Compiled by Reem Rahman

A couple months ago, Imam Suhaib posted a question on Facebook asking how to encourage one’s child to pray. Alhamdullilah (praise be to God), there were many great responses. We wanted to share some of the wonderful advice and stories shared by fellow readers. May our hearts always be open to beneficial advice.

*Responses abridged and edited for grammar; all of the full responses are available on Facebook.

QUESTION

“My son is 7! What do you think would be a wise way to approach him about praying?”

RESPONSES

Faiza Isaaq: Be subtle. Kids love imitating their parents/role models. Just ask him to join you whenever you pray, focusing on one prayer and then building on that gradually.

Ghada Othmani: Mum’s famous prayer tree was awesome! It was a tree with 5 big leaves (one for each prayer) that she used to draw on a paper and hang on the wall of my room. I had to color each leaf: in green if the prayer was done on time; in yellow if it was done but not on time; and in brown if it was not done…

She used to tell me that green means Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala (exalted is He) is happy and proud of you because you showed gratitude to Him for all what He has given to you. Yellow means He is less proud. Brown, be careful! He could take away His love and protection from you!

I still remember the joy everytime it was full green!! And believe me, until now, it still works. It has become a neural association. Everytime I do something wrong, the first thing that comes to my mind is the brown leaf. Same for deeds.

Khudake Liye: There was a story I heard about someone who told to his son: “Come, I will give you something that nobody ever can take away from you. Your deen.”

Aadhil Shiraz: Let him pray with you. Make sure it’s a pleasurable thing to do, instead of a chore, which is basically what salah (prayer) is supposed to be. If you nag him too much and turn it into a chore then he won’t feel the pain of missing salah.

Mike Swies: I would tell him that now he is going to be man of the house if anything happens to you, and you want to give him the honor of knowing how to lead the family in prayer. 🙂

AishaLadon AbdulRahman Dixon: My youngest loves that he is in charge of calling us to prayer. He feels this is his job and we depend on him to do it, and that we really need him as a part of our prayer team.

Tricia Pe: I think prayer should be gradually introduced well before 7, through praying occasionally with mom and dad, discussing aspects of salah, rather than suddenly rolling up on a 7-year-old saying, “Now your salat is due.” I took your situation as hypothetical, of course.

Fadwa Silmi: When one of the Mauritanian shuyukh (scholars) (Shaykh Khatri) came to California, one of the things he thought was so strange (and there were many) was that we didn’t make wudu’ (ablution) and pray around our children. He was like, “Why do you guys go lock yourselves in the bathroom to make wudu’ and then hide in your room to pray instead of having your children see you so that they become accustomed to prayer as a part of their lives?”

I would call him to do wudu’ with you and then to pray with you whenever you pray. You can also gift him a prayer rug and kufi (prayer cap) for him to use when he prays. I also like the idea of gifting one prayer at a time until they are praying all five. Tawfiq insha’ Allah (success, God willing) and Happy Birthday to your boy!

Ayesha Nicole: via Dr. Farhat Hashmi: I was exposed to such an environment from the very beginning and was told that prayer is an awesome thing to do. It was portrayed in a “cool” way to me. So obviously I was eager to pray, alhamdulillah. After 6 months I was given yet another gift and that was of `isha’ (the night prayer). Then every 6 months I was given a gift: of dhuhr (the afternoon prayer), then of `asr (the late afternoon prayer) and then finally of fajr (the pre-dawn prayer). Both my mother and father have been very consistent and firm regarding prayer with me so that no way on earth would you be able to convince them to let me off the hook for even a day. I love them for that. But it’s every man for himself. You will be accountable for your actions individually.

Hussam Kubtan: Share with him some of the hadeeth (records of the sayings or actions of the Prophet ﷺ) that talk about the takleef (mandate) at the age of 7, what it means to be a young adult, and that 7 is the first step towards being a young man.

Beenish Akhtar: I remember a talk you once gave where you spoke about teaching children how to pray as not just some random duty, but you said something about reminding them that they are in the company of the One (swt). This is their time to speak directly to their Creator (swt), and take great solace with Him or run to Him when they feel thankful. It changed my perspective on the subject because I grew up with the “pray or you’re going to get it” rule.

