Making Summer Vacations Meaningful

By

Bilal Naeem – Hiba magazine team writer

Summer vacation is a time for children to be free from school and the hectic routine that usually goes hand in hand. However, just after a few days children tend to get bored and restless.

This is why, Islamic teachings advise us to follow balance. Instead of letting the summer just slip by, it can be just the opportunity to grow and develop some good habits. After all, even free time is something we will answer for. The Prophet Muhammad (sa) said: “There are two blessings which many people waste: health and free time.” (Bukhari)

Begin with the right intention

The habit of approaching our everyday life with clear intentions that are linked with the Quran and Sunnah is an important one as it can transform an everyday act into an Ibadah.

If we are picking a sport it could be swimming or horse riding as these have their roots in the Sunnah. If we are trying to take up reading, we can opt for religious themed books.

The Prophet Muhammad (sa) said: “Actions are judged by intentions.” (Bukhari)

Developing a consciousness of linking every act with Allah’s (swt) pleasure or displeasure is the basis of Taqwa. Kids should be consciously trained for this and parents must model it.

Build your day around Islamic routines

Summer can often dissolve into a chaotic mix of broken sleep schedules, off time snacking and while it needn’t be strictly regimented, the holidays should still carry a structure that allows for everything to happen at the right time.

For example, we can be careful about all our Salah in congregation, morning and evening Adhkar, Quran recitation, perhaps at a fixed time after Asar and so on.

Allah (swt) says: “And command your family to prayer and be steadfast therein.” (Ta-Ha 20:132)

Reset the connection with the Quran

Summer doesn’t have the pressure of normal school days with homework, assignments and required reading. This creates space for resetting the relationship with the Quran, going beyond regular recitation to reading the translation, picking a Tafsir of choice, narrating stories or incidents of different prophets and how relevant they are even today, a fun trivia to test each other’s knowledge and discussions around what has been recited.

The goal should be to make this an enjoyable time that the child looks forward to rather than a chore that needs to be ticked off with a focus on consistency rather than goals that need to be achieved.

The Prophet Muhammad said: “The best among you are those who learn the Quran and teach it.” (Bukhari)

Encourage beneficial reading and family games

The habit of reading should be encouraged to go beyond the Quran towards other Islamic themed reading, such as stories of the Prophets, Seerah of the Prophet Muhammad (sa), Stories of the Sahabah and Islamic manners and character books.

Allah says: “Indeed in their stories there is a lesson for people of understanding.” (Yusuf 12:111)

It is always beneficial to make this reading age appropriate and to engage children from a younger age with books that invite them to think purposefully. In this regard, a good source is Hiba magazine’s own repository of books, divided by age already for convenience.

For 8 to 12 Years – Hiba | Islamic Books & Accessories https://share.google/hM8Ivvt8fIPxCP6Im

For 6 to 8 Years – Hiba | Islamic Books & Accessories https://share.google/ywqojAv0oaJmcevfk

or 3 to 6 Years – Hiba | Islamic Books & Accessories https://share.google/9AJRbjorBpmZjwgRh

Create your own family games. Or just play simple ones with cards and board games. It’s great fun to see how grownups turn into little kids.

Fun activities with Islamic values

Islam is an entire code of life and encourages doing your own everyday tasks on your own without defining what should strictly be done by the males or females. Allah (swt) wants to teach His slaves skills. There is no gender bias.

For example we have various examples from the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (sa) undertaking his daily tasks by himself such as sewing clothes, milking sheep, mending shoes or helping with the daily chores.

The vacations may be a good time to include our children in our activities to teach them some life skills such as cooking, gardening or repair work for our cars or around the house.

The older kids can be involved in grocery planning, shopping, home budgeting, bank related errands, payments of utility bills, home repair planning, etc.

Similarly, Islam encourages strength, activity, and healthy recreation. Summer activities can include: swimming, hiking and nature walks, camping, visiting farms or parks or any such nature activities that help children reflect about Allah’s (swt) creation. They can also have their reflection journal to write or collect stuff from their outdoor experiences.

Teach service and responsibility

Vacations are also a time where children may volunteer at an old age home, orphanages, school for the needy, etc. as something that will benefit them in school or for future college applications.

A change in intention here could make this activity an Ibadah and a source of reflection. This act can be extended to help children learn responsibility and compassion that extends beyond themselves, simple acts can include: helping grandparents, serving guests, helping domestic servants, feeding animals or donating toys or clothes that they no longer use, and sometimes the things that they still use.

The Prophet Muhammad (sa) said: “Allah is engaged in helping the worshipper as long as the worshipper is engaged in helping his brother.” (Muslim)

Be careful with screens

The greatest challenge of modern vacations is the most obvious – excessive screen time. Leaving children unsupervised to continue with endless scrolling, gaming, and videos may be a convenient luxury for parents, but it is dangerous and creates a habit of passivity and a huge potential to enter into the evil and porn world.

Don’t ever think that my kid won’t do it! Every child has influences, desires and distresses. You won’t know what leads him/her into the wrong digital company.

Technology may be leveraged for Islamic lectures, educational documentaries and even games to an extent but supervision and limits are necessary, especially the time spent with gadgets.

It is the job of parents to protect children from content that normalizes disrespect, immodesty, foul language, or unhealthy values.

Allah (swt) says: “Indeed, the hearing, the sight and the heart — about all those one will be questioned.” (Al-Isra 17:36)

A summer that leaves a lasting impact

The goal is not to make summer feel like another school term, where every minute is planned and children are not allowed their fair share of joy, laughter, rest, and positive memories.

But a Muslim family should aim for vacations that refresh both the body and the soul and contribute to the development of positive habits shaping a purposeful life: such as praying consistently, reading the Quran with understanding and growing in love for Allah (swt) and His Messenger (sa).