Muharram Gem 1:
Teach your children that the tears for Imam Husayn (as) have shafa – indeed, tears have been found to have different chemical content, depending on why they are being shed. Encourage them to wipe it on their faces and body, rather than wiping it away with a tissue.
From a majlis by a Zakira
Muharram Gem 2:
We need to put a love of the family of the Ahlul Bayt (as) into our children from a young age. If we do this, then it will help them when they’re older. Many teenagers have strayed, but through the love of Imam Husayn (as) have then come to the majalis of Muharram and returned to the right path – they started praying again, started fasting again, started wearing hijaab again, and so on…
Summarised from a seminar by Sheikh Abbas Jaffer
In the same vein: We need to put the love of Islam into our children BEFORE the law. When they are older, if they rebel against the law, it will be the love that will bring them back.
From a majlis by a Zakira
Muharram Gem 3:
Don’t underestimate the value of maatam and the symbol of what it stands for. Teach your children it’s importance and to take part, even if they don’t understand it yet.
In Russia, when it was difficult to openly practise Islam and commemorate, Muslims developed a softer, more secret way to do maatam rather than give it up altogether. They would slip their hand in between buttons and place it on the chest and whisper, and they taught their children to do the same.
Now, they are allowed to practise more freely and so do maatam normally again, but continue to do this secret maatam every now and then as a reminder…
Summarised from a lecture by Sheikh Abbas Jaffer
Muharram Gem 4:
We listen to lectures year in, year out – but the change in us in minimal. How can we change this so that the knowledge turns into action?
One suggestion is that we reflect on it and pull out a point of action even after the majlis. On the way home, why not start a family tradition on what each family member learned and one small thing they are going to try and change based on that? Inshallah with little steps like that, big changes can happen 🙂
Inspired by a lecture by Sheikh Abbas Jaffer
Muharram Gem 5:
The first ten minutes are what is most pertinent to us, and it relates to the different ways that people around the world do Azadari. The poppy example is a good one to explain the symbols we use to commemorate Ashura to our children:
Muharram Gem 6:
Muharram rituals can save our children:
Technology is a part of our lives now that we cannot ignore. But you have the option to unplug and log out. We must create a space and time for our families to reconnect and think about the bigger picture. This is where the story of Imam Hussain and Karbala can save us.”
Read the full article here.