Dawud Israel: Just tell your son about Allah (swt) and His characteristics. Kids are naturally inclined to pray since they are ma’sum (innocent).

Vardha Ismail: Hmm… Tell him that he is now old enough to speak to Allah (swt) through prayer and this is a great honour. It will be difficult to pray all the time but remember that each time you pray Allah (swt) will draw closer to you, and if you have any worries, problems or wishes that you want to share with Allah (swt)—this is the perfect way to do it. And if there is anyone who we want to be close to—even more than our parents, it is Allah (swt). Life is like the seasons outside, sometimes its good sometimes it can be difficult, and prayer is the anchoring force in our lives through all the ups and downs. It’s a big responsibility but I’m sure he will be able to maintain his salah insha’ Allah, and with good examples it can only help. May Allah (swt) help us all to maintain our salah! God bless you and your family.

Jinan Yousef: I guess the way I would tell a 7-year-old is that when the time comes to pray, it is Allah (swt) calling us to talk to Him. Imagine, Allah (swt) wants to talk to you! You are that special. And then reminding him that all the good in his life, all that, is from Allah (swt).

Nancy Shehata: Even way before age seven we taught by example, always making sure they see us make wudu’ and pray, applauding their efforts when they first start imitating us. My husband would take our son out of school on Fridays to go to the prayer, which insha’ Allah we’ll be able to do again soon. It’s all about making it a priority—if we get off the computer, stop watching TV, turn off the iPod, and pray promptly upon hearing the adhan (the call to prayer), then they will be accustomed to the rhythm of prayer in the household and it will be totally natural for them to join in. Take five minutes after each prayer you pray at home to help the kids memorize parts of the prayer, like what we say in ruku` (the bowing), the tashahhud, etc. They are like sponges and will pick it up quickly, insha’ Allah!

Sara M Amin: I think it would be great if you were to ask him his thoughts on why daddy and mummy pray and then encourage him to pose questions about it to make him curious and interested. Usually kids love to try and learn new things especially when they learn it from family, so keep him around you while you are praying. Ask him to hand you the prayer mat for example and then kiss and hug him to give him that sense of “Wow, I’ve done something good.” Or when the call to prayer resonates throughout the streets, take him out to the balcony and ask him to listen like it’s a special father-son time. I think if that sense of beauty is added before the actual rituals of prayer are learnt, then the rest just comes naturally. Hope I was of some benefit. 🙂 May Allah (swt) bless him.

Reshma Hyder: When they are 7, this is what you may try: “Now that you are seven, I’ll share a secret with you that makes me strong from the inside. All that I buy and provide (cook yummy food, toys, etc. in my case) for you is actually from Allah (swt) and I have been personally thanking him 5 times a day for all that He has given me including a 7-year-old like you! Let me teach you how to personally thank Allah (swt) as He listens to 7-year-olds when they pray to Him. Let’s begin praying together and we both thank Allah (swt) and pray for all that we have. I began praying with my parents when I was seven and look how Allah (swt) kept rewarding me and gave me beautiful family and children. Alhamdulillah.”

Shaykh, forgive me if I said something wrong. I tried this with my now-grown-up kids back when they were 7. It worked till they turned 14—rebellious age—then I switched to, “You have your own book of deeds. I am no longer reminding (nagging) you to pray, but life is short, and you need to be thankful everyday lest your own janazah prayer (prayer after a person dies) is prayed. It’ll be too late to make up missed prayers then (motherly scare tactics).” Now my current 7-year-old is going through the same process although it is easier when they see older siblings pray. As a parent I now pray to Allah (swt) to keep kids praying and on the straight path. It’s a tough world out there for them.

by Reem Rahman

The following is a list of some of the favorite Apple applications used by virtualmosque.com authors as tools to help fill our lives with the light, love, and guidance of Allah (God), Islam, and the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Like never before, the Apple iPhone, iPod, iPad and other devices allow for volumes of sacred Islamic texts and teachings and to be accessible within the palm of our hand. They place gems at our fingertips, whether they are the noblest of adkhar (remembrances) and du`a’ (supplication), quotes from the premier scholars in Islamic history, or extraordinary tools for understanding Arabic and the Qur’an.

