MUSLIM CHILDREN OF NORTH AMERICA
With Hardship Comes Ease
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TEAM Project Manager - Fatima Siddiqui Editorial Board - Fatima Siddiqui, Samreen Shahida, Hifza Khan, Muneeba Syeda, Maria Bhatti Designer - Br. Ashraf Ahmed - Print O Max Maria Umar & Nabeela Zubair Youth Team & Staff Writers Science & Seerah - Yumna Awwab & Mantasha Ashraf Reviews - Shayan Arshad Games & Puzzles - Yumna Awwab, Mantasha Ashraf, Abdal Wahaab Syed, & Rabeet Interview & Crafts - Mahnoor Asif Contest - Abdal Wahaab, Mahnoor Asif, Yumna Awwab & Mantasha Ashraf Polls & Character - Muneeba Syed & Mantasha Ashraf Letter to the Editor - Muneeba Syed Tech Corner - Shayaan Arshad Buzz Across The Nation - Mantasha Ashraf Language - Abdal Wahaab Syed
Editorial Companion Spring 2021 Spring breaks are always welcomed with picnics, fishing trips, and interstate travel all across the country. After months of staying tucked in blankets and wrapped in thick jackets, people are eager to enjoy the outdoors and brace the fresh spring scents and scenes. But the Spring break in the year 2020 brought an unusual breeze of anxiety and uncertainty with it. News of the coronavirus pandemic spreading across Asia, Europe, and Africa like wildfire had been circulating since January. The US was deemed to be safe at first but then things took an unusual turn. Local and federal governments put forth lockdown and quarantine guidelines all across the country. Consequently, schools were shut down and students had to resort to virtual learning platforms. Students were left with no social activities, an overwhelming amount of online assignments, and frightening news stories that left them anxious and confused. The world adjusted anxiously and helplessly to all the changes that were brought forth by COVID-19. People lost their businesses and jobs. Families lost loved ones. Hospitals and medical professionals were put on the frontlines to fight an unseen enemy. Despite all this, we witnessed a silver lining. People and organizations came forward with ways to help the people most affected in different ways. Families got a chance to spend more time together. There was an obvious appreciation for health among many. Though on the surface, the pandemic seemed to have a negative impact on us, it also opened up new doors of understanding and empathy across the globe. Allah subhan wa ta'ala says in the Quran "So surely with hardship comes ease" (Surah Ash-Sharh, ayah 5) We have witnessed this ourselves as we saw communities and individuals come forth to lend a helping hand to those affected by the pandemic. May Allah increase His blessings on us and grant us all aafiyah, Aameen. In this issue we will explore the concept of change and how it can be a positive learning experience as well as an opportunity for growth. Don't forget to give us your feedback. Your suggestions and thoughts are valuable to us. Happy Reading! Companion Team
Salam Kids!
Companion Magazine is introducing a new section…
So what is this section all about?
Ok, imagine we’re back in the time where people used to send in letters of greeting instead of emails and texts. If you could send a letter to anyone, what would you write? Now, back to 2021. Letter to the editor section is put together with you in mind… yes, it’s all about you! It’s a YOU-niverse :D What is something you like about The Companion magazine? Maybe there’s a favorite part of this issue that you liked? Maybe you have a question of your own… or maybe, you just want to tell the editor something you’ve never told anyone... or even just talk to them as a friend. You can type it as a letter, send it to us through email, and our wonderful editor of companion magazine will pick your letters to answer and publish in our next issue! Our editor does request that you send in nice and polite letters so that you can see your name and your letter in the later issues of companion magazine! So what are you waiting for? Start typing that letter now! We can’t wait to see what the young minds have to say to our wonderful editor!
The Seerah Times KING OF YEMEN LEADS ATTACK ON KAABAH STOPPED BY AN UNEXPECTED FORCE After creating his grand church in Yemen, Yemeni King, Abraha was sure it would become the central hub for worship and trade. He planned to control the Arabian trade and spread Christianity throughout Arabia. Unfortunately for him, many folks were not on board with his plan, and a member of the Quraish snuck in one night and vandalized Abraha’s church. Abraha fell into a deep rage and gathered his troops to attack the Kaabah. When the Makkans caught wind of the army, they ran from Makkah and sought refuge in the mountains. They knew they would be no match for the army, so they decided to let Abraha invade Makkah so that he would leave. When he arrived in Makkah, his army began looting the city. In the process, they stole 200 of the Chief of Quraish Abdul-Muttalib’s camels. Sources tell us that the Chief went to Abraha to request for his possessions to be returned to him. Abraha was upset that the Chief was not there to beg him not to destroy the Kaabah. Abdul-Muttalib replied to Abraha’s anger by saying that he is the owner of his camels and that it is his job to protect them, and that the Kaabah has God to protect it. After this encounter, Abraha began his march to destroy the sacred house. But when he reached the Kaabah, his elephant unexpectedly stopped. A witness watching from afar reported that no matter what the soldiers did, the elephant would not advance on the Kaabah. Surprisingly enough, the elephant would only walk away from the Kaabah.
