www.understandquran.com teaching qur’an for school students a lecture given at hajj house, bombay...

www.understandQuran.comwww.understandQuran.com

Teaching Qur’an Teaching Qur’an

For School StudentsFor School Students

A lecture Given at Hajj House, BombayA lecture Given at Hajj House, Bombay

All India Muslim Teacher’s Meet. All India Muslim Teacher’s Meet.

Outline Outline

Introduction & Background My focus Why teach Al-Qur’an Language learning vs. Understanding

Qur’an Brain / Memory / Language learning Unique features Sample Demo (Book & CD)

My Introduction / My Introduction / Background Background

Scholars

My position

Masses

My Introduction / My Introduction / Background Background Past several years of teaching as well as

doing basic research on teaching/learning Al-Qur’an:

Involved in teaching as well as studying different approaches

Got input from several scholars & individuals; not completely my own method

VisionVision

Al-Qur’an should be easy as well as the most interesting book! Is it not authored by Allah!

If Qur’an is for the whole world, it should be easy to learn (including its language)

If Qur’an is written by Allah for humans, it should be most interesting book – that is, a book that will appeal strongly to our intellect as well as our heart.

Style of DeliveryStyle of Delivery

I have tried to use modern concepts in I have tried to use modern concepts in teaching. They include: teaching. They include:

Brain (Tony Buzan etc.)Brain (Tony Buzan etc.) Lateral thinking (De Bono)Lateral thinking (De Bono) Positive thinking Positive thinking Effective living (Stephen Covey)Effective living (Stephen Covey) NLP (Neuro-linguistic Programming)NLP (Neuro-linguistic Programming) Time and Resource ManagementTime and Resource Management + Second Language learning (Latest style + Second Language learning (Latest style

of teaching English to foreigners at of teaching English to foreigners at American Universities)American Universities)

Challenges to a Challenges to a TeacherTeacherFor teaching any subject, the main challenge is: For teaching any subject, the main challenge is: Motivation (How to motivate the students)Motivation (How to motivate the students) Methodology (the way to present the Methodology (the way to present the

material)material)

And we really want to improve the above 2 And we really want to improve the above 2 when it comes to teaching the Qur’an. Let us when it comes to teaching the Qur’an. Let us not use that old method of just asking the not use that old method of just asking the students to recite for ‘Barkat’ (in the limited students to recite for ‘Barkat’ (in the limited sense).sense).

Elements of Success-Elements of Success-for students !!! for students !!!

According to modern research, these According to modern research, these elements are:elements are:

AttitudeAttitude ConfidenceConfidence OptimismOptimism Positive thinkingPositive thinking Good relationship with othersGood relationship with others A Pondering mindA Pondering mind High valuesHigh valuesQur’an can give all these values in a way no Qur’an can give all these values in a way no

one on earth can give!!! This is the real one on earth can give!!! This is the real and comprehensive Barkat which will and comprehensive Barkat which will lead to success in this world and the lead to success in this world and the hereafter.hereafter.

Our Approach to Our Approach to Teaching Qur’anTeaching Qur’an

For a quick approach to For a quick approach to Understanding the Qur’anUnderstanding the Qur’an

No. 1: Smooth Start No. 1: Smooth Start

Start from Salah (Why use any other text, Start from Salah (Why use any other text, when you want to understand Qur’an)…when you want to understand Qur’an)…

If I want to teach you french and if I know If I want to teach you french and if I know that you speak something in french for 1 that you speak something in french for 1 hour, I will say: Let us learn that first!hour, I will say: Let us learn that first!

A common sense approachA common sense approach Valid for every Muslim man, woman, old, Valid for every Muslim man, woman, old,

and young, and even for a child because and young, and even for a child because he is…he is…

www.understandquran.comwww.understandquran.com

No. 2: Focus on Listening and No. 2: Focus on Listening and ReadingReading

Language Language LearningLearning

UnderstandinUnderstanding Qur’ang Qur’an

ReceptionReception ListeningListening ReadingReading

ProductionProduction SpeakingSpeaking - X -- X -

WritingWriting - X -- X -


This will decrease the initial burden on students and make it simpler to learn.

