A few years ago, an idea was hatched… Alhamdulillah, last Sunday it finally came into fruition!
Our Madressa held a Knowing Allah Day for children in years 3 and 4, with a slightly simplified version for years 1 and 2 (will share this later). Am very excited to share it here with you!
There were 8 stations, each one focussed on a different name and characteristic of Allah…
*Many of these activities were inspired by Prayer Spaces in School!
Each child got this to tick off as they went through each station. They took this home to remind them of what they had explored during the day.
Al-Khaliq: The Creator
Here the children talked about how Allah has made each and every single one of us, and how we are all unique and perfect as we are.
The children looked at mirrors and compared their similarities (2 eyes, 1 nose) but then started noticing how each was also very different.
They then put their thumbprints on the poster and explored it further with magnifying glasses, noting that no 2 fingerprints are the same!
Ash Shakoor: The Rewarder of Thankfulness
At this station, the concept of thankfulness was explored, and how Allah loves those who are thankful, and gives them even more.
The children jumped on a trampoline to tap into a happy state, and shouted out something or someone that made them happy.
They then thought about the fact that it was Allah who gave them these blessings. They wrote this blessing down on a ribbon and tied on the tree, saying thank you to Allah as they did so.
Al Ghaffar: The Forgiving One
At this station, the children talked about how we all make mistakes which we feel sorry for. Allah is so Forgiving, He forgives our mistakes is we realise what we have done and say sorry.
The children sat and wrote something they had done and wanted to say sorry for – they wrote this in invisible ink and then went into the den to put it away into the chest secretly,… to emphasise that we try and hide the bad we have done and feel ashamed of it.
Then then discussed how sometimes people do things that hurt us, and how we too, should forgive. With that in time, they dropped a tablet into water and watched it fizzed into nothing as they thought of a hurt done to them which the now forgave as they said the name Al Ghaffar – until the hurt was all gone!
Al Qaadir: The Most Able
At this station the children talked about how we all have worries, which sometimes weigh us down and make us feel worried and sad.
The children wrote down a worry and put it on either end of a weight and picked it up, exploring how heavy that felt. They then were reminded of the fact that Allah is Al-Qaadir and able to deal with any problem, big or small, and how we should try our best but ultimately leave our problems with Him.
So the children picked up the weights and notes and popped it into the Worries Box, leaving the weights and notes inside – metaphorically and physically leaving everything with Him!
Al Mujeeb: The Responsive One
At this station, the children were asked to go into sajda and think about their hopes and wishes – in short, their duas. They were taught about the fact that in sajda, we are at our humblest and closest to Allah.
They were then asked to write this wish out and fold into a Dua Flower. This dua flower was placed in water…and lo and behold, the flower slowly started blooming! The chidlren were reminded that Allah is Al-Mujeeb and He is the One who responds to this blossoming dua!
Al Muhaimin: The Protector
At this station, the children contemplated on family and friends that they had around the world. This was expanded to then also include the fact that all Muslims are brothers and sisters and have to care about each other, as well as all other humanity across the world.
They discussed Allah being the Protector, and how although these people are far away, we can still pray for Allah to protect them.
The children wrote out either a name of family or friends or a message for people, found the place on the map that they were and stuck it down.
Ar Rahman: The Compassionate
At this station the children talked about friendship, and how just as Allah is so kind and compassionate to us, so we should be to our friends.
The children took a petal and wrote a name and dua or message for a friend, and stuck it on the Ar-Rahman flower.…
They also talked about how sometimes friends fight, and we should always try and make up and be friends again, or pray for and help others to do the same.
They took a zip and, while thinking of either themselves with someone or two other friends they wanted to make up/be close to again, zipped up the two strands while they said Ar-Rahman.
Al Khabeer: The Fully Aware
At this station, the children looked at the concept of Allah being aware of everything, everywhere.
Experimenting with placing fingers on the plasma ball allowed them to actually see how we can be connected to the source, wherever and whenever we touch, even if many fingers are touching at the same time!
The children then thought about one question they would like to ask Allah, and wrote this down. Their questions and duas to Allah were very insightful and clever!
To download the posters, click here.