Muhammad Mosque Basics Course of Study – The Nation of Islam Ministry of Education In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful As-Salaam Alaikum
November 15, 2010
Dear Believer and Student, The learning process is a rewarding, enlightening, and revealing process. It is a personal journey to Allah, which is why Allah’s first words and revelation to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)were; “ Read, In the Name of thy Lord” – HQ - Surah 96 This Personal Study Plan is being developed for you at the request of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, to ensure your chances of success in the study of the word of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad, the significance of prayer, core principles in the religion of Islam, the pillars and principles of Islam, and concepts and principles presented and taught by Minister Farrakhan in the SelfImprovement Study Guides. As you study remember to never pass a word that you do not understand, for therein lies the root to much of the world’s problems, the misunderstood word. Minister Farrakhan states; “In creation everything starts with a WORD”. This plan is broken into three parts; (1) The importance of clearing a word (2) Following and understanding the study technology (3) Develop and Maintain your GAP chart. This plan will give you a great head start to studying and improving the quality of your and your family’s life. May Allah bless you on your journey and may you never return from that journey.
Muhammad Mosque Basics Course of Study – The Nation of Islam Ministry of Education Study Plan of Execution 1.) Never Pass a Word that you do not understand. a. The Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad in MTTBM defined words often in the book, by simply putting a one word definition in parenthesis, to make sure we didn’t have any misunderstood words. For example; He always placed “GOD” in Parentheses () because so many people then and today misunderstand who we’re talking about when we say “Allah”. The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan in the Self-Improvement Study Guides introduces us to the power and importance of the power of words by placing a glossary and key words. He also taught us to always have a dictionary near while studying. According to L. Ron Hubbard, developer of the Study Technology, at the root of ALL confusion, alterations, and misunderstandings is the Misunderstood WORD. 2.) Follow the Study Technology: The Study Tech is a scientific process that, when followed, guarantees a learner masters and learns what is being studied. According to L. Ron Hubbard, much study has went into the origin and function of words, but very little study on the effect words have on the human being. The Study Technology helps us identify the barriers and physical manifestations that people develop and show us what to do to handle (solve) the problem. a. Detect the Barriers of Learning: Whenever learning is taking place, we will naturally come across the barriers to learning. The following are the barriers and how to handle them; i. Barrier # 1: Lack of Mass: Lack of mass is when you don’t have the actual thing you are studying in front of you. So if you’re studying about the moon and you don’t have the actual moon, you can substitute with a picture, video, or model of the moon.
Muhammad Mosque Basics Course of Study – The Nation of Islam Ministry of Education Physical Manifestations: Students who are suffering from Lack of Mass generally become angry, feel bent or squashed, suffer headaches, eyes hurt, and even boredom sets in. How to Handle: Get the actual thing or something close to it. If you don’t have the thing being studied get photographs or videos. You can also use a demo kit or clay demos (See Course Study, pg 1, materials)! ii. Barrier # 2: Too Steep a Gradient: When a student has become confused in the process of learning and moving up on a gradient. Physical Manifestations: Reeling and Confused How to Handle: …cut back the gradient. Find out when you or the person studying was not confused and then find out what new action he undertook. Find out what he felt he understood well just before he got confused. You will find there is something in this area – the area where he felt he understood it – which he did not really understand. iii. Barrier # 3: The Misunderstood Word: The Most important barrier. At some point in your reading you will come across a word that you do not understand or may have the wrong understanding. This will create spiraling misunderstandings if not handled. Physical Manifestations: The misunderstood word manifests in many reactions, but to name a few, becoming disinterested, doodling, daydreaming, yawning, complaining and fault finding, taking too long, a blank feeling, a blow (drop out or quit), and Stupidity! How to Handle: Find out where you or the student studying wasn’t having any trouble and find out where the student is now having trouble and the misunderstood word will be in between. It will be at the tag end of where you weren’t having trouble. Clear the word (See Below) and when you become
Muhammad Mosque Basics Course of Study – The Nation of Islam Ministry of Education bright and ready to study and learn again you move forward studying the text from where the misunderstood was and the area of the subject you did not understand. b. Steps to Clearing a Word: i. Get a simple dictionary ii. Find the word misunderstood iii. Read ALL of the definitions until you find the one that fits the use that you are studying it in. Make 5-10 sentences using the word in your own words. iv. Study the Idioms and derivatives of the word v. Go back to the text where the misunderstood word was found and where you became confused and start reading from that point. 3.) Develop and maintain your individual GAP chart. Take time out of every day to study and make progress on your learning plan, which is the basis of your GAP chart. In the morning, before you start your day, is ideal for a 3045 minute reading and studying period. -- OUR GOAL: Close the GAP In the beginning of the Basics Course of Study, each believer will take a preassessment before embarking on the study course. The results of the test will be recorded and provided in statistical format as a line graph. You will receive a personal copy and at the end of the course you will take a post assessment gauge the growth you made and how much the GAP was closed. (See Attached Graph Example)