EMPOWERING MUSLIM CHILDREN THROUGH QUR’AN STORIES: THE CASE OF ‘THE CAMEL AND THE EVIL PEOPLE’ (2010) AND STORIES OF THE SAHABAH FOR YOUTH (2011)

Authors

  • Ghazala Essop University of Kwazulu Natal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25159/1727-7140/1636

Keywords:

children stories, Muslim, Allah

Abstract

The aim of this article is to explore how literary stories are used to teach Muslim children to respect the commands of Allah and the values that undergird Islamic religion. Using biblical allusions drawn from the Koran/Qur’an, stories for young readers such as The Camel and the Evil People (2010) and Stories of the Sahabah for Youth (2011) entertain as well as teach young Muslim readers to appreciate the divine messages of Allah. The lessons that children get from Qur’an stories help them to build character and stick to Muslim principles. They shape personality, test moral uprightness and provide children with a guide to follow the will of Allah. A critical analysis of the stories in the above-mentioned literary texts reveals the multiple layers of themes and perspectives that the texts explore to demonstrate the greatness of Allah and the submissiveness that he expects from his subjects. Through reading Qur’an stories, it is hoped that Muslim children would be empowered to defend Islamic principles, and to distinguish what is right from what is wrong.

References

Abas, F. 2000. Stories in the Qur’an. Ammani: Dar-Al-Forqan.

Abedraboo, A. 1972. Research in the Qur’anic Stories. Beirut: Dar Al-Kitab.

Al-Hashemi, A. 1980. Methods of Teaching Religion. Beirut: Mo’assast Al-Resaleh.

Athaahir, S.H.A. 2011. Stories of the Sahabah for the Youth. Urdu Bazar Karachi, Pakistan: Zam Zam Publishers.

Ewbank, R.A.B. 2007. Prophets of the Old Testament. Gweru: Mambo Press.

Khan, S. 2010. The Camel and the Evil People. New Delphi: Goodword Books.

Rahim, H. and M.D.H. Rahiem. 2012. “The Use of Stories as Moral Education for Young Children.†International Journal of Social Science and Humanity 2(6), November: 454–458. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7763/IJSSH.2012.V2.145

Rossano, M.J. 2008. “Morality Faculty: Does Religion Promote Moral Expertise?†International Journal for the Psychology of Religion 18(3): 169–194. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10508610802115727

Surah (Aal-e-Imraan, verse 92)

The Holy Bible, King James Version. 1999. Exodus 20 vs 2. New York: American Bible Society.

Published

2016-09-28

How to Cite

Essop, Ghazala. 2014. “EMPOWERING MUSLIM CHILDREN THROUGH QUR’AN STORIES: THE CASE OF ‘THE CAMEL AND THE EVIL PEOPLE’ (2010) AND STORIES OF THE SAHABAH FOR YOUTH (2011)”. Commonwealth Youth and Development 12 (2):69-76. https://doi.org/10.25159/1727-7140/1636.

Issue

Section

Articles