Ebbrywun Needs a Role Model

CTC Blog: What is a Good Role Model?

role-model

Assalamu Alaikum. In the Sanad Learning Center-Critical Thinking Class (CTC) this month we discussed about the importance of having good role models. Yes, the Prophet (PBUH) is the best, but we also need good living role models in our life as well. We talked about who a good role model is, what qualities a role model should have, who are some role models we have today and learned how they developed in order to become one ourselves.

In the 21st century, we do not have many good role models. Fortunately, faith in humanity has been restored because of  2 brothers in the NFL, Hamza Abdullah and Hussain Abdullah. The Abdullah brothers have shown all the traits of what a good role model is. Even with successful NFL careers, they made it a priority to practice their Deen. Another example of a role model could be Bill Gates. With his wealth he created many charities as well as relief programs for those who are financially challenged to pursue education.

In order for these role models to develop, they had to display certain qualities. For instance, they have to share knowledge, publicly display manners, act upon the knowledge they receive, and show leadership. At Sanad we defined a good leader as someone who has intelligence, wisdom, good judgement, and is able to guide people or a nation. If we develop these qualities we too can become good role models for the next generation.

It is very important for us today to have good role models because it easy to stray away from the straight path. In some ways we have disadvantages. For example, a young Muslim in the Prophet’s time would have more youth to relate to, a safer communal environment, and more support from the community. They had challenges too…their lives were materially harder, they had less resources, and it was very hard for the early Muslims. Our advantages are access to resources, technology, and more access to all types of standard knowledge. However it is spiritually harder in some ways and we are less patient.

Please make dua that we, the students of knowledge at Sanad Learning Center are able to become good role models. We are trying hard!

Nazmul Huq (Grade 9), Ali Rashid (Grade 5)

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Shaykh Abdul Karim Yahya with Sanad student of knowledge, Nazmul Huq (Grade 9)

Ali & Thaqib

Ali (Grade 5) teaching athan to Thaqib (Grade 4)

On Sunday, January 13, Mufti Hussain Kamani joined us at Sanad Learning Center in order to describe a day in the life of The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.). The class began in the name of Allah (s.w.t.) with a correction of our intention. This is where Mufti Hussain reminded us that our actions and the seminar were for the sake of Allah, nothing less, as all our actions are. In the seminar we went over how The Prophet (s.a.w.) spent his day, beginning with the nafl prayer of tahajjud and ending well into the night of The Prophet (s.a.w.). The class was primarily based off of a book written by Darul Hikmah Research and Development Team, with reference and citations acknowledging where the material was gathered from, along with anecdotes and instances that further explained the written content of the book provided.

After a half-day workshop we were asked to write down our reflections on the seminar along with lessons we may have learned throughout the day. In terms of the seminar, itself, the atmosphere was wholesome, dialogue was unrestricted, and our speaker was beyond competent. Mufti Hussain was animated and lively, his words were purposeful and concise, he brought smiles and laughter from his students throughout the day, and he was neither exhaustive nor limited in insight on The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.). Mufti Hussain gave us basic knowledge on how to emulate The Prophet (p.b.u.h.) for he is the Beloved of Allah. The book Mufti Hussain wrote was well-written, keeping a simple style so as to be suitably didactic while conveying an important message; by relaying how the day of The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) was spent we were instructed on how to manifest our love for him, how to grow in our love for him, and in turn how to gain the favor of Allah (s.w.t.).

It is hard to say if Mufti Hussain planned the anecdotes regarding The Prophet’s (s.a.w.) life or improvised, nevertheless, through them he provided a categorical breakdown of salat and supplication, decorum regarding visitation, the goings-on of family time and meal time, of business dealings and generally the actions that pertain to all people–the mundane rituals, the daily grind–in a manner that fortifies the walls erected between the faithful and the faithless. Piety and faith were encouraged through acts of worship, assuredly, but a distinct emphasis was placed on gentleness of manner and ease of heart.

On a more personal level of reflection, Mufti Hussain spoke with and of a tenderness in relation to The Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h), the Beloved of Allah. I witnessed the portrait of a man who is warm-hearted as a husband and father, who wins over the heart of his enemies, he prays to be counted among the poor and supplicates throughout the day for himself and others. Allah loves him and takes pleasure in his actions, which is reason enough to love someone or something, but it is with understanding and reflection on his character and his humanity that my love grows for him, may peace be upon him.

