DIE hulpkrete VAN ‘N PALESTYNSE-KIND

1. Ek is ‘n Palestynse-kind
2. ‘n Kind…? Wie ek….?
3. Nee, o Almagtige Here, neem my weg
4. Van die vlammende wind.
5. Bomme ontplof- doef! doef!
6. Slagoffers van die Israeliese magte
7. Die ergste is die donker nagte
8. En die wêreld staan horend doof !
9. My boeties het ek een na die ander sien vergaan
10. My ouers van hulle waardigheid gestroop
11. Is daar nog hoop?
12. En die wêreld staan onbegaan!
13. Here, o Here, hoor ons hulpkrete
14. Die stemme van wanhoop,
15. Skaars kan ons loop.
16. En die wêreld staan sonder gewete !
17. Tog sien ek deur hierdie draaikolk van warboel,
18. Die Skepper se meegevoel.

T.D.LALA

TRANSLATION: THE PLEA OF A PALESTINE CHILD

1. I am a Palestine Child,
2. Child..? Really…? Who me…?
3. No, dear Almighty Lord, take me away
4. From the flaming wind.
5. Bombs exploding- Bang! Bang!
6. Victims of the Israely forces,
7. The worst are the dark nights
8. And the world remains seemingly deaf !
9. My brothers I saw die one by one,
10. My parents stripped of their dignity
11. Is there hope?
12. And the world remains unconcerned!
13. Lord, dear Lord, listen to our cries of help,
14. The voices of desperation,
15. We can barely walk !
16. And the world remains without conscience !
17. Yet, I see through this vortex of chaos,
18. My Creator’s sympathy.

We had a wonderful discussion during our recent Chai and Chat event held on May 28, 2024, where we explored the challenges and importance of saying "no" to our children. This session, specially organized for moms, brought forward valuable insights into why some parents hesitate to set boundaries and the critical role of saying "no" in child development.

 

Understanding the Hesitation:

1. Childhood Influences:

• Many parents' inability to say "no" traces back to their own childhood experiences.
• Reaction Formation: This psychological concept explains how individuals might unconsciously adopt behaviors opposite to what they experienced growing up. For example, parents who felt overly restricted by strict parenting might become overly permissive with their own children.

2. Corrective Experience:

• Some parents aim to provide their children with the freedoms they feel they missed out on. If they experienced a lack of autonomy, they might overcompensate by allowing too much freedom.  

3. Modeling and Rebellion:

• In a conscious effort to parent differently from their own upbringing, some parents might adopt a more lenient approach as a form of rebellion against the strict parenting they experienced.

4. Guilt and Compassion:

• Parents may feel guilty about imposing strict rules, fearing it could harm their child's happiness or self-esteem. Compassion for their child's desires can lead to more frequent "yeses."

5. Avoidance of Conflict:

• Parents who associate strictness with conflict and negative emotions from their own upbringing might avoid confrontation, resulting in a more permissive parenting style.

 

Why It's OK to Say "No":

• Kids Need to Feel Discomfort: Experiencing discomfort helps children develop resilience and coping skills.
• Kids Need to Learn to Wait: Delayed gratification is a crucial skill for future success and self-control.
• Boundaries Make Kids Feel Secure: Clear boundaries reduce anxiety and help children trust their parents' authority. “Children always push for boundaries; they are pushing for those 'nos,' and it’s our job to give it to them," says child psychologist Georgia Manning. These "nos" can be comforting because they signal care and safety.
• Moreover, even in Islam, clear rules guide all aspects of life. Just as Islam provides a framework for living, so do the rules at school, the workplace, and society at large. Our children need to be prepared to follow these rules, understanding that boundaries and limitations are a natural and essential part of life. By teaching them the importance of adhering to guidelines, we help them become responsible, respectful, and well-adjusted individuals.
• Kids Need to Know Their Parents Are in Charge: Knowing that parents are in control provides a sense of stability and security.
• Kids Need Parents to Be Parents, Not Friends: While being close to your children is important, it's crucial to maintain the role of a parent who guides and disciplines, rather than just being a friend.

