FAMILY OF THE FAMILY OF THE NABI MUHAMMAD NABI MUHAMMAD

(sawas)(sawas)

IntroductionIntroduction

The lives of the Masumeen are not just stories of sadness and tears, but they are The lives of the Masumeen are not just stories of sadness and tears, but they are inspirational stories too. In this booklet we focus on the inspirational aspects of the inspirational stories too. In this booklet we focus on the inspirational aspects of the stories of the Imams.stories of the Imams.

In each lesson the children In each lesson the children learn something about daily living and attitudes learn something about daily living and attitudes they need to build. They also learn about the types of Islam that exist andthey need to build. They also learn about the types of Islam that exist and helps them choose the Islam of global unity and human kindness. The helps them choose the Islam of global unity and human kindness. The final lesson is on Imam Mahdi were children do research on the world in final lesson is on Imam Mahdi were children do research on the world in which he will come.which he will come.

Parents and teachers are urged to do some background reading in order Parents and teachers are urged to do some background reading in order to guide the children in the thinking required to help make the stories to guide the children in the thinking required to help make the stories inspirational. A list of links are given on inspirational. A list of links are given on www.madressa.weebly.comwww.madressa.weebly.com

Abid BataAbid Bata

CONTENTCONTENT

1.1. Fatemah the PrincessFatemah the Princess

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2.2. Ali the MawlaAli the Mawla3.3. Hasnain KarimainHasnain Karimain4.4. Syeda ZainabSyeda Zainab5.5. The Spreading LightThe Spreading Light6.6. The Most Valuable KnowledgeThe Most Valuable Knowledge7.7. Whose Islam Do we FollowWhose Islam Do we Follow8.8. The Times of PatienceThe Times of Patience9.9. Imam MahdiImam Mahdi

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LESSON 1

FATEMAH THE PRINCESS

1.1 FATEMAH IS A BLESSING!

hen the Prophet’s daughter Syeda Fatemah Zahra was born the leaders of Makkah began to say: “Shame on Muhammad that he has daughters and not sons! What kind of a Prophet is he!”

WIn reply the Prophet said: “Daughters are God’s blessings. My daughter is the princess of Islam and is guaranteed paradise.”

The Prophet Muhammad also said: “My daughter Fatemah Zahra is part of my heart. Whosoever hurts her also hurts me, and who pleases her also pleases me.”

To insult the Prophet the proud men used to take their sons in their arms and say: “Muhammad is an ABTAR because he has not blessed with sons. If we have daughters we would kill them as offering to the gods or drown them. Then we would have sons!”

But one day the angel Jibrael came to the Prophet carrying the verses of the Qur’an. These verses promised the Prophet the great blessings of heaven and a great fountain. The verse said

that the Prophet Muhammad was not ABTAR because God

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ABTAR! ABTAR!

They insulted the Prophet by calling him Abtar!

has chosen for him blessings greater than any number of sons. It is said that this blessing was Fatemah because she was the princess of Islam and from her would came the Great Imams like Imam Hussain.

QUESTION: Whom do you think are better – boys or girls?

1.2 FATEMAH AND FIZZA

When Fatemah Zahra was older she had a servant called Fizza. In those days servants were not allowed to speak in front of the masters without permission. But Fatemah Zahra treated Fizza like her own sister and called her ‘Sister Fizza.’ Fizza and Fatemah Zahra always spoke to each other freely and they worked together in the home sharing the work. People would say: “Fatemah works so hard that we do not know who is the servant and who is the master.”

Fatemah Zahra also taught Fizza to read and write. Soon Fizza even learnt the Qur’an by heart and both of them would teach other women. Fizza became so wise that one day Caliph Umar came to her to seek advice. Caliph means Leader. This shows that in an Islamic system even a Caliph would not be ashamed to seek advice from servants.

Fatemah Zahra also told her children to call Fizza “Aunty Fizza.” We can see

how deep was the respect the Prophet’s family gave to a servant. Never can we compare the examples of the Prophet and his family with the proud families of those days who did not even allow their servant to speak to them without permission.

1.2 A SPECIAL NAME FOR A SPECIAL FAMILY

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TODAY WE CAN LEARN ABOUT FRIENDSHIP AND SISTERHOOD FROM FATIMA AND FIZZA!

You may know that the families of queens and kings are called Royal. In Islam the family of the Prophet Muhammad is also given a special name. This name is Alhal Baith. It means “The (Chosen) People of the (Chosen) House.”

We need to remember to say a special greeting to the Alhal Baith when we pray. The greeting is called DURUD or SALLAMS! It is like this: “Peace be up the Prophet and upon his Alhal Baith!”

TASKS TO DO

1. SAY YES OR NO!

1. The people made fun of the Nabi because he did not have sons! ________2. The Nabi said that Fatemah was a fountain of blessings! ________3. The Nabi said that Fatemah was a part of his heart! ________4. The Nabi did not like sons! ________5. The Nabi was sad because he did not have sons! ________

2. COMPLETE THE SENTENCES

Fatemah had a servant called ____________________. She was treated like a _________ and not a servant. She was called ______________ by the children of Fatemah!

The family of Fatemah was not like other families were servants were not allowed to __________ without permission.

3. QUESTIONS TO DO

1. What did the Nabi say about Fatemah!

2. What is the special name for the Nabi’s chosen family!

3. What are the words of Durud or sallam!

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4. DISCUSS WITH A FRIEND AND THEN ANSWER

1. Do you think there is a message from God to the Muslims when he gave daughters to the Nabi instead of sons!

2.How does the example of Fatemah help us to live with those people who have become servants!

3. How would you like to be treated if you found that you became a servant of someone?

5. ART TASK

The Nabi had kept a bench outside the home of Fatimah. Whoever wanted to know something or wanted her to pray for him would sit on the bench and ask Fatimah.

In the memory of Fatemah you are to design a bench. Let the writings and symbols on the bench tell the people how Fatemah was a fountain of blessings.