What remains to be seen with these and other modern resources is whether we have the strength to open our hearts, organize our time, and discipline our minds enough to derive benefit from them. It is for us to ensure that the resources don’t just leave us like the people of Prophet Nuh `alayhi sallatu wa sallam (may Allah send his peace and blessings on them), left behind in the flood of the times – for us the flood of instant distractions that increasingly surrounds us.

As is said in the beautiful, oft-cited du`a’:

يَا مُقَلِّبَ الْقُلُوبِ ثَبِّتْ قَلْبِى عَلَى دِينِكَ

Ya Muqallib al-Quloob, Thabbit Qalbi Ala Deenik

“Oh Turner of Hearts, keep my heart firm on Your Deen.”

Note that by no means is this list intended to be comprehensive. The descriptions after each item provide brief highlights with links leading to the full description of features.

Tell us what you think of these or what your other favorite apps are!

Adkhar

• iAzkar [Free] – In Arabic only; has common recommended remembrances for each part of the day
• Divine Names [Full – $1.99, Lite with 10 names – Free] – Beautiful recitation & presentation to help memorize 99 names of our Creator

Arabic

• Maktoob Dictionary [Free] – Large Arabic/English dictionary

Hadith

• iHadith [40 hadiths – Free, others from $3.99-$6.99 each] – offers 5 different complete collections
• Daily Hadith [Free] – One hadith, along with an explanation, downloads daily (Internet connection needed)
• Hadith Qudsi [Free]

Du’a’

• Fortification of the Muslim [$1.99] – One of the most popular du’a’ books in the world for just $1.99! You can also search for du’as by topic
• QDu’aas [Full – $2.99, Lite with 3 du’as – Free] – Has over 40 du’as found in the Quran

Fiqh

• Fiqh Us-Sunnah [$2.99] – Complete compilation of the English translation of the book Fiqh-us-Sunnah by Sayyid Saabiq

Qur’an

• alQuran [Free] – Has an Arabic search engine too, can access over a 100 translations in more than 30 different languages
• Al-Mus’haf – [Free] – Actually mirrors the Madinah mushaf commonly used for memorization exactly! Many other great features as well (see site). can be difficult to navigate.
• myQuran [Full – $7.99, Lite with 5 surahs – Free] – Breaks words down to their roots and root meaning! Great letter pronunciation (makharij) guide even on the free version. Has the Saheeh International translation too; a bit pricey but truly worth it!
• Quran Reader [$2.99] – Allows the Quran to be read in all-Arabic or all-English. Arabic is in beautiful, HD Othmani text. Includes full text search in Arabic or English

Salah

• iPray [Full – $3.99, Lite features are quite sufficient – Free]
• QamarDeen [Free] – Tracks and give stats & charts on your prayer, fasting, & more!

Locators

• Zabihah – [Free] – Guide to Halal Restaurants & Mosques

Other

• Islamic Calendar [Free]
• Islamic Media [$0.99] – Aggregates quality listening content to stream
• Keys to Paradise [Free] – Simple ways to help pave your path to Jannah
• Torch Bearers: Scholars of Islam [Free] – Motivational quotes from 48+ of the Ummah’s greatest scholars

May we benefit from these resources and be a people that brings benefit to others, a people that helps uplift all of humanity.

by Reem Rahman

Know the true meaning of Malcolm X, and you cannot help but be moved. You cannot help but stand up taller and aim to live with greater courage, committed to the upliftment of oneself and of all people. The life and death, struggle and change he underwent from 1925 to 1965 still stands as a powerful source of learning and inspiration. The burden now falls upon those of us who know to ensure that new generations aren’t deprived of also truly knowing Malcolm, and living better because of it.

