Lesson video

Hello, my name is Mrs. Afshan.

Today, we are going to explore an important concept in Islam, harmony.

The lesson is called Allah and Harmony from the unit Muslims: How Does Prayer and Fasting Help Muslims Find Harmony? We'll look at how Muslims find harmony through their connection with Allah and the practise of the Five Pillars of Islam.

Let's get started.

The learning outcome of today's lesson is, "I can understand that the Five Pillars of Islam help many Muslims find harmony with Allah." By the end of today's lesson, we should be able to understand how these pillars help Muslims feel close to Allah and live in peace with the world around them.

These are some of the words we will be exploring in our lesson today.

The words are harmony, a state of peace and agreement; things being in balance with each other.

The Five Pillars, the five obligations for a Muslim.

Allah, the Arabic word for God.

And submission, being humbly obedient.

Shall we have a go at reading these? First, it will be my turn, and then you can repeat the word when it's your turn.

The word is harmony.

Harmony.

The Five Pillars.

The Five Pillars.

Allah.

Allah.

Submission.

Submission.

Well done.

You did really well reading those words with me today.

We have two cycles in our lesson today, but first, we'll be looking at what does harmony mean for Muslims? Let me introduce you to Nadia.

This is Nadia.

She's a Sunni Muslim.

Like most Muslims, she believes in one God, who is known as Allah.

Like most Muslims, Nadia believes that the world was created by Allah.

The universe and all life in it has been created to be in harmony.

What does harmony mean? Have a think.

Have you heard music in harmony? It is different voices or instruments coming together to create a beautiful sound.

For Muslims, it means different Muslims coming together happily and working in peace.

Most Muslims believe that Allah created human beings to be in a state of harmony with him.

Did you think of the same definition? Well done.

Time for a check for understanding.

What does harmony mean for many Muslims? Is it singing a song together in harmony? Is it playing music together in harmony? Or different Muslims coming together happily? What do you think? That's correct, well done.

It is different Muslims coming together happily.

Great work.

Nadia believes that submission to Allah means living a life in line with Allah's guidance, and it helps her build a strong connection with Allah and brings harmony with him.

This submission, it's not about doing anything you want, but about following the teachings of Allah and trusting his wisdom.

Nadia believes Allah wants what's best for her.

Time for another check.

Nadia believes submitting to Allah brings a Muslim into harmony with God.

What do you think, is it true or false? True, that is correct, but why did Nadia believe submitting to Allah brings a Muslim into harmony with him? Because most Muslims believe that submitting to Allah helps person get closer to him and achieve harmony with him.

Great work.

Let's look into what does the word submission mean? Submission means following someone's teachings or rules because we trust them and are obedient to them.

For Muslims, living in harmony with Allah involves submission.

For example, you might listen to a teacher or your parents because they want what's best for you.

Time for another check for understanding.

What do many Muslims believe about submission to God? Is it that this involves doing whatever they want, or this involves following God's rules and teachings, or this involves following what your parent or teacher tells you? Have a go.

That's correct, submission means and involves following God's rules and teachings.

Well done.

For most Muslims, the Qur'an is the word of Allah.

What does the Qur'an say about harmony and submission? Here is a verse from the Qur'an in Arabic and in English.

In Arabic, it says.

(Mrs. Afshan speaking Arabic) Which means, "But no, whoever submits themselves to Allah and does good will have the reward with their Lord, and there will be no fear for them, nor will they grieve." This Arabic verse from the Qur'an means that by submitting to Allah and doing good things, Muslims may find peace and closeness to Allah.

Let's listen to Nadia and find out what submission means to her.

Nadia says, "The Qur'an tells me that submission to Allah gives me a sense of harmony.

It gives me harmony with God and with everyone around me." Like Nadia, many Muslims believe harmony is living in peace with everyone and everything around them.

Time for a task.

I hope you're ready.

Jacob and Alex are discussing what submission to Allah means for many Muslims. Jacob says, "It means following Allah's rules and teachings.

It also means trusting him." Alex says, "It means doing whatever you want and only asking Allah when you need something." Who has a better understanding of what submission to Allah means and why? You can pause the video now and come back when we can check our answers.

Let's check our answers, who has a better understanding, Jacob or Alex, of what submission to Allah means and why? Jacob has a better understanding because he realises that submission is about following the rules and teachings of God all of the time.

As Jacob said, "It means following Allah's rules and teachings.

It also means trusting him." Well done.

Here is the second part of our task.

Can you finish these sentences? "Submission to Allah gives many Muslims a sense of.

." And also finish this sentence.

"Submission to Allah can also give many Muslims..

to Allah." You can pause the video now and come back when you've got your completed sentences.

Let's check our sentences.

Submission to Allah gives many Muslims a sense of harmony.

That's correct.

And submission to Allah can also give many Muslims a sense of peace and closeness to Allah.

Well done.

