Islamic Curriculum & Hifdh Programme

“It will be said to the Companion of the Quran, when he enters Paradise: ‘Recite and rise one degree for every ayah,’ until he recites the last thing that he knows.” (Ibn Majah) 

We believe the purpose of our Islamic curriculum is to mould a thinking, believing and practicing Muslim. Whilst we do have Islamic Studies as a subject and Arabic as a modern foreign language, these subjects do not sit separately, instead our unique lesson plans ensure Islamic values and teachings from Quran and hadith are embedded into lessons throughout the school day.  Our whole school curriculum is designed with the aim that Eman and Taqwa are instilled in our students InshaAllah. 

Hifdh Programme 

The school day begins for all primary children with Hifdh class which covers Quran reading and memorisation of the Quran. 

Quran Reading 

Starting in Early Years, pupils are taught the 29 letters of the Arabic alphabet with the correct articulation (Makhakrij) and attributes (Siffat). We use the Qaeedah for Arabic reading and progress onto the correct and fluent reading of the Qur’an. The basic rules (Tajweed) of recitation are also taught and all pupils should leave the school being proficient in recitation of Quran and rules of Tajweed.  Year 1 and 2 children are given extra lessons for Quran Reading each week in order to gain fluency. 

Memorisation 

In Early Years certain surahs and duas are memorised by all children and from Reception children have the option to join the hifdh programme.  However the formal hifdh starts for all children from Year 1.   The target is for children to have memorized Juz Amma by the age of 6-7, then moving onto the memorisation of the Ajza in descending order (i.e. Juzz 30, 29, 28, 27 and so on). The level of memorization is subject to a child’s personal ability as well as parental support.  Parental support is entirely key to the progress each child will make in hifdh, for best results parents must ensure children are revising hifdh homework and practicing recitation at home daily. 

Islamic Studies 

The Islamic studies curriculum covers the following units of study: Aqeedah, Fiqh, Hadith, Seerah and Tafseer.

We provide a unique Tafseer programme that focuses on the understanding of the Surahs (Quranic chapters) that is implemented all the way from entry level in our Early Years up until the age of 11 when the child leaves primary education.  In combination with the Hifdh programme our Islamic studies is designed such that the love of the Qur’an deepens and the children are able to appreciate its beauty. We want to focus our children on applying the Quran practically such that when they are presented with a question or faced with a dilemma the Quran is their first reference point.  Our children will be equipped to navigate the Quran as an essential tool for problem solving in their daily lives.  We pray that our children become living embodiments of the Qur’an. 

Within our units we will also cover the 5 pillars of Islam, wudu, salat, stories and lessons from the lives of the Prophets, aspects of Islamic history and duas (supplications).

Nurture Programme

In addition to the above at Oak Tree we have devised a Nurture programme. The Islamic principles and units of study are carefully interwoven throughout the broad and balanced curriculum making it easy for the pupils to understand and enjoy the beauty of Islam. The holistic design enables pupils to become morally and socially aware of their role as a Muslim.

Please visit the following links from our Gardens of Jannah Trust website for further information on how we cultivate Islam into our childrens’ lives.

Information on our Tarbiyah curriculum please click the link below:

Seven Integrated Strands | GJT Education (gardensofjannahtrust.co.uk)

Information on our Key Principles:

Key Principles | GJT Education (gardensofjannahtrust.co.uk)

5D Islamic Programme

The 5D programme is a planning tool that is used to plan and teach a unique method that enables the child to derive certain character lessons from scientific knowledge.

It is based on the assumption that ideology-free science and authentic, Divinely revealed knowledge do not contradict each other, as they both come from the same source. It assumes that the universe is an eloquent book, replete with meaningful signs. It considers pure science to be an excellent way of revealing the Divine signs which make up the book of the universe. Children will gain a new understanding of scientific knowledge through 5D thinking which comprises: 1) analytical thinking; 2) analogical thinking; 3) critical thinking; 4) meditative thinking; and 5) moral thinking. The 5D thinking approach is expected to function like 5D glasses, showing multiple dimensions of reality and wellbeing through our foundation and science lessons.

Morning Worship 

At Oak Tree we have daily morning worship which starts after the hifdh lesson. The class begins with the recitation of the names of Allah and recitation of the Quran. On Jumuah, Morning Worship also consists of the recitation of Surah ‘Kahf ‘ and ‘Durood ‘ (salutations upon Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him).  Year 5 and 6 children are encouraged to memorise Surah Kahf on Jumuah.

Assemblies 

Assemblies play an important part in the life of the school with the whole school coming together. They serve to emphasise and reinforce collectively the school’s strong Islamic ethos and social & moral values. Assemblies are a wonderful opportunity to get the children involved and develop public speaking skills, each week members of a different class will present on the Assembly topic. 

Arabic language 

The children are already taught the Arabic alphabet as part of the hifdh programme.  They progress to learn the Arabic numbers as well as basic vocabulary, initiating the use of nouns in their daily conversation, followed by verbs and heading towards making useful sentences.  We use a variety of resources available to us both from UK and Egypt.

Salah  

From year one onwards our children pray salah in congregation each day. We hope to inculcate this spiritually purifying and self-reflective habit for life by adhering to this compulsory pillar of Islam and revolving the school day around it.