THE 3 FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF ISLAM – FREE WORKBOOK

Islamic studies workbook three fundamental principles of Islam

Assalamo ‘alaykum and welcome.

“The Three Fundamental Principles” was written so that everybody could learn. Shaykh Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhab wrote it in a very concise and easy way, so that everybody could access this vital knowledge: from students of Islamic knowledge, to uneducated peasants, from royalty to school children, and anyone in between. And, by the mercy of Allah, it did spread far and wide.

Yet, when I picked it up Explanation of the 3 Fundamental Principles of Islam (the beautiful, deep and compelling explanation by shaykh Uthaymeen, rahimahullah) eager to share it with my children, I found that I needed to do some preliminary work.

The explanation and, on top of that, the translation into English both add extra material and extra layers for our minds to process. In the case of my children – aged 12 and 9 – I find that, if I want to keep to a level that they can access easily and internalise, I have to break it down for them.

It really helps to isolate the main points, simplify the language when needed and reinforce certain connections. 

Like a penguin feeding her chick, sometimes you have to “digest” the knowledge before passing it on to them. This is exactly what I attempted to do.

Download your copy of THE 3 FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES – FREE WORKBOOK HERE

FREE PDF dowload workbook for muslim children Islamic studies Aqeedah 3 principles

The workbook

I put together this workbook from the notes I took while re-reading Explanation of the 3 Fundamental Principles of Islam. I included the main points of the original treatise as well as most of those in the explanation, alhmadulillah. I simplified the language and tried to express difficult concepts in a child-friendly way. A student of knowledge checked my re-wording, alhamdulillah.

You will find in the index page the list of lessons I included as well as page numbers from the book  Explanation of the 3 Fundamental Principles of Islam, should you wish to refer to it.

Each page of the workbook includes:

  • A short, simple explanation (roughly half a page or less);
  • A few Arabic words taken from the original text (the matn) or from the explanation (all collected and translated in a glossary). 
  • An activity based on the lesson. Often an ayah mentioned by the shaykh in which to find evidence of the point made. 
three fundamental principles of Islam muslim study book free pdf muslim kids activity

Arabic words

The ideal approach with this book, and any book, is to be as close as possible to the original. In this case the original is the Arabic matn (which you can download at the bottom of this page).

I chose some Arabic key words for each lesson (and yes, some are repeated in more than once). Most are from the matn, some are from the explanation. Either way, they can be used for copywork and letter formation practice (a little space is given for this) as well as memorisation. Memorising these words and their meaning will provide useful “anchors” of meaning for those ambitious students (and mamas!) who will try to memorise the whole matn: A very desirable practice that is at the core of seeking knowledge, alhamdulillah.

Even for those who do not plan to memorise the original text, reading it as you go, along with the English translation is extremely important even to those with very limited Arabic: it will really improve your familiarity with sentence structure and basically teach your brain what Arabic looks and sounds like, even if you don’t understand most of the words, insha’Allah.

Do you need to buy the book?

Do you need to get hold of Explanation of the 3 Fundamental Principles of Islam to complete this workbook? Yes and no.

No, strictly speaking, you only need the matn: The original text of “The 3 Fundamental Principles” by shaykh Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhaab, which is available online as a free PDF both in Arabic and in English.

Yes, because you should definitely read this book. You, the adult, should read it, for your own education as a Muslim. Ideally you should own it. It should be your close companion. It is one of those books that, everytime you go back to it, you will find more benefits, alhamdulillah. And you will go back!

Useful links

There is hardly a masjid upon the Sunnah that hasn’t at some point offered a class in “The 3 Fundamental Principles”, alhamdulillah. Below you will find some series of classes you can listen to, the first being from the translator of the edition I used, Abu Talha (rahimahullah). 

The Explanation of the 3 Fundamental Principles by Abu Talha Dawood Burbank (rahimahullah)

The 3 Fundamental Principles (explanation of shaykh Uthaymeen – rahimahullah) taught by Moosaa Richardson 

The three Fundamental Principles – explanation by shaykh an-Najmee (rahimahullah) – taught by Abu Idrees

The 3 Fundamental Principles – taught by Mustafa George

The Three Fundamental Principles – taught by shaykh Hassan al-Banna (rahimahullah)

The Three Fundamental Principles – explanation of shaykh bin Baz (rahimahullah) – taught by Jameel Finch

The Three Fundamental Principles – explanation by various scholars of the Sunnah – taught by Uways at-Taweel

This is by no means an exhaustive list, in fact you might find a live class being run at your local masjid too, insha’Allah.

I ask Allah that He benefits my family and yours through this humble effort.

Download your copy of THE 3 FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES – FREE WORKBOOK HERE

printable activity for muslim children isalmic homeschooling faith aqeedah salafi manhaj

Ramadan Doodle Challenge

Ramadan doodle challenge free activity for kids

Assalamu ‘alaykum and welcome.

