Thursday, 14 November 2019
Saturday, 7 September 2019
HUMANITY'S TEACHER by Obed Khan
HUMANITY’S
TEACHER
by Obed
Khan- Trainer / Life Coach
Vowel
Education Academy
More than 2 billion followers spread out in almost all the countries of the world…. 1 book, the Qur’an and the Teacher….Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). In a short span of 23 years, he created a revolution, guided humanity from darkness to light, transformed the almost barabaric Arabs into leaders and rulers of a major part of the world. He is rightly known as ‘Humanity’s Teacher.’
Michael H. Hart, author of the best selling book- ‘The 100: A ranking of the most influential Persons in History’ places Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) at the top of his list. He says, “ My choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the world’s most influential persons may surprise some readers and may be questioned by others, but he was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the religious and secular level.”
Can present day Teachers learn from his teaching methodology? Can his teaching techniques benefit the teachers? If you analyse, it would be visibly clear that most of the modern day teaching techniques are derived from his teaching methodology. When a teacher tries to adopt these techniques, it will soon reflect on the students as they begin to understand and learn, and this in turn will reflect positively on the school, because this will transform the students lives. This learning process will bring a a lot of benefit to the entire system that is striving to educate the future generation.
So, how did the Prophet (pbuh) teach? His teaching methodology is a store house of techniques that are both effective and impactful. Simple, effective, easy to implement and innovative techniques through which every teacher will benefit. And, by the way, even Parents will benefit from these techniques, because they are the first teachers of the child.
Lets embark together on a journey to learn some of the techniques of ‘Humanity’s Teacher’ as mentioned in the Qur’an and Sunnah. One of the best book that can be referred on this topic is ‘Ar Rasool Al Muallim (The Prophet, The Teacher) by Abu Fattah Abu Ghuddah (rahimahullah). Some contemporaray authors have also compiled these techniques and written in a more comprehensive and simple way.
Some of the techniques we will discuss are ,
Tech 1- Do not bore the listener,
Tech 2- Speak at the intellectual level of the listener,
Tech 3- Use questions and debate,
Tech4- Use analogies (examples),
Tech 5- Use diagrams and drawings,
Tech 6- Use gestures……. And many more.
For ‘Humanity’s Teacher’ Workshop for Teachers-
Monday, 29 July 2019
STRESS MANAGEMENT- AN ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE
STRESS MANAGEMENT- AN ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE by Obed Khan
STRESS MANAGEMENT- An Islamic Perspective by Obed Khan (Vowel Education Academy) INTRODUCTION Stress and Depression affects people from all walks of life and backgrounds. It can affect people from of all ages. There is no single cause of depression according to research. The main causes of Stress are life experiences, physical health, brain chemistry, hormones […]
STRESS MANAGEMENT- An Islamic Perspective
by Obed Khan (Vowel Education Academy)
INTRODUCTION
Stress and Depression affects people from all walks of life and backgrounds. It can affect people from of all ages. There is no single cause of depression according to research. The main causes of Stress are life experiences, physical health, brain chemistry, hormones and genetics.
WHAT IS STRESS?
Stress is simply a reaction to a stimuli that disturbs our physical and mental state. In psychology stresss is a feeling of strain and pressure. Untreated stress can eventually lead to depression.
According to the World Health Organization, 300 million people around the world have depression. Untreated depression increases an individual’s risk of suicide, which is one of the leading causes of death in the world. According to the World Health Organization, one million people commit suicide every year. Stress is even a major cause of various physical ailments such as Diabetes and Hyper Tension.
WHAT IS STRESS MANAGEMENT?
Today we find Stress Management workshops and Counselling are growing in popularity all over the world. Significant research has been done on methods to effectively cope up with life stressors and improve psychological well-being. Researchers have identified numerous approaches and strategies like relaxation, meditation, imagination, yoga etc. to combat stress.
THE ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE ON STRESS MANAGEMENT
Muslims lookup to the Qur’an and Sunnah for guidance and solutions to all their problems. The basic perception of Islam on stress management is that this life is a test for the hereafter. Therefore, life can be full of tests and trials which cause stress. Islam takes note of the inevitability of stress in people’s lives and provides strategies to combat stress.
