The beginning of a new school year is filled with preparation. Classrooms are organized, lessons are planned, resources are gathered, and procedures are reviewed. But for a Muslim teacher, there is another kind of preparation that matters just as much: preparing the heart and purpose behind the work.
Before we ask, “What will I teach?”, we should ask, “Why am I teaching?”
Before we establish classroom rules and routines, we should consider, “What kind of relationship do I want to build with my students?”
And before the first lesson begins, we should remind ourselves that teaching is not simply a profession. When approached with the right intention, it can be an act of worship and a means of nurturing the next generation.
Preparing for the First Days of School Through Tarbiyah
The course brings together Islamic principles, the Prophetic model of tarbiyah, and insights from educational research to help Muslim educators approach the first days of school with greater intentionality.
At the heart of the course are three qualities:
Ikhlāṣ — Sincerity
Renewing our intentions to teach sincerely for the sake of Allah and how we can make our teaching an act of ‘ibaadah (worship).
Purpose — Direction
Understanding that education is about more than academic achievement. It is also about nurturing students, developing character, and helping them grow toward their potential.
Iḥsān — Excellence
Striving to do our work with care, excellence, and awareness that Allah sees how we fulfill our responsibilities.
The course explores practical questions that every teacher faces at the beginning of the year: How do we establish positive relationships with students? How do we create clear expectations and routines? How do we motivate students? How can our classroom environment reflect Islamic values?
These are not merely classroom-management questions. They are tarbiyah questions.
The first days of school can set the tone for everything that follows. They are an opportunity to communicate to students—not only through what we say, but through how we teach, listen, organize, correct, encourage, and care—that learning is meaningful and that every student has value.
Start the School Year with Intention
Whether you are a new teacher preparing for your first classroom or an experienced educator looking for a meaningful reset, TEACH101 offers an opportunity to pause, reflect, and prepare for the year ahead through an Islamic lens.
Because effective teaching begins long before the first lesson.
It begins with the heart.
Explore TEACH101: Preparing for the First Days of School with Ikhlāṣ, Purpose, and Iḥsān: An Integrated Tarbiyah Approach to Teaching and prepare not only to teach—but to nurture, inspire, and serve with purpose.
Assalamualaikum wa Rahmatullah! Have you ever found yourself feeling kind, generous, or warm-hearted—but unsure how to express it in words? Maybe it was a moment when you wanted to encourage a friend, brighten someone’s day, or just spread a little light into the world. That’s exactly what this video, “I am feeling kind. What can I say?”, is all about.
Kindness isn’t just something we feel—it’s something we do. And often, it starts with the words we choose. In this video, we explore simple but powerful phrases you can use when kindness fills your heart and you want to share it with others.
Why Words Matter
Words have the power to lift someone up, create connection, and even change a person’s day—or life. Whether you’re speaking to a friend, coworker, family member, or even a stranger, small acts of verbal kindness can ripple outward in ways you may never fully see.
When we feel kind towards someone, we should ask Allah (swt) to bless them by saying:
بارك الله فيك
Baarakallahu feek
May Allah bless you.
The best thing we can wish for someone when we are feeling kind towards them are Allah’s blessings! Remember, Allah (swt) is Kind to us. Allah (swt) says in the Qur’an:
Allah the Exalted has said:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ بِالنَّاسِ لَرَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ
Verily, Allah is kind and merciful to the people.
(Quran: 2:143)
The Prophet (saw) was kind
Allah (swt) loves kindness in all matters (read). So we should strive to be kind in everything we do by dressing it up with gentleness and compassion. The Prophet (saw) and his companions used to be kind to each other and were in the habit of wishing Allah’s blessings upon each other. The Prophet (saw) would remind his (saw) companions to be kind:
Aisha reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
“O Aisha, Allah is kind and He loves kindness in all matters.”
(Sahih Bukhari 6528, Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi)
A Simple Challenge
After watching the video, challenge yourself to use one of the phrases today. Whether it’s a quick message, a note, or a face-to-face compliment, you’ll be surprised how much impact you can have. And who knows? That one kind word might be exactly what someone needs to hear.
Watch the video now and let kindness speak through you.Watch the Video
May Allah make us among those who are kind to others so we can become worthy of Allah’s Mercy and Kindness. What kind words will you share today?
Assalamualaikum wa Rahmatullah! Were you ever wronged by someone? Feeling wronged is not such a good feeling to have. In this post, we will discuss feeling wronged. We will explore what to say and do when someone wrongs us.
We may feel wronged by someone when they hurt us. They might lie to us or say bad things about us behind our backs. We may feel wronged by someone when they pretend to be our friend. They might steal from us or they might not respect us. We may feel wronged by someone when they make fun of us or bully us. And there are so many other reasons that may make us feel wronged by someone! What makes you feel you were wronged by someone?
