by Siraj Institute | Aug 8, 2024 | Article
As a community, we hold a profound responsibility to ensure that our children receive the best possible education, both academically and spiritually. Our teachers play a pivotal role in shaping the minds and hearts of the next generation. So, why is it that the teachers of the majority of Arabic and Quran weekend schools do not receive ANY training or professional development?
No parent would want the teacher of their children to be unqualified. Therefore, it is crucial that we take the development of our teachers seriously and provide them with the tools they need to succeed.
Why We Need to Improve Our Muslim Teachers
- Role Models for Our Youth: Teachers are not just baby sitters or Google bots for spitting information. They are both educators AND role models. They are expected to embody the values and principles of Islam, and their behavior and knowledge significantly influence their students – our children. By improving our teachers, we ensure that our children have positive role models to look up to.
- Quality Education: In a master’s study published by Al-Azhar University, it was found that over 72% of Quran teachers at mosques did not know how to properly teach the Quran; and a significant majority of them did not properly memorize the verses themselves! A well-trained teacher can deliver lessons more effectively, making learning engaging and meaningful. This leads to better understanding among students, and less stress among teachers.
- Spiritual Growth: Teachers who are well-versed in Islam can provide a deeper understanding of the faith, helping students to grow spiritually and develop a stronger connection with Allah.
- Community Strength: Educated and well-trained teachers contribute to the overall strength and unity of the community. They can address contemporary issues with wisdom and guide the youth in navigating the challenges of modern life.
Islamic Perspective on Education
The importance of education and the role of teachers is emphasized in both the Quran and Hadith. Allah says in the Quran:
“Are those who know equal to those who do not know?”
(Quran 39:9)
This verse highlights the value of knowledge and the distinction between those who are educated and those who are not.
Additionally, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it.”
(Sahih Bukhari)
Many other Hadeeths put teachers and scholars in highest ranks of reward, and they all point to one thing: Caring and respecting our teachers is a duty upon the entire community.
Join Our Teacher Training Workshop
To support our teachers in their noble mission, we are offering a comprehensive Teacher Training Workshop end of August. Most weekend Islamic schools do not offer any training before the semester begins. This workshop is designed to equip Muslim educators with modern teaching techniques, enhance their understanding of Islamic principles in Education, and provide them with the resources they need to excel.
Register Today!
Invest in the future of our community by registering your teachers for our upcoming workshop. For more information and to register, please contact us at admissions [(at]) siraj [(dot]) institute or visit our teacher workshop page here.
Together, we can empower our teachers and ensure a brighter future for our children.
by Siraj Institute | Jul 12, 2024 | Article
You have an opportunity to learn from an introvert with stage fright, how he became an award-winning world-class public speaker. Would you miss it?
Our Muslim Public Speaking and Khateeb Workshop was designed to help you become a confident and effective speaker. This workshop, which is now being offered in its fifth time in ten years, is more wholesome and comprehensible than ever before. So, whether you’re a beginner Khateeb, a sister who leads a halaqa and is looking to refine her skills, or a community leader seeking to sharpen their public speaking skills, this workshop offers valuable insights and practical techniques to enhance your communication abilities. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from experienced speakers and connect with like-minded individuals.
In this workshop, you’ll discover the secrets to engaging your audience, structuring your speeches, and delivering your message with clarity and confidence. Our expert trainers will guide you through interactive sessions, providing personalized feedback and support. You’ll also have the chance to practice your skills in a supportive environment, ensuring you leave with the tools and confidence to excel in any speaking situation.
`Register now to secure your spot in our Muslim Public Speaking Workshop! This is your chance to transform your public speaking abilities and make a positive impact in your community. Click here to sign up and take the right step towards becoming a powerful and inspiring speaker in your community.
by Siraj Institute | Jul 1, 2024 | News
Siraj Institute is honored to announce the launching of an all new Advanced Quran Memorization Program (Qira’at).
An inaugural announcement will take place on Tuesady, July 2nd, 2024 at 1:30 pm at Alshareef Islamic Centre.
We will be honored to have a guest keynote speaker as Prof. Dr. Ali Alhalawani who will address the students. After introducing the program, students can begin their applications and assessment in person at the Centre until 5 pm.
The Advanced QMP stage is comprised of five levels. Each level is one year long and will enable all students who memorized the Quran to take the next step in their knowledge of the Quran by learning about and memorizing the ten narrations of the Quran.
Since Siraj Institute always placed the top importance of its education on the Quran, we reiterate our commitment to provide full scholarships to students who demonstrate or maintain good potential in this program, as well as most of our programs. This is without any compromise to providing our Quran teachers with competitive and honorable wages. Our reliance is upon Allah Almighty – then on the generosity of our community and all Muslims worldwide who would like to sponsor or donate to this program.