More focus on Vocabulary (just the way a More focus on Vocabulary (just the way a child learns…)child learns…)

Less focus on grammar; otherwise if we Less focus on grammar; otherwise if we teach the way shown below, people will run teach the way shown below, people will run away!away!

ن5ون ن5وني5ؤم7 ي5ؤم7

No. 3: More Focus on No. 3: More Focus on VocabularyVocabulary

مذكر، جمع، غائب،مهموز،

إفعال باب

بثبوت مرفوع مضارع فعلاألفعال من ألنه النونضمير والواؤ الخمسة،

فاعل رفع محل في www.understandquran.comwww.understandquran.comمتصل

No. 4: More Focus on SarfNo. 4: More Focus on Sarf

In Grammar, we giveIn Grammar, we give More emphasis on Sarf (word construction) More emphasis on Sarf (word construction) Less emphasis on Nahw (sentence Less emphasis on Nahw (sentence

construction) construction)

Because:Because:• We are familiar with the topics of Qur’an;We are familiar with the topics of Qur’an;• We are learning from existing English We are learning from existing English

translations; translations; • We are learning to repeat the translation, We are learning to repeat the translation,

rather than ‘translation’ itself.rather than ‘translation’ itself.


The ChallengesThe Challenges

A typical Muslim Youngster

Political Atmosphere

(India & world)

Lack of parentalguidance

Lack of Masjid’s Role

PEER PRESSURE

MEDIATV,

Newspapers, Magazines

Our Student

The right course

Modernism

Bid’ahs, meaningless

rituals

Educated Youth

Illiterate / semi-literate masses

Qur’an

We are We are missing the missing the youth…youth…

We are missing the We are missing the youth both ways youth both ways because we are because we are not teaching not teaching them the Qur’anthem the Qur’an

When they grow up, they!!! DON’T KNOW THE QURÁN (PERHAPS

NOT EVEN 2% OF IT).

Have almost no exposure to Hadith

Consequently, have no self-esteem as a Muslim.

Qurán

A book of Guidance – And that is the status we have not given to it

Human Being – surrounded by enemies and self-weaknesses

Daily Exposure to Qu’ran – thru Recitation in Salahs / in homes – is not utilized at all!!!

How does Qur’an guides us? It always reminds him as to who he is, where he is, what is his role, his destination – Thru Promises, Threats, Examples, Stories, …

By understanding Qurán We will open up this gate of daily

tarbiyah

We will establish connection between us and Allah directly and for the rest of his life.

This Book will not change. A Permanent Solution.

Qurán

Solutions to all problems are in the Qurán and Sunnah

Just establish direct connection between them and Allah thru Allah’s book and they can walk with dignity

Give them the master key and they will open all the doors

Why don't the Students understand the Qur'an Most importantly: Nobody told them

that understanding Quran could be so simple.

AND FURTHER TO IT: Qur’an should have been the most interesting subject!!! Is it so?

How will teaching How will teaching Qur’an help?Qur’an help? Attitude (You will put the student in

contact with Allah directly) Confidence in himself and his Deen as

well as his people Sense of responsibility Seriousness

How will teaching How will teaching Qur’an help?Qur’an help? Muslims directly aware of the divine

guidance Pleasure/Good will of Allah Future assets of Ummah Balanced Personality

How will teaching How will teaching Qur’an help?Qur’an help? Excelling in their roles with a purpose Will set a role model for future Muslim

institutions Decrease evils like ragging, crimes,

indecency Produce ideal youths and ideal campus

atmosphere Produce mature, responsible, and

stable citizens

For Qur’an…

In approximately 200 hours of learning, you can inshaAllah understand the Qur’an completely.

