New ways to help people learn about Islam?

[eat-halal guy]

:salam:

I was just thinking....should new avenues be explored to help people (especially youth) learn about Islam? Of course, the most effective are teachers and then books on various subjects, but unfortunately, many times they just don't appeal to some people.

Should there be ways to repackage knowledge and naseehah (advice) in such a way that it becomes more palatible for today's youth?

Maybe short stories or novels with certain morals and lessons, maybe comic strips, poetry, Islamic songs (to teach fiqh maybe, like the Guiding Helper and Maliki fiqh), etc?

Perhaps not visibly Islamic material with hidden Islamic messages and symbols?

Do we need to get more creative? If yes, how?



Wassalam,
Ziad

[Sunnah Man]

yes comic strip is good idea, i posted it on some other board (my idea abotu comci strip for kids), but no one is replying, i think they are scared of me, dont worry guys i wont bite :)

[VeiledOne]

Maybe short stories or novels with certain morals and lessons, maybe comic strips, poetry, Islamic songs

Sounds good...Kids love songs, like the one to memorize Islamic months. Does anyone know that one? I'm not on top of the game when it comes to nasheeds, but sometimes I hear kids singing this song with the Islamic months. Skits are also a good idea to teach moral lessons. I'm not sure about novels though. :confused: Who will write them? They take up a lot of time.. Comic strips are cool also. Poetry is just amazing and always has been.

[eat-halal guy]

Kids love songs, like the one to memorize Islamic months. Does anyone know that one? I'm not on top of the game when it comes to nasheeds, but sometimes I hear kids singing this song with the Islamic months.

Is this the one you're referring to?

(Attached mp3)

Maybe short novels...I know we have some really good Muslim talent that could probably do it, if they're given the resources.

How about poetry to help people learn fiqh? Maybe a short story series based on a character or characters (sorta like Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew minus the mystery, Bruno and Boots, etc.)...?

[Ahmed]

MUSLIM PROGRESS


Hakimul Ummat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (rahmatullah alayh) explaining the secret of the success and progress of the early Muslims said:


"O Muslims! For progress, study the cause of the progress of Muslims. How did they progress. Don’t look at the progress of the kuffaar. Don’t look at the cause of their progress. Every nation has its own spiritual disposition.


The basis of progress of o*ne nation need not be the cause for progress of another nation. What may be beneficial to o*ne people may not be so for others. In fact, even o*n an individual basis, it does not follow that something which is beneficial for o*ne person will necessarily be beneficial for another person of even the same community.


Something which may be of benefit to a cultured person of refined disposition will not be beneficial for a rustic or village dweller.


By virtue of Islam you have become refined and of delicate disposition. Hence, what is beneficial for the kuffaar will not necessarily be good for you. Your similitude is like that of headgear (topi). A topi is removed from the head if even a little najaasat (impurity) soils it. o*n the other hand, shoes are not discarded o*n account of najaasat.


Allah Ta’ala detests to see you soiled in najaasat (spiritual and physical impurities). If you become soiled in impurities you will be immediately taken to task and punished. o*n the contrary, the kuffaar are tolerated regardless of the quantity of najaasat with which they become polluted.


Obedience to the Shariah is the true honour and progress. Walk along the path of the Shariah and you will understand. Insha’Allah, you will then be truly honoured. Be firm o*n the Deen and all nations will be made subservient to you."

[maaz]

although short stories may have benefit, i think the closest to tradition has the most noor and benefit. they're often simplier and of more benfit.

[Ahmed]

the word "NOOR " so often missing from many things is the magic word,the magic itself even.if something is lavishly packaged,article,lesson etc but the essence of noor isnt their it remains onscreen only,noor is the magic word ,subhanallah. :)

[VeiledOne]

Tradtional way of learning always seems the best, but I also think for younger kids songs, poetry, and skits are definitely good ways to make learning a fun process!

[eat-halal guy]

I definitely do not think traditional methods should be dumped altogether. However, I do feel there is room for creativity and to expand our reach through non-traditional methods as well, especially for young children. The customs and methods of the day, applied in teaching and in 'getting the message across'. do make a difference, as they can help a person become interested. A person who is interested will retain much more than a person who isn't.

Once the frame of mind is built up and the person is willing to accept more, then the traditional methods can be applied for more effective and efficient learning.

(I think)

[Mossy]

Really, you have to communicate with individuals on their level, keeping it simple. The Guiding Helper is an excellenet paradigm in this respect for muslims in the West, which is why I recommend it for anyone who does not have ready access to scholarship.

Most fiqh books are pitched far too high for lay men - we have to understand that the traditional methodology of centralised shaykhdom doesn't really have the resources to be applicable to the majority of muslims today. Insh'Allah we can get more qualified individuals out, but until then, reference materials pertinent to the current situation need to be constructued (sunnipath is doing a good job with this, alhamdulilah).

There needs to be greater cohesion amongst the ulema in terms of an overal strategy too.. More later..

[eat-halal guy]

It's true that we must always be careful that we're not walking into the Haram or doubtful in our effort to help others understand Islam and that we don't get the wrong message across. However, I think there are certain avenues we can explore to 're-package' things and make them more palatible for the audience we're dealing with, especially when it's an audience that wouldn't be too receptive otherwise. Then, slowly help them work their way up to better understanding and to the state where they actually want to learn things the traditional way.