Download your RAMADAN DOODLE CHALLENGE list HERE.

I am getting the usual last minute rush of pre-Ramadan ideas. New concepts emerge thick and fast from the brain fog, between teaching to tell the time and washing a big pile of dishes.

As we know, the Companions of the Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), would encorage their children to fast, even if they had not yet reached puberty. If the children struggled, they would distracted them with a simple toy.

Al-Rubay’ bint Mu’awwidh (may Allah be pleased with her) said while describing how the Prophet (salla Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) told them to fast ‘Āshūrā:

We used to make toys out of dyed wool for the children and keep them with us so if the children asked us for food we would give them the toys to distract them until they completed their fast.

(Sahih Muslim)

Ramadan doodle challanges free printable

Engage the brain to distract the stomach

DISCLAIMER: Islam instructs us to follow the middle way and the just and balanced approach in all things. Training our children to fast is no different: It must be tackled with wisdom, without being too lax or too strict. The age and ability of each child must be taken into consideration and their health and safety must always come first (as is the case for us adults too).

Having said so, many children can fast without any problems, Allahumma baarik, and they should be encouraged and supported in it.

A major part of the upbringing of our children is to train them to perform the legislated acts of worship, even before the age they become obligatory for them. It is useful to have something ready to divert the focus of our kids from food when they start to feel hungry (but can safely be encouraged to power through).

The Ramadan Doodle Challenge is only one of of the many possibilities, some others are:

  • A small gift every day (collectible cards, marbles, small toys, puzzles, magazines or books…). This is usually very well received but it can get expensive and can produce an amount of cheap toy clutter in the house.
  • Art and crafts materials: try a different activity every day (different techniques, media, styles, subjects…)
  • Line up 30 STEM activities and try one each day (find some tween friendly STEM and Lego activities here).
  • Compile a family scrapbook.
  • Prepare a list of board games and play a different one each day (list everything you have, look online for free printable ones, ask your friends to swap with you to have the whole month covered!)
  • Have your child take one photo each day – which should not include people or animals – that represents his or her day and then assemble the Ramadan picture album after Eid.
  • Use journaling prompts (This is a list of Ramadan Journaling Prompts that you can print for free).

Why doodles?

  • It is inexpensive.
  • You already have everything you need (paper and a pencil and you are good to go!)
  • It is suitable for any age, from toddler to adult.
  • It is fun, especially if you all attempt the daily doodle together.
  • It is relaxing and it will provide a welcome distraction from rumbling tummies!

Download your RAMADAN DOODLE CHALLENGE list HERE.

The PDF includes a list as well as individual cards to cut out, in case you (like me) want to only reveal one each day and keep the rest a surprise.

Doodle challenge cards for Ramadan

Have a blessed Ramadan!

If your children (or yourslef!) take part in this challenge, please share your doodles on instagram and tag @salamhomeschooling !

I ask Allah to allow us to witness this Ramadan and gain His rewards and forgiveness. I also ask Him to guide us establish ourselves and our families upon what pleases Him.

30 MORE Days with the Names of Allah – FREE workbook

free printable names of Allah islamic studies workbook

Assalamu alaykum and welcome.

When I set out to review and improve “30 Days with the Names of Allah” (which I first compiled in 2017), I was excited to offer a better product to the Muslim community; however, I was conscious that at least some children – including my own – had aready completed it.

So here is the second installment: 30 More Names of Allah to explore with your children, to reflect upon and to make a living part of our faith as Muslims, in sha’ Allah.

DOWNLOAD your FREE 30 MORE days with the Names of Allah workbook HERE

Islamic printable workbook names of Allah

Using both workbooks

Because my eldest child has already completed the study of the first set of 30 Names of Allah, he will be studying this workbook, while his younger brother will tackle the first set, insha’Allah. I think I might be wonderful to have each of them present their own name of Allah of the day each day in Ramadan (insha’Allah it goes that well! … alhamdulillah, a mom can dream!).

Authentic Sources

The workbook containes all the sources I used. They are:

I tried my best to use the exact explanations of the scholars above. I opted for simpler words where needed, but made sure to convey the intended meaning, insha’Allah. All good is from Allah and any mistakes are my own.

About this workbook

If you and your children have already studied the first 30 Names of Allah included in my previous workbook, don’t despair! here are 30 more.

The format is the same, each daily page includes:

  • One Name of Allah each day
  • A little Arabic handwriting practice (copying the Name of the day)
  • Finding the proof for the Name in the relevant ayah/hadeeth
  • Copywork (in English)
  • A small picture to colour in – or not!
  • A reflection question, which can be answered shortly in the space provided, it can be used as a writing prompt or a starter for a “big juicy conversation” (Bravewriter style).
free isalmic printable activity for kids ramadan workbook names of Allah

Not only for Ramadan

This is not a Ramadan specific activity, but each workbook explains 30 Names , so they are ideal to be completed in Ramadan, insha’Allah!