30 hours of Starter course (After this, in 170 hours, you can easily

learn the complete Qur’an inshaAllah)

Learning to Learning to UNDERSTAND UNDERSTAND Al-Al-Qur’anQur’an A course of 200 hoursA course of 200 hours

Not for interpreting but for Not for interpreting but for understanding itunderstanding it

Objective: Tadabbur & TaZakkur (will Objective: Tadabbur & TaZakkur (will not be covered in this lecture)not be covered in this lecture)

Challenge: A smooth start which gives Challenge: A smooth start which gives them confidencethem confidence

An Easy Starter Course

60 lessons (each of 25 minutes approx) Less than 30 hours Designed for schools as well as general

public Simplified grammar Using Daily and Frequent Recitations Will cover 350 words that occur 55,000

times in Qur'an (70% of the vocabulary)!!!

Al-Qur’an – the Most Al-Qur’an – the Most Interesting book to Interesting book to learnlearnIf there are drop-outs, if it is boring, then

the problem is in the way we present it/ we teach it

To show the benefits by linking the message of Al-Qur’an, rather, the guidance of Al-Qur’an, with the day-to-day life of a teenager

My FocusMy Focus

Primarily – the Masses!Priority wise: Secular Institutions:

– School Students: Before they graduate 10th class, they should complete the Qur’an with understanding

– The college students who missed the above opportunity

General public

Brain Brain

Brain works with associations 1,000,000,000 Cells We use rarely 5% of our brain Easier to learn another language!!! Much easier to learn Al-Qur’an

because it has special blessings

Brain – AssociationsBrain – Associations

Sound

Spelling

Shape

Meanings

Emotions

Story

Mother tongue link (incl ‘false’)

Smell

Picture (worth 1000 words)

Movement / action / film / movie

Language LearningLanguage Learning

Famous Techniques/software- Pimsleur approach- Rosetta Stone Approach- ESL Party- Dave’s Café- Corporate/Univ. level software

-

Language LearningLanguage Learning

Language Learning - Use the tips for teaching Al-Qur’an- Breaking the ‘barrier’ (through our daily Salah and Supplications) – My case of TELUGU- Use index cards (now booklet); grammar posters stickers; (board; Diary)- Motivate (through the promise of ‘thawab’)- Analyze teaching models (adopted interactive and variety-based model)- TPI

Teaching Arabic thru Teaching Arabic thru Qur’an– the unique Qur’an– the unique opportunitiesopportunitiesA typical Muslim

- memorized almost 50 to 100 sentences in Arabic!

And he uses them too!!! A practicing Muslim spends almost an hour daily in Arabic environment- 5 daily prayers- Supplications

Everyday, he uses about 200 Arabic words and almost 50 sentences. And he REPEATS most of them!!!

Everyday, he is made to listen (in 6 lectures) different parts of the best of literature!!!

Teaching Arabic thru Teaching Arabic thru Qur’an– the unique Qur’an– the unique opportunitiesopportunitiesThe ideal situation would be:

to jump on this opportunity and teach him right from there

For a Non-Muslim student: It gives an excellent opportunity to not only learn Arabic but also understand the neighborhood culture

The CHALLENGEThe CHALLENGE

Let them understand what they already recite

Teach them grammar in a simplified style

Get the max from frequently occurring words

Introduction to our Introduction to our coursecourse

Understand Qur’an – the Easy Way Understand Qur’an – the Easy Way

(Basic Course)(Basic Course)

UNIQUE FEATURES OF UNIQUE FEATURES OF THIS COURSE!!!THIS COURSE!!!1. A course of approximately 25 hours – 1. A course of approximately 25 hours –

to help you learn almost 70% of the to help you learn almost 70% of the vocabulary of the Qur’an (55000 words vocabulary of the Qur’an (55000 words of the total 78000, approximately). of the total 78000, approximately).