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CLASS TASK TO BE COMPLETED FOR HOMEWORK

SPEECH TASK

SAY YOU ARE GIVEN THE TASK TO MAKE A SPEECH ON FATEMAH ZAHRA. YOUR SPEECH IS TO LAST FIVE MINUTES. MAKE A SMALL SPEECH AND THEN GIVE THE

SPEECH IN FRONT OF FRIENDS. SEE WHO GAVE THE BEST SPEECH

LESSON 2

ALI - HERO OF ISLAM

2.1 ALI IS THE MAWLA

li was the beloved husband of Fatemah Zahra and one of the greatest persons in Muslim history. But the Prophet Muhammad knew that a time would come when many people would turn against him. So after

the Prophet returned from his last journey from Hajj he stopped all the Muslims and told them: “Whomsoever regards me as their Mawla must also regard Ali as their Mawla!”

AFrom the time the Prophet told the Muslims that Ali is their Mawla the Muslims began to call him by the name of Mawla Ali. It is, therefore, good to call him by this name.

What the Prophet had told the Muslims was that if they truly respected him then they must also respect Mawla Ali. But some

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Did you know that Ali was born in the Kaaba?

hasty Muslims made a greatest mistake in history! They did not think what they were doing and they rushed to fight him.

Mawla Ali had to fight many battles against these people who had rushed to fight him. There were many different groups of enemies who turned against him. One of the groups came from Iraq and their battle against Ali was called the Battle of the Camel. Mawla Ali won the battle and then forgave his enemies.

In another battle another group of enemies were losing the battle against Ali and so they raised the Qur’an on their spears and asked for peace. Mawla Ali was forced to make peace with them. But when he made peace with them the enemies said that he was forced to make peace only because he was wrong to fight them. This shows how the enemies of Ali always twisted and lied at every opportune time!

Ultimately, in the month of Ramadhan, the enemies murdered him while he was praying in the mosque. The Muslim world has not been peaceful since then.

2.2 THE MEANING OF MAWLA

First the enemies of Mawla Ali wanted everybody to forget that the Prophet had ever said that Ali was their Mawla. But when the truthful Companions told the people of what the Prophet had said the enemies replied: “The word Mawla does not have any special meanings.

Arguments about Mawla Ali used to happen all the time between the two sides. But then the arguments came to an end when the great Sunni and Shia historians and narrators came. Sunni and Shia are two parts of Islam like the two arms of Islam. These Sunni and Shia historians said that the word Mawla is very important and that the enemies were wrong to say that it has no special meanings. They said that Mawla means:

1. Friend 2. Leader 3. Master 4. Beloved 5. Guide

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So even though the enemies were trying their best for Muslims to forget or belittle the fact that Ali was their Mawla the Muslims finally learnt how important Ali was and how making war against him had been the greatest blunder in history.

Q. What do you think this means and whom do you think said it?

2.3. THE CHOSEN

There happened a great event in the time of the Prophet which tells us how Mawla Ali was chosen by God to be loved by the Muslims.

The event is called Mubaela. It is when a group of Christian priests came to the Prophet to discuss with him who Jesus was. The Prophet spoke to them for a whole day. But the Christians priests kept saying to the Prophet that he was lying about Jesus. They said that Jesus was God and not a Prophet. So at the end of the discussion they all agreed that God should decide who is telling the truth. They agreed that the next morning the ‘chosen ones’ should come and pray for the liars to be punished.

So the next day the Prophet brought his chosen family. In the family the chosen people were the Prophet Muhammad, Mawla Ali, Fatemah Zahra, Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain. These five chosen people are given a special name of ‘Panjatan Paak’ by many Muslims because their prayers are special.

When the priests saw the five chosen ones they began to shake with fear and cried for the prayers to be stopped. They knew that the prayers of these chosen ones would be answered. But it is said that even though Ali was one of the Chosen Five he was never proud

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PLACE WHERE ALI IS BURIED !

‘Man Kunto Mawla Fa Haza Aliun Mawla’

of himself and even when his enemies ignored his greatness he still did not go around praising himself.

TASKS TO DO

1. COMPLETE THE BLANKS!1. Ali is the ______________for all Muslims. 2. Ali was married to ______________ 3. The greatest blunder in Muslims history is that some of them came to

_____________ against _________________4. Ali is one of the five who are called ______________5. Ali was murdered in the month of _______________6. After Ali the Muslims have never been at ______________7. Ali kept forgiving his enemies because he wanted Muslims to be at

______________ with each other.

2. WRITE YES OR NO!1. The word Mawla is nothing special! __________2. The word Mawala can mean Guide! ___________3. Ali is the Mawla of all Muslims in the same way that the Nabi is their

Mawla! ____________4. One reason why Ali was chosen as Mawla was because he had deep

knowledge? ________5. Ali wanted Shias and Sunnis to argue and hate each other? _______6. A true leader of Muslims will bring Muslim together and not make them

fight? ___________

3. QUESTIONS TO ANSWER

1. What did Mawla Ali do that is said to even make God proud of him?

2. What kind of people should never be regarded as leaders of Muslims?

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3. Some of the enemies of Mawla Ali wanted to be leaders. Why would an intelligent Muslim never accept them as leaders?

4. What does it mean to be ‘fired up with false excuses?’

5. How did the enemies of Mawla Ali twist things when he had agreed to make peace with them?

4. Group Questions

Discuss these in groups. Remember to say only one thing and then give others a chance to say what they think. After discussing it give your answers for the following:

1. What is the surface meaning and the deeper meaning of Islam?

Surface Meaning

Deeper Meaning

2. What were the special qualities of Ali that made him the chosen as the Mawla of the Muslims?

3.The people who came to fight against Ali were ‘charged up with false arguments and false accusations.’ What do you think this means?

4.The enemies did not like Ali because he was chosen by the ordinary people to be the leader(Caliph). The enemies of Ali were mostly proud arrogant men. These men wanted a leader who would listen to them and do as they say. They wanted

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someone who was under their influence. What do we learn from this about the type of people that existed in those days?

