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As-salamu `alaykum.
May Allah bless you for your efforts. I am young and don’t have kids but I am the oldest in my family and share in all that my mother does, so I hope I can be of some help.
I am the oldest of six—two boys and four girls. My mother is our example. We do what she does and we feel that her words of teaching are solid gold; that is 100 percent correct in our minds. Since it seems that your daughter is still fairly young, as well as teaching her about Islam, you must teach her that there is something else out there that is not Islam. You need to make sure that your daughter feels special, feels pride in her faith and the Islamic holidays such as Ramadan, and even Friday’s.
Encourage her to learn. I was home schooled, so my mom was, and still is, my main mentor. She has always been a part of our lives and knows everything that goes on. She encourages us to tell her things so that she may help with solving any problems. One thing I suggest is to keep away from overwhelming your daughter with all the great stuff you want to (and need to) teach; Keep a steady pace and make it fun. Make games out of some of the educational topics and do projects such as arts and crafts (without the use of figures) as it is very helpful in stimulating the mind.
My mother used to tell us about the prophets by first reading slowly from the Qur’an and then making us repeat after her. We were amazed at the language; although we spoke and understood Arabic, the Qur’an is a whole different league. Anyhow, after she had read a bit of the Qur’an and we had repeated it (this was before she taught us how to read, maybe five or six years of age), she would translate. For example, she would read about Abraham (peace and blessings be upon him) in Surat Maryam or Surat Al-Baqarah and then tell us the story, building up to the climax and putting a love and desire for the stories and prophets.
It was unique because we recited something foreign and important, not knowing any meanings, then we understood. There was always a good guy who was oppressed and who feared and loved Allah, with very few people supporting him. Then, Allah miraculously saved him, and all the sinners were brought to a severe punishment. That is what I remember from way back when I was little.
Any acts of worship my mother would do, she would tell us about, and let us do the same, or at least attempt to do the same, because we would be doing something to please Allah. I realize that I am not being very organized, but let me try to summarize: -
Involve your daughter in learning about the prophets, the Companions, the different parables in the Qur’an and the moral of the parable, while making it fun and exciting.
Try using arts and crafts or games with your daughter and other kids (if she is an only child) to create works that show their pride in their faith and their love for Allah and his prophets.
Make sure that she understands that Satan is the most cunning enemy that one must be aware of.
Make sure she is aware of the difference in herself and others with regards to her faith, not to look down upon others but to consider her faith a blessing that she must guard. If you make a mistake, say something like, “may Allah forgive me, Satan has gotten me again, I wont let him trick me next time.” This way, she will see that we should always be cautious and aware.
Most importantly, don’t limit all your beautiful efforts and ideas for such a good upbringing to special days. Celebrate all year round, with extra special interest on the holidays.
In Ramadan, we have a special feast the first day and a special sahur (meal before fasting). We all go to the mosque and pray, and if the youngster wants to join then we let them. When they are tired they will sit, but don’t let them come to the mosque and play, stress that Allah’s house must be honored with dhikr (remembrance of Allah) and worship. We were never allowed to play in the mosque and now out of love and habit we don’t. If there is spare time between Prayers then we read some Qur’an.
Make sure she knows that she has been blessed with a beautiful faith and a wonderful favor by Allah. Make it so that her eyes light up at the sound of Islam or the sight of a Muslim.
Most importantly, what mom says is important but what she does is even more powerful, this is my experience as a child. I always think that my mother must be the most religious woman alive because she is so kind and forgiving and sweet and always makes prayers and reads lots of Qur’an. She always takes care of how she dresses so that she doesn’t cause fitnah (temptation). She is always very encouraging and I love to please my mom. If she is happy with something I do then I feel that Allah must be happy too, since she knows right from wrong.
Dearest sister, I hope this has been more of a help than a burden and I hope someone can benefit from this. May Allah bless and have mercy on us all.
Salam.
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