By: Maryam Shakir
Sanad Learning Coach

 

We will be watching the film: Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole

The students, parents and staff look forward to seeing you all tomorrow at 6pm Sharp!

The film is an animated movie and is appropriate for most school-aged Muslim youth, however we always encourage parents to make informed decisions that are best for their children. We will begin the evening with an Open House and Welcome. 

“Today my heart is profoundly satisfied…”

All praise and thanks are due to Allah subanahu wa ta Allah (swt) for guiding our paths to Sanad’s Learning Center.  Many times, one fails to remember a mere thought is an intention, and putting that thought into action paves the path of our lives.  It was always my intention to ensure my three children were given a proper education and in an environment which teaches the Islamic fundamentals according to our Deen. Today my heart is profoundly satisfied for having that intention.

I have had the pleasure to attend and listen to the children’s morning assemblies at Sanad and wanted to briefly share something from the first assembly.  This assembly addressed the importance of having a pure intention and applied it to the reason of why they are there–to seek knowledge.  Br. Rehan explained to the students that seeking knowledge is solely for the pleasure of Allah (swt).  He explained to them that seeking knowledge is a part of our duty and also to retain and share that knowledge. The children were astonished to also learnt how angels lower their wings to them as they journey towards seeking knowledge.

These morning assemblies are short, but the deliverance of it always leaves an impact.   I have embraced the opportunity to learn alongside my children because I know it is an opportunity for me to gain knowledge of my own, as well as  to show them that no matter how old one becomes one should always strive to seek knowledge.

May Allah continue to guide the members of Sanad in their endeavors and I pray that their efforts to share their knowledge continues to grow and inspire others as it has inspired me.
Thank You,
K. Ali
Sanad Parent of 3 Learning Center Students

Ali, Leading the Student Assembly

“I also like the Islamic Studies teaching style. It teaches me to have empathy with the Prophet (SAW) and his life.”

Before I came to Sanad, I used to drive 50-100 miles a day for school in Boca Raton. It took 45 minutes to an hour and 15 minutes, depending on the traffic. That was the best Muslim school that was around at the time. Sanad was a lot closer. It only takes 30-40 minutes. It really helped, because it saved a lot of money. That’s not the only reason. I like Sanad more because it is more peaceful and quiet. I take online courses at the center and have access to them at home, which makes things easier. The learning coaches are really nice. I also like the Islamic Studies teaching style. It teaches me to have empathy with the Prophet (SAW) and his life. Sanad has many fun activities, such as: beneficial movies, fun P.E. sports, and nice treats. We watched 1001 Inventions and Chimpanzee. We played football, basketball, and soccer. They give us candy every now and then, chips, popcorn, and lots of other things. Sanad is a really nice place. One cool thing I really like is that every Thursday one of the students gets to do the morning assembly.

 

Nazmul, Grade 9

Nazmul, Grade 9

“I felt that I found where I belong.”

Sanad was a big change not only towards my education life but my social life as well. I used to go to Arvida Middle school and it was very polluted. Talks about useless stuff like music, videos, tv shows filled the air. The teachers did not really help me in any of my subject and I was a C student. The only place to pray Dhuhr was this little storage closet…right by that closet was the dance room. My dad picked up a flyer about Sanad and showed me it. I immediately knew that it will benefit me more than Arvida so I changed school as soon as the year started. It was 2011-2012 Year and that was my first year in Sanad.

I learned many things in Sanad. First things first, my grades boosted up and I almost made straight A’s except in math which was my weakest subject. I couldn’t make the .1 that made my grade to an A. I learned Seerah which is to understand the life of the prophet in a totally different way that I think isn’t taught in a regular Islamic school. I learned Fiqh which how to do what you have to do as a Muslim in a way that filled in the blanks of my current knowledge at that time. I had a blast the first year. I felt that I found where I belong.

This is now my second year and I have straight A’s so far. I get better treatment than in public school and even better treatment than last year. For example, one-on-one tutoring for math and science. I even have a tutor for world History and Language Arts. I love Sanad because it is like a family to me.