Art ProjectRead the following sayings of the Nabi about Imam Ali. Find out the Arabic version of these. Then write them calligraphic writing. Also draw pictures that go with these sayings of the Nabi about Ali:

1. “Whomsoever regards me as Mawla must also regard Ali as Mawla”

2. “There is no man like Ali and no sword like Zulfikar”

3. “I am the city of knowledge and Ali is the gate! If you want to come to me then come through the gate!”

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LESSON 3

THE GRANDCHILDREN OF THE PROPHET

3.1 THE IMAMSThe two children of Fatemah who were called The Great Imams were Hassan and Hussain. They were called Imams because of their wisdom and courage to guide the Muslims especially when there was confusion everywhere.

When Hassan and Hussain were little the Prophet called his Companions and said: “I give you good news that Hassan and Hussain are leaders of all those who will enter heaven.”

Today in the great mosque of Jerusalem called the Al Aqsa Mosque the names of Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain are written on top of the doors. This is to symbolize the fact that the two Imams will be at the doors of heaven to welcome everybody.

3.2 TO DEAL WITH THE ENEMIES

You have seen how some Muslims turned against Mawla Ali. For over five years there was war among Muslims and there was confusion everywhere. After Mawla Ali was murdered it was left on Imam Hassan to do something that would save the Muslims from total destruction.

Imam Hassan thought carefully about fighting the enemies but he realized that the time for war had gone. So he cleverly signed a peace treaty with his enemies. The treaty was so good that it

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LET THE MUSLIMS CHOOSE!

brought peace in the Muslim world and gave new hope to the Muslims. The new hope was that a time would come when Muslims would choose their own leaders as promised in the treaty.

For eight years there was peace. But when it was time for Muslims to choose a new leader the enemies tore up the treaty and refused to allow the Muslims to choose their own leader. All the hopes of Muslims were lost. So this time Imam Hussain stood up and gave his life by fighting the enemies.

Imam Hussain’s sacrifice changed everything. It angered the Muslims and gave them new courage. The Muslims began to gather in order to choose their own Caliph.

When you think about it you will see that the idea that Muslims should choose their own leaders was in the treaty of Imam Hassan. So it was the work of the two Imams which has given all Muslims hope that one day the

Muslims of the world will be together and they will be led by good leaders whom they will choose.

TASKS TO DO

1.Say Yes or No!

1. Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain are called Hasnain Karimain? _________2. Caliph means teacher? _______

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3. The enemies of Mawla Ali were also enemies of Imam Hassan? ________4. Imam Hassan wanted Muslims to choose their own caliph? ________5. The enemies wanted their families to become caliphs? __________6. Imam Hussain gave his life to show that a Muslim should not bow to false caliphs? ________

2. Fill in the blanks1. Imam Hassan knew that if he became caliph then there would be more ________ between Muslims. So instead he signed a peace __________. 2. The only people who gain when Muslims fight each others are the _____________ of Islam3. Imam Hassan taught us that Muslims have the right to choose their own _______________4. Imam Hussain sacrifice reminds us that we have the right to choose our own ____________5. Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain are called the __________________________

3. Questions to answer1. What did the Nabi tell his Companions about Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain?

2. What was the full name of the buffoon who was made leader of the Muslims?

3.What did the treaty of Imam Hassan enshrine for the Muslims?

4.Before voting what should a Muslim do?

5. What did Imam Hassan say Muslims were free to do?

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4. Harder Questions which you need to discuss with friends before giving your answers.

1. Imagine that Imam Hassan had not signed the peace treaty. What do you think would have happened then to the Muslims?

2. Imagine that Imam Hussain had run away from Yazid’s army. What do you think would have happened to the Muslims?

3. Imagine Imam Hussain had brought a big army to fight Yazid. What would have happened to the Muslims then?

4. How can we prove that the Islam of Imam Hassan and the Islam of Imam Hussain are the same?

5. The society is full of proud arrogant people who think everything should be under their control. What did Imam Hassan do that made sure that these kinds of people do not teach a wrong type of Islam to the people?

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Lesson 4

WHO WAS SYEDA ZAINAB

4.1 THE BRAVE WOMAN

Syeda Zainab was the daughter of Fatemah Zahra and the granddaughter of the Prophet. She was also the sister of the two Great Imams. When she was born the Prophet carried her in his blessed arms, kissed her and said: “I called her Zainab for she will beautify her father’s name.”

Syeda Zainab was with Imam Hussain in a place called Karbala where he was murdered. After murdering Imam Hussain the enemies tied her up and dragged her from city to city and from village to village. They said to each other: “Let us sell the granddaughter of the Prophet as a slave.”

But some enemies disagreed to sell her and so they put her in prison. They thought that Syeda Zainab would die between the walls of a dark prison.

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But the Muslims began to ask their bad leaders what had happened to Syeda Zainab. Some said that she was dead while others said that she had been sent to a far away country. The Muslims were getting angry that the granddaughter of the Prophet had been treated so badly.

This made the enemies afraid and so they freed Syeda Zainab from prison and planned to display her in their palace. They brought her in front of everybody and said: “We are sorry. We made a mistake of killing Imam Hussain and putting you in prison. We do love the Prophet’s family and want to take care of them. Look we are good to Syeda Zainab and are ready to reward her. And look we are crying for our mistakes and we promise to build many more mosques.”

The enemies were trying to fool the Muslims! But Syeda Zainab stood in front of a whole palace of the enemies and said: “I am Zainab the daughter of Ali and the granddaughter of the Prophet. I am telling

you the truth. You tore up the treaty of my brother Imam Hassan and then murdered my brother Imam Hussain. Now you say that you love us. You should be judged by what you have done and not by what you say!”

So the enemies said: “But what could we do when Imam Hussain raised his sword against us. We are your leaders and to raise a sword against us is like raising a sword against Islam.”

But Syeda Zainab said: “If you had abided by the treaty of Imam Hassan then nobody would have come to fight you. It is only correct to fight leaders like you.”