It is a simple and meaningful daily activity to foster knowledge, and therefore LOVE, of our Creator in ourselves and our children.

There is no reason why you cannot happily include this into your ongoing homeschool, Ramadan school, Ramadan basket, book basket, family circle, madrasah, Islamic studies club… (you get the gist).

A Ramadan gift

30 MORE Days with the Names of Allah, as well as 30 Days with the Names of Allah and any other printable on this site to this date (April 2020), is free to dowlnoad. It is my gift to my family and yours. I ask Allah to accept this humble effort and benefit my family and yours through it.

Allah let us reach this Ramadan and benefit from it, ameen.

DOWNLOAD your FREE 30 MORE days with the Names of Allah workbook HERE

30 days with the names of Allah workbook activity for Muslim kids Ramadan

30 Days with the Names of Allah FREE workbook

Islamic studies activity printable for Muslim children

17 Ramadan 1441/ 10 May 2020: As of today the free PDF 30 Days with the names of Allah has been edited to correct the following typos: The proof for the Name ash-Shakoor is surah Faatir 35:34 (NOT surah Hashr) and the proof of the Name as-Samee’ is surah al-Baqarah 2:127 (NOT 126). Jazakillahu khayran to the sister who informed me.

Assalamu ‘alaykum and welcome.

By the mercy of Allah I started the task I had put off for a long time: revising the printables I offered on my old blog (Islamic Bedtime Stories).

The original idea was to re-type them in a better format (getting rid of the pictures of uncertain status with regards to copyright) but I ended up re-making the workbook. I dusted off a couple more books, listened to a couple more lessons and, Alhamdulillah, there was enough in my notes for a second workbook as well. The success lays in what each of us does with this resource, and every good is from Allah alone.

Download your FREE 30 Days with the Names of Allah workbook HERE

Knowing Allah

The various branches of knowledge are ranked for importance according to the importance of their subject matter. Hence, nothing is more inportant, more foundamental, more desperately needed than knowldge of Allah.

As someone who experienced half of her life as an active member of another religion that claims belief in the One God, I have deep appreciation of the fact that Allah Himself gave us knowledge of Him. We cannot encompass Him with our limited intellect, of course, but He told us a lot about Himself. Every bit of this precious information has profound benefits in our worldly life and far reaching consequence for our Hereafter.

Authentic Sources

The workbook containes all the sources I used. They are:

I tried my best to use the exact explanations of the scholars above. I opted for simpler words where needed, but made sure to convey the intended meaning, insha’Allah. All good is from Allah and any mistakes are my own.

FREE Names of Allah workbook

About the workbook

They can be suitable for most ages. Because I kept the activities quite open, it is not very age specific.

It includes:

  • One Name of Allah each day
  • A little Arabic handwriting practice (copying the Name of the day)
  • Finding the proof for the Name in the relevant ayah/hadeeth
  • Copywork (in English)
  • A small picture to colour in – or not!
  • A reflection question, which can be answered shortly in the space provided, it can be used as a writing prompt or a starter for a “big juicy conversation” (à la Bravewriter).
names of Allah free printable workbook

A Ramadan Workbook?

This is not a Ramadan specific activity, but each workbook explains 30 Names , so they are ideal to be completed in Ramadan, insha’Allah!

It is a simple and meaningful daily activity to foster knowledge, and therefore LOVE, of our Creator in ourselves and our children.

There is no reason why you cannot happily include this into your ongoing homeschool, Ramadan school, Ramadan basket, book basket, family circle, madrasah, Islamic studies club… (you get the gist).

A Ramadan gift

30 Days with the Names of Allah, as well as 30 More Days with the Names of Allah and any other printable on this site to this date (April 2020), is free to dowlnoad. It is my gift to my family and yours. I ask Allah to accept this humble effort and benefit my family and yours through it.

Allah let us reach this Ramadan and benefit from it, ameen.

DOWNLOAD your FREE 30 Days with the Names of Allah workbook HERE

30 days with the names of Allah workbook activity for Muslim kids Ramadan

Ramadan Journaling Prompts

Ramadan activities for children kids activity free islamic printable

Assalamo alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu.

Are you looking for something not too demanding yet engaging to occupy your children in Ramadan?

Something that is new and for them to discover each day of the month?

That’s exactly what we like to do in our family. On the one hand, we feel the need to put aside the planned activities and the schedules; on the other, we don’t want bored children, languishing around and just waiting for iftaar time!

We need entertainment with benefit and some sense of purpose, in sha’ Allah.

As part of my efforts to bring to this blog any resource I created that might benefit your family and homeschool (and that were originally posted on Islamic Bedtimestories, my old blog), I revisited 30 Days of Prompts. I call them “journaling” prompts because they are quite varied in their nature and a lot of them are about personal expression.

What is it?

It is a list of Ramadan themed writing prompts. They are quite general and can be tackled as simply or in as much depth as desired, so they are suitable – or can be easily adapted – for children of all ages.