What should we say when we feel wronged by someone? When we feel wronged by someone, we should seek Allah’s help by saying the du’a below. This dua is related to us in the Quran. It was made by the people of Musa who sought Allah’s help. They asked Him to protect them from Firaun and his people. They sought protection from Allah against one of the biggest bullies on earth by saying this du’a!
So every time we feel wronged by someone, we should seek Allah’s protection. May Allah protect us from those who oppress and hurt others. May Allah not make us among those who oppress and hurt others. Remember, whenever you feel wronged by someone say
In Allah we have put our trust. Our Lord, do not make us victims of the oppressive people!
Let your healing begin!
If this post resonated with you, take a moment to reflect. Make du‘a. Share it with someone who might need this reminder today. Have thoughts, questions, or your own story to share? Drop a comment below — we’d love to hear from you. And if you’re looking for more Islamic guidance, subscribe to stay connected with our latest reflections and resources.
Assalamualaikum wa Rahmatullah! Did someone ever do something good to you and you wanted to thank them, in other words you felt thankful? Well, in this presentation, we will discuss feeling thankful or grateful to someone. We will also cover what to say and do when we feel thankful. Have you ever felt thankful towards someone?
We may feel thankful to someone when someone gives us a gift, or when someone does us a favor. We feel thankful when someone stands up for us. We appreciate it when someone helps us out. We are grateful when someone speaks well of us and is kind to us! And there are so many other reasons that we want to thank someone! What makes you feel thankful?
What should we say when we feel thankful to someone? When we feel thankful to someone, we should say jazakallahu khairan, May Allah reward you with goodness! The Prophet (saw) and the sahabah would say Jazakallahu khairan to each other whenever someone did any good to them. We must also understand that we are obligated to return good with good.
Allah says in the Qur’an (read):
هَلْ جَزَاء الْإِحْسَانِ إِلَّا الْإِحْسَانُ
Is there any reward for good other than good?
(Quran: Surat Rahmān, 60)
So, it is our duty to show our thanks and our gratefulness to others by saying Jazakallahu khairan!
The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said,
“He who is not grateful to the people is not grateful to Allah.”
(Abu Dawud, #4811, The Book of Etiquette, Chapter 11; Tirmidhi, #1955)
May Allah grant us the company of people who are sincere and good to us. Remember, don’t forget to return the favor in a similar manner or better. If you are unable to do so, then at least express your thanks by saying جَزَاكَ ٱللَّٰهُ خَيْرًا (jazakallahu khairan)!
Assalamualaikum wa Rahmatullah! All of us feel angry sometimes. Anger is a natural response to a perceived threat. In this presentation, we will discuss feeling angry. We will explain what to say and do when we feel angry. These teachings were imparted to us by Prophet Muhammad (saw).
What makes us angry? We feel angry when someone hurts us, or when we are treated unfairly, and for so many other reasons. What makes you angry? Watch this video. It explores other reasons why we feel angry. Learn what to say and do when we feel angry.
What should we say when we feel angry? When we feel angry, we must first seek Allah’s (swt) help by saying, A’udhu billahi minash-shaytaan-ir-rajeem. The Prophet (saw) advised us to seek refuge in Allah (swt) from Shaytaan whenever we feel angry.
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) has said, after seeing two people angry at one another: “I know a word which, if he were to say it, what he feels would go away; he needs to say:
اَعُوْذُ بِاللّٰہِ مِنَ الشَّیْطٰنِ الرَّجِیْمِ
A’udhu billahi minash-shaytaan-ir-rajeem.
I seek refuge in Allah from the cursed devil.
and all his anger would go away.”
(Sahih Bukhaari: Volume 6, 337)
Uncontrolled anger burns fiercely inside us and blinds us from seeing the truth. It also prevents us from behaving in a rational manner.
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) has said:
“Anger is a smouldering ember that is kindled by Satan.”
(Biharul Anwar: Volume 73, Page 265)
Remember, the Prophet (saw) has said. A strong person is not the one who wins over another while wrestling. It is not someone who wins while fighting. The strong person is one who can control his or her anger. So, stay in control when angry by saying A’udhu billahi minash-shaytaan-ir-rajeem.
Assalamualaikum wa Rahmatullah! Have you ever felt pleased before? Feeling pleased is a good feeling to have. Why do we feel pleased? In this presentation, we will talk about feeling pleased. We will discuss what to say and do when we feel pleased. These teachings come from Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
What makes us pleased? We may feel pleased when things are going well, when we do something right, and many other reasons. Watch this video. It explores other reasons why we feel pleased. It also suggests what to say and do when we feel pleased.