Suddenly, many flocks of birds descended on the army, pelting them with stones. When the Quraish examined the stones later, they inferred that they were balls of baked clay. These balls of clay fell so hard and so fast they went straight through the armor of the soldiers and destroyed them all. This was truly a miraculous event and will go down in history as an example of what happens to those who defy Allah. Up Next: A Baby Boy is Born A baby boy named Muhammad is born. His name means “praiseworthy.” His mother and grandfather are trying to put him in the care of a Bedouin woman, but none will take him because the boy has no father. Let us see what becomes of him …… read more about Muhammad’s birth in our next issue.
COMPANION
A RENEWED LOVE FOR AL-AQSA By Zahra Beig
Amid the latest tension and war in Palestine, one can’t help but simultaneously feel both so connected and yet too disconnected from the conflict and the suffering of its people. Our as-of-yet unanswered du’as for Al-Aqsa still sit on our lips. Our eyes remained glued to our screens as we read and share updates. What is it about this place, this land, and its people?
Why is it special? Allah talks about Al-Aqsa in the Qur’an saying, “We have blessed (it) from within and We have blessed what is around it”. The Qur’an refers to it as Al-Ard Al-Muqaddasa, “The Holy Land”. Imam ibn Al Jawzi, rahimahullah, says it is called this because when you go and pray in that land, it purifies you of your sins. In this blessed land of the Prophets there is not a single handspan of space that a Prophet did not stand. Every part of it is holy. While Muslims pray to Makkah today, we know Al-Aqsa to be the first Qiblah. By making the Qiblah change during the lifetime of the Prophet, Allah honored in one instance both the land of Al-Aqsa and our Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. SubhanAllah even more sacred than the land itself is the people in that land. Our brothers and sisters in Palestine are more sacred than Al-Aqsa and indeed more sacred than the Ka’aba. The Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam told us that the blood, the property, and the honor of the people is more sacred than the Ka’aba in the Hajj, more sacred than Al-Aqsa.
How then, my young brother and sister, should we feel when these sisters and brothers of ours are harmed, killed, and denied basic rights like clean water and freedom of movement? How can we handle it when dirty boots storm into the blessed ground of Masjid Al-Aqsa where all the Prophets who ever lived stood side by side in Salah behind our Messenger? The heart feels constricted and the eyes weep and we can’t help but wonder, is there any hope?
A message of hope My young brother and sister, I know the recent events in Palestine and Gaza in particular are overwhelming and painful, but do not feel hopeless. Do not think that Allah is angry with us. We must have firm faith that for the believers there is good in everything, as the Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam told us. For the believer, the positives are greater than the hardship. When Allah mentions in the Qur’an the hardships endured by the Bani Israil under Fir’own, He immediately follows it by saying, “We wanted to bless them and make them leaders.” Allahu Akbar. When Allah wants to make a leader, he gives that person hardship which brings them closer to Allah and helps them put total trust in Him. Hardship purifies and strengthens. We should feel hopeful that Allah is giving our brothers and sisters a chance to earn His pleasure and mercy. We should feel hopeful that Allah is giving us an opportunity to become active and to stand up for truth. We should feel hopeful that Allah is giving us the chance to be unashamedly Muslim. We should feel hopeful that Allah is giving us an opportunity to defend our sisters and brothers in Palestine.
We should feel hopeful dear young Muslim that Allah’s Messenger sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, “Allah has promised me that He will take care of ash-Shaam (the Holy Land) and its people.” May Allah give them victory in our lifetime. Ameen.
What can I do to help? 1. Increase your love for Al-Aqsa! Learn more about this blessed land and love it because Allah and our Prophet love it. 2. Make du’a for the Holy Land and the oppressed within it. Making du’a is one of the easiest ways to help. Increase the chances of your prayers acceptance by making du’a at the times known for acceptance – the last third of the night before Fajr, Fridays in the last minutes before Maghrib, while traveling, while it is raining, and while one is fasting. 3. Another easy way to help is to call or write the President, your senators, and your representatives. Let them know that you want our government to stand up for the human rights of all individuals, and that includes Palestinians. Tell them that we must stop funding the Israeli military because they commit war crimes. Tell that we must end blanket support of Israel while it continues its illegal occupation of the Holy Land and because it continues to create new illegal settlements. Do not be shy. Be firm, yet respectful. It is the job of public officials to hear what their constituents have to say. The President can be contacted via the White House switchboard at 202-4561414 or the comments line at 202-456-1111 during business hours. To find and contact your federal elected officials, visit www.usa.gov/electedofficials. Ask a parent if you need help. 4. Join Muslims around the world and people of conscience in Boycotting products made by companies that play a direct role in Israel’s crimes. Visit bdsmovement.net for a list of companies to boycott. Among them is Pillsbury, Sabra hummus, Sodastream, and fresh Israeli produce (including medjool dates). Look for the words “Product of Israel”. If we work together to target our boycott toward the worst offenders, it will have a stronger impact inshallah.
5. And finally, keep an eye out for protests and rallies in your area. Attend with your whole family and be sure to make large, eye-catching, colorful posters! Here are some ideas for slogans for your poster: Palestine will be free Mr. President, do not fund Israeli Apartheid Palestinian Lives Matter Apartheid ISreal Is an Israeli child’s life worth more than a Palestinian child’s? Stop illegal settlements in Palestine End the Occupation Now May Allah bring peace and freedom to the Blessed Holy Land. May Allah bring relief and victory to our brothers and sisters in Palestine over their oppressors. May Allah make us instruments that He uses to bring khayr. May Allah not burden us with more than we can bear. May Allah grant this ummah ‘Aafiya (protection from pain, suffering and hardship). Allahumma Ameen.