What materials will I need?

  • Your copy of the FREE Ramadan journaling prompts list;
  • Something to write on: any notebook or paper with a binder;
  • Something to write with;
  • Anything to decorate and illustrate: pencils, markers, stickers, scrapbooking paper and anything crafty you have at hand and your children enjoy working with.

Alhamdulillah, good times…

That Ramadan, my boys and I had the best time with these prompts and the box of craft paper and stickers (MY box of craft paper and stickers!) that I made available to them. Even my reluctant writer looked forward to the daily prompt! Alhamdulillah.

Meaningful engagement

A word of caution: Don’t force it. This goes for any activity you (the parent) are all excited about. If, after the first few days, the excitement fizzles out, don’t bring up the prompts unless the child asks to do it. Some prompts might fall flat with some kid and completely fire up another. If a child wants to keep working on yesterday’s prompt, that’s great, Allahumma Baarik. She shouldn’t be rushed because there are still x number of prompts “to go through”. Meaningful engagement is what we are looking for. If it is nowhere to be found on a given day, move on: don’t take it personally and don’t be disappointed, in sha’Allah.

DOWNLOAD your FREE Ramadan Journaling Prompts list here

May Allah allow us to witness the coming Ramadan and guide us to what will benefit us in the Akhirah.

Beneficial Ramadan activity for children, free kids printable for your Muslim homeschool

Autumn Poems Collection – DIY

Homeschool poetry teatime autumn poems free printable

Assalamo alaykum and welcome.

It is definitely not Summer anymore (I can’t help but smile – now that my kids can’t see me).

What better way to let the fresh Autumn breeze into our homeschool than with a collection of poems about this beautiful season? This is why I like to make my own collections:

I love poetry, but not all poetry.

I love books, but not all books.

I like to save a few pennies if I can.

I like to save space by not keeping on my shelf a 200 page book when we only love 5 pages of it.

When it comes to the literature my kids “drink in”, I like to be aware of it.

As a homeschooling mom, I am also accustomed to taking matters into my own hands!

For these reasons, rather than recommending poetry books to buy or borrow from the library, I compiled a list of links to poems I liked. You can click on them and see what you think.

I am not saying poetry books are not worth having; when I come across a poetry book I mostly like, I still want to have it to keep. But here and now, this little collection does save me money, space and the headache of sifting through hundreds of pages. Alhamdulillah.

DIY Autumn Poems Collection – BLANK (fill it as you like)

DIY Autumn Poems Collection – WITH TITLES (tells you what poem to put in each page) 

A bunch of links and a blank notebook?

Is this really it???

Yes. Alhamdulillah.

I do not believe that “classics” (i.e. old books) are necessarily best and, for this reason, you will find in my list some poems that, being less than a few centuries old, are subject to copyright. I would never want to include something I don’t have the right to offer in my printables. 

This is why you have to do some of the assembly work yourself; although I have done the research for you, which is the most time consuming part: I sifted through what I found to exclude themes that, as Muslims, we don’t care for.

DISCLAIMER: by including poems by a certain author in my list I do not mean to endorse his/her work in its entirety, nor his/her morals and world view. 
Critical filters on. Always, insha’Allah. 

I tried to include a variety of poetic styles, some classic poets and some contemporary ones, some very famous names and some less so and even a few translations of poems that were originally written in languages other than English. Some poets absolutely love Autumn, others totally dread it. 

How does this work then?

Muslim Homeschool literacy poetry brave writer style free printable poem collection

If you have used my DIY Summer Poems Collection you will be familiar with the concept.

  • Choose your printable: BLANK or WITH TITLES
  • Print
  • Fill with poems (your own, or the ones I suggest below)

I am offering 2 version of the printable: a BLANK version (you are free to fill the pages as you wish) and another with the TITLES of the poems I chose, to show you how you can fit them into the pages (plus, the title font looks really good – in my opinion). 

Download your DIY Autumn Poems collection BLANK (free PDF) HERE.

Download your DIY Autumn Poems collection WITH TITLES (free PDF) HERE.

Once you have printed out the booklet, you can:

  • Print out the text of the listed poems and stick them on
  • Use the listed poems as copywork to fill it it
  • Fill it in with whatever you like!
  • You can also skip the booklet and read the poems straight from the websites, if you are not a paper lover…

Insha’Allah this printable will be something that you and your children can make yours, by adding some colour to the pictures, writing or sticking your favourite poems (and whatever else you like) and keep it in your book basket or take it out for your family’s Poetry Teatimes. 

(Click and watch these videos if you would like more information about the book basket (also called “morning basket” or “morning time”) and poetry teatime). 

Autumn Fall themed poetry collection for children free pdf printable homeschool

How to talk about poetry

So, do you just sit there and read poems?

Yes! It is very acceptable and, in fact, desirable to just sit together, have a snack and enjoy each other’s company with some good poetry, alhamdulillah. 