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Many Muslims today are prisoners in countries like Israel

For a time the enemies were left with their mouths open. They had to think of a reply quickly. Finally one of their men got up and said: “ It was all Allah’s Will! If Allah did not allow it to happen then it would have never happened.”

What Syeda Zainab replied shamed the enemies. She said: “The fact that you lot blame Allah for your bad deeds shows how clever you are in twisting the truth. Remember when you have a choice between right and wrong then you cannot blame Allah when you choose what is wrong. It is not Allah who is to be blamed for you evil deeds, but it is you!”

The enemies fell silent in their own palace. Usually there were big echoes of all their lies and all their laughter in their palace. Now there was total silence in their palace of lies!

4.2 THE MUSLIM FIGHT BACK

When the Muslims realized that the enemies had been fooling them they began fighting the enemies and soon the enemies lost everything. The many things the enemies had gathered of this world like treasures was lost for them. Like all the evil people of the past the enemies of truth once again lost all their power.

TASKS TO DO

ANSWER YES OR NO!1. Syeda Zainab was the daughter of Mawla Ali? _______2. She was with Imam Hussain when the enemies surrounded him? _________

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The Palace of Lies!

3. She did not speak out against the enemies because Islam teaches that a woman should not speak in public? _________

4. The enemies were truly sorry for what they had done? __________5. Syeda Zainab said that those who do not abide by their agreements are doing evil ?_____

COMPLETE THE SENTENCES1. Syeda Zainab was the ________________________ of the Nabi. 2. Zainad means the one who will ________________________ the name of her father3. Syeda Zainab had seen how the enemies murdered _________________________.4. Syeda Zainab stood against all the lies in the palace of ________.

QUESTIONS TO ANSWER1. What was Syeda Zaiinab to the Nabi?

2. Who are the two brothers of Syeda Zainab?

3. What did Yazid first do when Syeda Zainab was brought to the palace of lies?

4. What kind of people in the crowd did not like what had happened?

5. What did Yazid and his men pretend to do when they saw that the people were turning against them?

6. What two excuses did they make for murdering Imam Hussain?

4. THINKING QUESTIONS TO ANSWER

1.Do you think it took more courage for a woman to speak in the palace of lies than it would take a man to do so? Why

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2.Yazid blamed everything on Imam Hussain and on Allah. What other lies do you think they must have said in their Palace of Lies?

3. “A grain of truth can destroy a whole mountain of falsehood.” What proof is there in the story of Syeda Zainab that this is possible?

EXTRA TASKS

People are often remembered because of their wealth, power and strength. But Syeda Zainab is remembered for her patience, wisdom and courage. For each give an example from her life that shows that she was patient, wise and courageous.

1.Patience

2.Wise

3. Courageous

Find out some of the name of other people who were taken prisoner by Yazid’s army along with Syeda Zainab.

LESSON 5

THE SPREADING LIGHT CHOSEN Page 21

5.1 IMAM ZAINUL ABIDIN

mam Hussain’s elder son was Imam Ali Zainul Abidin. All the sons of Imam Hussain had names which started with the name Ali. His other two sons were called Ali Akbar and Ali Asghar.

IImam Hussain had named all his sons Ali because they all reminded him of his father. He also named his sons by the name Ali so that the people would remember the days when Mawla Ali ruled. Of course the bad leaders did not like it and spent their time cursing Mawla Ali and telling lies against him. Cursing others and telling lies is one of the things liars always do.

After Imam Hussain the people wanted Imam Ali Zainul Abidin to take up the sword and make war on Yazid. They came to him and said: “You must lead us to battle. We will stand with you so that you can take revenge on Yazid and kill his family the way he killed yours.”

But Imam Ali Zainul Abidin refused to fight. He said that bloodshed or revenge is only allowed when it is absolutely necessary. He said that it was not necessary for Muslims to gather to fight. He said that causing more bloodshed among Muslims will make things worst.

This again shows us how a true Imam has deep knowledge. A true Imam will never cause wars among Muslims. Sadly the Muslims did not listen to him. They rushed to gather armies to fight Yazid. So bad were the battles that happened that even the Kaaba was set on fire by the men of Yazid.

5.2 THE TWIST IN THE STORY

Yazid did not live long after murdering Imam Hussain. It is said that his own soldiers killed him while he sat on his throne playing with his monkeys. Some say that the monkeys he kept in his palace turned on him and killed him after he attacked the Kaaba

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But Yazid had a young intelligent son called Muawiya bin Yazid. The Commanders of the army came to him and said: “You have to act fast and take the throne. We will not fail you for you are intelligent like your grandfather who too was called Muawiya. It is good that you have the name of your grandfather.”

But the young man, Muawiya bin Yazid, did a surprising thing. He stood in front of the people in the palace and said: “My father Yazid was a drunk and a buffoon. In fact, my grandfather was wrong to make him leader. In fact my grandfather fought against the Nabi and then fought against Mawla Ali. Then by grandfather went against the treaty with Imam Hassan and made Yazid a leader. I reject all that my grandfather did and all that my father did.”

The whole palace fell silent when they heard Muawiya bin Yazid. But these were his last words. Soon he was stabbed by the Commanders.

The Commanders then created a lie that Muawiya bin Yazid did not want to be a leader because he was weak and a coward. Each Commander then wanted to be the new caliph. Each wanted to use Islam to make his name great.

5.3 GUIDANCE OF THE HEART

Imam Ali Zainul Abidin had to somehow help the Muslims stop fighting. But he saw how in each mosque there were different groups, each claiming to be correct and each claiming that the others were wrong. Furthermore, the enemies had spies everywhere. So people always lived in suspicions. Then finally there was poverty everywhere and so people worried more about money than about truth.