STRATEGIES PROVIDED BY ISLAM TO COMBAT STRESS
Some of the strategies and solutions provided by Islam to combat stressare
- Belief in Allah and Al Qadr (Destiny)
Belief in Allah and Al Qadr gives us confidence to face life’s unavoidable stress. “If Allah do touch thee with hurt, there is none can remove it but He: if He do design some benefit for thee, there is none can keep back His favour: He causeth it to reach whomsoever of His servants He pleaseth. And He is the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”[Qur’an, Surah Younus, Ch. 10, verse 107]
“No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but it is inscribed in the Book of Decrees (Al Lawh Al Mahfooz) before We bring it into existence. Verily, that is easy for Allaah”
[[Qur’an, Surah al-HadeedCh.57, verse 22]
Hadith of the Prophet (pbuh)
“Young man, I shall teach you some words [of advice] :
Be mindful of Allah, and Allah will protect you.
Be mindful of Allah, and you will find Him in front of you.
If you ask, ask of Allah; if you seek help, seek help of Allah.
Know that if the Nation were to gather together to benefit you with anything,
it would benefit you only with something that Allah had already prescribed for you,
and that if they gather together to harm you with anything,
they would harm you only with something Allah had already prescribed for you.
The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried.” (At Tirmidhi H- 2516)
2. Being content with whatever we have-
“Look at those who are beneath you and do not look at those who are above you, for it is more suitable that you should not consider as less the blessing of Allah.” [Bukharee 6490, abridged & in Muslim 2963]
- Being positive and hopeful in the mercy of Allah
“I am as My slave thinks I am, so let him think of Me as he wishes.”[ Ahmad -16059]
So think that Allaah will honour you, have mercy on you and give you happiness in this world and in the Hereafter, because He loves His righteous slaves, and honours His pious slaves. So be assured of a life of tranquillity, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Whoever works righteousness — whether male or female — while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islamic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter)”
[Qu’an, Surah An Nahl, Ch.16, verse 97]
- Seeking help through patience and prayer
Salah is the key to success and happiness. Haven’t you heard in the adhaan. “….Hayya las salah.. hay la falah…” Come to prayer, come to success. And Allaah has made patience like a horse that never gets tired, an army that can never be defeated and a strong fortress that can never be breached. Patience and victory are twin brothers, for victory comes with patience, relief comes with distress and ease comes with hardship.
“And seek help in patience and As-Salaah (the prayer)….”
[Qur’an, Surah al-Baqarah Ch.2, verse 45]
5. Duas and Adhkaars
“Those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism), and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah, Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest”
[Qur’an, Surah ar-Ra‘dCh.13, verse 28]
Imam Ibn al-Qayyim writes a profound paragraph on this.
“In the heart, there is a sense of untidiness which can only be gathered by turning to Allah
And in the heart there is a sense of loneliness which can only be removed by coming closer to Allah
And in the heart there is fear and anxiety, which only leaves by fleeing to Allah
And in the heart there is a sense of regret, which can only be removed by being satisfied with Allah.”
Duas and Adhkaars help in achieving this state of peace and tranquility.
All these and many more strategies provided by Islam gives us strength to combat stress and reduce or eliminate stress from our lives. For a Muslim the solutions provided in Islam are the best stress management techniques. A Muslim should try to learn and implement them in his life to become free from stress and live a healthy and peaceful life, in sha Allah.
Obed Khan- Trainer / Life Coach
VOWEL EDUCATION ACADEMY
vowelhelpdesk@gmail.com / obedkhanin@gmail.com
Photo by Burst on Pexels.com
Saturday, 22 June 2019
Teacher’s
Personality
by Obed Khan (Vowel Education
Academy)
Schools
have begun and Teachers are back in action. A few words of encouragement and
advice from me for all those dear teachers who have begun their work,
especially for those teachers who are teaching for the first time.
The
Teacher is the most important component in the teaching-learning process. And
today I am not going to speak about the teacher as a teacher, i.e. teacher as
one who teaches a particular subject, but as an inspirer. The real role of a
teacher does not lie in the regular performance of routine duties but in the
role of the one who leads and inspires the students through his personality.
The way in which the teacher’s personality impresses and interacts with the
students to make them dynamic and productive individuals is the best result in
terms of teaching-learning outcome.
Personality is made up of all the factors that make an individual . For
a teacher it is the way he dresses, the way he talks, the way he walks, the way
he interacts, the way he behaves,….. his punctuality, his sincerity, his
attitude. All this and much more makes a personality. Effective teaching and
learning are the result of the teachers all encompassing and balanced
personality.
Students love a well dressed, happy, cheerful, enthusiastic and
sympathetic teacher. Effective teaching and learning are the result of love for
the pupils, sympathy for their interests, tolerance for their mistakes and a
capacity for understanding them.
