It is the direction all Muslims face to pray

- It is covered in a black cloth with verses of the Holy Qur'an embroidered on it in golden thread. It is known as kiswa and is changed every year.
- There is a special stone sent from heaven set in the Ka'bah called Hajar al-Aswad, the Black stone. Pilgrims begin and end each round of tawaf at it.

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Hajj Activities eBook

  

Bringing together all our Hajj activities in one FREE instant download!

What’s inside?

• Simple, fun ideas and activities to introduce Hajj and help lay a foundation for preschoolers
• Creative teaching ideas and activities for each stage of the Hajj journey. 
• Covering themes of goodness, gratitude, trust and forgiveness, together with Quranic verses.
• Learn about the rituals and how we can apply them in our lives.

The Hajj Activities eBook will download as one handy PDF document, allowing you to

·        Read the book on screen

·        Save it on your computer

·        Print the entire contents as a book

·        Print just one activity at a time.

Download the FREE Hajj Activities eBook and start your learning journey towards Allah!

Use together with the corresponding Hajj Kaba Calendar, structured to teach each lesson from the eBook over the ten days of Dhulhijja.

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Hajj Wall Art

Draw a black square in the centre of a paper plate and use different paint techniques with fingerprints/brushes/cotton buds/cotton wool balls, to form a colourful circular tawaaf pattern around the Ka'ba. Display as wall art symbolising the different people coming together for Hajj.

Older children can be introduced to the work of Siddiqa Juma, one of the world's leading Islamic artists. They can choose which painting to replicate in anticipation of Hajj. 

'Journey around the Kabaa' and 'Diversity', by Siddiqa Juma, 

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Make Tawaaf

Key Learning Point:

When we make tawaaf and walk around the Ka'ba, we are doing what Allah has told us and are close to the House of Allah. If we want Allah to pull us close to Him everyday, we must spend our time doing good deeds, because good deeds are magnetic and pull us towards Allah!

Quran Verse:

Wa ahsin, do good 28:77

Lesson Introduction:

One of the things we do in Hajj is Tawaaf, walking around the Ka'ba 7 times. The Ka'ba is sometimes called the House of Allah, because it is a special place to remind us about Allah.

The solar system is made of 7 planets which all go around the sun. This is because the sun is like a very strong magnet. It pulls the planets towards it, making them stay close to the sun as they go round. The Ka'ba is in the centre like the sun, and when we do tawaaf, we are like the planets going around it.

ACTIVITY: Make Tawaaf

Materials Needed:

Paper plate

Few paperclips

Different colours of paint

Strong magnet

Draw a black square, to represent the Ka'ba, in the centre of a paper plate.

Place a few drops of paint and a couple of paperclips on the plate. Have the child move the paperclips around the Ka'ba by gliding the magnet from underneath, to illustrate the movement of different people performing Tawaaf.

Point out how the 'paperclip people' performing tawaaf are doing a good deed which is keeping them close to the House of Allah. Similarly, if we want to stay close to Allah everyday, we must spend our time doing good deeds,because good deeds are magnetic and pull us towards Allah!

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