2013-2014

ZAYTOON ACADEMY

EVENING MADRASSAH SYLLABUS Zaytoon Academy Educational Trust 23 Arden Road, Aston, Birmingham B6 6AP 0121 572 7086 www.zaytoonacademy.co.uk

What Your Child Will Study At Zaytoon Academy | 2013-2014 1|Page

Qaidah At Zaytoon Academy, every student will be required to study our Qaidah thoroughly which will equip them with the knowledge and capability of reading the Qur’an with fluency & Tajweed. Studying the Qaidah is in reality studying the Qur’an therefore your child will be studying how to read the Qur’an from day one at Zaytoon Academy. There are certain reasons why we teach from a particular Qaidah. Please read and understand the features of the Qaidah we use below: Complete syllabus Reciting the Qur’an correctly involves many elements that are beyond the remit of a Qaidah: students require much practice to build their fluency, as well as time to learn and implement the complex rules of Tajweed. At Zaytoon Academy, we have kept the Qaidah an independent publication at the same time as integrating it into to a comprehensive syllabus which takes a student from his introduction to the sounds of Arabic letters, all the way through to expert recitation. By doing this, teachers, parents and students are able to keep a holistic view of progress and ensure no aspect is neglected Logical sequence The ability to recite the Qur’an is dependent on several individual skills; for example, the ability to recognise joined letters, the ability to regulate the length of each vowel, and so on. In our analysis of other available Qaidahs, we noticed that most of them contain gaps where certain key elements have not been covered formally and students are expected to guess or understand themselves. Sometimes, the logical sequence of this learning has also been ignored with some elements being presented in inappropriate places. Sometimes, examples contain concepts and elements which have

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not yet introduced to the students causing confusion and obstacles for the students. To solve this, each level in the Qaidah is a gradual and logical progression from the previous one. An effort has been made to fill any gaps in that exist in other Qaidah’s, as well as trying to not allow any elements not yet formally covered into the examples. To add to this, students are given mixed exercises at the end of each level, to revise and recap everything they have learned previously. Marking code Inevitably, students make mistakes when they are learning and when they read to the teacher, but the types of mistakes made are vast and varying. The Qaidah has been divided according to the common mistakes into six categories. A certain letter denotes each of these mistake categories. A key for the mistakes is printed on the bottom of each study-page and a chapter with instructions on using the code included at the beginning of the Qaidah. By using this code, students, teacher and parents can be reminded of what type of mistake was made in a particular word or letter. Diary It is well-known that learning to read the Qur’an is a practical matter with limited theoretical elements. Therefore, the more practice a student makes, the better his recitation will be and the faster he will progress. To monitor the student’s practice, a diary section has been incorporated with each page where parents can record how much practice the student has made throughout the week. Ample space has also been given for parents or teachers to make notes. Keeping track of a students’ progress is also essential for all involved so spaces have been allocated for teachers to write the homework, due-date and note when the student had passed.

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Checklist To help parents, teachers and students keep track of progress; there is a checklist at the end of each level, listing what skills have been covered so far. This helps to maintain an informed approach to the study of the Qaidah and helps avoid students merely making their way through with no consciousness of the aims and objectives behind what they are doing. This also serves as an aid to teacher, parents and examiner who may listen to the student read.

Quranic script There are several prints of the Qur’an based on the narration of Imām Ḥafs from Imām ʿĀsim –may Allah (swt) have mercy on both. One of the most popular, globally, is the 13-line print which is most common amongst Muslims who do not speak Arabic, due to the simplicity and clarity of the script, as well as certain phonetic marks to aid those unfamiliar with Arabic grammar. The print is known as the Taj Company print as they are believed to be the original commissioners of the transcription. It is also referred to as the South African Qur’an due to the Waterval Institute’s reprinting and vast distribution in the Western world. We chose this script, as have many other Qaidah’s. A problem faced in this regard, however, is that a computer font is usually used to compose the Qaidah or a calligrapher is assigned to transcribe all the examples.

At Zaytoon Academy, we have tried both methods in the past but have found that neither prepares the students properly to read Qur’anic script because of the nuances in the calligraphy. Therefore, we decided to use the actual hand-written words from the 13-Line Qur’an – may Allah (swt) reward all those involved in its transcription. Quranic examples The words in the Qur’an are Allah’s words. Not only does that make their recitation more rewarding in the hereafter, but we also believe they have a positive impact on the student’s learning and progress; Allah (swt) has said, We have made the Qur’an easy to remember… (54:40) In most other Qaidahs, we found that many words had crept in which were no to be found in the Qur’an. This is by no means incorrect, but the words of the Qur’an will always hold superiority.

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Some Qaidah’s have tried to use examples only from the Qur’an but have either not found enough examples for the students to master the level, or they have had to make slight alterations to the writing to make it fit the level. For example, sometimes people have written a standing kasrah instead of a Yā, or taken a word written together in the Qur’an and omitted part of it. We were not content with all of the above-mentioned, so we carried out a comprehensive survey of the Qur’an, to the best of our abilities, combining direct human efforts and modern technological aids, to find ample examples from the Qur’an for each level. We then arranged the examples so they progress from the easiest to the most difficult, taking into consideration the number of letters or words in the examples as well as the weight and difficulty of the letters. Other considerations have also been taken, like not allowing too many examples to follow a single vocal pattern to avoid students guessing the pronunciation of an example based on the last one, when they are supposed to work out each example separately. Occasionally, we have removed the Wāw of ʿaṭf from the beginning of some individual words. Detailed letter recognition As the Qur’anic script is hand-written, the same letter has been written in many different ways for style and variation. Many teachers have observed that children often find it difficult to recognise these various forms and styles when they eventually read the Qur’an, if not in the Qaidah itself. To tackle this, we have added a level, Advanced Letter Recognition, in which each method of writing is introduced separately with Qur’anic examples. Graphics, where necessary, have been used to break down the writing. This is one of the unique and effective additions to the Qaidah we teach at Zaytoon Academy.