Palestine - The Truth BY RUMAYSA BHATTI 11 YEARS OLD MURPHY, TX What do we know about Palestine? The people in the news keep telling us that the Palestinian people are trying to hurt others and are taking away their freedom. But what is the truth. The truth is that the people in Palestine are dying, hurting, suffering, and losing loved ones. They got kicked out of their homes and have no place to live. Their schools and hospitals get bombed and so many babies also die. The people who are hurting them don't get blamed for it because those people have lots of power and money and so many people support them. Please spread the truth about what is happening in Palestine and help the people of Palestine.
HOW TO DRAW DOME OF ROCK? Hanna Awwab 5 years old Diamond Bar, CA
COMPANION
DEALING WITH STRESS & ANXIETY Written by Wafaa Rouf, 13 Edmond, OK
Written by Wafaa Rouf, 13
Ever since lockdown started many of us are facing buildups of anxiety and stress. How should we deal with this in Islam? Here are a few items that we can easily do and see results in our lives. 1. Prayer When you pray, take your time and focus, It’s even better than meditation. 2. Dua Also take out some time to ask the one who loves when you ask,Allah (SWT), to give you what you need or want, because He (SWT) loves to give, and is The Giver. This increases your tawakul (reliance) on Allah and reminds you that you are not all alone, Allah has your affairs under control. 3. Dua from the Prophet for Anxiety The Prophet Muhamad (saw) told us a dua to deal with anxiety and sadness. Memorize this dua with your family and read it in the morning and evening. 4. Prophetic Tips to Overcome Stress Wake up early and go to bed early as the Prophet (SAW) said “ The morning hours are blessed for my ummah”(paraphrased). 5. Quran Keep the Quran in your life whether it’s through listening or reading or memorizing or reciting. It is the best shifa or remedy to our problems.
COMPANION
Blessing and Patience Written by Laiba Wasim, Age 10 Sugar Land, Texas How would you feel if your life turned upside down in an instant? Would you cry or would you trust Allah (swt) to help you out? My life turned upside down once when our house was destroyed by water and flooding. My family felt stuck and helpless. It all happened on a Fourth of July weekend. We were coming home from a day of boating and fun at the beach after celebrating Independence Day. We were tired and just wanted to come home and sleep. I imagined my cozy bed waiting for me and how I would get to go home and shower after playing in the sand all day. When my mom stepped inside the house, she was shocked! There was water everywhere! Ankle deep water was flooding our living room and kitchen. Water was pouring out from our fireplace. Water was showering from upstairs through the ripped ceiling. Every inch our two-story home was soaking! My siblings and I were sent to our grandma’s house next door and my parents got to work. They started pushing the water out of the doors. They gathered valuables, clothes, and moving furniture out. It was a long process of salvaging anything that wasn’t destroyed by the water. Everyone was shocked about what happened. The upstairs guest bathroom water lines had burst while we were out of the house. Within hours, the water had seeped into every nook and cranny of both floors of our home. It had ripped apart the ceiling of the first floor and showered into the space below. After the house was cleaned out, my Papa called some workers and laborers to help us restore our home. We moved into my grandma’s house next door with the few belongings we had left. I had a couple of clothes and shoes that were usable. We were starting school in a month, so we had to rummage through the destroyed playroom and study to see how many school supplies we would need to buy. When the workers came to see the house, they said every wall and all the flooring had to be ripped out.
There was so much damage that it could cause mildew and mold which would have been dangerous to our health. My family let the workers work on our home while we lived in a room at my grandma’s. Five months passed by and our house was almost finished. My mom would go next door everyday to inspect the work being done in the home. My parents had to pick out flooring, paint colors, and new furniture for our newly made home. We slowly started realizing how Allah (swt) had given us a chance to create a new home. A home that we had hand designed by ourselves. We were excited to go home. On November 20th, we finally moved back home. Our house was all done and newly renovated. It looked beautiful. All the upgrades my parents had dreamed of had come true. The terrible experience taught me that material things come and go. We survived the flooding and my family was safe. This experience taught me to trust Allah (swt) and be patient with what He has decided for us. We never stopped going to school, our grandma kindly gave us space in her home while we didn’t have a place to live, and now we had a modern and beautiful home that was all ours. Allah (swt) had tested us and He graciously took us out of the test with mountains of blessings. And for that I am forever thankful.