The Imam knew Muslims needed a type of guidance that spoke to their hearts. He knew that Muslim hearts were bleeding with sadness, anger, failure and confusion. So he began to guide them through special prayers. These prayers were speaking to the hearts of the Muslims. These prayers helped the Muslim to gain ‘inner-strength’

Many of the prayers the Imam taught were later written in a book called SAEEFA E SAJADIYA. Today this book is used by Muslims to gain inner guidance.

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mam Zain was the son of Imam Hussain. His full name is Imam Zain ul Abideen! He had seen his father being murdered by the enemies. Then the enemies had come to burn him in his tent. But Syeda Zainab saved him. As he

was ill he was too weak to walk. Syeda Zainab carried him on her back and saved him from the burning tent.

IBoth Imam Zainul Abidin and Syeda Zainab were tied up and lashed with a whip. Imam Zain too was paraded with Syeda Zainab in the towns and villages and was left in the prison to die. Yet he lived and finally got his freedom. He then spent his time telling Muslims about how to come close to God through self improvement and prayer. He also taught the people that God is pleased when we treat God’s creation with love and respect.

5.3 THE DARK DAYS (OPTIONAL)

You have learnt how both Sunni and Shia Muslims loved the family of the Prophet and how the evil leaders murdered their Imams. The evil leaders were so cunning that soon they made both Sunnis and Shias fight each other. Then the Sunnis began to fight between themselves and the Shias began to fight between themselves. So bad had the times become that Muslims who loved the family of the Prophet were now fighting each other. This is exactly what the enemies wanted!

TASKS TO DO

1.ANSWER YES OR NO

a. Imam Ali Zainul Abidin was the son of Imam Hussain? ________b. He wanted revenge on Yazid? ___________c. All children of Yazid were bad? _________d. Imam Ali Zainul Abidin wanted Muslims to be peaceful in their hearts? _________

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e. All the brothers of Imam Ali Zainul Abidin were called Ali? _________

2. COMPLETE THESE BY FILLING IN THE BLANKS

a. Bad people will C ____________ others and tell L________ to spoil the name of othersb. Imam Ali Zainul Abidin said that to make war between Muslims will make things W_____________.c. In the battles the K___________ was set on fired. The son of Yazid was a G__________ mane. In every mosque there were groups of people who always said they were R_____________ and others were W__________.f. The people always worried about M__________ because of poverty.g. The book in which Imam Zainul Abidin’s prayer are is called S_____________ E S_____________h. Yazid was killed by either his C_______________ or his M_____________

3. ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS

a. What do bad people do which Yazid and his men did against Mawla Ali? __________________________________________________________________ b. When is war allowed?___________________________________________________________________c. Who was hungry for revenge against Yazid without thinking?__________________________________________________________________d. Who burnt the Kaaba?_____________________________________________e. What was the name of Yazid’s son?_____________________________________________f. What did Yazid’s son do which made the Commanders murder him?___________________________________________________________________g. What did the Commanders say about him after murdering him?___________________________________________________________________

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4. Which of these things do we learn from the story. Give proof of each!

a. Do not be hasty to take revenge

b. Poverty ties the hands of the people

c. The children of a bad person are not always bad

d. Those who think they are always right are very wrong

e. Do not listen to those who spoil the names of others behind their backs

5. DISCUSS THESE QUESTIONS WITH YOU FRIENDS AND THEN ANSWER THEM.

1. Imagine that Imam Ali Zainul Abidin had gone to war to take revenge against Yazid. Then what would have happened to Islam and to the Muslims?

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2. Syeda Zainab had already proven Yazid to be wrong. Many people had already turned against him. What else was happening that would have forced Yazid to go even if wars were not fought?

GET TOGETHER WITH FRIENDS AND SO A PLAY OF WHAT HAPPENED BETWEEN YAZID’S SON AND THE

COMMANDERS

LESSON

THE MOST VAULABLE KNOWLEDGE

6.1 THE VANGUARDS OF KNOWLEDGE

The two Imams who came after Imam Zainul Abidin were Imam Mohammad Bakr and Imam Jaffer E Sadik. They were the son and grandson of Imam Zainul Abidin. These two Imams lived at a time when Muslims were still fighting each other. But

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the Imams did not wait for things to change. Instead they began spreading their knowledge far and wide.

These two Imams are famous among all Muslims as vanguards of knowledge because people began to come from across the world to learn from them. Once a man came from India and asked Imam Muhammad Bakr the question: “What knowledge is the best?” The Imam said: “The best knowledge is that which makes you better than you are. It is called self knowledge.”

If you think carefully about what Imam Mohammed Bakr said then you will agree that when we seek knowledge that helps you become a better person than you really have useful knowledge. But if you seek knowledge that does not improve you then that knowledge is like a parrot’s knowledge. Remember a parrot learns to memorise things but does not really gain any goodness from it.

To help us improve our lives the Imam Jaffer E Sadik taught us to make good rules for ourselves. He told us to make life-rules like ‘get up early,’ ‘ do not get angry quickly,’ etc that help us to lead good lives. Again if you think about it then a person who has no life-rules will never be successful in life, and will not achieve much in his life.

Here is a small table to show how the Imams brought goodness to the world at the times when wars were everywhere.

IMAM ZAINUL ABIDIN Taught us through prayers so that we could be guided as well as get comfort

IMAM MUHAMMD BAKR Taught that all knowledge was good but the best was that knowledge was self knowledge

IMAM JAFFER E SADIK Taught us that we need to make life-rules which help to improve our lives

6.2 THE GREAT IMAMS OF SUNNI ISLAM

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The Muslims were finally beginning to get the light from the Imams. This is because those who were fighting were busy fighting while the Imams were busy building up society. A true Imam always looks at building a society and not destroying it.

During the time of Imam Mohammed Bakr and Imam Jaffer E Sadik there lived four great men. They came to the Imam Mohamed Bakr and Imam Jaffer E Sadik to learn about Islam. These four men later became the four imams of Sunni Islam. They were called Imam Hanafi, Imam Malik, Imam Shafi and Imam Hanbal. All of them greatly praised Mawla Ali which annoyed the army Commenders who were still busy killing Muslims.

