I always liked Lord of the Rings for one of its extremely valuable underlying themes– even the tiniest of people can make a difference in the world.

In this past year of teaching, I’ve found this to be very true.   The little kiddies of the elementary school not only can make a difference in the world, but they can teach you a multitude of things.

For example, at the start of the year I did not have memorized a du’aa for reciting in the morning and a du’aa for reciting just after prayer and prior to making dhikr.  But now after teaching, I can proudly say that I do know these two new du’aas.  And who were my teachers?  Why the hobbits in my life– the elementary school kids!

Each and every morning they come into school for assembly and recite first surah Fatiha and then this du’aa [I can’t find the Arabic]

Asbah-na wa-Asbahal mulku Li-Lahi Wal-hamdu li-Lah La sharika-Lah La illaha il-Lah hu Wa ilaahi-n-Nushur

We enter upon the morning, and so does the creation of Allah, Praise be to Allah, He has no partners, There is no diety worthy of worship but Allah, and unto Him we shall return

I didn’t even realize I had it memorized until one morning during Winter break when I was joking around about how monotonously they recite it each morning, and I knew the whole thing!  I was so excited!

Second, there’s the du’aa after prayer just prior to making dhikr.  They recite this outloud to get the students in the habit of making dhikr after prayer.  They all fight over who can recite it into the mic everyday, it’s kind of cute.  It’s a true competition for good deeds.

Allahuma un-tas-Salaam, wa min-kas-Salaam, ta-barakh-tah ya dhal-Jala-li wal-Ikram.  Allahuma a’ini ‘ala dhikrika, wa shukrika, wa husni ibadatik

O Allaah, You are As-Salaam and from You is all peace, blessed are You, O Possessor of majesty and honour.  O Allaah, help me to remember You, be thankful to You, in the best way prescribed.

Then they do their dhikr and follow up with

La ilaha illa Allah wahadahu la sharika lah, lahul mulku, wa lahul hamd, wa huwa ‘ala kul-li shayin Qadeer salee sunnah!

None has the right to be worshipped except Allaah, alone without partner, to Him belongs all sovereignty and praise and He is over all things omnipotent–pray sunnah!

After dhuhr salaah on Thursday I shared these facts with them.  I told them that before teaching at the school I didn’t know either du’aa, but after hearing them recite it each and every morning and afternoon, I now have it memorized.

I said there are three lesson to take from this:

1.  It’s never too late to learn– Even though I’m 22 years old, I still can learn new du’aas.  We shouldn’t always assume that learning is for when we are younger

2.  I learned from those younger than me– teachers come in all shapes and forms.  Never neglect someone’s knowledge because they are an unsuspecting teacher.  I never would have thought that I could learn something from 2nd graders about Islam, but lo and behold I have!

3.  Every little bit helps– you never know who is watching your good deeds and being inspired!  These students were doing a “mundane” and routine act of worship, but in the process they were teaching me something new.  Now they are responsible for the good deeds that I am insha’Allah recieving each time I recite these du’aas.  We shouldn’t belittle our acts of worship because there is always an opportunity for ourselves to grow or for others.

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I hope this story is inspiring to all of you. I encourage all of you to keep your eyes and ears open to the world around you and soak in every good thing from each person.  Take from others’ examples– young and old, big or small.

Have any of you ever learned something valuable and new from someone younger than you?

I pray that Allah preserves the students of MIA, increases them in their knowlege of the deen and dunya, and that they are rewarded generously in this life and especially the next, ameen.