We asked kids like you to share their experiences related to our theme
With Hardship Comes Ease
to read more
Have a pink snowstorm Make an igloo Bake sparkly cookies Polka-dot ceiling Wear a necklace Visit a tropical island Eat watermelon Pet unicorn Cake full of ice cream Camping in the woods Drink juice Own a butterfly garden Walk to school Cotton candy pillow Rectangular hijab Pray in your room Read Quran @ morning Neutral color abayas Go to Starbucks Wear scrunchies Wake up at 9:00am Summer Shop downtown Sunday school Soccer
or or or or or or or or or or or or or or or or or or or or or or or or or
Rain sprinkles Snowman Sparkly cake Glow in the dark ceiling Bracelet Big city Kiwi Rainbow fuzzy kitten Ice cream full of cake Backyard Smoothie Fruit garden Bike to school Cotton candy mattress Pop on hijab Family room Night colorful abayas Dunkin Doughnuts Headbands 12:00pm Winter Shop at the mall Home halaqa Swimming
Nintendo switch Read Comics Cars Quran in the morning Winter Apple Blue Movies in cinema Stargazing Sunday school Remote control car Math Fishing Super soaker Basketball NFL Skateboarding park Nature walks Mystery books Pray in your room Wake up early Watermelon Smoothie BBQ chips Jigsaw puzzles
or or or or or or or or or or or or or or or or or or or or or or or or or
Wii Watch Movies Trucks Night Summer Samsung Red Home Planetarium Home halaqa Drone Science Camping NERF Football NBA Trampoline park Scavenger hunt Joke book Family room Sleep in Banana Juice BBQ sauce Crosswords
Questions for an Expert
Background information on our guest
Asif Hussain is a practicing pediatrician who lives in Naperville, Illinois with his wife and four kids. He’s been working for over 15 years in different states such as Wisconsin and Michigan.
What behavior patterns have you noticed in kids and teens ever since the pandemic started? Was the behavior different at the start of last year compared how far we are into Covid now? I have been noticing that teens and kids have been feeling socially isolated and burdened with more responsibility. Support they used to get from parents and teachers have been affected. It is leading to some kids feeling depressed and helpless. Some have been feeling anxious, not knowing how to handle the unusual situation and knowing when the pandemic will end. There was definitely more anxiety when it started, and that slowly turned into depression for some, as they continued to live in restriction and isolation from others.
Do you think the sudden transition from traditional schooling to remote learning has affected these kids mental health? Was it more positive or more negative? So when the pandemic started, it caused kids' lives to suddenly change. This change caused a lot of anxiety among them due to the loss of structure in their lives, especially school life. At the same time, there was a loss of parental/adult support because everyone was struggling from the pandemic. Sleeping patterns were disturbed in kids from the constant screen usage and the lack of having a routine or schedule as well. Kids also couldn’t socially interact with peers/friends in remote learning, which then brought a lot of anxiety and loneliness. However, the positive impact of this sudden change was that kids learned new skills to cope with it. Some positive things that came out from the struggles was increased responsibility and self organization without direct and constant teacher supervision. Kids were also able to spend more time with their families
How can a kid deal with the challenges they are facing in this pandemic? Make a routine, adjust it to the pandemic and try to maintain it. Teens are very creative, resilient, and resourceful especially with technology. They can use this to their advantage and create structure while living in quarantine. Ask for help (know when and who to ask help from) you can ask help from friends, parents, school (teachers, counselors). Learn about yourself - what are your strengths and weaknesses? Develop coping skills (such as meditation, art, creating digital content, exercise).
What’s a good way to keep a positive mentality when being stuck at home for so long? The first thing you should focus on as young Muslims is to always turn to Allah. He is the one who gives to us and takes from us. These harsh times aren’t meant to be a burden on humans, it’s meant to strengthen us, and to connect with Allah more. Which brings us to the next point on staying positive- by practicing gratitude. You should first look at what you have, not what you don’t have. Don’t focus on the negative. Another way to keep a positive outlook is to realize you are not the only one struggling. Everyone around you has been affected in some way, and we’re all in this together. This pandemic has hit us all in multiple different ways and the best way to overcome this obstacle is working together to keep the pandemic from causing further damage to our lives. And if you think about it, teenagers are the one age group that has a huge advantage when it comes to Covid. You're at the age where you are less likely to be severely infected, compared to the elderly and very young children. This gives you the opportunity to go and help others, which is another way of staying positive during Covid. Maybe you have an elderly neighbor who can’t leave the house and navigate the digital world so you volunteer to help book a doctor’s appointment, or even buy them groceries. Maybe you have a lot of extra clothes and food at home so you make donations. By doing these types of small jobs and doing these small acts of kindness for others goes a long way, and it will most definitely keep your mind elevated and aware.
Q u e s t i o n s
f r o m
K i d s
I’m stuck at home with 3 siblings and it gets really annoying staying with them all the time. We can’t see our friends and I begin to feel lonely and bored. What should I do? You can start by trying to have private time for yourself. Make sure that you take those breaks from your siblings to avoid conflict and unwanted irritation. Boredom is a hard thing to tackle and one way to relieve yourself from it is to try doing fun group activities together with the family, or maybe help your siblings with projects or school work. Even try exercising together or having fun together in activities you’ve perhaps never really done before. It’s all about finding activities and projects that suit your family dynamic and just passing the time together in a fun, and positive way. It not only helps with the isolation problem, but having this time with your family helps create stronger bonds among each other and bring you closer together than ever before.
