The Hadees of Hazrat Muhammad (SAW)
All the social and humane issues touched upon in the children’s Islamic stories of the B&F series originate from two sources:
● Quran
● Hadith of Hazrat Muhammad (Sallahu Aleihe Wa Sallum)
Of course, the issues highlighted in these Islamic stories are universal, but they are specifically discussed in Quran and Hadith. Here are some of the Ayat of Quran and Hadith that have inspired these Islamic stories.
Helping Hands
There are some pictures and writing stories about the household. These Islamic stories are to develop children’s involvement in daily work and cooperation at home. These Islamic stories relate to the following Hadith:
● Hazrat Ayesha (Razi Allahu ta ala Unha) has stated, “He (Prophet) always joined in household work and would at times mend his clothes, repair his shoes and sweep the floor. He would milk, graze and feed his animals and do the house shopping.” (Bukhari)
● Narrated Al-Aswad bin Yazid: I asked Aisha, “What did the Prophet use to do at home?” She said, “He used to work for his family, and when he heard the Adhan (call for the prayer), he would go out.”
Here are the Islamic stories that incorporate this Islamic teaching. From B&F English series: Yummy Soup, Empty Bowl, Mend the Shoe, B&F Math Series: Circle, Triangle.
Compassion
Compassion and tenderness for the poor are other emotions developed through these Islami stories.
Quran says:
● To forgo is nearer to piety. And forget not kindness among yourselves. Allah is Seer of what ye do. (2:237)
● Kind speech and forgiveness are better than charity followed by injury. And Allah is Free of need and Forbearing. (2:263)
The Ahadith relating to this feeling are:
● “My lord, let me live as a poor man, and die as a poor man, and resurrect me on the Day of Judgment with the poor.” (An-Nasaa’ee)
● “Do you love your Creator? Then love your fellow-beings first.”
English B&F series: Yummy Soup, Where is My Ball? Going to Circus, Mend the Shoe, Melon Party, Playing Ball, Bear’s Birthday Party
Visiting and Feeding
Then there are some occasions where our five friends are seen visiting or inviting others for food.
Allah tells us:
● In the name of Allah upon them when lined up [for sacrifice]; and when they are [lifeless] on their sides, then eat from them and feed the needy and the beggar. Thus have We subjected them to you that you may be grateful. (22:36)
From the life of the Prophet, we know that He (Sallahu Aleihe Wa Sallum) used to visit others, especially the sick and elderly, and invite others for meals.
● “He is not perfect Muslim, who eats his fill and let his neighbor go hungry.” (Bukhari)
● The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: He who does not accept an invitation that he receives has disobeyed Allah (Dawoud)
The Companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) we eat, but we are not satisfied. He said:
● Perhaps you eat separately. They replied: Yes. He said: If you gather together at your food and mention Allah’s name, you will be blessed with it. (Dawood)
● The Prophet said, “Give food to the hungry, pay a visit to the sick and release (set free) the one in captivity (by paying his ransom).” (Bukhari)
B&F English series: Empty Bowl, Breakfast Time, Nine Ducklings, The Race, Melon Party, Bear’s Birthday Party, ut story
Hospitality
Hospitality is the hallmark of Muslim culture. Children see the five friends taking care of their guests.
The inspiration comes from the following Ayah of the Quran:
● And feed with food the needy wretch, the orphan, and the prisoner, for love of Him, (76:8)
Prophet (Sallahu Aleihe Wa Sallum) has instructed us to take care of our guests:
● “He who believes in Allah and the From now on must be respectful of their guests.” (Al-Muwatta)
● The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Hospitality extends for three days, and what goes beyond that is sadqah (charity). (Dawood)
● The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: It is a duty of every Muslim (to provide hospitality) to a guest for a night. If anyone comes in the morning to his house, it is a debt due to him. If he wishes, he may fulfill it, and if he wishes, he may leave it. (Dawood)
● Allah’s Apostle said, “The food for two persons is sufficient for three, and the food of three persons is sufficient for four persons.” (Bukhari)
B&F English: The Race, ch story
Physical Fitness
You will also read about sporting events. This is done to motivate students to be more active and do physical exercise. The idea for these stories comes from the following Hadith:
● “A strong believer is better than a weak one.” (Muslim).
We also know that Prophet took an active part in sports. His favorite sports were: Archery, swimming, and horse-riding.