I think people should benefit Sanad because not only do you get reward for helping education, you also get reward equal to supporting a family!

 

Topic of the Month: Leadership is a characteristic only a FEW possess.                

Assalamualaikum my dear brothers and sisters. It’s that time of the month again for our 2nd Critical Thinking Class Blog. This month we discussed what defines a excellent leader. We broke down the definition of what a good leader is and made up our own Sanad definition. A good leader is a person who has wisdom and good judgement, that guides people or a nation.

We said that a good leader should have these qualities. He or she should have: common sense, a kind heart, intelligence, wisdom, and an open mind. When you have common sense, you make rational decisions. When you have a kind heart, you care for and have empathy for others. When you have wisdom, you give people good advice. There are many more, but these are some key qualities.

When someone asks a Muslim, who is a perfect example of a leader? Our answer, hands down, should be Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He displayed countless qualities for 63 years. One of his best qualities was the amount of patience he demonstrated even before he was a Prophet. Whenever someone tried to harm, injure, or emotionally distress him, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) would not react in an irrational way nor backtalk. He would treat them with respect and in a better way, which leads us to another one of his qualities… RESPECT. One day, the Prophet was on a journey and saw a boy crying about his bird that had passed away. In order to console the little boy, instead  of looking down at him, he kneeled down to the boys height! Not only does this show us he likes children enough to interrupt his journey, it also shows us he has respect even for little children. Finally, our Prophet was very clever. In the battle of the trench a general, Salman Al Farsi, came to the Prophet about this idea of digging a trench around the city of Madinah. The Prophet liked the idea and implemented the strategy. This shows us that not only he is clever but he is open-minded.

THIS IS LEADERSHIP!

SLC Critical Thinkers:

Nazmul Huq, Grade 9 – Maryam Hack, Grade 6 – Ali Rashid, Grade 5

Edited by: Ustadh Rehan

Sanad After School Program

This program is the first and only one of its kind in South Florida. It covers both the sacred and standard sciences and addresses both the spiritual and intellectual growth of students. We have taken care to develop  a program (a condensed version of our full-time curriculum) that can easily be managed by families. (See the full campaign.)

Assalamu Alaykum my dear brothers and sisters. Welcome to our first official Sanad Critical Thinkers class blog entry. On Thursdays, we have a discussion using our critical thinking and problem solving skills. It can be any topic ranging from sports and its benefits, to business, global interactions, or even some general naseeha (sincere advice). At least, once a month, we will post an entry summarizing key points of our discussion.

In our first meeting, we discussed the Greek financial crisis and the oppressive Syrian government. Greece is in a lot of debt. They owe a lot of money to many countries. We discussed some solutions (i.e. lower the prices on their items, move to their own currency, etc.). With regard to the Syrian government, it is treating its citizens poorly. People are being killed. We discussed what we would say to the Syrian government. One option was to try to get the military and the government to turn on each other.

In our second discussion this month we talked about Hurricane Isaac and our understanding of natural disasters. A disaster isn’t a punishment or a reward. We don’t know what it is, only allah knows; it could be either one. We don’t know if good is a punishment or a reward in islam. We talked about if something happens to you, the best thing to do is not  upset or question Allah. Allah does things for a reason, He could be giving you a test. Sabr (patience) is always the best response because it’s always rewarded. You should have Shukr (gratitude) too. For example, if you have a lot of money, don’t brag about it; be grateful. Therefore, if you express sabr and shukr you will always be rewarded insha’Allah.

Critical Thinkers:

Nazmul Huq, Grade 9 – Maryam Hack, Grade 6 – Ali Rashid, Grade 5

Edited by: Ustadh Rehan

Dear Community, Assalamu Alaykum,

This letter is for the youth, elders, men, women, new Muslims, professional and students Sanad strives to serve. Since its beginning Sanad has been a pioneer and leader in creating service where needs were unmet. It took great courage, risk, and planning. In fact, Sanad’s Learning Center alone took 3 focused years of hard work and prayer. One year was spent entirely on planning and research; a second year was spent on development and design; and finally, a third year was spent on implementation and refinement. We are now entering our fourth year of progress.

