Human Beings as Vicegerent of Allah SWT in the Physical World

I have been thinking about how to instill the concept of self awareness in kids so that they are more conscious of their thoughts and actions. It is important for children to realise their own train of thoughts and self-correct when they are not on the right track.

Thanks to Sr. Norsofina's wonderful gift of two books - 'Understanding the concept of Khalifah' and 'Shaping excellent character: a manual for parents' by Prof. Muhammad al-Mahdi, I plan to introduce to the kids the idea that we are vicegerent of Allah SWT (Khalifah), and that we are to make effective and efficient use of material things to fulfill our destined greatness as ordained by Allah SWT.

Here is the timeline for this idea:

Theme: 'Make Myself Good'
Week 1: Self-Control
Week 2: Self Awareness
Week 3: Self Evaluation

Theme: 'Help Others Become Good'
Week 4: Friendship and Fairness
Week 5: Righteousness/Good Judgement
Week 6: Compassion & Caring

Theme: 'Make the Physical World Clean & Beautiful, so it is pleasing to Allah SWT'
Week 7: Reduce Wastage
Week 8: Reuse Often
Week 9: Recycle Everything!

In the coming weeks, Allah SWT willing I probably will tweak the timeline here and there until I am comfortable with how to deliver the lesson plan.

Note:
'Vicegerent' means one who acts in the place of a leader or king. Included in the meaning of vicegerent is the assumption that the person will act in every instance as the leader or king would want them to act, using not their own power but using only the power granted them by the leader of king.

Hence, to be Allah SWT's vicegerent means
a. to act in HIS place, and
b. to carry out HIS will, not our own, and
c. to use the power HE has given us to use not by any power of our own.

al'Mahdi, Muhamad. "Man's role as Khalifah of Allah." Understanding the concept of Khalifah. Malaysia: The Khalifah Institute, c2004. Pages 16-17.

Character Education: Self-Control

All praise be to Allah SWT last Saturday I discussed about how we can control our own thoughts and actions with the kids at the Dar Al Huda Masjid weekend school. I was glad to see about 20 students who turned in their homework 'My Kindness Diary'. Needless to say they were most happy to collect their prizes (a balloon, marble or an eraser) for turning in homework.

For the upper grades girls, we discussed about Valentines Day celebration. I explained to them that Islam encourages expressions of love between parents and children, husband and wife, brothers and sisters, neighbors and community members on a daily basis. Celebration of love between unmarried couples is prohibited in part to prevent pre-marital sex and pregnancies, which could lead to single parents bringing up children without role models and sufficient provision of living expenses. It was interesting to hear about their perception of how common it is now to see teenager girls getting pregnant while in school.

With the elementary school kids, I read the book 'Think before you act: learning about self-discipline and self-control' by Regina G. Burch (ISBN: 978-1-57471-833-1). Then I asked them to think about how they would act when they were angry and when they couldn't do what they want. I also asked them to think about how they can make themselves good if they were to be asked to do bad things e.g. hit someone, run and shout in the library etc.

For homework, students are to think about how they were able to stop themselves from doing something not appropriate and do the right thing instead e.g. stop themselves from hitting someone in retaliation, throwing litter etc. Allah SWT willing I hope that they will think about how to better control themselves in challenging situations.

Character Education: Kindness

All praise be to Allah SWT last Saturday I was at the Dar Al Huda Islamic Center to talk to kids about kindness.

The objective of the class was to get them talk about how we can be kind people by performing kindness of actions. I feel that sometimes these topics get taken for granted, and we need to let our children understand the positive and negative effects of the presence and absence of kindness in the society.

For the craft activity, the kids drew a 'Kindness Cloud' with big raindrops that contained messages of what kindness means to them. Some suggestions included 'being helpful', 'being nice', 'respect others' and 'sharing'. After that, they shared among themselves how they were being kind to others and what type of kindness they have received from people.

For homework, I gave the kids small booklets that was made from half a piece of construction paper folded into four panels. On the front of the booklets, the kids wrote the title 'My Kindness Diary' and their names. Their assignment was to write and draw how someone performed an act of kindness for them during the week. Students who turn in this assignment get to pick a prize next Saturday.

In between classes, I spoke with the principal and one of the board members about my plan to talk about character education with the kids. They agreed with my plan and said that to let them know if I needed any supplies. I also got permission to put up students' art work on the cafeteria walls so that parents and community members can see them.

I was really happy when the board member brought about 15 Islamic books for children, markers and construction papers to the library. They were purchased by a teacher and I am really glad that the library is getting positive support.