Q u e s t i o n s
f r o m
K i d s
The news and the situation with Covid-19 is so depressing. My parents always talk about this, and that makes me feel very down. What should I do? Turn off the TV and the news channels. Try to only read news that is necessary to keep yourself updated. If your parents continuously talk about the difficult situation, try to distract them with other topics to talk about and make activities the whole family can partake in to avoid being stressed with the pandemic. Another big factor that leads to this anxiety and depression from Covid is sensational news. Avoid mainstream media and get your information on Covid from your local health department, your primary care doctor’s office or any reliable internet sources like CDC that provides updated and accurate information on the pandemic.
SCIENCE CORNER IN THIS NEW SECTION, WE WILL EXPLORE SCIENCE THROUGH THE LENS OF ISLAM. WHAT DOES OUR DEEN SAY ABOUT THIS?
Wonder of Water When you think of water, what comes to mind? Maybe an ocean, for cooling off on sunny days. Maybe a refreshing glass of water to quench our thirst. Maybe even cold rain or pretty snowflakes. Usually, water is used as something to help us survive and cool off.
In the beginning of Surah Takwir, Allah (S) explains the scene at the start of the Resurrection. It is explained that, “when the oceans are set ablaze,” (Quran 81:6) the Day of Resurrection will have begun. On that day, the cool water will be turned to blazing fire. How is that possible? Well, Allah (S) can do anything, including turning water into fire. But scholars say that it might have something to do with what water is made of, hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen is the world’s most flammable element, meaning it is the easiest to set on fire. Oxygen is necessary for fire; if there is no oxygen in the air, there can’t be a flame. These two elements are very helpful for fire, but when combined together, they make water, which puts out fire. This is a miracle of Allah (S) that two flammable things combine to stop fire, and Allah (S) can separate them again too. SubhanAllah! re k here froms c i l C mo r rite ead ung w parts r o t r yo ing ou amaz ody: on f the b s and o ung ! l s the he eye t
Animal Trading Cards Collect them All! Look out for 2 new animal fact cards in every issue. Click here for printable cards.
Did you know • Wolves almost went extinct in the 1960s? • Diet: Wolves are carnivores. They eat rabbits, birds, and deer • Habitat: Grey wolves live in the woods and mountains. Arctic wolves live in the Arctic •Colour: Grey, red, brown, black, and white • Age : Wolves can live up to 12 years • Family: Wolves are extremely social animals and live with families, or packs, consisting of 6-7 wolves • Mentioned in the Quran - 12:13; 12:14; and 12:17 • Mentioned in the story of Prophet Yusuf
Did you know • All worker bees are female • Diet: Nectar and pollen • Habitat: Gardens, woodlands, orchards, meadows and other areas where flowering plants are abundant. • Age : The western honey bee can live up to 152 days • Family: A honey bee colony typically consists of three kinds of adult bees: workers, drones, and a queen • Mentioned in the Quran - Surah An-Nahl (The Bee), 16:68-69
Beautiful as a Butterfly The enchanted creature that flutters in our skies. We all know that butterflies are very elegant and beautiful creatures. Their intricate designs and patterns with bright colors mesmerize the whole world. However, they do not start out this way. This little animal first begins as a caterpillar, who then wraps itself into a cocoon after shedding it's skin in many stages. 8-12 days later, the young butterfly must squeeze itself out of its chrysalis, which is a painful struggle as it forces blood into the wings which equip them with the strength to fly. The fascinating transition from being a plain little caterpillar into a charming creature with wings was indeed painful for the butterfly. Just like how we might be in that terrible squeeze now with the pandemic and quarantine, it will eventually strengthen us and give us the ability to learn from the unusual experience. Just like butterflies, humans were equipped with unique tools and abilities by the grace of Allah (SWT) in order to face those painful times. Take this stressful time as an opportunity to strengthen yourself to reach the great heights you were always destined to!
In order to keep ourselves connected and positive during this time, let's make butterfly origami!
Follow the instructions listed below. All you need is a piece of colored paper to make this craft! If you really want to get creative, you can make multiple little butterflies to make a chain, pin them onto the wall as decorations, frame them, or even gift the little guy to someone very special to you! The possibilities are endless!
For a DIY Egg Carton Caterpillar, click here!
COMPANION'S ART GALLERY Our Beloved Prophet (S) said, “Allah is beautiful and loves beauty.” Islam encourages us to pursue meaningful and pure avenues to bring beauty in every physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional aspect of our lives. Thus good art is one such avenue. Companion magazine would like to give all those blooming young Muslim artists out there a platform to express and share their talent. Featured here are two of the submissions received for this issue. You can explore more fantastic artwork in our gallery
Kindly, follow our guidelines for submitting any of your artwork for our magazine.
Submitted by Ayat Lari 8 years Plano, TX
Block Print Ayat: Surah Inshirah, Ayat 5-6 Submitted by: Emaan Syed; Age: 11 Frisco, TX
(click here for more artwork).