Don’t feel compelled to turn this into a lesson.

Poetry appreciation will occur even without worksheets and whiteboards; dare I say, it will probably happen more easily without them!

Having said so, you may want to challenge your children to spot some poetic elements, themes or devices in the poems that are read. Some people prefer a little guidance as opposed to complete freedom in an activity.

That’s why, as I read a poem, you might hear my lot shout out stuff like “rhyming!” or “personification!” or “haiku, 5-7-5!” with a mouth full of crisps. 

Some very simple things to look for are:

  • What type of poem is it? (free verse, haiku, rhyming, shape poem, diamond, limerick… be as specific or as general as you like)
  • Older kids can work out the pattern of the rhyme, if applicable. 
  • Themes: what is it about?
  • With seasonal themed poems such as these, you will find A LOT of colours, animals, plants and natural elements being mentioned. Younger children might like to spot those!
  • What feelings are being expressed by the poet?
  • What mental image does it conjur? 
  • Do they like it?
  • Manipulate the text (and/or form) of the poem: If something has a striking pattern or topic, do they want to recreate their own by changing the topic or some other detail? Scramble the lines? Create an extra stanza? (often they will want to recreate it in a humorous way)

It is a good idea to add a few blank pages at the back of your booklet, and be ready to jot down any spontaneous poetry your kids might come up with (they might not want to write it themselves, this is supposed to be a relaxing, linguistic and literary treat, remember?).

Remember, forcing an educational task (formal or informal, written or otherwise), contradicts the ethos of Poetry Teatime and will affect the feel and the effectiveness of it. 

The Poems

This are the poems I chose, insha’Allah there is something to suit everybody’s taste.

In no special order:

My Autumn Leaves – by Bruce Weigl

For the Chipmunk in my Yard – by Robert Gibb

Sonnet 73 -by William Shakespeare (also translated into contemporary English)

Fall Acrostic Poem – by Leanne Guenther 

Gathering Leaves – by Robert Frost

My November Guest – by Robert Frost 

Nothing Gold Can Stay – by Robert Frost 

Leaves – by Elsie N. Brady

Nature XXVII, Autumn – by Emily Dickinson

The Name – of It – is ‘Autumn’ – by Emily Dickinson 

Haiku (The baby cow) – by Kobayashi Issa

Haiku (In September) – by Kobayashi Issa 

Haiku (The Autumn evening) – Nakamura Teijo 

Haiku (Holding the umbrella) – Nakamura Teijo

Haiku 2078 – by Calvin Olsen

Haiku 2575 – by Calvin Olsen

Fall, Leaves, Fall – by Emily Bronte

Autumn – by John Clare

Pleasant Sounds – by John Clare

Autumn Birds – by John Claire  

Plums – by Gillian Clarke

Autumn Fires – by Robert Louis Stevenson  

October’s Gold – by Paul Holmes 

Autumn Love – by Savannah M. Jones 

Living Season – by Adele Maritz

Fall Time – by Anna M. Jordan (This contains a reference to what, according to Google, is a rock band, however I really liked the rest. Personally, I will omit that one line and enjoy the rest)

On a Day Like Today – by David Webb

Under the harvest Moon – by Carl Sandburg 

Once Upon an Autumn Day – by Joseph T. Renaldi 

Autumn Song – by Sarojini Naidu

Autumn Moonlight – by Matsuo Basho

Autumn Within – by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Autumn – by Charles Baudelaire  

Winds of Autumn – by Saigyo

You Gave Me Autumn – by Sandra Fowler 

I hope this will be a useful and enjoyable tool for your homeschool and family, in sha’Allah.

If you use the booklets please tag me on Instagram, I would love to see them in action!

Understanding Hajj – FREE printable

Hajj activity workbook for Muslim kids Dhul Hijjah islamic studies FREE PDF printable

Assalamo alaykum and welcome.

It is the time of year when those who haven’t been blessed with the opportunity to perform this great act of worship, feel like brushing up on their knowledge of Hajj.

I chose the Understanding Hajj Series by Abu Muadh Taqweem Aslam. I find the teaching style of this student of knowledge particularly accessible, Allahumma baarik. Also, the whole series consists only of 6 lessons.

I felt I could manage that. Then I though my children would probably manage that too, if I broke it down a little bit first.

Alhamdulillah, the end result is this little booklet where I organized my notes from Abu Muadh’s lessons. I also added a few questions to consolidate the knowledge gained, insha’Allah.

FREE Hajj printable for islamic homeschool madrasah muslim kids family activities for Dhul Hijjah

What age is it for? I would say anyone who can read could use it. I introduced research questions to offer a challenge to the older children. Consider it a starting point: you can simplify it or ask your students to go to greater depth if you want.

I have a couple of disclaimers. First, this is not intended to be a comprehensive Hajj guide. Secondly, the maps in there are purely for representation, they are not super geographically accurate.

