Status Update

Assalam alaikum brothers and sisters,

The crew at MuslimFathers is still alive and kicking, though personal obligations make it difficult to do as much as we would like to for this important cause. Thankfully, the dialogue regarding fatherhood in Islam is continuing. Our community page on Facebook is very active and growing and we are doing what we can to generate local as well as national discourse on this topic. Please join our facebook page to keep up with the latest: https://www.facebook.com/MuslimFathers

Hanging Out With Your Kids

Assalam alaikum,

To develop anything, your business, your body, your knowledge, you have to put in the hours. That's a truth that has stood the test of time and is just as true today in the age of the internet as it was in the time of the industrial or agricultural revolution. This same universal law applies to the strength of the relationship between you and your children: YOU have to spend time with them, get to know them, let them know you. A sheikh or your local Islamic school is not an adequate substitute (but can be a great supplement). We've compiled a list of fun, interesting, and creative ways that you can hang out with your kids and have some fun together. The list is compiled of suggestions from brothers and sisters reflecting their real life routines and experiences with their children or parents and is divided into categories for your convenience. My deepest thanks to all the brothers and sisters who shared with me their great ideas, may Allah reward you all. Allah bless.

Physical
lift weights
calisthenics
martial arts
hitting boxing mits
running
biking
soccer
basketball
cricket
swimming
frisbee golf
boomerang
indoor rock climbing
charity run/walk

The Great Outdoors
nature walks
camping
horseback riding
night kayaking
orienteering
hiking
mountain climbing
ice skating
beach camping
high ropes course
archery
dolphin/whale watching
sailing
fishing
shooting range
hunting
football
archery
BB gun/air rifle
snowball fights

Out on the Town
individual night out with Mom or Dad
"stay-cation" - rent a local hotel room, bounce on the beds, chill by the pool
museums
arboretums
zoos
aquariums
local fire dept. open house
sushi lunch
amusement parks
mini golf
go-carts
yard-sales
historical re-enactments

Educational
reading
photography (disposable cameras or digital)
cooking
community center art classes
local library book clubs
map making
samurai vs spartan warrior culture comparison
school projects
pottery
using your imagination, finding images in clouds
book making
movie making
gardening
listen to audio books

Games and Entertainment
popcorn movie night with the kids and their friends
playing with hotwheels
hide and seek
piggy back rides
roughhousing
tickling
tag
radio control cars
kite flying
kite making
crabbing
water balloon fight
scavenger hunt
laser tag
video games (The Wii seems very popular)
board games
hand puppets
uno
air hockey
lego
interesting cartoons
ping pong
pillow fights

Spiritual
reading Seerah
reading Tafseer
Salat
making dua together
fasting

Wow! What an awesome list. I can't thank the brothers and sisters who contributed to this enough. As a final note, MuslimFathers.com would like to emphasize a suggestion for one of the best ways that a child and parent can spend time together and bond: reading, discussing, and experiencing the Seerah of the Messenger (peace be upon him). My own experience with this great endeavor is chronicled here.

Thank you all and Allah knows best.

Yahya

Khutbah about Fatherhood in Islam

A khutbah I recently gave about our favorite topic at Dar At-Taqwa in Columbia, MD. Great responses from the crowd. Please forgive my shortcomings... 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zt48484LNcY&feature=PlayList&p=4872E9A2D91FC96F&index=0&playnext=1