 

In conclusion, saying "no" is an essential part of parenting. It helps children learn important life skills, feel secure, and understand their parents' roles. Embrace the power of "no" as a loving and necessary part of raising well-rounded, resilient children.

 

 

Student Support Team

Al-Falaah College’s English and Afrikaans Departments hosted their annual Speech Evening on 2 August 2024. Grade 7 to 12 learners participated, with our learners exploring an array of topics. The event was well attended by parents and dedicated staff. The quality of speeches delivered exemplified the values and standards espoused by Al-Falaah College.

In last week’s newsletter we gave a summarized explanation of the difference between Taleem and Tarbiyyah and the point of responsibility for both of these critical elements that make up the core of Islamic education for any child. Tarbiyyah requires time, sacrifices and consistency. It is the investment we make in the upbringing of our children, for their and our long term benefit, both in this world and the next.

Today we want to hone in on the responsibility of Tarbiyyah:

It is at home that children should learn to develop a love for ALLAH and Nabi SAW

 

It is at home that children should learn to say:

01 – As salaamu laykum

02 - Alhamdulillah

03 - SubahanALLAH

04 - Please

05 - May I

06 - I am Sorry

07 - Forgive me

08 - JazakALLAH

09 - Thank you

10 - I was wrong

 

It is at home that we also learn to:

01 - Be honest

02 - Be punctual

03 - Not insult

04 - Be polite

05 - Respect everyone: friends, colleagues, elders, teachers, authorities

 

Again at home we learn to:

01 - Eat everything

02 - Not speak with a mouth full

03 - Have personal hygiene

04 - Not throw waste on the ground

05 - Help parents accomplish their daily tasks

06 - Not take what does not belong to you

07- Appreciate what others do for us

 

Still at home we learn to:

01 - Be organized

02 - Take care/ responsibility for our studies

03 - Not touch other people's belongings

04 - Respect the rules

05 – Speak/ learn about our Deen and Sunnah.

 

Because AT SCHOOL teachers should teach:

■ Mathematics

■ English

■ History

■ Geography

■ Islamic Studies Oral: Quran, Surahs, Duas

■ Islamic Studies Written: Tafsir, Hadith, Fiqh, Aqeeda, etc

■ Chemistry

■ Physics

■ Biology

■ Accounting

■ Business Studies

■ Physical education

■ Art

 

And only reinforce what the students have learned at home!!!

May ALLAH make it possible for us to give our children the proper tarbiyyah (nurturing) @ home and help them develop the Islamic personality that will be of benefit to them and us in this world and the next.

There are 2 aspects to the study of Islam: Taleem and Tarbiyyah.

Taleem refers to the knowledge of Islam and information viz Aqeedah, Fiqh, Seerah, Tafsir, Hadith, etc. At the school all these branches of Islamic knowledge are taught by our qualified Ulema and Alimah using the methodology and materials suited for each particular age group. Alhamdulillah, learners enjoy and understand their lessons.

Tarbiyyah refers to the nurturing of the personality and spiritual development viz Love of ALLAH and Nabi SAW, promoting good and forbidding evil, developing a love for following the command of ALLAH and the Sunnah, displaying good morals and values (respect, greeting, humility, trust, etc). Tarbiyyah Is a parental / family responsibility which the child develops through interaction within the home with family, neighbours and friends and requires effort and duas. Tarbiyyah comes from within the home-culture and the value-system of the family:

• What is the status of ALLAH and Nabi SAW and the Sunnah in my home?
• How do we teach humility in the home?
• In what tone do we talk to people?
• What are our values? What is it that we do not and will not compromise on?
• Are we consistent with our Islamic belief and practices.
  
  The future of our children’s Iman is in the parental responsibility of Tarbiyyah which cannot be transferred or out-sourced. May ALLAH make it possible for us to fulfil this responsibility.