UNIQUE FEATURES UNIQUE FEATURES (Cont’d)(Cont’d)2. Spare just 25 minutes everyday, and 2. Spare just 25 minutes everyday, and

inshaAllah you are on your way to inshaAllah you are on your way to realizing the dream. realizing the dream.

3. Start the understanding of Qur’an 3. Start the understanding of Qur’an using what you recite everyday!!! No using what you recite everyday!!! No need to look for any other text. need to look for any other text.

UNIQUE FEATURES UNIQUE FEATURES (Cont’d)(Cont’d)

– The contents The contents Daily RecitationsDaily Recitations Frequent RecitationsFrequent Recitations Some extra verses + 2 ahadeethSome extra verses + 2 ahadeeth One spoken Arabic sentence in One spoken Arabic sentence in

each classeach class

UNIQUE FEATURES UNIQUE FEATURES (Cont’d)(Cont’d)4. Immediately start realizing the benefits 4. Immediately start realizing the benefits

in your prayers and supplications, in your prayers and supplications,

and thereby improve the relationship with and thereby improve the relationship with Allah. Allah.

Practice what you learnt right form day Practice what you learnt right form day one by talking to Allah in Arabic with one by talking to Allah in Arabic with understanding!understanding!

UNIQUE FEATURES UNIQUE FEATURES (Cont’d)(Cont’d)5. Each session has 3 different activities, 5. Each session has 3 different activities,

which keeps the participants alive which keeps the participants alive throughout the lesson. throughout the lesson.

6. Learn at least one spoken Arabic 6. Learn at least one spoken Arabic sentence in each lesson. sentence in each lesson.

UNIQUE FEATURES UNIQUE FEATURES (Cont’d)(Cont’d)7. More than that, each session is 7. More than that, each session is

interactive, if conducted in a group!!! interactive, if conducted in a group!!!

Every participant has full and continuous Every participant has full and continuous chance to be involved in all the chance to be involved in all the activities (Spoken Arabic, Grammar, activities (Spoken Arabic, Grammar, and Word-for-word translation)and Word-for-word translation)

UNIQUE FEATURES UNIQUE FEATURES (Cont’d)(Cont’d)8. Learn basic Arabic Grammar as well as 8. Learn basic Arabic Grammar as well as

almost all important verb patterns by almost all important verb patterns by devoting just 8 to 10 minutes in each devoting just 8 to 10 minutes in each session. session.

UNIQUE FEATURES UNIQUE FEATURES (Cont’d)(Cont’d)9. Learning Arabic Grammar perhaps has 9. Learning Arabic Grammar perhaps has

never been so easy and simple.never been so easy and simple.

With TPI (like ABAQUS, photographic With TPI (like ABAQUS, photographic memory), it becomes an exciting and memory), it becomes an exciting and interesting part. interesting part.

TPITPI

Brain works with associations Mg/ Fg Sign covention Past tense (plane / road) Imperfect tense Imperative Negative Ism Faa’il / Ism Maf’ool / Fe’l Active voice / passive voice

TPITPI

Increase associations – the more you have the easier it is to learn/remember/retain/recall

Several dimensions of a word– Sound – Spelling– Shape – Meanings– Picture– Movement– Smell!– Emotions

UNIQUE FEATURES UNIQUE FEATURES (Cont’d)(Cont’d)10. Every time you practice a grammar 10. Every time you practice a grammar

session (5 to 7 minutes), you are session (5 to 7 minutes), you are shown as to how closer you are to the shown as to how closer you are to the understanding of Qur’an. understanding of Qur’an.

Therefore, it becomes a session of love Therefore, it becomes a session of love and excitement rather than that of and excitement rather than that of boring drills. boring drills.


11. Learn interesting examples/false 11. Learn interesting examples/false links to remember some of the ‘odd’ links to remember some of the ‘odd’ rules of grammar. rules of grammar.