Download your FREE Understanding Hajj Booklet HERE.

I ask Allah to benefit my family and yours through this humble effort. Ameen.

Summer Poems Collection DIY (free printable)

Summer poems for children poetry teatime kids read aloud homeschool

Assalamo alaykum and welcome.

We have missed poetry teatime, alhamdulillah. 

If you are not sure what poetry teatime is, it involves reading poetry aloud in your homeschool as part of a lifestyle in which children – and their adults! – are immersed in a rich linguistic and literary environment. To make it even better, it is typically accompanied by some sort of refreshments. A good place to start is this site or this video.

I don’t know about yours, but my kids seem to enjoy the eating part most of all; having said that, home baked goods are not a rarity around here, so there must be more to it…

What to read?

Because I didn’t have the time to research books, I opted for a “pick & mix” approach. Instead of going on amazon and splurge on books I know nothing about (at the risk of them finding much of the contents inappropriate according to our values), I decided to do a little online search instead and hand pick poems. 

I tried to include a variety of styles; some classical (by which I loosely mean “old”) and some contemporary poems; some poet’s names you will recognise instantly, while a few were posted on a site by “regular” people (excuse my lack of a better term). 

DISCLAIMER: I didn’t go into any depth about hidden meanings or the poets’ biographies, philosophies or outlooks on life. I just found poems I liked and collected them. 

Is this a printable collection of poems?

No. The original idea was to share the complete collection as a ready to print booklet, but, to avoid breaching the copyright of some of the poems which do not belong to the public domain, I set it out as a little literary DIY task.

The booklet “A COLLECTION OF SUMMER POEMS TO READ ALOUD” is empty for you to fill.

What I am offering you is the chance to fill it using the exact list of poems I picked out for our Summer themed poetry teatime, insha’Allah. All the poems are freely accessible online so this will save you money and – if you also prefer to pick & mix your poems – a lot of time too!

I decorated the pages with little summery pictures one might want to colour in. 

Below you will find the exact list on what I put in each page of our book, in case you want to reproduce the exact collection I put together for our homeschool. I linked the poems to websites where they are shared (to my knowledge) in a completely legal way, insha’Allah

FREE printable summer themed poetry notebooking pages. Create a collection of poems for your homeschool poetry teatime

Assemble your collection

First of all, DOWNLOAD your FREE Summer Poem collection DIY pages here.

Here is the breakdown of what you can put in each page:

PAGE 1: Cover

PAGE 2 :

Bed in Summer – by Robert Louis Stevenson 

Summer Dawn – by Spike Milligan

PAGE 3:

At the Seaside – by Robert Louis Stevenson 

Beaches – by Kaitlyn Guenther 

To See the Summer Sky – by Emily Dickinson 

PAGE 4:

Midsummer, Tobago – by Derek Walcott 

Early Summer Rain – by Yosa Buson

PAGE 5:

Daisies – by Evaleen Stein 

The Summer Sun Shone Round Me – by Robert Louis Stevenson 

PAGE 6-7:

Birds in Summer – by Mary Howitt

PAGE 8:

June – by Elaine Goodale 

Summer Stars – by Carl Sandburg 

PAGE 9:

My Kingdom – by Robert Louis Stevenson 

PAGE 10

In July – by Evaleen Stein 

Swaying in my Hammock – by Leanne Guenther 

PAGE 11:

The Violet and the Bee – by John Bannister Tabb

Midsummer Joys – by Winifred Sackville Stoner Jr. 

PAGE 12:

Summer Morning – by Rachel Field 

We Have a Little Garden – by Beatrix Potter 

PAGE 13:

The Schoolboy – by William Blake 

PAGE 14

Summertime – by Brandon Tyler Martin 

PAGE 15:

The Bird’s Bath – by Evaleen Stein 

Baby’s Baking – by Evaleen Stein 

PAGE 16:

The Summer of Stitches -by Raymond A. Foss

Summer – by David Mohn

PAGE 17:

Barefoot Days – by Rachel Field 

Patience – by Pandita Sanchez 

PAGE 18:

Summer – by C J Hurd

PAGE 19:

Summer Haiku – by K P Nunez 

The Gardener – by Robert Louis Stevenson 

PAGE 20:

Rain in Summer – by Henry W. Longfellow

PAGE 21:

The Brook Song  – by James Whitcomb Riley

PAGE 22:

Summer Delight –  by Paul Callus 

Summer Sun – by Robert Louis Stevenson 

How to use this list

With the list of poems above you and your children could:

  • Use them for copywork in the printable booklet;
  • Use them for dictation;
  • Print them out and stick them on the pages;

You can also disregard my list, and choose your own poems to fill the printable pages, or have your children write their own!

Put the kettle on (by which I of course mean “switch on the espresso machine”), make some lemonade, sandwiches, muffins, fruit salad… or whatever you want; put your to-do list in a drawer and – whether it is a physical or metaphorical one – make sure it is shut!