B&F English series: The Red Ball, Going to Circus, The Race, Playing Ball, Nine Ducklings, B&F Phonemic Rhymes Series: ix story
Caring for Children
There are some occasions where the “famous five” of the Butterfly and Friends series are seen caring for babies. This is inspired by the following Ayat and Ahadith.
● And do not give the weak-minded your property, which Allah has made a means of sustenance for you, but provide for them with it and clothe them and speak to them words of appropriate kindness. (Quran 4:5)
Prophet (peace be upon him) has said:
● “Children are the flowers of Jannah.”
● “Whosoever Allah favors with children, and he loves them and also fulfills his obligations towards them, then he would remain safe from the fire of Jahannum.”
B&F English series: Nine Ducklings, B&F Phonemic Rhymes Series: ad story, or story, um story
Caring for Animals
The kindness our five friends show is not limited to humans only. They are good at taking care of animals as well.
The source of this is the following Hadith:
● “Verily, there is a heavenly reward for every act of kindness done to a living animal.” (Bukhari)
● “Fear good in regard to animals. Ride them, when they are fit to be ridden, and get off their backs, when they are tired; surely, there are rewards for being kind and gentle to animals, and for giving them water to drink.” (Abu Dawood)
B&F English series: The Red Ball, Leaking Tap, The Seasons I Like, Zebra’s Wagging Tail, Melon Party, Playing Ball, Nine Ducklings is the story
Being a good neighbor
Then there are virtues of neighborhood promoted in B&F stories.
We learn from the following Ayah about the importance of neighborhood:
● And serve Allah. Ascribe no thing as partner unto Him. (Show) kindness unto parents, and unto near kindred, and orphans, and the needy, and unto the neighbor who is of kin (unto you) and the neighbor who is not of kin, and the fellow-traveler and the. (4:36)
The following Hadith relates to the topic as well:
● “He who believes in Allah and the Day of Resurrection, do not let him harm his neighbor.” (Al Muwatta)
B&F English series: The Red Ball, Where is My Ball? Breakfast Time, Playing Ball
Brotherhood
One act that you will see the five friends performing is: caring for each other. You will even see them resolving their differences through dialog. This is done to make children learn empathy and good communication skills.
The following verse of the Quran motivated us to write some stories around this topic.
● The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy. (49:10)
Then there is the famous Hadith where the Prophet of Allah (Sallahu Aleihe Wa Sallum) has said:
● “One Momin to another Momin is like a building that sports one another” (Bukhari)
● “Muslim (Ummah) is like a body; the whole body aches when one part is in pain.”
● “Keep in mind that every Muslim is the brother of another Muslim, and you are both equal. Nobody has superiority over another except by piety and good action.” (The last sermon at the Hajj ul Widah)
B&F English series: Yummy Soup, Where is My Ball, Zebra’s Wagging Tail, Melon Party, Playing Ball, Nine Ducklings, Mend the Shoe. B&F Phonemic Rhymes Series: at the story, am story, be story ax story, ag story, ed story in a story, ob story, sh story
Think!
Thinking is a faculty of mind that develops during pre-years. Approximately 80% of thinking ability develops before the age of six years. In other words, we live our entire life with the intelligence (thinking skills) developed by the end of the sixth year.
Thinking is promoted in almost all the stories of B&F. Situations arise where the five friends have to do situational analysis and then use critical or creative thinking. It is an oft-repeated topic of the Quran. To appreciate the creation of Almighty, humans are invited to observe nature and think.
Quran says:
● Those who remember Allah (always, and in prayers) standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and think deeply about the creation of the heavens and the earth, (saying): “Our Lord! You have not created (all) this without purpose; glory to You! (3:191)
● “Then, eat of all fruits, and follow the ways of your Lord made easy (for you).” There comes forth from their bellies, a drink of varying color was is healing for men. Verily, this is indeed a sign for people who think. (16:69)
We can learn a lot from the way Prophet used his thinking skills. During migration (Hijra) from Makkah to Madina, he took a long and indirect route instead of going on the straight road to Madina.
On the advice of Salman Farsi, (RA) Prophet (sallahu Aleihe Wa Sallum) decide to dig a trench around the city of Madina.
Rasul Allah (Sallahu Aleihe Wa Sallum) asked questions to help Muslims think.
