Every year Muslims around the world get prepared for Hajj season, and those who intend to perform this holy ritual head to Makkah in a spiritual journey of faith.
Every year at such time, our kids get to hear many things about “Hajj”. They hear it in the news and may be from relatives or friends, but most of the time they do not fully understand what the word “Hajj” means. Most of them are not aware of many details related to this holy season. As parents, we are supposed to explain the meaning of Hajj to our children and make them understand the universality and the great meanings behind this fifth pillar of Islam and its rituals. However, we are faced with some challenges, such as: not sure from where to begin, how to make the topic interesting to little Muslims, how to explain it in a simple way for the kids to easily understand. . When they start to ask about Hajj, some parents find it a little bit difficult to explain it easily for young kids to understand.
So we have made a special day dedicated to Hajj & Ehraams at AL NOOR. During this month and the two days preceding this holy month, we seize this great learning opportunity to give our learners a practical Hajj experience. In these ten days we are constantly reciting the Labbaik as well. During this time the children manage to learn this dua quite easily Alhamdulillah. On the Hajj & Ehraam Day, each learner comes dressed in their Ehraam. They will be given dates (khajoor) and zam-zam. All the teachers are dressed in their ehraams as well. We prepare our assembly and stage area as a fully set up mini hajj display with a Ka’aba as well. Each teacher takes turns to explain the entire story of hajj using age appropriate props to tell the children the story of Hajj from the time of Ibrahim (A.S.). This incorporates the story of the zam-zam well, the sacrifice, etc. The story is told as I mentioned using props and story aids to make the story come alive for them. We then perform a practical Tawaaf and recite the correct dua as well, which they are taught ahead in the year.
Children love to learn new things. They are enthusiastic when it comes to Islamic history and love to listen to the stories of the prophets and the lessons from there. We do activities, art and practical tasks that all Muslims need to know. In this regard there is a wealth of knowledge to be learnt and this is the best time to teach them, when they are young and eager to learn.
Hajj is a journey of a lifetime for any Muslim and completes the fifth pillar of Islam.