The challenge, however, is in conveying just what is meant by his legacy. The most popular sources on his life are good places to start, including Malcolm X’s autobiography as told to Alex Haley, which was hailed as one of the ten most important nonfiction books of the 20^th century, and Spike Lee’s hugely popular 1992 film starring Denzel Washington. Both have undoubtedly served to introduce Malcolm X to generations of people across the world, but neither is free of critique nor fully captures the complexity and impact of his life, much of which continues to be misunderstood, oversimplified, or just plain commercialized. How is it, for example, that he’s still thought of as “controversial” – and yet he received one of the highest forms of honor to any American citizen, commemoration on the United States postal stamp? How is it that in 1964, as one of the most widely quoted men of his time, Malcolm so powerfully spoke about Mecca and thereby Islam as “the fountain of truth, love, peace, and brotherhood,” and yet Islam is one of the most stereotyped and misunderstood religions in the West today?

The following resources and selected quotes have been gathered as a brief, introductory primer for those unfamiliar with Malcolm X (see “Introductory Resources”). For those who are already familiar, the resources are a way to reengage with his life and the continued scholarship on his legacy with greater depth (see “Additional Recommendations” and “Reference”). Among the suggested readings is Malcolm X’s autobiography, which is strongly recommended as a must-read for all youth today, especially Muslims.

Ossie Davis’s words capture the intent of this primer, ringing as true today as they did the day he delivered his eulogy to Brother El-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz (Malcolm X): “I say this to you, as I say to myself: If Malcolm and his message – so strong, so bright, and so pure – was too good for those of us who have already reached manhood, there is a generation who is not yet spoiled, not yet degutted, not yet de-bold, not yet emasculated, who when they come to the light of this truth will rise up and redeem him and us and all of the rest of the world. That is the meaning of Malcolm X.”

May we be that generation.

This is meant as a primer on Malcolm X and is by no means comprehensive. We look forward to seeing your own recommendations in the comments!

Introductory Resources (for an extremely basic introduction)

• (April 1964) “Letter from Hajj“ The Autobiography of Malcolm X, Chapter 17  -Mecca.
• (1964?) Malcolm X’s Press Interview “On leaving the ‘Nation of Islam’ and not fearing death”: 3:10 min.
• (1966) Response to magazine editor’s question: Why did you Eulogize Malcolm X? by Ossie Davis
• (May 1925 – Feb 1965) Brief Chronology – Official Malcolm X Site

Additional Recommended

Reading

• (1965) Autobiography of Malcolm X, as told to Alex Haley (This book was chosen by Time magazine as one of the 10 most important nonfiction books of the 20th century)
• (1964) “I am prepared to die” speech by Nelson Mandela, (see concluding remarks echoing Malcolm’s famous “By Any Means Necessary” quote)
• (1963) Letter From Malcolm X to Martin Luther King Jr – Calling for Unity

Video

• Malcolm X (film) Directed by Spike Lee, 1992  – Official Trailer | Clip 1 | Clip 2 | Entire Film on Youtube
• (1963) “On slavery’s destruction of history, media distortion, and school integration” – Malcolm X Interview, “City Desk”, Chicago [9:42 min]
• (May 21, 1964) Interview after Hajj [53 sec.]
• (June 8, 1964) “I’m probably a dead man already” [1:28 min]
• (1964?) “Prayer (dua) for the crowd and on KuKlux Klan as cowards” – Malcolm X [1:15 min]
• (1964) Oxford Union Speech – Malcolm X; excerpt [7:36 min]
  

Reference

• Speech by Ossie Davis at the Apollo Theater , February 27, 1965
• Research Site: http://www.brothermalcolm.net/
• Dyson, Eric M. Making Malcolm: The Myth and Meaning of Malcolm X. (Oxford University Press 1995)
• Lumpkins, C., What would Malcolm X say about Obama? , February 28, 2008
• Malcolm X – Religious Transformation – Overview, “(adapted from the pamphlet Malcolm X : Why I Embraced Islam by Yusuf Siddiqui)
• (April 12,1964) “Ballot or Bullet” Speech by Malcolm X, (see first 10 minutes on Black Nationalism) [53:37]
• The Missing Malcolm X: the Lost Chapters from Haley’s Autobiography. Interview of Dr. Marble Manning. February 2009.
• Malcolm X Project at Columbia University: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/ccbh/mxp/ Research site by Louis DeCaro, author of On the Side of My People: A Religious Life of Malcolm X and Malcolm and the Cross: The Nation of Islam, Malcolm X and Christianity
• Research Guide: http://www.libraries.psu.edu/psul/researchguides/areacultstudies/Malcolm_X.html
• Aidi, Hishaam. 2002. Jihadis in the Hood: Race, Urban Islam and the War on Terror. Middle East Report 224.
• Boyd,T and Shropshire,K. (eds.) “View the World From American Eyes: Ball, Islam and Dissent in Post-Race America,” in Basketball Jones: America Above the Rim, Chapter 14, p.198-214, New York University Press (2000)
• Clasby, Nancy. The Autobiography of Malcolm X: A Mythic Paradigm, Journal of Black Studies, Vol. 5 No. 1, September. Publications, Inc. (1974)
• Burrow, Rufus, Jr. Malcolm X was a Racist : The Great Myth , Western Journal of Black Studies, vol.20, no.2, (Summer, 1996), p.104-113

