A List of Alternatives

I was compelled to compile a list of Islamic tapes etc for our children's viewing/listening pleasure :

This is based on what I've noticed with my kids though (their reactions):

Adam's World Series

Salam and the Knights of Virtue

Salam's Journey

Salam and the Golden Queen

The Boy and the King

The Jar

Muslim Scouts Adventures 1

Muslim Scouts Adventures 2

Audio:

Lives of the Prophets


My kids love Muslim Scouts and Salam. The Boy and the King can be a little scary for younger kids though because there's sorcery and magic. This story is in Surah al Buruj, so quite an interesting hook to teaching the Quran to kids. My kids aren't really hooked to The Jar, I don't know why. As for Adam's World, this is more like a comfort show for them, because I used to put it on a lot when they were toddlers, so they kind of grew up with it. My two younger ones will still watch it even though they've watched it so many times. My oldest is done with it. She even sometimes get annoyed when her siblings put it on.

However, I've also noticed some good influence from these, especially Adam's World. Alhamdulillah.

I'm currently doing Life of Muhammad Makkan Period as our seerah lesson. Pretty interesting though of course I've had to modify the story telling so the kids can understand. Right now we're at the part where Abdul Mutallib discovering the lost well of Zamzam.

Our van is packed with cassettes of Anasheed and Anwar Awlaki's Lives of the Prophets. I told hubby that the only reason I would want a new van is so we can listen to the CDs we have at home. Insyaallah.

Whenever we go anywhere with the van, either the anasheed would go on or Anwar Awlaki's lectures. To my surprise, the kids were able to benefit from it, as could be seen when they began to ask questions or comment on the lecture. I thought that the lecture was too complex for them, but apparently, they were underestimated. The sunnah is to bring children to grown up gatherings of knowledge so they could benefit. I never really understood this because I couldn't imagine kids sitting quietly for the whole period of a halaqa or lecture.

However, I have had the experience of having my kids sit through a whole weekend seminar without, and I mean literally sit through it! Subhanallah! Maybe it was the barakah, because my kids are pretty active.

Nevertheless, I guess as parents we need to assess their moods before just lugging them to a lecture. So far though, I've had good results from the Anwar Awlaki lectures with the kids. S and N are even taking notes. Masyaallah.

Well, let's pray this lasts. Ameen.