Simplified Simplified

Deletion of dual / fg in the beginning– Reduced to 12 instead of 28

(past/imprf)– Reduced to 4 instead of 6 (imp/neg)– 3 added to it (fa’el, maf’ool, fe’l)

Master “Periodic Table” (Traffic light) The two “Master Tables”

Interesting LinksInteresting Links

Anta / hia (HANDS) Broken plural

– meri aulaad padhti hai– Urdu / English Mazeed feeh– Preposition of the verb

Selection of Verses (1 verse each)– Plural / mg/fg - Ahzaab– Fg - Yousuf– Br. Pl. - Hajj

Interesting LinksInteresting Links

Weak letters– Team supporting each other

Directions– Fouqi/ tahti/ yameeni/…


12. Revise the whole learning in SPECIAL 12. Revise the whole learning in SPECIAL 10 sessions (at the end) where all 10 sessions (at the end) where all frequently occurring words in the frequently occurring words in the Qur’an are listed separately. Qur’an are listed separately.

UNIQUE FEATURES UNIQUE FEATURES (Cont’d)(Cont’d)13. To remember important words, each 13. To remember important words, each

word/verb that you have learnt is listed word/verb that you have learnt is listed with an example for you to practice, with an example for you to practice, remember, and retain. remember, and retain.

Every time you forget an important new Every time you forget an important new word, you are given a context for it to word, you are given a context for it to recall. recall.

THIS IS JUST LIKE THE WAY YOU THIS IS JUST LIKE THE WAY YOU REMEMBER PEOPLE.REMEMBER PEOPLE.


14. Learn all important verb patterns 14. Learn all important verb patterns thoroughly along with examples from thoroughly along with examples from the material covered in the first 50 the material covered in the first 50 sessions.sessions.

15. 16 quizzes and 2 exams to help you 15. 16 quizzes and 2 exams to help you evaluate your progress and encourage evaluate your progress and encourage you to revise and continue. you to revise and continue.


16. With the CD (produced by the 16. With the CD (produced by the Academy), participate along with the Academy), participate along with the audience throughout these sessions. audience throughout these sessions.

You don’t have to wait for another sitting You don’t have to wait for another sitting for practice. Practice right there!for practice. Practice right there!

UNIQUE FEATURES UNIQUE FEATURES (Cont’d)(Cont’d)17. Actually this is a basic training course 17. Actually this is a basic training course

for every Muslim. It contains those for every Muslim. It contains those parts which are practiced everyday by a parts which are practiced everyday by a Muslim. Therefore this course is will Muslim. Therefore this course is will have direct impact on his life. It will have direct impact on his life. It will make his regular worship more efficient make his regular worship more efficient and effective. Simultaneously he will and effective. Simultaneously he will get the confidence that he can learn the get the confidence that he can learn the Qur’an very easily. Qur’an very easily.

Some Interesting Some Interesting FindingsFindings All ‘Abwaab’ and special cases are

important

At least around 4 “Fe’l thulaathi Mazeed feehi” abwaab are also important

Attached Pronouns Imperfect Tense ار7عtل م5ضuف7ع Past Tense اض7يtل مuف7ع Detached

Pronouns

ا ه-، He does.

He will do. 5لtعuفtي He did. tلtعtف tه5و

They two do/ will ه75مtا -do. uفtيtن7عtال They two did. tالtعtا فtه5م

- uه75مThey do.

They will do. tل5ونtعuفtي They all did. ل5واtعtف uه5م

- tكYou do.

You will do. 5لtعuفtت You did. tتuلtعtف tتuنt أ You two do / will ك5مtا-

do. 7نtالtعuفtت You two did. اtت5مuلtعtا فtت5مuنt أ

uك5م - You all do.

You all will do. tل5ونtعuفtت You all did. uت5مuلtعtف uت5مuنt أ

(with noun) -7ي

ن777 (with verb) ي-I do.