6.3 SELF KNOWLEDGE

Here are examples of what the Imams said that helped Muslims to develop self knowledge. Go through the list and then decide what you think is self knowledge.

1. True courage is to admit when you are wrong and not in swords.2. Do not overplay the faults of others3. Think good about others if you want to become good yourself4. Search for wisdom from your life experiences5. Gather inner strength during hardship and gather love by helping others6. Pray to God like living men and not like dead beasts7. Cleaning your hearts means to remove hates and jealousies8. Learn to see goodness in people and try not to search for their faults9. Islam has not come to make your lives hard but to guide you to live in the

best way without sinning.10.Ignorant people are those who harm themselves because of the way they lead

their lives11.One of the greatest lost is the lost of self respect. And you loss self respect

when you tell lies12.You have a duty to people around you, to the animals around you and to the

environment around you.13.Do not make yourself a prisoner of bad habits

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14.The person close to God is the one who seeks a honest living15.A person who bring happiness to people is better than the one who bring

sadness16.To force others to agree with you is a form of oppression.

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TASKS TO DO

SAY YES OR NO

1. The Imams waited for things to change before doing anything? ____________

2. The Imams tried to change things before things became worst? ___________3. The best knowledge is one which makes you feel better than others?

___________4. We must have life-rules to help us improve our lives? __________5. The four Imams of Sunni Islam were students of the Imams from the Nabi’s

family? ________________

COMPLETE THESE SENTENCE BY FILLING IN THE BLANKS

1. Do not only learn to memorise things because it will then just be P___________ knowledge?

2. The best knowledge is one which makes you b___________ than you are3. If you don’t try to change things then they may become W_________4. An every lasting prison is the prison of bad H_____________

COMPLETE THIS TABLE TO SHOW WHAT EACH OF THE IMAMS TAUGHT

Imam Ali Zainul Abidin

Imam Mohamed Bakr

Imam Jaffer E Sadik

ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS

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1. The Imams did not wait for things to change. What did they do instead?

2. What makes you an ever lasting prisoner?

3. Who is the person closest to God?

4. What does a true Imam always do?

5. What is self – knowledge?

6. Who were the four famous students of the Imams?

1.___________________________________2. __________________________________3.___________________________________4. __________________________________

GET TOGETHER IN A GROUP WITH FRIENDS AND MAKE SOME LIFE RULES YOU HAVE TO OBEY BETWEEN FRIENDS. WRITE THESE RULES DOWN.

LIFE RULE 1 - NEVER TELL LIES TO FRIENDS

LIFE RULE 2

LIFE RULE 3

LIFE RULE 4

LIFE RULE 5

LIFE RULE 6

LIFE RULE 7

LIFE RULR 8

LIFE RULE 9

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LIFE RULE 10

Now make a scroll for life rules you have to obey when you are at home.

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LESSON 7

WHOSE ISLAM DO WE FOLLOW

7.1 MEDINA O MEDINA

The Commanders who ruled the Muslims were still killing Muslims and fighting each other. There were also many groups of Muslims who were fighting the Commanders. So the Muslim lands were still full of wars.

But while the Commanders were busy fighting the Imam Mohamed Bakr and Imam Jaffer E Sadik were busy teaching in Medina. There were now big libraries of books in Medina. Medina was now again the centre of learning.

The Commanders did not like what the Imams had achieved in Medina. So they threatened to either destroy Medina or to take the Imams as prisoners. The Imams who came after Imam Jaffer E Sadik had no choice but to become prisoners of the Commanders. They had to leave Medina once and for all. None of the Imams who came after Imam Jaffer E Sadik then ever lived in Medina.

7.2 THE TWO TYPES OF ISLAM

Some people say that Islam is divided in to two – Sunni and Shia. But when you think carefully you will see that Sunni and Shia came from the teachings of Imams like Imam Mohammaed Bakr and Imam Jaffer E Sadik. Therefore, the real split in Islam is not Sunni or Shia even though many Sunnis and Shias like arguing and fighting with each other. The truth is that the real splits in Islam is:

Islam of Wisdom versus Islam of Confusion.

The Islam of wisdom is the Islam of the Imams but the Islam of confusion is the Islam of Commanders who twisted everything. They made Islam look unfair and

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cruel. These Commanders made Islam a religion of the sword whereas the Imams taught that real islam was about education,unity, self improvement and progress .

Even today you will find two Islams in every mosque. Which Islam do you think you follow?

7. 3 THE IMAMS IN PRISON

Until the Imams were in Medina the knowledge of Islam was safe. But after Imam Jaffer E Sadik none of the Imams was allowed to stay in Medina by the Commanders. The Imams were forced to live away from Medina. The Commanders of Evil had realized that keeping any Imam in Medina was dangerous for them as Muslims from all over the world were flocking to Medina to learn the true Islam from the Imams.

So the Commanders ordered Imam Musa Kazim and Imam Ali Reza to leave Medina. Imam Musa Kazim was taken to a blood city called Baghdad where slaves were used to build the city. Any slave who did not obey the Commander was cemented in the middle of the walls in Baghdad or was crushed under the stones. Imam Musa Kasim was had to live with slaves. He saw with his eyes what the Commanders were doing.

Imam Musa Kazim spoke to the slaves about Islam. The slaves began understand things they had not understood before. They began to see how the Commanders had fooled them to believe that that Islam was a harsh religion of punishments and false arguments. It was as though a light had been switched on for them. Soon they began to talk of removing the Commander from Baghdad.

The Commander got annoyed with Imam Musa Kasim and had him thrown in to a dungeon where there was no light and where nobody was allowed to visit him. The Imam lived in this dungeon for the rest of his life. Then Imam Ali Reza was taken from Medina to the city of Mashad. The Commander of Mashad was clever. He knew that the people of Mashad would fight him if he put the Imam Ali Reza in prison. So he made the Imam stay in the

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palace with him. This way he could keep an eye on the Imam and stop him from teaching Islam to the people. Every time the Imam said he wanted to return back to Medina the Commander refused.