What should we say when we feel pleased? When we feel pleased we should say Alhamdu lillahi Rabbil ‘aalameen.
ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ (٢)
Alhamdu lillahi Rabbil ‘aalameen
Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds.
(Quran 1:2)
Allah (swt) reminds us throughout the Qur’an of the many blessings we enjoy from Him (swt). Allah (swt) states that we will never be able to count those blessings. We can never ever count all the ways Allah (swt) has blessed us. Therefore, we will never be able to thank Him enough. Allah’s Mercy and Graciousness guide us. He (swt) has shown us a way to thank Him that is acceptable to Him (swt).
وَإِن تَعُدُّواْ نِعْمَتَ اللّهِ لاَ تُحْصُوهَا
and if you count the Blessings of Allah, never will you be able to count them.
(Quran 14:34)
May Allah be pleased with us and allow us to experience pleasure in this life and the next, ameen! Remember, whenever you are pleased, don’t forget to be thankful to Allah (swt) by saying Alhamdulillahi rabbil aalameen!
We all experience sadness at some point in life, and it’s never a pleasant feeling. No one enjoys being sad. However, in His infinite wisdom, Allah (SWT) has created both happiness and sadness as part of our journey. These emotions help us truly appreciate the moments of joy we experience. Embracing both happiness and sadness allows us to understand the full spectrum of life and grow spiritually.
In this video, we will explore the feeling of sadness and what to say and do when we feel sad.
When you feel sad, we must first seek Allah’s (swt) help for it is Allah (swt) alone who can relieve us from our sadness. The Prophet (saw) would say the following whenever he felt distressed or sad.
يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّومُ بِرَحْمَتِكَ أَسْتَغِيثُ
Yaa Hayyu yaa Qayyoom, bi Rahmatika astagheeth
O Ever-Living One, O Everlasting One, by your mercy I seek help. are accomplished.
(Tirmidhi, Sunan 3600)
Allah (swt) says in Suratul Baqarah, verse 152, “Remember me and I will remember you.” So if we remember Allah (swt), Allah will remember us and help us out of our distress.
فَاذْكُرُونِي أَذْكُرْكُمْ
Remember me and I will Remember You.
(Quran 2:152)
Let’s not forget to all upon Allay when we feel sad. May Allah grant us relief from all types of sadness.
Assalamualaikum! Raise your hand if you’ve ever experienced true happiness! Feeling happy is one of the best emotions, and everyone wants to experience it. What brings you happiness? Watch this video to discover the power of happiness. Learn what to say when you feel happy. Explore what to do in moments of happiness. Join us in celebrating positive emotions and understanding the keys to happiness!
In this video, we will explore the feeling of happiness and what to say and do when we feel happy.
Prophet Muhammad (saw) would say الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ (Alhamdulillah) for good or bad. When the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) saw something he liked, he would say:
Alhamdulillāh alladhi bi ni’matihi tatim us-sālihāt
All praise and gratitude belong only to Allah by Whose blessing and favors good things are accomplished.
(Saheeh al-Jāmi’ 4727)
And if the Prophet (saw) disliked something he would say:
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ عَلَى كُلِّ حَالٍ
Alhamdulillāh ‘ala kulli hāl
All praise and thanks belong only to Allāh in all circumstances.
(Saheeh al-Jāmi’ 4727)
We show our gratefulness to Allah by saying Alhamdulillah and the more we are grateful, the more Allah (swt) will increase the things that make us happy for Allah says in the Qur’an:
لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ
If you are grateful, I will surely increase you (in favor)
(Quran 14:7)
Remember, don’t forget to say Alhamdulillah whenever you are happy! O’Allah grant us happiness every step of the way!
According to the World Health Organization, anxiety and depression increased by 25% globally during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. 1 Mental health became a global crisis and health agencies around the world included this as a major component in their response to the pandemic. The pandemic exposed previously existing gaps in the mental health services, within families, and in our personal selves. We continue to grapple with worsened mental health and well-being.
Finding ways to deal with anxiety and stress
During the pandemic, many of us found ways to deal with fear, loneliness, suffering, death, grief, and financial stress. Many turned to Allah ﷻ for solace. Some of us took on new hobbies such as gardening or cooking while others increased our exercise regimen. Some among us started small businesses and others started blogs or wrote books. For many of us, it was a combination of several things that kept us occupied and helped us manage our anxieties. My daughter and I are among the latter. Along with doing many other things, we published an illustrated children’s book on feelings with some unique twist, titled “I am feeling: A collection of Islamic prayers and sayings for children”.2
Dealing with isolation
During the pandemic, when travel was off the table (not that we traveled much before), we found a creative way to explore the world from our kitchen. Each week, we cooked dishes from different Muslim-majority countries, bringing their flavors to our table. We savored biryani from India, couscous from Morocco, kabsa from Saudi Arabia, bibimbap from Korea, and many more! As we cooked, we also delved into the history of Muslims in each country, discovering how they expressed their faith through unique cultural traditions. This journey not only enriched our culinary knowledge but also inspired us to pair each dish with a set of opposing emotions (see below the Table of Contents from the book), helping us to highlight the universal nature of human feelings.