So dear
Teachers, realize the importance of the effect of your personality on youir
students life. Be a good Teacher and even an inspirer.
by
Obed Khan- Teacher / Trainer / Life Coach
vowelhelpdesk@gmail.com /
obedkhanin@gmail.com
VOWEL EDUCATION ACADEMY
Friday, 21 June 2019
SALAH- THE BEST FORM OF EXERCISE (Celebrate Salah Day…… Every Day)
Salah- The best form of Exercise
(Celebrate Salah Day…… Every Day)
Today, people,
not only in India but all over the world are celebrating ‘World Yoga Day’ One
of the best form of exercise, which is trending all over the world. We Muslims
have our own arrangement of physical exercise and ways to remain fit and
active. For a Muslim, Salah i.e. prayer is very important
and we are commanded to offer prayers at the prescribed times. We are urged to
do that and we are warned against neglecting it. Allah says in the Glorious
Quran in Surah An Nisa Ch.4 v.103 “Verily, As‑Salaah (the prayer) is enjoined
on the believers at fixed hours.” Salaah
is the second most important pillar of Islam, and
is the most regular compulsory action in a Muslim’s life.
Although Muslims primarily offer it because
of its religious obligations, however, the benefits of Salah do not end with the spiritual domain but in
fact, encompass the physical domain as well. Salah involves various
physical movements and positions, which have been scientifically proven to have
medical and health benefits.
Salah involves
continuous gentle muscle contraction and relaxation with perfect harmony and
balance. It involves different types of stretching and isometric contraction
exercises. These gentle & simple exercises are suitable for all ages &
conditions. University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) Cardiology Consultant
Specialist Prof Dr Wan Azman Wan Ahmad stated that “12 ‘RakÊ¿ah’ (unit for a set of actions in a prayer)
equaled to 30 minutes of light exercises daily as recommended by health
experts.” (zurairifm.wordpress.com/2009).
Here is a very brief analysis of the health benefits of the
different postures in Salah-
Takbir & Qiyam- Takbir is the beginning of the prayer
and starts by raising the hands, keeping the palms open next to both ears. The
Pectoralis muscles stretched gently and the shoulder blades open up. The even
distribution of weight through both feet throughout the practice of Qayyam
posture eases the balance of the body. This position aids to straighten the
back and improves posture
Ruk’u/forward bending: Health benefits- This posture is
useful to treat backache and vertebral column related diseases. It reduces the
risk of nerve compression and promotes the flexibility of the spine in healthy
people.
Jalsa/Tashahhud/Sitting- Sitting with lower back in good
posture will help to strengthen core muscles. Core strengthening has a strong
theoretical basis in treatment and prevention of low Back pain.
Sajdah/Sujud/Prostration- Prostration is the only position
in which the head is in a position lower than the heart and therefore, receives
increased blood supply to the brain, stimulates the brain’s frontal cortex.
This reduces the chances of brain hemorrhage and headache, and helps to reduces
high blood pressure. This surge in blood supply also has a positive effect on
memory, concentration, psyche and other cognitive abilities.
Salaam/Neck Turns- Salam is an excellent form of neck and
upper vertebrae exercise. The head performs rotational movements over the
cervical vertebra. This improves the range of motion of the neck and whilst
stretching the trapezius fibers.
Salah & other forms of Exercises-
For Muslims,
salah movements can be an even more healthy alternative to the existing exercises like
yoga, pilates or any other form of exercise. Salah has become an integral part
of Muslims daily activities since the seventh century and while salah is
performed as a religious obligation, it is suggested that salah postures can
simultaneously give all the benefits of other forms of exercises, if done in
the correct way.
Like-
Improves Blood Circulation- The different positions during
the Salah help in improving the overall blood flow in the body. During the Ruku
position blood flow is regulated in the upper body and during Tashahhud, the
blood flow in the lower body is regulated.
Improves Digestion- According to scientific studies, the
Salah also helps in digestion of the body. It improves liver functions and
relaxes the intestines, which in turn facilitates bowel movement in the body.
Salah can also help alleviate cases of constipation and overeating.
Relieves Back Pain and Joint Pain- The position of the body
during prostration and bowing helps open up and ease the joints. The position
of the Ruku helps in alleviating pain in the lower back by relaxing the
ligaments and muscles.
Cardiovascular Health- In essence, Salah is also a form of
exercise and it increases a person’s metabolism, which basically improves a
person’s overall cardiovascular health.
Every Salah that
you offer is similar to exercising on a daily basis which improves the overall
functioning of the organs in the body and regulates the secretion of glands and
blood flow in the body. One thing I would like to add is the issue of low back
pain suffered by many people. See the figure below-
Salah is one of the best way to prevent or cure lower back pain. The Quadratus Lumborum muscle is the hardest & strongest of all
which can be best stretched in Salah in the "Tawarruk" position i.e.
sitting on the buttock while protruding the left foot under the right calf and
erecting the right foot on the tips. Stretching is very important for
flexibility of the body and for a pain free and happy life.