Everyone is invited to attend the inauguration of our program in person. For those who cannot, you may check out our Youtube channel to watch the event.
Registration will continue to be open for this program until it’s full. We invite all huffadh to take initiative to be among the first cohort!
Registration information can be found on our Quran Memorization Program page.
by Siraj Institute | Jun 7, 2024 | News
Dhul Hijja is here!
Here’s a great tip to start the greatest ten days of the year on a high note:
Try arriving 3 hours early to Friday sermon!
The reason is because the Messenger of God ﷺ said:
مَنِ اغْتَسَلَ يَومَ الجُمُعَةِ غُسْلَ الجَنَابَةِ ثُمَّ رَاحَ، فَكَأنَّما قَرَّبَ بَدَنَةً، ومَن رَاحَ في السَّاعَةِ الثَّانِيَةِ، فَكَأنَّما قَرَّبَ بَقَرَةً، ومَن رَاحَ في السَّاعَةِ الثَّالِثَةِ، فَكَأنَّما قَرَّبَ كَبْشًا أقْرَنَ، ومَن رَاحَ في السَّاعَةِ الرَّابِعَةِ، فَكَأنَّما قَرَّبَ دَجَاجَةً، ومَن رَاحَ في السَّاعَةِ الخَامِسَةِ، فَكَأنَّما قَرَّبَ بَيْضَةً، فَإِذَا خَرَجَ الإمَامُ حَضَرَتِ المَلَائِكَةُ يَسْتَمِعُونَ الذِّكْرَ.
Any person who takes a bath on Friday like the bath of Janaba and then goes for the prayer (in the first hour i.e. early), it is as if he had sacrificed a camel (in Allah’s cause); and whoever goes in the second hour it is as if he had sacrificed a cow; and whoever goes in the third hour, then it is as if he had sacrificed a horned ram; and if one goes in the fourth hour, then it is as if he had sacrificed a hen; and whoever goes in the fifth hour then it is as if he had offered an egg. When the Imam comes out (i.e. starts delivering the Khutba), the angels present themselves to listen to the Khutba.
by Siraj Institute | May 30, 2024 | Article
Why not get ready for the best ten days of the year before they start? Just look at the prep work we do during Ramadan for the best ten nights! Somehow, we don’t treat these days the same, but we should. Here are 3 ways to prepare for the ten days of Dhul Hijjah.
1.Udhiyah or no Udhiyah?
If you are planning on making a sacrifice, then you imitate the state of those at Hajj in these ten days. Whoever is going to make a sacrifice does not cut his hair or his nails or anything from his skin. How long does he or she have to avoid this?
The whole ten days of Dhul Hijjah. Only when he or she has offered the sacrifice can the hair and nails be cut. Rasul Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) told us “When you see the new moon of Dhul Hijjah, if any one of you wants to offer a sacrifice, then he should stop cutting his hair and nails until he has offered his sacrifice.” (Sahih Muslim, 1977)
2.Simple Dhikr, Great Rewards
You know how we start off with regular charity in Ramadan and increase it in the end of the month? Let’s do that with our dhikr to prepare for Dhul Hijjah. We start off with simple remembrances of Allah today. Then once the 10 days begins, we build on this habit which multiplies in reward. Let’s start with this one:
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Whoever declares one hundred times a day, ‘There is no God but Allah without any partner, to Him belongs sovereignty and all praise and He is powerful over everything,’ he will have the reward of emancipating ten slaves, a hundred good deeds will be recorded for him, a hundred sins will be erased from his record, and he will have a guard against Satan during the day until evening. No one will exceed him but one who recited these words more often.” (Sahih Bukhari 3293)
لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Just think of the rewards of saying this during these 10 days! The hadith literally tells us how to increase our rewards, because we can add to this 100 starting in Dhul Hijjah, but it will be more difficult if we aren’t already in the habit of saying it.
3.Sacred Month, Multiplied
Unlike during Ramadan, there are no extra angels helping us remember to do good deeds, and the shayateen are not locked up at all, making it more difficult to stay away from sins. To top it all off, Dhul Hijjah is a sacred month, so that means not only the reward of good deeds is multiplied; but the punishment for bad deeds is multiplied, too.
This means that we have to work hard to keep the devils at bay before Dhul Hijjah begins. Got family feuds? Work those out the best you can. Problems between people? Work to avoid causing harm to others and prevent harm being done. The sins of these actions will be multiplied once the month begins so now is the time to make peace between people and set yourself and family up for blessed 10 days.
