Ashura is not just an ordinary day in the Hijri calendar. In some Islamic countries, the month of Muharram is called Ashura.
It is a momentous occasion that carries within it valuable religious meanings and lessons that can be imprinted in our children's memories. Given our constant preoccupations, this day may pass without us taking advantage of it as an educational opportunity that carries with it many values and meanings and raises children's awareness of important religious occasions.
Why is Ashura a golden educational opportunity that deserves our attention?
Since simplicity is the key to reaching the hearts and minds of children, the basis of teaching children is to deliver a clear and lovable message that is appropriately rooted in their minds:
The first message: Thanking God for salvation and victory. When the Prophet Muhammad, may God bless him and grant him peace, arrived in Medina, he found the Jews fasting on the day of Ashura. When he asked them why, they replied that it was the day God saved his Prophet Moses, peace be upon him, from Pharaoh and his soldiers. The Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, said, "We have more right to Moses than you do," and he fasted on that day and commanded others to fast on that day.
This story teaches us to thank God Almighty for His many blessings, for His victory for the oppressed, and for His strength and power that surpasses all other strength and power.
The second message:
Today is a special day called Ashura. Our Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, wanted us to thank God for this salvation, so he urged us to fast on this day. However, he ordered us to differ from the Jews by fasting a day before or a day after it.
This is the practical gratitude that our Prophet, peace be upon him, commanded us to do.
The third message: Our Prophet spoke about the concepts of justice, divine victory, and gratitude.
Avoid going into complex or sad details, and focus on the aspects of victory, survival, and gratitude. Children are influenced by clear concepts and inspiring stories.
* Patience: How did the Prophet Moses and his people endure the harm of Pharaoh?
Justice: How God does not accept injustice and supports the oppressed, for God is just and loves justice.
Divine power: God is capable of everything.
The fourth message: Practical participation, which lies in encouraging your child to participate in this day.
* Partial fasting: If your child is young, he can fast for a few hours, or abstain from eating his favorite sweets as a form of participation and training.
* Supplication and gratitude: Teach your child to raise his hands and supplicate to God, thanking Him for His blessings.
* Read a story: Read together illustrated stories about the Prophet Moses, peace be upon him. This enhances their understanding and enriches their imagination.
The Day of Ashura is a great opportunity that must be seized to build religious and moral awareness in the minds of our children. With simple words, beloved stories, and practical participation, we can transform this day into an unforgettable memory in the hearts and minds of our children, instilling in them the love of God, the emulation of His prophets, and the values of victory, gratitude, and justice. Let us make it a day of learning and education, not just a day that passes by unnoticed.