We are honored to have inspired others this year and welcome these education providers to the community. We have always said that if anyone has a good intention, then may Allah put barakah (blessing) in it.

One of the core values of Sanad has been to maintain an inward and outward moral business ethic. Our focus after Allah and His Beloved Messenger, has been and always will be on the product (education and social services) and the clientele (the Muslim community). We will never be in the business of trying to harm others’ good work, nor will we ever play community politics.

Sanad has been blessed again with an intelligent and motivated team, that is working hard to offer even more services to the community. Announcements and information about them will be made available in the coming days. These services include after school program, social services, workshops, and more.

Of course Sanad Learning Center’s Full-time Program, the first of its kind in South Florida, returns for its second academic year in 2012-13. There are approximately 10 SLC seats available. These seats are available on a first come, first serve basis only. Registration will close Aug. 30. If you are unsure of your options or have a change of heart about your current decision, please attend our parent orientation this coming Wednesday, August 15, 6pm at Sanad (14261 SW 120 Street, #114, Miami, FL). We look forward to seeing you and encourage you to learn more about our upcoming programs at the open house orientation.

This year presents new and unique challenges for Sanad. Thus, we humbly ask for your prayers and support. May Allah allow us to continue to lead by following the footsteps of the Beloved of Allah (peace be upon him). And all praise is for Allah.

Sincerely,
Sanad

   SLC Full-time Program                     Sanad Trust Foundation

 

 

 

Ramadan 1433AH/July 2012

Dear Miami Community, Assalamu Alaykum,

I am only two years old, but as you know I have been waiting to be born for decades. I have been in your hearts for a long, long time. Don’t you remember all those years together? I was patient with you while you established your families, businesses, and masajid. I wanted to help when you were struggling to raise your children in this environment, but it wasn’t my time. I’ve seen people who loved me pass away. I have seen the children who needed me grow old. Yes…we have been together a long time. In fact, I was even in the heart of a young man who came to Miami in 1980, when he was only two years old. Now, even he has a son who is two. You see, his son and I were born on the same day…that’s how I know. I love him and he loves me.

However, if we spent all these years together why don’t you recognize me now that I’m here? Is it because I wasn’t born from your heart? Does it matter…I thought we were one ummah? Is it the color of my skin? Really, is it race? Or is it my “ideology”? What does that mean? I thought I was Muslim like you. Is it because I am not as big as you like? Remember I am only two, I’m still growing. How big were you when you were my age? Was the first house you moved into very large? Maybe it was. Was our Deen as big as you want me to be when it was two? I thought you taught me that revelation first came in a cave. And before our nice masajid didn’t we first start praying in houses? You told me that was just like the Prophet (pbuh) too.

I heard I inspired a sister to be born up north, masha’Allah that’s good news. I know she tells everyone how good I am, how I changed the life of a family and child. She calls me a success story too. If that is the case, I don’t understand why she wants to take you away. Giving free rides to anyone who wants to leave. Isn’t love, cooperation, and support from the Quran and Sunnah? I’m only two…so I guess there is still a lot I have to learn. But, do you really want me to learn these things and do them too? I can do whatever you like; I can even do nothing if that’s what you want. I just thought I should be what Allah wanted me to be.

In fact, that’s why I have decided to speak and listen more to Him. I know that this year is not going to be easy, but there are people that still believe in me and know that I am still growing. Yes, they also have big, big dreams for me…but they know I am only two.

I am praying that in this Blessed Month you remember all the years we had together and join me too. I know what you want me to be, just give me some time and understand that I understand, I truly do. I promise to strive to be a place for your children to grow into happy, intelligent, and thoughtful Muslims. I will also continue to be a place where young Muslims who don’t feel comfortable anywhere else can come and be understood. New Muslims too can count on me to be a part of their family. All with Allah’s permission, insha’Allah.

I wanted to ask you to consider allowing me to serve more of your children this year, there is still time to join. It will be hard to find a place that will love them more. If you can help me in other ways please let me know, I will definitely need your support.

In the end, although I am young, I have learned a big lesson and I am grateful to you for this. Only Allah can determine my future and only He is the One who can turn hearts. It is this trust in Allah that gives me himma to move forward.

With love for Allah, His Messenger, and you too.

Sincerely,
Sanad
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