Now let's look at the Five Pillars of Islam and find out why are the Five Pillars of Islam important? Five Pillars of Islam are the key practises that help Muslims stay connected to Allah and live in harmony with him.

We're gonna look at how these Five Pillars bring Muslims peace and help them feel close to Allah.

Let me introduce you to Iqbal.

This is Iqbal.

He's a British Sunni Muslim from London.

Like many Muslims, Iqbal believes in God, whom he calls Allah.

Iqbal is very close to his faith and follows the Five Pillars of Islam.

Here's what Iqbal says.

"There are five special things that help me find harmony with Allah and live a good life.

They are the Five Pillars of Islam.

These things help me feel happy and peaceful.

Time for another check.

The Five Pillars of Islam make Iqbal feel happy and peaceful.

True or false? What do you think? True, that's correct.

And why? Because the Five Pillars of Islam are the most important things Muslims do to show their devotion to Allah.

Well done.

How do you the Five Pillars help Muslims find harmony? Let's take a look at these pillars and see it Iqbal's explanation.

The first is the Shahadah.

The Shahadah is the first and most important part of being a Muslim, which means that there is only one God, Allah, and that prophet Muhammad is his messenger.

saying the Shahadah shows that a person is ready to follow Allah and listen to what prophet Muhammad taught.

For Iqbal, the Five Pillars are more than just practises.

He says, "This reminds me to be kind, loving, and thankful.

I know Allah is watching over me." Let's look at salat.

Salat is the second important pillar of Islam.

It means praying to Allah five times a day.

Praying helps Muslims feel close to Allah and reminds them to be kind and good to others.

Iqbal shares, "When I pray, I feel I'm talking to Allah, and it helps me feel close to him and find peace." The third pillar is called zakat, which means we share what we have with people in need.

Many Muslims believe it is an important part of being a Muslim and it is significant to share what they have with others, especially those who are less fortunate.

Zakat is a way of showing kindness and compassion.

Muslims give a small part of their money each year to help people who are struggling so they can feel peace and harmony with others.

Iqbal says, "It makes me think about how we can make the world a better place for everyone." Time for a check for understanding.

Which one is not one of the Five Pillars of Islam? Is it praying, faith, reading, or giving? Which one is not one of the Five Pillars of Islam? Have a think.

Reading is not one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

That's correct.

Now, let's look at the fourth pillar, which is fasting, sawm, which means that during the month of Ramadan, Muslims don't eat or drink during the day.

Iqbal says, "Fasting helps me understand how others feel when they are hungry and reminds me to be grateful." The fifth pillar of Islam is Hajj, which is a special journey of pilgrimage to the holy city of Makkah.

Muslims who are able to travel to Makkah at least once in their lifetime take part in Hajj.

It is a time for Muslims to pray, reflect, and show their love and obedience to Allah.

During Hajj, Muslims from all over the world come together, which helps them feel united in their faith.

Here is an image of Iqbal during Hajj.

Iqbal shared, "During Hajj, I felt connected and in harmony with all other Muslims in the world.

Time for another check.

What is the pilgrimage to Makkah called? Is it Hajj, zakat, or salat? Have a think.

Hajj, that's correct.

You got that right.

Now let's remind ourselves of the Five Pillars of Islam one more time.

Iqbal explains how the Five Pillars of Islam help many Muslims find harmony with Allah.

Iqbal says, "The Five Pillars of Islam create a good life of faith, responsibility, and compassion, helping many Muslims to live in harmony with Allah and find peace in their hearts and communities." Time for another task.

List and explain the Five Pillars of Islam.

Write a sentence explaining each one.

And also, think about how each pillar helps many Muslims feel close to God and in harmony with one another.

You can pause the video now, and come back to check your answers with me.

Are you ready to check your answers? Some of the possible sentences are, "Faith, the first pillar of Islam.

Muslims believe in one God, Allah, and that the prophet Muhammad is his messenger." "Pray: many Muslims pray, which helps them to feel closer to God and find peace." "Giving, or zakat.

This is about giving to those in need.

It reminds Muslims to care for others." "Fasting, sawm.

Many Muslims fast during Ramadan.

It reminds them to be grateful." And, "Pilgrimage, like Hajj.

Many Muslims go on the pilgrimage, Hajj, to show their love and obedience to Allah." Well done if you wrote those sentences.

To summarise our learning, we can say that for Muslims, harmony means being in peace with Allah and everything he created.

By following Allah's guidance through the Five Pillars of Islam, Muslims like Nadia and Iqbal find peace and harmony in their lives.

Remember, Muslims believe in one God, known as Allah, who created the world in harmony.

Most Muslims believe that they follow God's guidance and submit to his will and they feel peace and harmony.

We also have learned that the Five Pillars of Islam help many Muslims find harmony with Allah, feel connected to Allah.

Thank you for your attention, and I hope you now know and you now have a better understanding of how the Five Pillars of Islam help Muslims find harmony in their lives.

Great, I hope to see you in our next lesson.

Bye.