So my daughter was shocked to hear that Prophet Ibrahim [AS] was about to sacrifice his son upon the command of Allah…that even though a lamb appeared in his place eventually, it was devastating for her!
So I was explaining the love of Allah in the heart of the Prophet, and the faith that Prophet Ibrahim had in this heart. They got a bit of it but were like, “mom would you kill us?” I told her that since I wasn’t a prophet, Allah would never ask me to do such a thing, and that it was a test for Ibrahim [as] because Allah wanted to see his faith. But she went on like, “but what ifffff?”
Anyway, hope this fear has passed and that the little one doesn’t get wind of it, but what would be your reaction?*
Re: Bakra Eid and how to tell the story to your kids?
I remember when I saw a barki being sent out of this mortal realm when I was only 11 accidently. I had wandered off to the backyard and no adult saw me wander off. I was stunned!
Re: Bakra Eid and how to tell the story to your kids?
As far as I remember I saw the slaughtering and everything and actually buying the animal was big part of baqra eid so I didn't really mind. As for the stories they were in kid's books the qissa sul anbia thing. So, I had read them well before anyone explained anything.
Re: Bakra Eid and how to tell the story to your kids?
This is the problem with raising the kids in West , you cannot slap them silly to get them out of their trauma. Just kidding.
This is an opportunity to tell them that faith has no logic. Faith is a lifelong commitment a pact with Allah that we will no digress from His commands. Any kind of sacrifice we make to fulfill His commands is not as big as Hazrat Ibrahim(A.A) was asked and would go on to make.
It also proves that Allah is most merciful . Allah wanted to end the human sacrifice which was very common in those days. Allah could only use His prophet to end this non humane practice and Allah did , this way.
Re: Bakra Eid and how to tell the story to your kids?
Bloody hell… kids these days.
Well It might be worth getting the children to watch an Islamic cartoon on the subject… it’s something they will be more understanding of… i guess.
Back in my day things were different. Poor Shak bhai… when i was 11 I was already learning the Bakra passing proccess though i did not commit it till i was 13.
Re: Bakra Eid and how to tell the story to your kids?
I'm not special back home theres a whole generation of people like me my friend.
Anyhow Kids these days are no different to kids back then... the environment has changed but kids are still kids.
In my day we had less respect for Mullahs lectures at Masjid but uncle's beatings at home would make us lear faith the hard way....
In the west i guess you need to persuade them with something they like. Hence i suggested cartoons.... talk to them they will think your boring... switch on an islamic cartoon though and bingo!
Talking from experience here i used to be a naughty boy and cared nothing for faith when i was little... but i realised there were good things about our faith too... once i learned those heck i got addicted.
Re: Bakra Eid and how to tell the story to your kids?
She's actually read the book on this and that didn't make as much as a "negative" impact as someone actually talking to her about it did. Maybe it was the expressions or the choice of words...
Re: Bakra Eid and how to tell the story to your kids?
The same thing happened to me while reading Prophet Yusuf’s story. The yougins cannot grasp what is jealously, why did the bothers throw him down a well and the whole zulekha thingy I had to hide the book far away until they are ready for those concepts.
I don’t think some of the picture books are written for smaller children and IMO some of the prophet’s stories are not child emotion friendly.
We are already competing with Santa, and lighted christmas trees and just like folks won’t show “Passion of Christ” on Christmas to little ones - in my household it’s okay for a little while if Bakra Eid is not about slaughtering but a simplified version about reading Eid namaz, Hajj rituals and sharing portions with poor.
Re: Bakra Eid and how to tell the story to your kids?
interesting.. I dun even remember how I was introduced to it but then I grew up in Pakistan and I think it was just part of growing up there!
I teach at the Sunday school.. my group is 6-8 years old and yes I have read the story to them and told them that these tests are for prophets only and Mohammad (saw) is the last prophet so we will never be tested like this.. I also emphasized that the boy was aware of that and he also grew up to be a prophet so it was his test too.. and last but not least they certainly had so much faith in Allah Taala's mercy that they were okay with it.... honestly, they understood it.. I dun think it traumatized them because they are very vocal about such things and had asked questions like your daughter did and in return I asked them so who was the last prophet.. they just giggled and said oh yes these tests are for prophets only!!
Also, I tend to emphasize a lot more on other hajj rituals than just this one part of it...they like hearing the story baout how Abraham built the kaaba with his son, and the story of saffa n marwa etc!
ps: I think your daughter was traumatized by the way it was told to her.. I hope she knew about it before it was told to her in such a scary way!
Re: Bakra Eid and how to tell the story to your kids?
I remember my mum telling us the story like GTG explained it and it never traumatized us. I think she ha a lot of focus on how Allah test humans in different ways, but always show mercy upon us.
Re: Bakra Eid and how to tell the story to your kids?
interesting.. I dun even remember how I was introduced to it but then I grew up in Pakistan and I think it was just part of growing up there!
I teach at the Sunday school.. my group is 6-8 years old and yes I have read the story to them and told them that these tests are for prophets only and Mohammad (saw) is the last prophet so we will never be tested like this.. I also emphasized that the boy was aware of that and he also grew up to be a prophet so it was his test too.. and last but not least they certainly had so much faith in Allah Taala's mercy that they were okay with it.... honestly, they understood it.. I dun think it traumatized them because they are very vocal about such things and had asked questions like your daughter did and in return I asked them so who was the last prophet.. they just giggled and said oh yes these tests are for prophets only!!
Also, I tend to emphasize a lot more on other hajj rituals than just this one part of it...they like hearing the story baout how Abraham built the kaaba with his son, and the story of saffa n marwa etc!
ps: I think your daughter was traumatized by the way it was told to her.. I hope she knew about it before it was told to her in such a scary way!
Yes she knew the story from books but not too many details, just very basic information, not like "kill the child" type of words :D, but I guess it was the way she was told about it this time that made her so sensitive. I had never gone into details because I thought she'd be too young to understand it anyway.
Re: Bakra Eid and how to tell the story to your kids?
how old is she?
I believe if a child has to start praying at 7 then they are old enough to understand the religion.. we should just let them know by that age!! but you are right "kill the child" isn't the right choice of the words!
Re: Bakra Eid and how to tell the story to your kids?
I think it probably had to do with the choice of words being used by the kids at school.
Growing up, it was one of my favorite stories because of the way it was explained to me…it showed how much Allah swt loves us. He may ask you to trust him blindly but He will never let any sort of harm come to you. You may feel fear but having faith will deliver you from almost any situation. In the end, Prophet Ibrahim (as) did not lose his son and that is the most important thing. Trust Him and He shall not disappoint you.*
I had to hide the book far away until they are ready for those concepts.