Safe Teaching and Learning - Be digital to stay safe from corona virus

Assalam Alaikum dear brothers and sisters,

As learning activities around the world are effected with the threat of coronavirus (COVID-19), we wanted to let you know how GatewaytoQuran can help by providing education online. GatewaytoQuran believes in online teaching. We are improving standards of providing online Education. Online learning system will help you stay safe and keep students safe during this difficult time. And it makes sure that there is no discontinuity in your learning experience. 

We should take steps to ensure we’re operating responsibly during the crisis. In times like this, we are instructed to stay safe and keep others safe. Islam teaches cleanliness, which is one of the solutions to the problem. Also we are supposed to follow the instructions given by authorities in these difficult times when the glob is under the threat of corona virus. In our homes, we must take extra precautions to make sure we are staying safe. According to Islamic rulings, when authorities command us to do something and that doesn't violate the commands of Islam, then it becomes wajib to follow their commands. SO, make sure to take all precautions suggested by authorities. 

Because we’re a digital platform, we don’t anticipate any interruption in service for you or your students. Neither students nor teachers are hard at work keeping our Quran education running smoothly. We will continue to offer 24/7 support for all users, and we’re committed to helping students continue learning uninterrupted wherever they are. 

During this time, we have a message to the world. Educational institutes and organizations must turn to remote work and learning. The world must adapt and respond to the current situation. Sharing knowledge through digital channels and online teaching ensures that all students can learn without interruption.

Thank you for your continued dedication to your knowledge. We wish you and your loved ones the best during the crisis and thank you for being our students.

Sincerely,
Saifullah Khan, CEO GatewaytoQuran

Register for Online Quran Classes https://gatewaytoquran.com/ 

Learn Quran from Youtube Video Lessons https://www.youtube.com/c/SaifullahKhanOnlineQuranTeacher

Quran & Qaida Reading with Tajweed Progress - Parent Teacher Guide

Sources to learn Quran with Tajweed: https://gatewaytoquran.weebly.com/quranlessons 

Learning to read the Quran is a tremendously important step in any Muslim child’s life, beginning their life relationship with Islam and the Book of Allah. Understandably, parents can feel anxious about how best to support their children through this experience. We asked over 1000 parents what they felt their main challenges were in terms of teaching their children how to read the Noble Quran. They responded with the following main concerns or ‘pain points’:

1. Slow Progress

2. Fear of Inaccurate pronunciation if they supported or taught their children at home

3. Lack of Fun in the learning process

4. Lack of understanding of what children are reciting

Of these four particular concerns, the first two points were most emphasised by the parents we spoke with. In this article, we present a few solutions to help you overcome these challenges. Each set of solutions corresponds to the three different stages in the process: before, during and after learning to recite the Quran.

BEFORE

Starting at the wrong age is perhaps the first mistake most parents make when teaching their child Quran. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to the ideal starting age. Even siblings from the same family can vary greatly in the ages when they are ready. So how do you work out when the time is right?

A lot has to do with your own judgement and a little testing. Try sitting down with your child for 10 minutes a day and go through the alphabet. Are they able to concentrate? Do they seem engaged? Are they able to remember some of what you taught them the next day? If you're answering these questions in the affirmative, then it does indicate they are now suited to a madrasah environment. But once they are ready, how do you find a suitable Quran school for them? 

A good Madrasah teacher makes all the difference to your child’s progress. Therefore, the first important step is to choose with care. Recommendations are great but don’t just rely on those; meet and speak with the potential teacher yourself. Here are five questions every parent should ask their child’s prospective Madrasah teacher before enrolling:

1. How long did your last five students who completed the Qaida take?

Every child is different, which is why it is best to ask for the results of a number of students and calculate the average. However, if the average time for this group comes out as over 12 months, you may want to see if other teachers in your area have achieved completions in a shorter time scale, as this is quite long.

2. Can I please see the Qaida you use?

Qaidas differ dramatically in style of teaching and instructions. Many are imported from abroad and have not been adapted or developed for the needs of the modern child. If the teacher’s preferred Qaida is longer than 50-60 pages, it’s likely to prolong the time your child takes to learn.

3. Can your best student please read out the Arabic alphabet to me?

If you notice any of the pronunciation mistakes we outline below, be concerned. These are the basics. If they are not being recited accurately by the best student in the class, your child could easily pick up similar errors at the crucial first stage.

4. Can your best student please read out a line from the Quran to me?

You have asked to hear from the teacher’s best student and, as such, you should realistically expect that they will read fluently and accurately. If you notice slow or inaccurate recitation, you may rightly have some reservations over the standard being set by this teacher.

5. Ask at least 5 children if they enjoy coming to this Madrasah

Children’s answers are usually an honest reflection on what it’s like to learn there. Notice whether they are speaking confidently and fluently as they answer you or if they are choosing their words and watching the teacher as they comment, or indeed, their parents if you are asking after class. This may indicate that they are telling you what they think the relevant authority figure wants them to say, rather than giving you their true opinion.