Written by Zahra Nur Akram 13 years old Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
Hena and Nura had always been together, for as long as they could remember. After all, they were twins. They learned to walk together and learned their first words together. They had stayed by each other’s side through it all. But this time was different. They were facing one of their most challenging experiences and needed each other the most. Unfortunately, they had completely opposite feelings on the matter at hand and seemed to end in an argument every time they tried to discuss it. Their grandfather was dying. Nana Abba had always been the girls’ closest friend and teacher, but since he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's dementia, he sometimes couldn’t remember who they were. Hena was extremely hopeful that he would improve with all the medical treatments that were being offered by the doctors. On the other hand, Nura had resigned to the belief that he had limited time left on this Earth and the treatments were fruitless - she had given up all hope. Not because she didn’t love her grandfather, no, but because she believed that he wouldn’t be going through this much pain if Allah (SWT) didn’t mean for him to die. Hena believed that this was just another one of the hardships in his life and that once it was over, he would bounce right back, healthy as ever. But that was not the case. “Nura! Nura, are you in here?” Hena called as she entered yet another large white hospital waiting room. She glanced around quickly before turning back around, about to head back out the door when she heard a sigh. “I’m over here, Hena.”
Hena hadn’t seen her sister sitting in the corner of the room, her dark hair and navy blue clothes almost blending in with the dull gray chairs. “Oh! There you are! I’ve been looking all over for you; we have to go back to the room.” Annoyance flashed across Nura’s face. “Hena, I thought I already told you I don’t want to go back unless I have to.” “Well, you do have to. Nana Abba wanted me to get you. He wants to talk to us both.” This time Nura’s expression was one of surprise. Hena reciprocated with a shrug and a confused look. Then suddenly, the annoyance returned to Nura’s eyes. “If this is another way you’re trying to get me to go back in there, I’m not going.” Hena rolled her eyes. “It’s not. He really did ask me to go find you.” Nura cast a suspicious look towards her sister. After an instant, it seemed she’d decided Hena was telling the truth and she slowly got up and grabbed the book that had been lying closed on the chair next to her. “Satisfied,” one of her favorites. The twins started walking down the long hallway together, in silence. As they finally walked into the hospital room where their grandfather was situated, Nura averted her eyes, watching the floor. Hena bounced ahead cheerfully, grabbing Nura’s arm so she couldn’t linger behind. As Hena bounded over to the side of the bed, a reluctant Nura stepped beside her. As Nana Abba looked up, he locked eyes with Nura. He smiled a very bright smile and fumbled for a moment before handing her a small paper. Nura unfolded the paper and looked up bemusedly when she saw it had Quran written on it neatly. Hena looked at her curiously and Nana Abba was still smiling when he spoke. “R-read the ayahs…”
Nura looked back down at the sheet of paper and hesitated for a second before reading the two verses of the Quran.
She looked up at Nana Abba’s face again and saw that as she read the ayahs, he seemed to be having a moment of clarity. She could also see that he knew this and was taking advantage of it. He began speaking to them. “So surely, with hardship comes ease. Verily, with hardship comes ease.” His voice was raspy since he hadn’t spoken as much since he was admitted to the hospital. “Have either of you two girls heard the hadith that you should choose the middle path, never going to one extreme or the other? The two of you have both gone to opposite extremes in this hardship. One of you is too hopeful, unprepared for tragedy. The other has lost all hope, no longer believing that there is any chance of a miracle,” he smiled fondly at both of them as they looked away, embarrassed. “You need to pick the middle path. You should be hopeful, but prepared for the hardship that may come. Be prepared, but also know that if there is hardship, there will also come ease.” He paused for a moment and whispered, “La illaha illallah Muhammad ur Rasulullah,” under his breath, wincing in the slightest. “The hardship is coming, my girls, so be ready for the ease,” he said quietly before closing his eyes. Their mother walked in at that exact moment. She was immediately worried when she saw that both of her daughters were near tears. A moment later, rapid beeping began on the monitor. The thirty seconds that followed before the doctor and nurse ran into the room felt immeasurably long as the twins stood, frozen, unsure of what to do. Then their mother took a shaky step before rushing out the door. A minute later, family members came rushing in, surrounding the bed. They all started reciting duas, but the girls still stood frozen, tears so close to spilling over. Just then, they turned and met each other’s eyes, and peace fell over them as their minds recited the two Quranic ayats their grandfather had shown them and they thought about what he had told them. And slowly, they took each other’s hands and moved forward into the line of people reading duas and started reciting with them. Both their minds were finally at peace. There would most certainly be more hardship to come, and it would take time before they healed from this, but this was a test from Allah (SWT), and the two knew that this was what they were supposed to do.
Click here for more great stories contributed by young writers like you!
BOOK REVIEWS The Great Race to Sycamore Street, by Samia Mai
The Great Race to Sycamore Street stars a young boy, Hude and his sister, Amani who are forced to go visit their grandmother. While Hude is preparing for the worst vacation in his life, he reaches the small town and encounters a rude gang of bullies and a neighbor who wants to cut down their peach tree. Now it is up to Hude and Amani to save their tree while dealing with rude bullies. The book is an excellent choice for young readers as it teaches valuable lessons of friendship, family, and patience.
BOOK REVIEWS Shooting Kabul, by N. H. Senzai In Shooting Kabul, author N. H. Senzai weaves a powerful tale of a young 11-yearold boy, Fadi, dealing with the aftermath of the September 11th terrorist attacks on the immigrant community. If that wasn’t hard enough, Fadi undergoes his own quest to find the baby sister he lost as his family fled from war-stricken Afghanistan. They decide to travel to the US, but his younger sister Mariam is separated from the family and they are forced to leave her behind. Fadi and his family are griefstricken, but they gradually begin to adjust to life in the States. But then, the 9/11 terrorist attacks occur, and the Afghan immigrant community suffers through many toils and tribulations as some Americans grow hostile towards them. Fadi has to deal with bullying at school as he searches for clues about his lost sister’s whereabouts.