● Allah’s Apostle said, “Amongst the trees, there is a tree, the leaves of which do not fall and is like a Muslim. Tell me the name of that tree.” Everybody started thinking about the trees of the desert areas. And I thought of the date-palm tree but felt shy to answer the others then asked, “What is that tree, O Allah’s Apostle?” He replied, “It is the date-palm tree.” (Bukhari)
Thinking mattered so much to the Prophet (Sallahu Aleihe Wa Sallum) that he prohibited Muslims from saying even a word without thinking first!
● He (Sallahu Aleihe Wa Sallum) said, “A slave of Allah may utter a word without thinking whether it is right or wrong, he may slip down in the Fire as far away from a distance equal to that between the east.” (Bukhari)
Prophet (Sallahu Aleihe Wa Sallum) tells us that our thinking can take us closer to Allah.
● Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “Allah says: ‘I am just as My slave thinks I am, (i.e., I am able to do for him what he thinks I can do for him) and I am with him if He remembers Me. (Bukhari).
B&F English series: Going to Circus, The Race, Melon Party, Playing Ball, Mend the Shoe. B&F Phonemic Rhymes Series: ap story, ed story
Halal
Eating healthy and halal foods is another important topic touched upon in the B&F series. You will see some healthy and halal food eating events taking place. This is to help children feel happy while eating good food. The inspiration has come from the following verses and Ahadith.
● And We (Allah) said, “O Adam, dwell, you, and your wife, in Paradise and from that place in [ease and] abundance from wherever you will. But do not approach this tree, lest you be among the wrongdoers.” (Quran 2:35)
● We (Allah) said (to Prophet Musa (AS), “Strike with your staff the stone.” And there gushed forth from it twelve springs, and every person knew its watering place. “Eat and drink from the provision of Allah, and do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption.” (Quran 2:60)
● You who have believed, eat from the good things that We have provided for you and be grateful to Allah if it is [indeed] Him that you worship. (Quran 2:172)
Narrated Qabalah ibn Halb:
● A man asked the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him): Is there any food from which I should keep myself away? I heard the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) say: Anything that creates doubt should not occur in your mind by which you resemble Christianity. (Dawood)
● Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas: The Prophet (peace be upon him) prohibited drinking the milk of the animal that feeds on filth.
● When the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) finished his food, he said: “Praise be to Allah, Who has given us food and drink and made us Muslims.”
B&F English Series: Yummy Soup, Empty Bowl, Breakfast Time, The Race, Melon Party, Playing Ball, Bear’s Birthday Party, Nine Ducklings
Daily Routine
Following a daily routine for a healthy lifestyle is also discussed in these stories.
● And remember your Lord within yourself in humility and fear without being apparent in speech – in the mornings and the evenings. And do not be among the heedless. (Quran 7:205)
● Establish prayer at the decline of the sun [from its meridian] until the darkness of the night and [also] the Qur’an of dawn. Indeed, the recitation of dawn is ever witnessed. (Quran 17:78)
We also know that Prophet divided his day into three parts. One was for the public dealings, the second for the family, and the third was for himself in which he performed ibadah.
B&F English series: The Seasons I Like, Breakfast Time B&F Phonemic Rhymes Series: a story, B&F Math Series: Morning time, afternoon time, evening time, night time
Working to make a living
You will also read stories about “Making a halal living.”
● And We have certainly established you upon the earth and made for you within ways of livelihood. Little are you grateful? (Quran 7:10)
● And among His Signs is the sleep that ye take by night and by the day, and the quest that ye (make for livelihood) out of His Bounty: verily in that are signs for those who hearken. (Quran 30:23)
● The Prophet said, “Allah said, I will be an opponent to three types of people on the Day of Resurrection:
• One who makes a covenant in My Name, but proves treacherous;
• One who sells a free person and eats his price; and
• One who employs a laborer and takes full work from him but does not pay him for his our. “
B&F English series: Empty Bowl, Leaking Tap, Zebra’s Wagging Tail, B&F Phonemic Rhymes Series: ob story
Teachers and parents can keep these references in mind while telling the B&F stories. They can always relate a B&F story to what Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him) have said. At the end of the storytelling, they can tell children what Allah and His Messenger (Sallahu Aleihe Wa Sallum) have instructed us to do in a similar situation.
By doing this, they will help children develop a more balanced personality. These stories will also help students develop kindness, mercy, good manners, and intelligence, InshaAllah.