Now ask yourself: After what I’ve seen and heard, am I really happy sending my child to this Madrasah? If the answer is no, keep looking.

DURING

There are two main areas of recitation you need to be concerned with: accuracy and speed. Accuracy should always come first because there’s no point in reading words inaccurately, even if you are quick. In fact, developing a habit of ignoring errors for the sake of speed can make it harder to fix such inaccuracies later on.

How to improve accuracy

Accuracy begins with a good Madrasah teacher. At the first stage, always select a proficient teacher that pronounces well and gives helpful feedback. To best support your child around classes, take the time to check your own pronunciation as well as theirs.

Are you confident that you are reciting accurately yourself? Listen to proficient reciters of the Quran together. Watch out for common, basic errors and ensure they are corrected consistently.

Use our free resource: Discover our 7 common pronunciation mistakes every child should never make.

How to improve speed

Practice. Practice. Practice. Speed comes with regular practice so work with your child to recite regularly, even if you keep the sessions very short. Don’t try and do too much at once and focus instead on their mastering a line or word at a time.

You can make a game of it and time your child. That which is measured improves and helps the child see their progress for themselves. Do be careful, though, that by focusing on speed you do not allow errors to creep back into the recital.

You can find out when your child is likely to complete the Qaida or Quran by using our calculator by clicking here.

Overall, to improve both accuracy and speed you must allocate more quality time to study. Nothing great is achieved without great effort. The more time you can spend with your child to help them with their practice at home, and the more you can support and encourage them, the better their progress will be.

AFTER

Even when study appears to be complete, speed and accuracy issues can arise when a child is reading the Quran. If this happens, they need to master the Qaida again.

Most children might be hesitant, but the Qaida is the foundation of reading the Quran and must be learned fully for lifelong proficiency in Quran recitation. Encourage your child not to see returning to the Qaida as a failure, rather, a way of perfecting their skill in such an important area. Give them the same support and time you have all along the journey and they will soon become more proficient and return to reading the Quran.

Sources to learn Quran with Tajweed: https://gatewaytoquran.weebly.com/quranlessons 

Setting goals for Ramadhan for your kids

Ramadhan is a blessing of Allah (s.w.t) and everyone should get advantage of it. Don't let it go without benefiting your child. In this month Allah (s.w.t) gives you rewards 70 times more than usual. 

You can set your goals for your child this Ramadan. Fasting whole day or a part of it, Learning Tajweed, memorizing certain surahs of the holy Quran, etc. You can also work upon improving their Islamic behavior. You can help them  improving on a characteristic such as being nice, helping others, being patient etc.

Given below is a book for Ramadhan activities and a Video which explains it. 

Link to DOWNLOAD the Book 

Set Goals for Ramadhan

You can help the kids to understand that it is good for them to set the goals and achieve them. Children learn from environment. If you encourage them and appreciate them, they'll take interest. For this purpose, their teacher can talk to them, you can talk to them or someone who has a friendly relationship with them. Once you and your child decide the goals, then start helping them achieve the goals. Remember: the goals must be achievable according to their age. 

Strategies

Help your child find ways to reach their goals. Help them make the goals possible, and write them down. For example, if the goal is to read 1 juz from the holy Quran, then give them a plan to read it in different times. like one quarter before school, half Juz after school, and the remaining one quarter in evening. The same way for the other goals.

Chart Progress

To help your child see their progress and motivate them not to give up, take help from the coloring book. In the charts given in book they fill up and highlight each successful step. The Ramadha activities book is as simple as a 30 days calendar, and you can place a sticker when your child has accomplished each small step. Or simply take a picture of the work done and send to their Islamic teacher. Simple and easy. :)

Celebrate Success

Depending on the age of your child and the goals you set, you can decide to celebrate their small successes. This could be at each maghrib, or the end of the week. You can celebrate it by offering a reward of some kind. 

If your children were not successful in reaching their short-term goals, then do a review and decide on a different strategy. At the end of Ramadan, you can even have a big celebration for your child’s success at reaching their goals!
For my students I would like to offer rewards if you agree. 
http://gatewaytoquran.weebly.com 

Giving Qaida or Quran Test to get actual results

I,m Saifullah Khan, the founder of GatewaytoQuran and quality control supervisor. Previously I worked as Quran Teacher, Teacher trainer, Examination controller etc in different Quran and Tajweed teaching academies. After every exam, I noticed that kids who did good in their classes, scored less in their exams. With the help of my other fellows, teachers and Quran teaching experts I started finding the reasons. Everyone gave different reasons. But my finding is that the major reason for students failure in exams was "over stress". 

Then, I started giving random tests without letting them know they have a test on a particular time. And started being friendly with them. And the results are amazing. I can't even believe. You can see yourself in this video where I'm giving a Qaida test.  