Enjoy.

Homeschool tomorrow, insha’Allah. 

Daily Qur’an Study journal – a little gift to my fellow Muslimahs

Free printable Qur'an study journal planner insert TN Muslima mom study journal Ramadan

Assalamo alaykum and welcome.

As mothers, we have heard it and said it countless times: “You can’t pour from an empty cup.”

As Muslims, we know how that “cup” can ever truly be filled.

Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.


[Surah ar-Ra’d 13:28]

Striking a balance between our many wordly commitments and our own growth in the deen is difficult, and Allah’s help is sought.  

As with everything, we might go through phases: We start off determined and focused and then, after a while, life happens; we feel overwhelmed, lose momentum… and the dust starts to settle over our books. Maybe even over our heart.

The Muslim woman, particularly the Muslim mother, has many responsibilities. Contrary to what one might assume, learning her religion (as much as she is able) is one of them.

The Qur’an was revealed for you

It was revealed for the guidance and success of each one of us. If we fail to connect with it, to know what it says and try to act upon it, then we will never be truly happy.

The Qur’an was not revealed only for children in the madrasas, or for the elderly uncles that have time to sit with it in the masaajid. It was revealed for us busy moms too.

On the Day of Judgement, it will be a proof for or against us. We cannot be Muslims without it.

Memorizing Qur’an, accessing its meaning by learning Arabic and studying tafseer such as those of Ibn Katheer or Imam as-Sa’dee (which are available in English) is not something only for those who have “time to spare”.

One might start enthusiastically, then run out of steam and stop for a while. None of us is immune to the day-to-day mom-wearout, nor is any of us safe from getting discouraged when we see we “can’t keep it up.”

But we can always start again, insha’Allah.

About the daily Qur’an journal

free resource for Muslimahs Quran journaling

To establish a minimal, sustainable study routine for myself, I tried to come up with a simple logging system that I can use daily and that would enable me to:

  • Break down the task of memorizing Qur’an and learning its meanings into small, manageable chunks
  • Attach meaning to the ayaat to aid memorisation
  • Increase my Arabic/Qur’anic vocabulary
  • Record tafseer benefits so that what is read can be revised and looked up easily
  • Feel encouraged by seeing my small daily efforts add up in a tangible way
  • Use a format similar to journaling, which, in itself, can be a very calming and enjoyable activity.

For a few days, I did my daily Qur’an with a piece of paper next to me, sketching out layouts and filling them in with my notes, and this is the final product:

How to assemble the journal

  • Choose how big you want your journal to be. Personally I find A4 too big, but you may want to have lots of space to write. I recommend size A5 or the standards TN size to use as a traveler’s notebook insert;
  • Print. With the exception of the cover, make sure you print pages on the front and the back of the paper;
  • If you are using a ring binder, cut the pages to size (if needed), punch holes and you are good to go.
  • If you want to make it into a notebook, fold all the pages along what will be the spine, stack them in the order you want and stapled them with a regular reach stapler and a rubber (see how to do it HERE). If you don’t have too many pages you can even run it through a sewing machine. (TIP: If you are printing different colour pages and want the two pages of each spread to match once the notebook is stapled, make sure that -when you stack the pages before stapling – you do so with the same colour facing each other!).

How to use it

This Qur’an study journal was designed to be used as an aid in your hifdh and tafseer study, but there is no reason why you couldn’t use it to learn about the Qur’an you read daily.

When you can appreciate the original wording and you understand the meaning of an ayah, it will be easier to memorise it and, of course, your attachment to it will grow.

  • Simply choose the ayah you want to start with. It can be something you want to revise or a brand new one to memorise. Read it a few times.
  • Copy the meaning in English to familiarize yourself with it (I do recommend using the Noble Qur’an translation by Hilali and Khan which is, to my knowledge, the most accurate in English.)
  • Choose an Arabic word from the ayah to be your word of the day. You can see the Qur’an translated word by word HERE. PLEASE NOTE: I do not know this site’s methodology and I do remind everybody that the Qur’an must not be interpreted on the basis of linguistic/grammatical analysis alone, but understood through the tafseer passed down from the companions of the Prophet (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam).
  • Read the tafseer of the ayah from Ibn Katheer or Imam as-Sa’dee and note down some points of benefit.
  • There is additional space for a little daily gratitude as well as notes. You can write what worked well for you, how you could improve your study experience, your plan for the next day… or anything you find useful!
  • Feel free to spend as many days (and pages) as you need on the same ayah. Each day you can pick a different Arabic word from it and add more tafseer benefits, insha’Allah.
  • The pages are not dated. It might sound silly, but that will make you feel better in case you end up skipping a few days, and it will make it easier to resume where you left off, insha’Allah.
Quran journaling Muslim journal Ramadan

Let’s strive this Ramadan!

I designed this journal pages to cover a small portion of daily work. This way, fewer people will be intimidated by the fact that they simply don’t have a whole hour to sit and study.