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Tajweed At Zaytoon Academy a great deal of importance is given to the correct recital of the Quran. The first stage of this is learning how to read the Arabic script; this is done by means of teaching the Arabic alphabets and rules of basic reading in the Qaidah. Over our years of experience in teaching this we have found the need to develop our own Qaidah which would suit the needs of students whose mother tongue is English. Every care is taken to explain to the students each stage of reading with the aim of completing the Qaidah on average within two years. After completion of the Qaidah the students progress to Juz ‘Amma and then the beginning of the Quran. During these last two stages the more complex rules of reading, Tajweed are taught. A student completing their time at Zaytoon Academy would attain a very high standard of Tajweed unparalleled by many other students. After completing the Qaidah, our students will go further to study the Tajweed book which will cover the rules of Tajweed according to levels. The Qaidah will cover Level 1 until Level 13 and thereafter the Tajweed book will cover Level 14 until Level 24. The progress of every child is monitored regularly and once a child has completed a level by his or her teacher, a senior teacher will test the child. Upon passing the test the child will be able to progress onto the next level.

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Islamic Studies The Islamic Studies syllabus at Zaytoon Academy includes episodes from stories of the Prophets to 21st Century life. They have been shaped not only with an Islamic Theory and Modern Educational input, but importantly practical feedback from teachers and students across the UK. 

Content is tried and tested – developed with both teacher and student input.

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Care has been taken to make sure content is appropriate for each age group.

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Content follows a cumulative knowledge path way, building core blocks which are reinforced and developed in substance and depth as each year progresses.

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Stories and Qur’anic narratives are written with explicit lessons in mind that relate to daily life and aim to build a child’s character.

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Content is illustrated and full of colour.

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Books contain both practical and text based lessons.

In this subject many important fields of Islam are taught, such as: o o o o o

Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence, the rules we follow in Islam Aqidah (Islamic belief) Sirah (The biography of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him) Islamic history, spanning all the previous Prophets sent before, peace be upon them. Aadab (Islamic manners) These topics are not only taught in a classical way but their contemporary application and implications are covered. This makes the study of Islamic studies at Zaytoon Academy a subject that is very relevant to our students in their everyday lives. Our aim is develop our students into rightly guided Muslims who will benefit themselves, families and the wider community.

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Memorisation At Zaytoon Academy, we have a gradual step-by-step programme whereby all our students progress to memorise the kalimahs, masnoon duaas for various occasions and surahs of the Qur’an. There are different targets set for children of different ages and also a diary to track and check progress by parents and teachers. Students are tested after every surah and dua by a senior member of staff to check for errors, and their progress is tracked throughout the year. The emphasis is really on quality of recitation and not quantity. Once memorised, students are taught the equivalent English translation, practical demonstration of Wudhu, salah, azaan, janazah etc followed by every-day duas and the 40 ahadith of Imam an-Nawawi for advanced students.

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Arabic Qur’anic Arabic The classical Arabic language is the key to having a better understanding of the Quran. It has been too often been neglected, but at Zaytoon Academy we have recognised its importance and we have a complete Arabic course which is taught to all students from class 1 onwards. Starting from the basics of reading, writing, speaking and understanding Arabic, spanning up to the more intricate rules of grammar, our course is under continuous development. It will eventually give the student an insight to the meaning and translation of the Quran.

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Spiritual Tarbiyah Tarbiyah is an important component of the Zaytoon Academy Madrassah Syllabus. Although, we aspire to excel in educational achievement, we believe this is a by product where through verbal and visual communication and positive role models we aim to facilitate a positive change within our students, a change which reflects the sublime conduct and deeds of our Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihe wasallam. Through the year, students will study a well -organised holistic self - disciplinary programme, the intended outcome of which is to support students towards becoming practising Muslims. This spiritual Tarbiyah course will be covered throughout the year under the supervision of the class teachers during lessons and assemblies. The Spiritual Tarbiyah Course will include monitoring of Fardh salah punctuality, daily Qur’an recitation, reading of morning & evening duas and azkaar, inculcating a habit of Sadaqah and Nafl salah, practising the Sunnah and etiquettes of eating, sleeping, dressing, social conduct, cleanliness and more. Also an effort to highlight the evil effect and harms of lying, swearing, backbiting, name calling, mockery, jealousy, hatred, pride, theft etc and working towards abstaining from such evil traits. The Spiritual Tarbiyah component of our syllabus will also instil within your child the love for Almighty Allah, the love for Rasulullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam and the love of the Sahaba radiallahu anhum and the importance of selecting them as role models. Students will be motivated to work for the aakhirah (hereafter) and that our aim and objective in life is to attain the pleasure of Almighty Allah and his everlasting Paradise. Special emphasis will be laid on developing good character and akhlaq by reminding each other of the most noble and beautiful conduct and character of Rasulullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam. We urge parents that you encourage and monitor your child whilst at home to continue practicing the spiritual Tarbiyah course.

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