"Kitab al-Asrar fi al-Hajj" (The Book of Secrets on Hajj) by Imam Al-Ghazali is a detailed exploration of the inner meanings and spiritual dimensions of the Islamic pilgrimage, Hajj. This book is a part of his larger work "Ihya Ulum al-Din" (The Revival of the Religious Sciences), specifically in the section that deals with the secrets and spiritual significance of worship.

 

Overview

In "Kitab al-Asrar fi al-Hajj," Al-Ghazali aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of Hajj that goes beyond its physical rituals. He emphasizes the importance of intention, sincerity, and spiritual purification in performing Hajj. The book is structured to guide the believer through the various stages of the pilgrimage, elucidating the symbolic meanings behind each ritual.

 

Key Themes and Insights

1. Intention (Niyyah):
- Al-Ghazali stresses that the intention behind performing Hajj is crucial. The pilgrim must purify their intention, aiming to seek closeness to Allah and earn His pleasure, rather than for social recognition or personal gain.

2. Ihram:
- The state of Ihram symbolizes entering into a sacred state, leaving behind worldly concerns, and focusing solely on spiritual goals. The white garments worn during Ihram represent purity and equality before Allah.

3. Tawaf (Circumambulation of the Kaaba):
- Tawaf signifies the centrality of Allah in a Muslim's life. The act of circling the Kaaba represents the believer’s constant movement around the divine center, indicating that Allah is the focal point of their existence.

4. Sa'i (Walking between Safa and Marwah):
- This ritual commemorates Hagar's desperate search for water for her son, Ishmael. Al-Ghazali explains that Sa'i represents the believer’s journey in life, filled with struggles and reliance on Allah’s mercy and provision.

5. Arafat:
- Standing at the plain of Arafat is considered the pinnacle of Hajj. It symbolizes the Day of Judgment and the pilgrim’s plea for divine forgiveness. Al-Ghazali highlights the importance of sincere repentance and supplication during this time.

6. Mina and the Stoning of the Devil (Ramy al-Jamarat):
- Throwing pebbles at the pillars in Mina represents rejecting evil and resisting temptations. It is an act of spiritual cleansing and reaffirmation of one's commitment to a righteous path.

7. Sacrifice (Qurbani):
- The ritual of animal sacrifice commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah. Al-Ghazali emphasizes the spirit of submission and the readiness to sacrifice one’s desires for the sake of Allah.

8. Tawaf al-Ifadah and Farewell Tawaf:
- These final circumambulations of the Kaaba symbolize the completion of the pilgrim’s spiritual journey and their return to worldly life with renewed faith and commitment.

 

Spiritual Lessons

Throughout "Kitab al-Asrar fi al-Hajj," Al-Ghazali interweaves practical guidance with profound spiritual insights. He teaches that Hajj is not merely a series of physical acts, but a transformative experience aimed at purifying the soul and attaining closeness to Allah. The rituals of Hajj serve as metaphors for the inner struggles and aspirations of the believer.

 

Conclusion

Imam Al-Ghazali’s "Kitab al-Asrar fi al-Hajj" offers a deep and reflective exploration of the pilgrimage, encouraging Muslims to approach Hajj with a sincere heart and a focus on spiritual growth. His detailed explanations of the rituals and their symbolic meanings help believers to internalize the essence of Hajj, making it a journey of both physical and spiritual significance.

The Express O's Dad's Event lived up to its name by encouraging fathers to discuss and express their views on societal issues and their impact on parenting. The topic, "THE POWER OF NO," intrigued every father with its light-hearted connotations, creating a friendly atmosphere and setting the stage for a successful evening.

Moulana Riaz Dhai discussed how the power of saying no is a gift from Allah to help parents guide their children towards righteousness. He also highlighted the powerful influence of screen addiction and the importance of fathers saying no to it, thereby setting a standard as good role models.

Ml. Abdullah Badat reinforced the concept of saying no through insightful anecdotes and real-life stories that inspired deep conversations among the fathers.

The final round of group work and Q&A after each feedback session led to meaningful and constructive discussions that could have continued late into the night if it weren't for the pizza, coffee, and espressos. It was a very informative and instructive session for the fathers. Alhamdulillah.