Hassan Mukhtar

Ramadan is a special and blessed month in the Islamic calendar. It’s a time when Muslims around the world fast, pray, and increase their worship. Let’s explore some fascinating facts about Ramadan that kids will love!

1. What Is Ramadan?

Ramadan is the ninth month of the lunar calendar. It follows the month of Sha’ban and lasts either 29 or 30 days, depending on the sighting of the new moon. Muslims fast from dawn to sunset throughout Ramadan, ending the fast at sunset with a meal called iftar. The month concludes with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr.

2. The Quran Was Revealed in Ramadan

The greatness of Ramadan is magnified because it’s the month when Allah revealed the Quran to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). As mentioned in the Quran:

شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدَىٰ وَالْفُرْقَانِ

“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs of guidance and criterion.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:185)

3. The Night of Power (Laylatul Qadr)

One of the holiest nights in Ramadan is Laylatul Qadr, or the Night of Power. Worshiping on this night is better than a thousand months of worship. It occurs in the last ten days of Ramadan, and Muslims increase their prayers and devotion to seek its immense blessings.

4. Special Prayers – Taraweeh

Muslims perform a special prayer called Taraweeh after the Isha prayer during Ramadan. These prayers are performed in sets of two units (rak‘ahs) and are often completed in congregation at the mosque.

5. The Obligation of Fasting

Fasting in Ramadan is the fourth pillar of Islam. Every adult Muslim is required to fast unless they have a valid excuse. Allah commands in the Quran:

فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ

“So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:185)

Fasting involves abstaining from food, drink, and sinful behavior from dawn until sunset.

6. Sunnahs of Fasting

Here are a few practices (sunnahs) that enhance the reward of fasting:

• Eating Suhoor: The pre-dawn meal before fasting begins.
• Delaying Suhoor: Eating Suhoor closer to Fajr time.
• Breaking the Fast Quickly: Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:“The people will remain on the right path as long as they hasten to break their fast.” (Muslim, Hadith No. 1098)

7. Acts of Worship in Ramadan

Ramadan encourages many acts of worship:

• Fasting: The primary act of worship.
• Reading Quran: Muslims try to complete the entire Quran during the month.
• Night Prayers (Qiyam al-Layl): Additional prayers during the night.
• Charity (Sadaqah): Giving to the poor, which holds great rewards in Ramadan.
• Kindness and Family Ties: Hosting family gatherings and sharing meals.
• Feeding the Needy: A common practice of providing meals for those in need.

8. The Virtues of Ramadan

The blessings of Ramadan are countless:

• Allah frees many from the Hellfire during this month.
• Forgiveness of sins for those who fast and pray sincerely.
• Entry into Jannah through Bab al-Rayyan, a gate reserved for those who fast.
• The gates of Heaven are opened, and the gates of Hell are closed, while the devils are chained.

Call to Action

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What is Sajdah Tilawah?

Sajdah Tilawah refers to a prostration performed upon reciting or hearing certain verses in the Quran that mention prostration. This unique act of worship consists of a single prostration and doesn’t require tashahhud (the testimony of faith recited in prayer) or tasleem (saying ‘Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah’ to conclude the prayer).

Reference: “When the son of Adam recites a verse of prostration and prostrates, Satan withdraws, weeping and saying, ‘Woe to me! The son of Adam was commanded to prostrate, and he prostrated, so Paradise is his; I was commanded to prostrate, but I disobeyed, so Hell is mine.’”
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 81)

How to Teach Sajdah Tilawah to Kids

Teaching children this beautiful act of worship can be easy and engaging by following these steps:

1. Explain the Meaning of Sajdah Tilawah

Introduce the concept in simple words: “When we read certain special verses in the Quran, we show our respect and love for Allah by putting our heads on the ground in prostration.” This helps children understand the purpose behind the action.