How to give tests in a friendly environment

So, if your students are doing good in your live Quran classes and at the same time they are scoring less, then here is the strategy you should adopt. So you come to know the actual results.   

1. Be friendly. The way i showed in the video when I'm giving a Qaida test which doesn't even look like a test. Ask them about their food, school, their trip or game and other activities to get them engaged.  

2. Encourage them. Say "Good Job" when they try to say the words from their Qaida book or read an ayah from the holy Quran, even if they are doing it wrong. I would like to say again "EVEN IF THEY ARE DOING IT WRONG" Then fix their mistakes. It will reduce their stress and they will do better.  

3. If the kids are not friendly and you could not make them smile, then you can not find out their actual performance. For these type of kids there is another strategy. Sit down with their teacher when he's teaching and listen to them reading Quran, Qaida, Duas, Salah etc. 

4. Or simply get their class recorded and listen to it. and then guide the teacher how to improve it. 

     Recording the lessons is very simple and easy. There are amazing free of cost softwares to do that. Visit http://voipcallrecording.com and get mp3SkypeRecorder. Install it on the PC that the teacher uses for the kids classes. Or install it on kid's PC. It will automatically record the class for you which you can listen to later and evaluate. Then, guide the teacher on how he / she can improve the teaching and make it more helpful for the kids. 

These are just some ways. You can add some other ways too...

Jazakumullahu khair. 

Dua in The Month of Rajab

Rajab was regarded as one of the sacred months (Al-Ashhur-al-hurum) in which battles were prohibited in the days of the Holy Prophet . It is also a prelude to the month of Ramadan, because Ramadan follows it after the intervening month of Sha'ban. Therefore, when the Holy Prophet sighted the moon of Rajab, he used to pray to Allah in the following words:

  اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِي رَجَبٍ، وَشَعْبَانَ، وَبَلِّغْنَا رَمَضَانَ

"O Allah, make the months of Rajab and Sha'ban blessed for us, and let us reach the month of Ramadan (i.e. prolong our life up to Ramadan, so that we may benefit from its merits and blessings)."

The chain of Hadith is dhaeef. 

Note: Making dua with the words of Dhaeef hadith is better than making dua in your own words. 

Specific Worships for the month of Rajab  

The Shari'ah has not prescribed any specific way to observe the month of Rajab or to perform a specific mode of worship or a ritual in any one of its dates. However, being a prologue to the month of Ramadan, it should be availed of for preparing oneself for Ramadan and one should pray Allah to make him reach the blessed month and to benefit from its unique merits.

Some people have invented some special rituals or practices in this month, which are not supported by reliable resources of the Shari'ah or are based on some unauthentic traditions.

https://gatewaytoquran.weebly.com

COLOUR CODED TAJWIDI QURAN

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LEARN QURAN

LETS LEARN QURANat GatewaytoQuran

Sources to learn Quran with Tajweed: https://gatewaytoquran.weebly.com/quranlessons 

WELCOME TO THE BLESSED VALLEY OF THE HOLY QUR’AN

Our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) says in his hadith;

“The best amongst you is he who learns the Qur’an and teaches it.” (Bukhari, Fadhail ul Qur’an, 21)

In another hadith;

“A believer, who recites the Qur’an and acts on it, is like an orange (utrujjah) which tastes nice and smells nice. And the example of the believer who does not recite the Qur’an but acts on it is like a date that tastes sweet but has no smell. And the example of the hypocrite who recites the Qur’an is like a sweet basil which smells good but tastes bitter. And the example of a hypocrite who does not recite the Qur’an is like a colocynth (bitter apple) which tastes bitter and has a bad smell.” (Bukhari, Muslim, Nasai and Ibn Majah)

In another hadith;

“The one who reads a single letter from the Book of Allah will be rewarded with one good deed. (Know that) A good deed is multiplied ten times over. I do not say Alif Laam Meem is one letter. Verily, Alif is one letter, Laam is one letter, Meem is one letter.” (At-Tirmidhi)

The Prophet (PBUH) has declared the importance of learning the Qur’an with the above-mentioned statements.

The busy and fast lives that we are leading in this age have caused us to postpone learning to read the Qur’an.

Since some of us are older, it is not as easy to learn quickly as it was in our childhood years. Sometimes this is a hindrance for us to start up.

Even if we want to begin to learn we may have difficulty in finding a tutor in the times that we are available. When tutors are available, we may not always be so…

And sometimes some of us may be too shy to learn something from someone at their age.

Out of all these factors, we think that there is a need for such a website, therefore this website started from this very necessity.

Whatsoever our pretext for not learning Qur’an yet is, we think there is no longer any setback before you. We invite you to experience and enjoy the blessed aura of the Qur’an. We ask from Allah (SWT) to accept our struggle to learn and teach the Qur’an

Sources to learn Quran with Tajweed:
https://gatewaytoquran.com/

LETS LEARN QURANat GatewaytoQuran