Topical Quotes

The following are just a few excerpts intended to introduce some of the themes and rich scholarship involved in understanding and demystifying the legacy of Malcolm X.

Malcolm as “Controversial”?

“What this means is not quite clear, but in effect everyone admits that a controversial intellectual is one whose thought does not leave people indifferent: some praise it, others criticize it, but in any case it causes them to react and think.” – Tariq Ramadan, “What I Believe”

Self-Identity, Black Consciousness, and Challenging the Legacy of Slavery

“One black leader, perhaps more than any other in modern times, was responsible for  developing a black consciousness that could reject the white interpretation of history and the white heroes, in search of its own past and glory – Malcolm X.” – M. Worth Film Review[ii]

“The important thing [in putting the life of Malcolm X] in perspective is an emphasis on the legacy of slavery and the creative ways that African Americans revitalized their connection to Islam as a source of political protest, whether through the Moorish Science Temple and Nation of Islam (NOI) or mainstream Islam.” – Dr. Junaid Rana

Dr. Martin Luther King & Civil Rights Movement

“Cone makes clear that Malcolm X’s unbridled anger toward white racism provided a strong counterpoint to King’s integrationist philosophy, making King’s views, once deemed radical, seem acceptably moderate by comparison.” – Martin & Malcolm Review[iii]

Global Identity & Human Rights

“Malcolm X placed a territorial dimension at the heart of the Civil Rights Movement and in so doing re-conceptualized the theoretical and practical linkages between the African American movement and other ‘Third World’ movements” – J. Tyner[iv]

Malcolm’s Famous “By Any Means Necessary” Quote echoed in the words of Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela speech on being “Prepared to Die,” upon release from decades of imprisonment and emerging as an icon of freedom and justice:

“In conclusion I wish to quote my own words during my trial in 1964. They are true today as they were then: ‘I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.’[v]

The Appeal and Meaning of Malcolm X to new generations – by iconic actor Ossie Davis

“Malcolm came from the lowest depths. And therefore, in measuring the man we have to measure the place from whence he came. All of us sitting here tonight, men and women, black and white, can stand a little taller because a man like Malcolm X walked on our earth, lived in our midst, smiled his smile on the face of Harlem…

“I say this to you, as I say to myself: If Malcolm and his message so strong, so bright, and so pure, was too good for those of us who have already reached manhood, there is a generation who is not yet spoiled, not yet degutted, not yet de-bold, not yet emasculated, who when they come to the light of this truth will rise up and redeem him and us and all of the rest of the world. That is the meaning of Malcolm X.” – Ossie Davis, delivering the eulogy for Malcolm X at the Faith Temple Church of God, February 27, 1965.

The Appeal and Meaning of Malcolm X to new generations – by iconic leader Nelson Mandela

“As brother Malcolm said, we declare our right on this earth to be a man. To be a human being. To be given the rights of a human being. To be respected as a human being. In this society. On this earth. In this day. Which we intended to bring into existence, by any means necessary. – Nelson Mandela, speaking in 1992 Film “Malcolm X” directed by Spike Lee

—

[ii] Review: [untitled] Bernard Weiner. Reviewed work(s): Malcolm X by Marvin Worth; Arnold Perl Film Quarterly, Vol. 26, No. 2 (Winter, 1972-1973), pp. 43-45

[iii] Review: Martin and Malcolm Michael Eric Dyson. Reviewed work(s): Martin & Malcolm & America: A Dream or a Nightmare. by James H. Cone, Transition, No. 56 (1992), pp. 48-59 Available on JSTOR

[iv] James A. Tyner. Territoriality, Social Justice and Gendered Revolutions in the Speeches of Malcolm X Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers, New Series, Vol. 29, No. 3 (Sep., 2004), pp. 330-343
[v]Nelson Mandela’s Address to Rally in Cape Town on His Release From Prison (February 11, 1990).