Here is a table to show how the two Imams were prisoners – One in a dungeon and one in a palace.

Imam Musa Kazim

Prisoner in a dark dungeon in Bagdad

Imam Ali Reza Prisoner in a palace in Mashad

TASKS TO DO

1. SAY YES OR NO

1. Imam Jaffer E Sadik lived in Medina? ________2. Medina is where the Nabi had also loved? __________3. There are two types of Islam in every mosque? ___________4. Imam Ali Reza enjoyed living in the palace? _________5. The Commanders fought each other? _________6. The slaves had thought Islam was a cruel religion of Commanders?

________

2. Fill in the Blanks

1. The two Imams who were forced to leave Medina were _____________________________ and __________________________2.The Imam who was thrown in to a dungeon was __________________________________3. Most people think Islam is divided in to ________________ and ___________________ and so they always argue and fight over this.4. The two types of Islam that exist in every mosque are Islam of the________________ and Islam of __________________5. A city of _________________ becomes dangerous for Commanders of Evil

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6. An educated slave is a _______________ slave7. People who divide up a mosque by being unfair but they still think they are right are following the Islam of _________________.

3. Answer these questions

1. What kind of Islam were the Commanders afraid of?

2. Why were the Imams forced to leave Medina?

3. What did the slaves learn that made them dangerous for the Commanders?

4. Which Imam was forced to live in the palace under the watchful eyes of the Commander?

4. Make a Table

In this table you have to show the difference between Islam of Wisdom and Islam of Confusion. Put each of things in their correct place in the table.

1. Islam that teaches that rich are better than poor2. Islam that teaches all people are special3. Islam that teaches men are better than women4. Islam that teaches you can tell lies for Islam5. Islam that teaches you to learn to forgive6. Islam that teaches that life helps us to develop our souls7. Islam that wants to fight people who other religions8. Islam that says Arabs are better than non Arabs9. Islam that improves our lives10.Islam where children are respected

ISLAM OF WISDOM ISLAM OF CONFUSION

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5. The Imams taught us that the worst prison is the prison of bad habits. Explain what you think this means.

GET IN TO GROUPS OR WITH PARENTS TO DISCUSS WHAT PEOPLE TALK AGAINST EACH OTHER IN THE MOSQUE AND YET BELIEVE

THEY ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING

LESSON 8

THE TIMES OF PATIENCE

8.1 IMAM MUSA KAZIM

Imam Musa Kazim stayed in the dungeon with much patience. His prison guards would see him praying and meditating. He lived like this for many years. If anybody tried to visit the Imam then the spies of the Commanders would track him down. Then the person and his family would be murdered.

One sad day the Imam Musa Kazim was poisoned. The Commanders of Baghdad could not stop the people from loving the Imam and so they poisoned the Imam.

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When the people heard the sad news they gathered silently on the streets of Baghdad. Thousands upon thousands of people stood silently on the streets. This frightened the Commanders.

Finally the Commanders had the Imams body thrown on to a bridge. The people came and took the body. They buried it in a place in Baghdad which is today called KAZMAINE. Today this place has one of the most beautiful mosques in the world. This mosque was built where Imam Musa Kasim was buried.

8.2 IMAM ALI REZA

Imam Ali Reza lived in a palace as a prisoner of the Commander of Mashad. When the people heard of what had happened to Imam Musa Kasim they got worried for him. They feared that the Commander would kill him. So they began to talk about getting rid of the Commander from the palace. The spies of the Commanders informed him that the people were plotting to kill him.

At that time Imam Ali Reza had a sister who lived in Medina. For many years she longed to see him. Then when her father Imam Musa Kazim was murdered she hurried to Mashad to see her brother. Her only console was to be with him.

Meanwhile the Commander in Mashad thought of murdering the Imam before the people killed him. So he poisoned the food and gave it to the Imam. The Commander then cried knowing that he had done a terrible thing. Soon the Imam passed away.

The people of Mashad were shocked. They openly wailed on the streets. Thousands came to the funeral. Then when the sister heard of what had happened she collapsed. She also passed away without seeing her brother.

8.3 THE YOUNGEST IMAMS

The three Imams who came after Imam Ali Reza were the youngest of all the Imams. They were:

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Imam Muhammad Taki, Imam Ali un Naki son of Imam Muhammad TakiImam Hassan Askari son of Imam Ali un Naki

These Imams were all forced to live near to Baghdad. They were kept prisoners in their own homes and if they went out then spies followed them. The spies also arrested anybody who spoke to them.

The Commander of Baghdad kept dungeons full of people who had spoken to the Imams. If a woman was caught ever talking about the Imams then she was thrown in to a dungeon and all her clothes were removed from her. If a man was caught speaking about the Imams then his tongue was cut off. Everybody was told never to speak to the children about the Imams. Nobody in the mosques could mention the Imams.

The plan of the Commanders was that soon the Imams would be forgotten and the Islam they taught would be lost. One after another all the three Imams were poisoned. They all passed away when they were very young.

The days were hard for those who wanted to meet the Imams and find what they were teaching. In these days a lot of wrong things were written and then claimed that they were spoken by the Imams. Today we have a lot of arguments about what was written in those days. But we have to remember that if we follow the Islam if Wisdom then we should not accept anything that makes Islam a cruel or unfair religion. Remember it was the Commanders who wanted a cruel and unfair Islam so that the true Islam can be destroyed.

TASKS TO DO

1. Answer Yes or No

A palace can also be a prison _________

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In a prison you can die of loneliness _____________The Imams wanted power from the kings ____________Imam Musa Kassim’s body was wrapped in chains ________Imam Hassan Askari is our 9th Imam ___________

2. Then complete the table

Imam’s Name Father’s Name

Mother’s Name Place Imam is buried

AliHassanHussainAli ZainMohammed BakrJaffer E SadikMusa KazimAli RezaMohammed TakiAli un NakiHassan AskariImam Mahdi

3. Thinking Tasks

1. Write down the word Masum. It means a person who is pure. All the Nabis and Imams were masum. Why do you think it is important for the Nabis and Imams to be pure?