BOOK REVIEWS Refugee, by Alan Gratz In Refugee, we flip between the viewpoints of three young refugees: Joseph, in 1938 Berlin, Isabel, from Cuba in 1994, and Mahmoud, who is in 2015 Syria. Refugee is a vivid historical fiction novel that tells the tales of several humanitarian crises from the view of the refugee children. Joseph, a Jewish boy in Berlin, is forced to flee his home city with his family when the Nazis begin their anti-Jewish genocidal pogroms. Then, in 1994, Isabel and her family escape Cuba via tiny, cramped rafts because of the massive rioting happening there. In the final story, Mahmoud and his family must leave their Syrian homeland after their home in Aleppo is blown up. The book might not be suitable for younger readers: the novel can get quite violent and depressing at times.
BOOK REVIEWS Those Promised Paradise by Nora Durkee
Those Promised Paradise is a compilation of stories that talks about the life of those Companions who accompanied the Prophet Muhammad(S) and were guaranteed a palace in Jannah. It uncovers the story of many famous Sahaba including Abu-Bakr (RA), Omar (RA), and many more. Upon stumbling across this book, one might initially think that it will be the same as all non-fiction books but after reading the first story, it is inevitable to immediately become amazed and stunned because of how interesting this book actually is. The book must be rated 5 stars because it talks about many young and old Companions and how they were willing to give up anything for the sake of Islam.
COVID-19
I want a key So I can know what's ahead of me. It s the same question that always occurs in my head What if it spread What is coming ahead So many questions Can t even have any connections I wanna have some fun I just need to be with someone
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Muslim Technology & &29,' The novel coronavirus pandemic has infected about 92 million people and taken the lives of almost 2 million since last year. We use many inventions in the fight against COVID-19. Did you know that Muslim scientists, physicists, alchemists, and inventors were the first to come up with many of those tools? Experts recommend washing your hands well with soap and water to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Guess what? The first bathroom soap bars were created in the Middle East, during the Islamic Golden Age! The famed Muslim Persian physician, chemist, and philosopher Abu Bakr Muhammad Ibn Zakariya Al Razi wrote of a few different soap-making recipes. By the 13th century, cities across the Muslim world manufactured soap. Did you know rubbing alcohol? You’ve probably used it in hand sanitizers, or to clean your cuts and scrapes. Well, the kind we use as a disinfectant, was first used for that purpose in the Islamic Golden Age. Guess who wrote about the benefits of rubbing alcohol? That’s right, Al Razi again! It was even used in Baghdad’s first hospital. Even the name ‘alcohol’ comes from Muslims - in Arabic, alcohol was called “Al-Kuhul’. Most of us have spent at least a few months under lockdown, or quarantine, right? Quarantine prevents people from coming together, which also reduces the spread of diseases - like COVID. Ibn Sina, or Avicenna, the renowned Muslim polymath, wrote about its benefits in the 11th century. Since then, Muslim hospitals quarantined patients to stop the spread of leprosy, another dangerous disease. Ibn Sina called ‘quarantine ’‘Al-Arbainiya”, which translated to ‘quarantine’ in Venetian.
Questions Kids, we want to know what you think!
If you could have any of these animals as a pet, which would you pick?
Horse Wolf Dolphin Ostrich Do you think screen-time limits are necessary?
Yes
No
Click here to take the poll Check out the results in our next issue!
Throughout the history of mankind, in all cultures across the globe, food has been a universal language of love and celebration.The Companion magazine brings this universal love language to our readers in our Recipe section where young readers can share the recipes for their favorite delights. Please let us know which recipes you enjoyed the most. We love to hear from our readers!
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FUN RIDDLES RIDDLES FUN Wanna make someone laugh? Then this is the right page for you. Enjoy reading these jokes to a friend or family member and have an amazing time!!! Quick note: Q stands for question and A stands for answer Q: What has 6 faces but no hair? A: A dice Q: What has 2 hands but no legs? A: A clock or a watch Q: What is a witch’s favorite school subject? A: Spelling Q: What is a table with no legs? A: A multiplication table Q: What is something that’s yours, but other people use more than you? A: Your name Q: What are 4 days of the week that start with the letter T? A: Tuesday, Thursday, Today, and Tomorrow Q: What has a head, a tail, is brown, and has no legs? A: A penny Q: What runs around the whole yard without moving? A: A fence Q: What can you catch but never throw? A: A cold
Riddles by Zohran Syed 6 years old, Plano, TX
1- How do we know that the ocean is friendly? A- It “waves” 2- How do you stop an astronaut’s baby from crying? A- You “rock-it” 3- What has 2 hands but cannot carry anything? A- A clock 4- How is a grocery store a multiplication table? A- It has “products”
Faaizah Barkat
Age:13, Los Angeles, California
Why did the teddy bear say no to dessert? Because he was stuffed. What did one plate say to the other plate? Dinner is on me! Always say Bismillah before drinking water. There are three jinns in your cup two Hydrojinn's and one Oxyjinn.