Table of Contents from the book, “I am feeling: A collection of Islamic prayers and saying for children
Feelings are universal!
Regardless of where we come from, how we look, male or female, rich or poor, we all feel! Feelings are universal, yet we express them in a variety of ways depending on our culture. We express our feelings through emotions and our emotions are shaped by the culture we grow up and live in.3 For example, Americans generally laugh out openly and wholeheartedly to a joke but Germans display a more reserved response to amusement. Grieving the deceased in European Catholic cultures is endured stoically; whereas, in many African cultures, is expressed loudly and is viewed as a sign of respect for the deceased.
Feelings in the digital world
As we unpacked each feeling in terms of how it was expressed in different cultures, we also saw many similarities. The common use of emoticons and emojis to easily communicate one’s feelings with someone on the other side of the planet was immediately noticeable. Internet technologies have blurred traditional boundaries and have enabled us to connect with others across cultures at a deeper level through our feelings and emotions with great ease while minimizing cross cultural misunderstandings.45
The role of Islam in helping us express our feelings
We also recognized the great similarity in how Muslims from across the world expressed their feelings and emotions. The use of alhamdulillah (ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّٰهِ) for gratitude, subhanallah (سُبْحَانَ ٱللَّٰهِ) for wonderment, astaghfirullah (أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللّٰهَ) for discontent, insha’allah (إِنْ شَاءَ ٱللَّٰهُ) for hopefulness, mashaallah (مَا شَاءَ ٱللَّٰهُ) for acknowledgement and many other Islamic sayings were commonly and universally practised across cultural boundaries; a testament to how Islam united people across cultures. Islam has played an important role in tempering how we express our feelings in a balanced manner and use them to connect deeply with Allah ﷻ.
Emotional intelligence in the Qur’an
Islam has put great emphasis on the development of emotional intelligence. Unlike contemporary secular education, learning in Islam emphasizes the development of the qalb (heart) over cognitive development. As such, the Qur’an is replete with stories and emotionally charged content and as we read the Qur’an we are expected to experience and express a variety of feelings and emotions. Allah ﷻ says in the Qur’an:
And when they hear what was revealed to the Messenger, you see their eyes overflowing with tears, as they recognize the truth in it. They say, “Our Lord, we have believed, so count us among the witnesses.” (Quran, 5:83).6
Allah has sent down the best of narrations: A Scripture consistent and paired. The skins of those who reverence their Lord shiver from it, then their skins and their hearts soften up to the remembrance of Allah. Such is Allah’s guidance; He guides with it whomever He wills. But whomever Allah leaves astray, for him there is no guide. (Quran, 39:23).
WWMD? How did Prophet Muhammad ﷺ express his feelings and emotions?
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was the quintessential embodiment of how we should manage and express our feelings. Through him ﷺ we learn the value of gentleness over harshness, kindness over meanness, forgiveness over revenge, and love and compassion over hatred and cruelty. He showed us how to cry, smile, and laugh without going to extremes where we may lose ourselves. Some of his best expressions of feelings and emotions can be found in the many du’as (prayers) that he ﷺ taught us.
The importance of developing emotional literacy in children
My family and I started learning how to manage our own feelings and emotions as we attempted to align the many du’as of our beloved Prophet ﷺ to a variety of feelings and emotions. We learned that the du’as increased our emotional literacy as they enabled us to reflect on our own feelings and empathize by recognizing them in others. They developed our emotional intelligence by providing a scaffold to understand and manage our emotions. By reciting the du’as together, we were also able to influence each other’s feelings.
Children often learn how to express their feelings and emotions implicitly through their social interactions. Such an inconsistent and passive approach may not lead to desired results. It is important to proactively train children to manage their feelings and emotions and to develop empathy from a very young age. Emotional literacy must form an important component of children’s education at both the home and the school.
InshaAllah, in this SEL series, we will explore contrasting feelings within an Islamic context while meeting Muslim characters from across the world. In the process, we will learn du’as to manage our feelings. Though not needed, we encourage you to purchase a hard copy of our illustrated children’s book as it can be quite helpful to scaffold related discussions and conversations with children: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1777522102
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