Longer Concluding Excerpt from Speech: “Our struggle has reached a decisive moment. We call on our people to seize this moment so that the process towards democracy is rapid and uninterrupted. We have waited too long for our freedom. We can no longer wait. Now is the time to intensify the struggle on all fronts. To relax our efforts now would be a mistake which generations to come will not be able to forgive. The sight of freedom looming on the horizon should encourage us to redouble our efforts.

“It is only through disciplined mass action that our victory can be assured. We call on our white compatriots to join us in the shaping of a new South Africa. The freedom movement is a political home for you too. We call on the international community to continue the campaign to isolate the apartheid regime. To lift sanctions now would be to run the risk of aborting the process towards the complete eradication of apartheid.

“Our march to freedom is irreversible. We must not allow fear to stand in our way. Universal suffrage on a common voters’ role in a united democratic and non-racial South Africa is the only way to peace and racial harmony.

“In conclusion I wish to quote my own words during my trial in 1964. They are true today as they were then: ‘I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.’”

A recent public poll by Pew finds that climate change rates dead last, as number 20 of the 20 big issues of concern to Americans (NPR story).

This all despite the Copenhagen summit, which has suddenly thrust discussions on climate change and human impact on the environment back into the nightly news.

It’s true: the issue is extremely complex and it’s difficult to understand how each of us are a part of the problem, let alone how we might be a part of the solution.

But in the very least, what we can start with is avoiding apathy and connecting our hearts to the creation we are charged with the responsibility of protecting.

As the Prophet Muhammad (s) said:

“Anyone who sees something reprehensible should change it with his hand; if he is not able to do that then with his tongue; and if he not able to do that, then with his heart, and that is the weakest [form] of faith.”

An utterly breathtaking series by the BBC, titled “Life,” goes a long way toward restoring the type of awe and respect for the beauty of God’s creation we need back in our hearts.

Take, for example, this one on the amazing world of fish – it’s a must watch!

The documentary will be released in the US in March with Oprah narrating and is being shown in other countries. If the link doesn’t work for your country, these video excerpts also capture some of the majesty: Fish Balls vs Sharks and Flying Fish (~1 min each).

The documentary brings home some of what’s at stake when we talk about issues of environmental degradation, such as how devastating a study by ecologists a few years ago is in its finding that there may be ‘only 50 years left’ for sea fish.

As the BBC reported:

“There will be virtually nothing left to fish from the seas by the middle of the century if current trends continue, according to a major scientific study. Stocks have collapsed in nearly one-third of sea fisheries, and the rate of decline is accelerating.” Read more

Also See, NYTimes: follow-up research by same scientist offering hope for reversal

It would be a shame for us to have to tell our grandchildren that we squandered the great gifts from Allah – including fish- for the Qur’an reminds us that:

“It is He who subjected the sea for you to eat from it tender meat and to extract from it ornaments which you wear. And you see the ships plowing through it, and [He subjected it] that you may seek of His bounty; and perhaps you will be grateful.” (16:14)

In fact, our success is tied to whether or not we recognize the value of these gifts: “[Those of understanding are] such as remember Allah, standing, sitting, and reclining, and consider the creation of the heavens and the earth, (and say): Our Lord! You did not create this in vain. Glory be to You!; then protect us from the punishment of the Fire.” (Qur’an, 3:191) We’re reminded repeatedly that the creation of the universe was a serious affair, not some sport or triviality. Allah reminds us, “Do you think, then, that We created you in sport and that you shall not be returned to Us (charged with responsibility)? (Qur’an, 23:115)

There are these and countless examples throughout the Quran and hadith invoking the beauty and wonder of creation – the very least we can do is start by placing its protection higher on our priorities.