2. Islam teaches that even angels and babies are masums. Do you think a person who follows Islam’s guidance can become masum if he or she tries?

4. Tasks

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1.Make a list of all the Imams who had become prisoners of the Commanders

2. Count how many Imams were named Muhammad and how many were named Ali

5. Here is a table you need to complete. In it you have to write one special thing you have learnt from the Masumeen

Masumeen What I have Learnt

Fatemah Zahra

Imam Ali

Imam Hassan

Imam Hussain

Imam Zain

Imam Mohamed Bakr

Imam Jaffer E Sadik

Imam Musa Kasim

Imam Ali Reza

Imam Mohamed Taki

Imam Ali Naki

Imam Hassan Askari

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LESSON 9

IMAM MAHDI

9.1 BANNER OF JUSTICE

oth Sunnis and Shias say that the Nabi Muhammad was the final Nabi of God and no other Nabi will born again. But to bring the Muslims together will come the last Imam. He will carry the banner of justice for all the people of the world. He will be called Imam

Mohamed Mahdi. The Nabi said: “A person who does not believe in Imam Mahdi is not a true Muslim.”

B The Nabi said that Imam Mahdi will come just before the Day of Judgment. He will be from the family of Mawla Ali and Fatima Zahra. But before he will come the Muslims will be in great difficulties because they will be led by stupid and evil leaders. The good Muslims will await the coming of Imam Mahdi like the way little chicks wait for their mother. And then when he comes there will be happiness all over the world.

An evil man called Sufiyani will then come to fight him. Imam Mahdi will face him and kill him. After Sufiani a more evil person called Dajal will appear. Dajal is the one whom the Christians call the Anti Christ!

9.2 DAJAL WILL COME

Dajal will be very cunning. He will make it look as though his followers are very happy. The ignorant Muslims will want to be like them. They will say: “Look, how happy they are and look how unhappy we are! ”

But the truth will be that the followers of Dajal will be having fun only to show to others. In their hearts they will not be happy. This will be because inside them there will be no respect for anybody. Their friends will run away with their wives and

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their children will be rude to them. Many of them will seek happiness in drugs and music. Their happiness will not be real!

In these days even Hazrat Isa (Jesus) will appear from heaven and say: “Muhammad is the final Nabi of God.” This will anger Dajal who will come to kill him.

Another evil by the name of Hog and Mahog will also come from inside the earth. Hazrat Isa and Imam Mahdi will stand together and fight all the evil that will be on the earth. Either Hazrat Isa or Imam Mahdi will kill Dajal. It is said by some Muslims that a sword will be used to kill Dajal and it will be the sword of Mawla Ali which was called the Zulfikar. It was this sword of justice that the Nabi had given to Mawla Ali.

When Dajal will die it will be as though a dark cloud has gone out of the skies and light has come back to the earth. It will be in these peaceful days when people will live in justice and there will be no poverty, disease or unhappiness anywhere.

TASKS TO DO

ANSWER YES OR NO!1. A person who does not believe in Imam Mahdi is not a true Muslim!2. Imam Mahdi will kill Sufiyani!3. Imam Mahdi will kill Dajal!4. Imam Mahdi will kill Hog and Mahog!

COMPLETE THE SENTENCES1. Imam Mahdi will carry the _________of justice for all ____________2. When Hazrat Isa will come he will say

________________________________________________________3. The Christians say that Dajal is the ________________4. The followers of Dajal will be happy from the __________________but not

from the ___________________

WRITING TASKS

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1. Explain why some Muslims will be jealous of Dajal’s followers!

2. What blunder will some of the Christians make?

3. What kind of weapons will Dajal use?

EXTRA TASKS1. What do you think is the banner of justice?

2. There is no other Nabi to come after Nabi Muhammad! Why do you think this is so!

3. While we are all waiting for Imam Mahdi we have to be led by knowledgeable and just people. These people are called Marjas. Find out the names of some marjas of today.

PROJECT TASKSWrite down all the important traits the soldiers of Imam Mahdi will have. One example is done for you.

1. They will never be cruel

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PROJECT

LEARNING FOR LIFE

10.1 WHAT HAVE YOU LEARN ABOUT THE CHOSEN PEOPLE IN THE CHOSEN FAMILY OF THE CHOSEN NABI?

Lesson 1: Fatima, Ali, Hassan, Hussain and Zainab were standing up against bad things that were happening among Muslims. We must also stand up when bad things happen today among Muslims.

Lesson 2: We must treat our servant with kindness and fairness. They too are human beings like us.

Lesson 3: We should not be afraid of making peace with our enemies

Lesson 4: We should not rush to fight wars against anybody

Lesson 5: We should not allow people to blame Allah for their evil deeds

Lesson 6: Sunnis and Shia should not fight.

Lesson 7. We should await Imam Mahdi

Write down all these lesson

10.2 FIND OUT SOME STORIES OF THE IMAMS FROM THE INTERNET. WRITE ONE STORY THAT YOU THINK WILL HELP YOU IN YOUR LIFE.

10.3 SOLDIERS OF IMAM MAHDI

Say you were to belong to the Voluntary army of Imam Mahdi. Draw your crest and write down your mottos like this:

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1. Never tell lies 6. Love Truth2. Never stay dirty 7. Love The Allul Baith3. Pray on time 8. Help others4. Study Hard and Work Hard 9. Never Get Proud5. Do not be unfair to anybody 10. Never waste money

MUHAMMADI MADRASAHBirmingham UK

END OF BOOKLET REPORT

Child’s Name __________________Teacher _________________ Class ________ Date _______

Good Fair Bad Comment

Behaviour in classCompletion of Work in classCompletion of work at homeUnderstanding of work

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Extra Research

Quality of work completed in bookTest mark

Signed by teacher _____________________Signed by Diniyat Head ______________Award signed by Primary Head ___________________

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