I think educational kiddy nasheeds have done that somewhat, especially the ones without instruments. Also, more short stories/novels (that teens like to read) based on Muslim characters living in the West could help too, I think, as it could showcase how to deal with situations and set the standard for kids, maybe.

Instead of explaining fiqh rules that can be somewhat 'dry', I think it would be more effective if they were based on real life examples or situations, perhaps in the form of a story.

Those are just a few ideas...

[Ahmed]

new ways and effective ways shouldnt be deemed as better ways ,maybe calling them necessary ways due to todays world. :) .alhamdulillah all halal ways are good ,but then thats where the arguments start regarding,pics,duffs,drums,cartoons,images,music ,imitating kuffar etc.its a very noble idea and is effective but open to interpretation. :) .my kids love nazams,remember paltalk :cheesygri .

[salman]

Tradtional way of learning always seems the best, but I also think for younger kids songs, poetry, and skits are definitely good ways to make learning a fun process!

Salamu Alaikum

Actually, poetry is a means that has been used for centuries. The Jawharat al Tawhid - an Ash'ari text on Aqida - is a poem, consisting of 160 or so lines, which the youth usually memorize.

Similarly, in our Deobandi MAdressas they make you memorise specific sciences which are conveyed in poetic form.

Ofcourse, Im not going to get a child reading the Nurani Qaidah to start memorizing the Jawharat - but the method of using poetry is there - Alhamdulilah.

I find songs no different - and the Guiding Helper is an excellent example of the Ulema putting it in use effectively.

I think people have to understand that just because new means are introduced does not mean that old and traditional ways are thrown out - certainly not. The Prophet - Allah bless him - himself said that we should speak and teach people after taking into mind their situation, circumstances and level of understanding (as Br. Mossy pointed out) - and new methods can be seen as an implementation of this command provided it does not break the Law.

Wasalam

[Sadiq]

Very nicely put by brother salman.

Wasnt there a situation in the life of the prophet, can't remember correctly, that he, our beloved sent some of the sahabahs, to africa/ethopia to learn a certain skill, archery?....

Thus showing, we adapt to sitautions.... we have the principles the same, but the methods may vary. History proves this....

[Ibn Umaysh]

As salamua alaikum

I think mainstream, best-seller novels with a Muslim character would do things. As well, a general TV program on tasawwuf (with the sharia'h intactly practised insha'Allah).

[Hypermodestmuslima]

As salamua alaikum

I think mainstream, best-seller novels with a Muslim character would do things. As well, a general TV program on tasawwuf (with the sharia'h intactly practised insha'Allah).
Dunno about TV program..but a novel might be a nice trail Insha'allah...

Possibly Non Fiction too...it would be interesting to see Muslims who don't feel oppressed by their religion (which is majority of us Alhamdulillah) on the mainstream media too...

[Ibn Umaysh]

I was thinking that we have a lot of non-fiction coming up- but not enough expression of art in a halal way.

As for the TV program, in Toronto, P4E already has one, and it is quite successful because we post our toll-free number and non-Muslims call it. I guess the thing is: does the person conveying the message have the knowledge and do they follow the way that will represent Islam in its true light?

However, throughout all of this, I feel somewhat uneasy still with Islam taking to mainstream media. I believe there's definitley a clash of ideas between the two things (media and Islam) and to try to look mainstream, we have to compromise many of our viewpoints. The thing is to be tactful but not apologetic, but that only comes when the person understands religion in the correct way.

[Hypermodestmuslima]

I was thinking that we have a lot of non-fiction coming up- but not enough expression of art in a halal way.

As for the TV program, in Toronto, P4E already has one, and it is quite successful because we post our toll-free number and non-Muslims call it. I guess the thing is: does the person conveying the message have the knowledge and do they follow the way that will represent Islam in its true light?

However, throughout all of this, I feel somewhat uneasy still with Islam taking to mainstream media. I believe there's definitley a clash of ideas between the two things (media and Islam) and to try to look mainstream, we have to compromise many of our viewpoints. The thing is to be tactful but not apologetic, but that only comes when the person understands religion in the correct way.

Its better than the other garbage on tv...sadly us Muslims are TVaholics...a little quality television would do us a good thing...

Fictional book...sounds good too...I'm working on one right now Insha'allah ...well not one like five...there's a nice site called Muslim Writers Group...I forgot the url but a lot of good fictional stuff!

Assalaamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatahu

[Ajami]

Tradtional way of learning always seems the best, but I also think for younger kids songs, poetry, and skits are definitely good ways to make learning a fun process!
Yeah I have to agree. I think if learning Islam was made fun, then kids would more readily accept it.

And it's funny you bring up the novel idea Maulana Ziad, I was actually seriously considering making a novel like that.

[UmmIbrahimIsa]

I think educational kiddy nasheeds have done that somewhat, especially the ones without instruments. Also, more short stories/novels (that teens like to read) based on Muslim characters living in the West could help too, I think, as it could showcase how to deal with situations and set the standard for kids, maybe.

Instead of explaining fiqh rules that can be somewhat 'dry', I think it would be more effective if they were based on real life examples or situations, perhaps in the form of a story.

Those are just a few ideas...

assalamu alaikum wr wb

a chicken soup type you mean ? for muslim soul?
or our own bird's tongue soup for the muslim soul?

chicken biryani for muslim heart and stomach?

[Ajami]

assalamu alaikum wr wb

a chicken soup type you mean ? for muslim soul?
or our own bird's tongue soup for the muslim soul?

chicken biryani for muslim heart and stomach?
I would go with the last one.