So dear friends although Salah is offered by Muslims as a religious
obligation, it includes many health benefits , in a better and systematic way.
Obed Khan (Teacher / Trainer / Life
Coach)
Vowel Education Academy
vowelhelpdesk@gmail.com
Sunday, 16 June 2019
Father's Day......every day
FATHER’S DAY
by
Obed Khan
Father's Day occurs every year on the third Sunday of June in India but the dates keep on changing.
The present date of Father's Day for the year 2019 falls on the 16th June
whereas for the last year, the occasion was celebrated on 17th June, 2018. It
is a day of meeting, caring and spending quality time with your father. In Islam
every day is a fathers day or a parents day for that matter. We have to take
care, meet, and make our father happy all the time.
In Islam,
parents have a very high status. Allah says in the Qur’an,
“Say (O Muhammad): Come, I will
recite what your Lord has prohibited you from: Join not anything in worship
with Him; be good and dutiful to your parents…”
[al-An’aam 6:151]
“And We have enjoined on man to be
dutiful and kind to his parents”
[al-‘Ankaboot 29:8]
It is not
allowed to say any word of contempt or even frown upon our parents-
“And your Lord has decreed that you
worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them
or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of
disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honour.
And lower unto them the wing of submission and
humility through mercy, and say: ‘My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they
did bring me up when I was young’”
[Qur’an Surah al-Isra’ 17:23, 24]
In Islam children can be good to their
parents even after they have passed away- The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “When a person dies, all his good deeds come to an end except three: an ongoing charity he has begun, or beneficial knowledge he has left, or a righteous child who will pray for him.” (at-Tirmidhi, no. 1376)
A lot more
instructions on how to treat your parents in the Qur’an and Hadith but ending
with this warning by the Almighty Creator-
The Prophet, peace and blessings be
upon him, said, “The pleasure of the Lord is in the pleasure of the parents,
and the displeasure of the Lord is in the displeasure of the parents.” (Sunan
al-Tirmidhī 1899 Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Al-Albani)
So dear readers make every day a fathers day
and a mothers day. Take care of your parents, love them and spend time with
them. And as for today, wishing all those who are celebrating Father’s Day…. A
very Happy Father’s Day.
VOWEL EDUCATION ACADEMY
vowelhelpdesk@gmail.com / obedkhanin@gmail.com
Tuesday, 4 June 2019
Factors effecting school performance- 3. Importance of PTA
Active PTA- Amazing benefits
What Is a PTA?
PTA stands for Parent Teacher Association, a
school-based organization with a mission to make the school a better place for
children to learn. Parents of students work together with teachers to volunteer
in classes, raise money for school supplies, and generally support the school's
efforts. PTA members are parent volunteers, and while some schools have large
PTAs with officers, a bookkeeper, and an operating budget, other schools have
effective PTAs consisting of only a few motivated parents.
The Purpose of PTA is
to: Promote the welfare of the children in home, school and
community. Secure adequate laws for the care and protection of our children.
Establish a closer relationship between the home and school so
that parents and teachers may cooperate intelligently in the education of the
children.
PTAs are associations of parents and
family based in the school, whose aim is to bring into closer relationship the
home and the school for the benefit of the children. These groups form a link
between the school, management, education department and the wider community. The
child is at the centre of everything parents and teachers do. Usually our
schools lack an active PTA which is not in the interest of the school and the
students.
The role of the Board is to GOVERN
the school. The role of the Principal, Vice-Principal, Supervisors etc. is to
MANAGE the school. The role of the PTA, parents, family, and community is to
support these by being involved in the school. In best practice, PTA, Board,
and Staff communicate closely and regularly so that all sectors of the school
community are working effectively towards achieving common goals. If everyone
is pulling in the same direction, rather than being at odds with each other, a
lot more can be achieved.
Active PTA…a boon to the school
An active PTA can improve school
climate, which can lead to more learning. Students perform better at school
where their parents are involved. The visible presence of the parents around
the school can also make those buildings safer and more orderly. The PTA’s
nationwide network provides parents with the forum and tools to collectively
influence the decisions that affect children at their schools School
Management, Principal, Vice-Principal and Supervisors should encourage and help
in the making of a PTA.
So it’s the duty of each and every
parent to form a strong network and constitute a strong PTA.
For more blogs and educational videos contact:
vowelhelpdesk@gmail.com
obedkhanin@gmail.com
Visit our FB page- Vowel Education Academy
Watch our educational videos on https://www.youtube.com/obedkhan
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