Farshad Adebakin Age 10, Katy, Texas:
Knock, Knock. Who’s there? Boo. Boo who? Why are you crying like a cartoon character?
Hashim Ghazi
6 years old, Sterling, VA
Five people were praying near a river. The first person said “If there is a fire in the river, where would the fish go?” The second person said “The fish will climb the trees.” The third person said “The fish can’t climb trees like elephants.” The fourth person said “You are not supposed to talk during prayer.” The fifth person said “It’s a good thing I didn’t talk!”
Created by MCNA Companion Magazine
Kindness BY DAANYA RANA, 9 LEXINGTON, KY
Kindness is important. You should always be kind and respectful of others. The Prophet Mohammad (S) was always exceedingly kind to everyone. Even to those who were not kind to him. YOU can be kind by never making fun of anyone (even if they made fun of you) offering someone help when they need it most. letting someone have something they need more than you. You can also show something called, “random acts of kindness.” Random acts of kindness are the little things you can do for people you know or do not know, for example, if you’re walking down the lane and you see a random person trip or fall, then instead of laughing at them, you can help them up. Another example is to help someone carry their grocery bags to the car. Just remember that a simple act of kindness will always travel back to you. Whether big or small, kindness is kindness.
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PHOTO CONTEST
Go out in nature and take a photograph. “And to Allah belongs the dominion of the Heaven and Earth, and Allah is over all things competent.. Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and earth, and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for those of understanding.” [3:189-190]
Levels of age: 5-7, 8-10, 11-14 Submit your photos captioned with an ayah for the next MCNA Competition by
July 15, 2021
Guidelines for Photography Contest: ●Photos must be taken by the participant and submitted to: http://bit.ly/MCNAPhotoContest ●Photos are not to have any people ●Two or more submissions by the same person are not allowed. ●Submissions will not be accepted past the deadline date (July 15, 2021) ●Winners will be announced on our social media pages and will be notified at the email address which is entered with the submission! ●Prizes will be rewarded to 3 winners for each age group: 5-7 ● 8-10 ● 11-14 All decisions are final. MCNA reserves the right to disqualify any entry that is considered inappropriate or does not follow the contest rules.
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Our MCNA YMj family has grown exponentially over the past few years Alhamdulillah. We have subunits in about 14 states and 65 cities and regions across the country. Buzz Across the Nation brings you the latest on what our MCNA YMj friends are up to in their sub-chapters. Join us to see what they have been doing by clicking on the link below.
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EMPOWER A MUSLIM CHILD MCNA YMj is a national children’s nonprofit organization that caters to the instruction and development of Muslim Children in North America. It seeks to educate young Muslims to be the leaders of tomorrow. MCNA YMj depends on our generous community! Your donations will help us continue our mission so more children are inspired to build a lifelong connection with Allah (swt) and work for this deen. In Sha Allah
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As part of Muslim Children of North America, Companion is always in need of high-quality stories, articles, and activities with Islam in focus. We accept humorous, playful, and educational stories and articles that kids like you would love to read! When submitting an entry, please follow the guidelines below: 1.Writers should present their material in a way that is appropriate for kids. Our subscribers are Muslim girls and boys located across the United State (ages 5-14) 2.All entries must be typed. It is preferred to have entries proofread by an adult. Please look for spelling, grammar and format mistakes. 3.All entries must include: author’s name, contact information, and title of entry. Recurring Sections FICTION: Short stories. These should be positive and thought-provoking. We welcome material that deals with kindness, love, good manners, family, and friendship MUSLIM HEROES: Real stories from Islamic History leaving a valuable lesson for kids. OMA Moments: Share some embarrassing, surprising, interesting moments which left you thinking, “Oh My Allah!” NONFICTION: We accept short articles of 300 words or less on science and nature, as well as age-appropriate other topics. THE AMAZING BODY: Share a part of the body, with its purpose and interesting facts. AROUND THE WORLD: Share about a country of the world with its interesting facts. (Muslim countries are preferred) JOKES- Share a funny, halal joke, riddle, or short story. (75 words max) POETRY: We accept poems 4-12 line poems. CRAFTS/DIY projects: We accept fun crafts that young children can make with a bit of adult help. Materials should be inexpensive and easy to obtain. Include easy-to-understand steps and directions and, if possible, include a photo of the finished craft. OR RECIPES: Easy DIY recipes for kids with step by step instructions and pics. Please note: MUST be original Pictures, anything taken from online will not be accepted. Special MCNA events pictures/ brief description: Camps, Eid, Six Flags, local competitions, conventions etc. CURRENT EVENTS: Share any current events. How does it relate to you and our readers? TECH CORNER: Share some tech tips. What’s hot online? ARTWORK: Drawing or painting. (Must be submitted via email) Authenticity: ALL Articles must not be plagiarized and must be in writer’s own words. Any factual information should be provided with a source. Submissions without an authentic source will not be published. Plagiarized entries are strictly prohibited. All entries received are not guaranteed to be published.
All entries must be submitted to: companion@icna.org
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