How long it will take each day depends entirely on what you are able to put in, but this system should be doable even for busy moms that can only have 10 minutes at a time, insha’Allah.

It is a very good thing for our children to see us studying and putting effort into learning our religion. It is part of setting a good example for them.

Sometimes you may want to find a quiet place; early in the morning before everyone is up or first thing after the children go to bed are good times to study. You might be able to find pockets of time here and there during the day (try keeping your books and materials somewhere safe in the kitchen and take them out once the food needs your attention only once in a while!). To make it extra easy, both the Noble Qur’an and Tafseer Ibn Katheer are available as free apps for your phone.

Mankind is forever in need of another chance from Allah.

The coming of the month of Ramadan is an especially precious chance: a time when the shayateen are chained and largely prevented from hindering us; a time in which we find it easier to pick up good habits and during which the rewards for our deeds are multiplied even more than usual.

Allah says:

O mankind! There has come to you a good advice from your Lord, and a healing for what is in your chests – a guidance and a mercy for the believers.

[Surah Yunus 10:57]

Nothing can recharge our batteries and “fill our cup” like the Word of Allah can.

Let’s try again this Ramadan. In fact, let’s try to increase our bond with the Qur’an today!

Download your FREE A4 Qur’an Study Journal HERE

Download your FREE A5 Qur’an Study Journal HERE

Download your FREE regular TN Qur’an Study Journal HERE

Sittings in the month of Ramadan – FREE workbook and journal for children

Free Ramadan activity for kids journal workbook printable

Assalamo alaykum and welcome.

Even after 8 years, there is not much that is absolutely set about our homeschool. One thing that I always had in my mind though, is that the children must be connected with the works of the great ulama’.

Often we cannot just hand them the books though; the contents need to be broken down to the child’s level in order to be grasped. I always like to try and come up with some sort of activity related to the book, so that its teaching can sink in, insha’Allah.

This is the very reason why I started making resources (and blogging). Alhamdulillah.



The book “Sittings in the month of Ramadan (a gift to the people of Iman in Lessons for the month of Ramadan)” by shaykh Salih al-Fawzaan (hafeedhahullah) is a real treasure for the English speaking Muslim.

After I recently pick it back up, it catapulted me into the Ramadan mood in such way I just knew I had to share it with my children.

What is in the workbook

One of my aim for this homeschool year – insha’Allah – is to teach my boys some note taking skills.

As a student myself, I use this skill pretty much everyday. We all know it is invaluable, whatever the career path that our children will follow, because the true Muslim never stops learning.

This workbook/journal hybrid comes in 2 version: one aimed at the upper primary/lower secondary school age (roughly KS2+), and one designed for younger children (KS1).

NOTE: I am using the labels KS1 and KS2  very loosely here. I could just call them “easier” and “harder”. I preferred not to attach an age to the two levels because children vary so much!

Download the FREE KS1 Sittings in the month of Ramadan Workbook and Journal HERE.

Download the FREE KS2 Sittings in the month of Ramadan Workbook and Journal HERE.

Have a look inside and decide which one is suitable for your child.


free printable islamic studies daily Ramadan activity for Muslim children

Both versions of the workbook will encourage the child to keep track of his efforts in worship this Ramadan, as well as practice note taking from that day’s lesson from shaykh Fawzan’s book.

Free Ramadan activity primary school homeschool kids printable

The KS1 WORKBOOK includes:

  • Record the date and weather
  • Keep track of your daily prayers (and taraweeh)
  • Keep track of how much of each fast you completed
  • Note down (or appropriately represent) important words from the lesson
  • A short hadeeth, ayah or quotation from the lesson to copy
  • Star rating for the day

Download the FREE KS1 Sittings in the month of Ramadan HERE.

The KS2+ WORKBOOK includes:

  • Record the date and weather
  • Keep track of your daily prayers (and taraweeh)
  • Keep track of your completed fasts
  • Simple, specific note taking activity (relative to the day’s lesson)
  • Today’s wisdom: pace to copy their favourite quote from the lesson
  • A journaling prompt (or reflection question, depending on what is applicable) related to the topic discussed that day
  • Star rating for the day

Download the FREE KS2 Sittings in the month of Ramadan HERE.

How does it work

Shaykh Fawzan’s “Sittings in the Month of Ramadan” will be the jewel of our Ramadan basket, insha’Allah.

Each daily lesson is between 3-5 pages in length, insha’Allah I will read one out loud each day (or share the reading with the boys, depending on what they feel like) and then simply help them complete the daily page of the workbook.

It is quite likely that the topics explained in the lessons will raise some question in my young audience and insha’Allah result in very beneficial big juicy conversations!

May Allah let us and you benefit from this humble effort.

Are you all ready for this coming Ramadan? What will you and your children be reading?

Share with us in the comments below!

Free printable Ramadan activity for children