I will do. 5لtعuفtأ I did. 5تuلtعtا فtنt أ

-نtا We do.

We will do. 5لtعuفtن We did. اtنuلtعtن5 فuحtن

_tلtعtفاسم_

جtر_ tي tن tأ tا . تtت5 ن uت5م tا تuو -

Negative نهي Imperative أمر

Don’t do! uلtعuفtت tال Do! uلtعuا7ف Singular

Don’t (you two) do! t Do (you two)! t الt تtفuعtال Dual ا7فuعtال

Don’t (you all) do! ل5واtعuفtت tال Do (you all)! ل5واtعuا7ف Plural

Passive participle اسم مفعول Active participle اسم فاعل

The one who is affected. ع5ولuفtم Doer. اع7لtف Singular

The two who are affected. نuيtع5ولuفtن، مtع5والuفtم Doers (two). نuيtاع7لtن، فtاع7الtف Dual

All those who are affected. 5ع5ولuفtع5ول7ينمuفtون، م Doers. اع7ل7ينtاع7ل5ون، فtف Plural

passive

مجهول It is being done. 5لtعuي5ف (It) is done. tف5ع7ل tه5و

passive

مجهول

To do, act (of doing)

(Verbal noun) صdدرمف7عل

بسم الله

ف ع ل He did. tلtعtف (108)

near past:

ماضgي + dقد Past continuous:

كان+مmضارع

near future:

س + مmضارع distant future: سوdف+مmضارع

Starting verb in a verbal sentence.

when the subject is SING. or PLU.

Starting verb in a verbal sentence. when the subject is SING. or PLU.

7 HOMEWORKS7 HOMEWORKS

– Extremely easy and practical home Extremely easy and practical home works. works.

– To develop an attitude of learning - To develop an attitude of learning - most important factor in any most important factor in any learning process. learning process.

– To be always aware that they are To be always aware that they are learning Qur'an. learning Qur'an.

– Like those cricket fans following the Like those cricket fans following the match. match.


– We want our students to develop the We want our students to develop the attitude that they should always be attitude that they should always be aware and feel blessed by Allah that aware and feel blessed by Allah that they are learning His Book. they are learning His Book.

– This attitude should help them to do This attitude should help them to do these home works whenever they these home works whenever they have some spare time. have some spare time.


– 1. At least FIVE minutes study of the 1. At least FIVE minutes study of the Word-for-Word translation. Word-for-Word translation.

– 2. At least FIVE minutes recitation 2. At least FIVE minutes recitation (for the beginner) of the Qur'an from (for the beginner) of the Qur'an from the Mushaf that has no translation. the Mushaf that has no translation.

– 3. At least FIVE minutes recitation of 3. At least FIVE minutes recitation of the Qur'an from memory during the Qur'an from memory during activities such as walking. activities such as walking.


– 4. 30 seconds (not minutes!) study 4. 30 seconds (not minutes!) study of the vocabulary sheet, preferably of the vocabulary sheet, preferably before or after every Salah or any before or after every Salah or any other suitable intervals. other suitable intervals.

– 5. Recitation of the last 14 Surahs in 5. Recitation of the last 14 Surahs in rotation in the Sunan and Nawafil of rotation in the Sunan and Nawafil of daily Salah. daily Salah.


– 6. Talking to your colleague for 1 minute 6. Talking to your colleague for 1 minute every day regarding the lesson (if you every day regarding the lesson (if you are studying this course in a class). are studying this course in a class).

– 7. Listening to a tape which contains 7. Listening to a tape which contains these recitations with word-by-word these recitations with word-by-word meanings (in your car while driving and meanings (in your car while driving and at your home while doing household at your home while doing household chores). You can record the contents of chores). You can record the contents of this course yourselves into a tape, in this course yourselves into a tape, in case a recorded tape is not available.case a recorded tape is not available.

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