[007:180] And (all) the Most Beautiful Names belong to Allâh, so call on Him by them, and leave the company of those who belie or deny (or utter impious speech against) His Names. They will be requited for what they used to do.
Sahih Muslim and Bukhari 8:419, Narrated Abu Huraira : Allah has ninety-nine Names, i.e., one hundred minus one, and whoever 'ahsaha' [enumerates them, believes in them, ponders their meanings, worships Allah by them and supplicates with them, and acts by them according to one's belief in them] will enter Paradise; and Allah is Witr ("Odd", i.e. He is one, and it is an odd number) and loves 'the Witr' (i.e., odd numbers).
It is common to try to memorize the Names of Allah as this hadith encourages. However, when teaching the Names, we must make sure that memorizing is not the only end goal, but rather understanding and application. Here are two common methods of learning the Names.
Learning the Names of Allah, two approaches
1. Learn by Lists
2. In Context
Learn by Lists
This is a common way to learn the Names. Students are given a list of perhaps 5-10 Names to memorize on a weekly basis (or alternatively just one Name per week). You can treat them as spelling words as well and do spelling type activities to learn the meanings and spellings. Daily review/practice of the lists is important.
Variation: Instead of assigning a set number of Names each week, you can use a Word Flow scheme. This involves coming up with a constant number of words to study weekly (and putting them on word cards), but the list changes as the Names are learned. So, for example, if your number of words was 5, if only three Names were mastered this week, you would keep the two unmastered words for further study and then add three new names. The Names on the student’s list should be reviewed/practiced daily and when student has correctly given the correct definition for a Name say 5 days in a row, it can be considered mastered and taken off the flow list.
What Should Happen Once a Name is Mastered
Once a Name is taken off the daily practice flow list, it is very important to review it in the future. Using a word box can help automate the review. Once a Name is taken off the daily study list, it can be moved to weekly study and then month study sections in the box. See TJ’s Memory Card Box System post for a practical way to build a review box.
Learning by Lists Supplementary Resources:
· Word flow list/progress chart
· Using a Word Box to Master Words (Memory Card Box System post)
· Names of Allah Flashcards
Learning in Context
Another way to learn the Names is to learn them in the context of other studies such as Quraan or Islamic Studies. You can still use a Word Box/Flashcard system of study, but you only add Names to the box as you come across them in the surah you are working on or in your curriculum (for example, when studying Tawheed, you may come across Ar-Rabb, Al Ahad, etc).
Choose an Approach that Works Best for You, But Keep in Mind………………
No matter what method you use to learn the Names, here are a few things to keep in mind:
1. Understanding
Make sure that when you are learning the Names, discussion is made of the Names and application and reflection are emphasized. If you learn that Allah is As-Samee’,(All Hearing), be sure to reflect upon the fact that Allah hears everything you say, even things others can’t because they are not in the room, or you mumbled them for example. Have student write a journal entry on how this Name affects his/her life or how student has seen this Name exemplified today. Did student remember this in his speech today? Does student need to ask Allah for forgiveness for bad speech today?
2. Practice
Once Names are introduced, it is important to work with the Names. Provide worksheets, journal entries, activities that will help the concept of the Name stick. While flashcards are a wonderful tool, teachers need to create varied ways to expose students to the Names so that they will be internalized more, in shaa Allah. Have student do activities that require reading the Names, saying the Names, writing the Names and making decisions about the Names such as sorting and matching activities. Use any teaching activities that you use for English vocabulary learning and adapt them. If you are learning by lists, have students find the Names in context in the Quraan and ahadith. You might also provide memory work with one ayaat or hadith which features each Name. Teach Arabic word roots found in the Names to increase students' vocabulary. (when they come across the root in another word, they can have an idea of what that new word might mean)
3. Review
Use it or lose it and lose it they may if you aren’t reviewing enough. Once a Name is learned, review it weekly and then monthly. Use a Word Box System to help make review something easy to perform. With a Word Box, student can review them independently as well.
4. Purpose
Memorizing the Names should not be an end. (knowledge for sake of knowledge) Make sure that students understand that they are learning the Names so they can learn more about their Lord to help increase their emaan, use the Names in their supplications, and to help them improve their worship, in other words, to ACT upon the knowledge.
