Bismillah..
Just finished with the topic of Ulul Azmi for Deenul Islam for the kids last week. On towards the Prophet of the Books (Nabi Daud, Musa, Isa and Nabi Muhammad s.a.w).
I came to love it, hearing how they would recite Rukun Iman & Rukun Islam fluently every morning. And AMAZING to hear them recollect what they know of the Prophets of the Ulul Azmi. The building of Noah's Ark, the burning of Nabi Ibrahim a.s, the split river of Nabi Musa a.s, the talking infant of Nabi Isa a.s and the light of Humankind, our beloved Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.
There's one boy who struck wonders on hearing these stories. He is rather a quiet one, met him in kindergarten 1. The perfect gentleman, always so polite and obedient. What tickle me funny was how meticulous he cared for his colour pencils. Arrange in neat rows, colour-coordinated.
At age 3?
Am I delusional?
Are you sure??
*laugh*
When I taught him this year, that's when I realized why he didn't speak much. When he speak, his voice became raspy..like an old man's throat-speak. Can see that he felt inferior and had been holding it in, envy his friends that could speak fluently (although there's some still in their baby-talk mode).
Though in Deenul Islam class, somehow..he became outspoken. He's smart and quick..so he knows most of the answers. He would beam in pride when he got them right...yet his self-esteem is still quite low. In other class, he still barely speaks..and its only when necessary (permission to go to the toilet).
So when in the middle of narrating the story of Nabi Musa a.s...I was suddenly struck by how similar their experiences are. Almost all of the prophets had beautiful voice, eloquent to spread the message of Islam, of Tauhid to their people. But there's only one prophet who have trouble with his speech, though the impairment were not something he was born with. When he was a baby, only three-months-old, his mother feared for his life..as there were a mass murder of any male babies born in that generation. One day, Allah swt gave her the divine message to put her baby in a basket and let the river carry it wherever it goes. Tearful yet hopeful for her baby's safety, she sent her baby away. The basket arrived near the doorsteps of the Firaun, where the lady-in-waiting of the Queen Aisah found him and brought to Aisah. Aisah fell in love with the baby, yet the Firaun were reluctant. So he made a test, to see if the baby would be a threat to him in the future. Between a sparkling stone (diamond or something valuable) or a burning coal, they were placed infront of the baby to choose. He reached out for the beautiful stone, but an invincible hand (Angel-Malaikat Jibril) flick his hand away, so he grab the burning coal instead, and took it to his mouth. His life saved, yet his speech were broken.
I was reluctant at first on how to elaborate how impaired his speech became. Caught the little boy's eyes and decided to go for it. That the speech of Nabi Musa a.s was a bit like his. Not because Allah s.w.t wanted him to be ridiculed, made little of..but because of His love for Nabi Musa a.s. Because of His love for him.
It's like someone pulled a switch.
Ever since, I've only realized his voice during doa recitation before every lesson. Two boys, but the other one was a bit of a baby (slow growth-mental, physical, speech).
And all this time, I grew up reading this stories believing they are just like western version of Fable bedtime stories. Its more..
It touches on Aqeedah.
in believing in Allah s.w.t help.
in believing of Allah s.w.t power.
It touches on being a human.
weak, powerless..yet made strong.
Their troubles are real, even at this time and age.
And the source of strength are also real, at this time and age. : )
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