We all have our own beliefs. This may be a sensitive issue to handle with our kids. I’m a born Christian and went back to embrace Islam last February 2007. I myself is still in need to learn more about my beliefs. I’m in the learning process. But I’m already practicing the 5 pillars of Islam. Because it’s a must before even converting to Islam. But that’s not the issue.
Telling my kids the right thing to do doesn’t involve religion. But it’s important to show them and for me to teach them that above all things here on earth, there’s one Allah God above all that matters most.
There’s one sentence that I taught my daughter, that is “Allah is in my heart.”. Sometimes she even tells me “Mama, where is Allah?”, and I will be surprised when she’ll answer back with the sentence that I taught her to say. It makes me feel blessed actually. She may not understand what it means, but I’m happy that she knows what to say.
Below are some major points that I think is a must for you to develop with your children:
Clarify your own beliefs. Introduce spirituality early on. Don’t pretend to have all the answers. Use daily events to teach spirituality. Instill an appreciation of nature. Tell stories. Build on family traditions. Make it fun. Practice silence. Introduce a simple form of prayer. (My daughter knows when it’s time to pray. She see us pray 5x a day and when the call of prayer starts, she even calls our attention by saying “Mama, it’s adhan (call of prayer).”) Stress the spiritual side of holidays. Consider joining a faith community. Follow your child’s lead.
We may call our own creator different names, God almighty, Creator, Dyos, Panginoon, Lord, Elijah, Yaweh and so much more, but I believe that we all have a faith to believe in. And that is to believe that theirs is a God that watches over us.
It’s the 14th day of Ramadan. So far so good. Alhamdulillah. I’m really getting used to not eat until it’s Athan or call for the Magreb prayer. I guess it’s because the willingness to fast is there and you really feel how blessed you are for the food in the dining table once you’re all ready to eat. Alhamdulillah, thanks be to God.
Mr. Musaharati or also known as dawn awaker strikes his drum to wake people up to prepare their sahur before the call of prayer for Al Fajr. It’s like a warning to all residence that in a matter of 15 to 30 minutes, fasting will start. Julia loves to see him pass by our back street. She shouts with excitement “Momma, it’s Mister Zahayuti…”
I’m happy that they still practice this tradition here in Damascus. This is my 2nd time to experience Ramadan here in Syria. The first time was last September 2007. I think it’s still the same Mr. Musaharati. He has a good and loud voice if I may say so.
Today is the start of fasting. It’s the Holy month of Ramadan. I greet all my fellow brothers and sisters in Islam a “Ramadan Kareem”. May this fasting brings you closer to our creator and have thy peace for being close to Allah God Almighty and merciful.
This will be my 4th year as a Muslim to practice one of the pillars of Islam. This month is so holy because God is much closer to us. So in each prayer, make each moment meaningful.
BIL and MIL are arriving next week from a week pilgrimage to Mecca. They will be traveling by land as usual. It’ll take them about 18 to 20 hours to go back. I wonder if the bus driver has a handheld gps with him while driving… Because I can still remember last year when we went to Mecca too, Hubby took with him his mobile with built-in gps, it guided us with our 2 hour road trip going to Mecca. We could’ve bought a Garmin branded gps gadget but we were out of time already to do some late shopping. Anyway, I wish my in-laws to have a safe travel back home. I miss them so much already.
Fear God and he will give you knowledge