2. Demonstrate the Action

Children learn best by observing. Show them how to perform Sajdah Tilawah:

• Say “Allahu Akbar” (without raising hands).
• Go into sujood (prostration).
• Recite: “Subḥāna rabbī al-aʿla” (سُبْحَانَ رَبِيِّ الْأَعْلَى) three times.
• Optionally, say: “Sajada wajhiya lilladhi khalaqahu wa shaqqa samʻahu wa basarahu…” (Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith 1414).
• Return to a sitting position, saying “Allahu Akbar” again.

3. Make It Interactive

Engage your child by using a small Quran or colorful flashcards to mark verses requiring prostration. Practice together until they feel confident.

4. Incorporate Rewards

Encourage consistent practice by rewarding your child for remembering and performing Sajdah Tilawah. Use praise, stickers, or small treats to reinforce their learning.

Verses of Prostration in the Quran

Here are some common prostration verses to teach your child:

1. Surah Al-A‘raf (7:206) فَاسْجُدُوا لِلَّهِ وَاعْبُدُوهُ “Prostrate to Allah and worship Him.”
2. Surah Ar-Ra‘d (13:15) وَلِلَّهِ يَسْجُدُ مَن فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ “To Allah prostrates whoever is within the heavens and the earth.”
3. Surah An-Nahl (16:49) وَلِلَّهِ يَسْجُدُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ “To Allah bows down whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth.”
4. Surah Al-Isra (17:109) يَخِرُّونَ لِلْأَذْقَانِ سُجَّدًا “They fall upon their faces in prostration.”
5. Surah Maryam (19:58) يَخِرُّونَ لِلْأَذْقَانِ سُجَّدًا “They fall down upon their faces, weeping and in prostration.”
6. Surah Al-Hajj (22:18) أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ يَسْجُدُ لَهُ مَن فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ “Do you not see that to Allah prostrates whoever is in the heavens…”
7. Surah Al-Hajj (22:77) يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ارْكَعُوا وَاسْجُدُوا “O you who have believed, bow and prostrate…”
8. Surah Al-Furqan (25:60) وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمُ اسْجُدُوا لِلرَّحْمَـٰنِ “And when it is said to them, ‘Prostrate to the Most Merciful,’ they say…”
9. Surah An-Naml (27:26) اللَّهُ لَا إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ “Allah – there is no deity except Him, Lord of the Great Throne.”
10. Surah As-Sajdah (32:15) إِنَّمَا يُؤْمِنُ بِآيَاتِنَا الَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِّرُوا بِهَا خَرُّوا سُجَّدًا “Only those believe in Our verses who, when reminded of them, fall down in prostration…”
11. Surah Sad (38:24) فَظَنَّ دَاوُودُ أَنَّمَا فَتَنَّاهُ فَاسْتَغْفَرَ رَبَّهُ وَخَرَّ رَاكِعًا وَأَنَابَ “So David became certain that We had tested him, and he sought forgiveness of his Lord and fell down bowing (in prostration)…”
12. Surah Fussilat (41:37) وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ اللَّيْلُ وَالنَّهَارُ “And of His signs are the night and day, and the sun and moon. Do not prostrate to the sun or to the moon, but prostrate to Allah…”
13. Surah An-Najm (53:62) فَاسْجُدُوا لِلَّهِ وَاعْبُدُوا “So prostrate to Allah and worship [Him].”
14. Surah Al-Inshiqaq (84:21) وَإِذَا قُرِئَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْقُرْآنُ لَا يَسْجُدُونَ “And when the Qur’an is recited to them, they do not prostrate [to Allah].”

Encourage your child to memorize these verses gradually and perform prostration when they come across them in their Quran reading.

A Gentle Invitation to Grow in Faith

Teaching children Sajdah Tilawah not only enhances their Quranic connection but also nurtures their love for Allah. If you want to enrich your child’s Islamic learning journey, explore our online Quran classes for kids designed especially for young learners. With engaging teachers and personalized lessons, your child can master the Quran with ease and joy.