Human Attributes, Greetings, Forgiveness and Cleanliness for JSS 3

Class: JSS 3
Term: First Term
Week: 6
Age: 14 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Islamic Religious Studies
Curriculum Theme: Human Attributes
Previous Lesson: Attributes of Allah 1-10 and Their Lessons
Topic: HUMAN ATTRIBUTES: Greeting and Responses, Forgiveness and Cleanliness
Subject Matter: Greeting and responses, forgiveness, cleanliness of the mind, body, and clothes

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils/students should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Describe the Islamic way of greeting and responding.
• Explain the meaning and importance of forgiveness in Islam.
• Identify different aspects of cleanliness in Islam (mind, body, clothes).

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the benefits of greeting others with Salaam.
• Develop a forgiving attitude towards others.
• Value cleanliness as a fundamental aspect of Islamic faith.

Psychomotor Domain

• Demonstrate the correct way to greet and respond with Salaam.
• Practise maintaining personal hygiene and cleanliness of surroundings.

Social Domain

• Promote peace and brotherhood through proper greetings.
• Foster harmonious relationships by practising forgiveness.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2014 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• FCT ERC/NAPPS Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Whiteboard and markers
• Pictures illustrating people greeting or performing ablution
• Charts showing Islamic teachings on cleanliness and forgiveness

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important because it teaches students essential human attributes and Islamic manners that promote peace, harmony, and spiritual well-being. Understanding and practising proper greetings, forgiveness, and cleanliness helps students build strong character and maintain good relationships within their families and communities, reflecting true Islamic values.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students have basic knowledge of Islamic manners and the importance of good character.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

HUMAN ATTRIBUTES: Greeting and Responses, Forgiveness and Cleanliness

1. Greeting and Responses (Salaam)

Greeting in Islam is an act of peace and a Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). It fosters love, respect, and unity among Muslims.

The Islamic Greeting:

1. Greeting: “Assalamu Alaikum” (Peace be upon you).
2. Response: “Wa Alaikumus Salaam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh” (And upon you be peace and the mercy of Allah and His blessings).

Importance and Etiquettes of Greeting:

1. It is a prayer for peace and blessings.
2. The younger should greet the older.
3. The one riding should greet the one walking.
4. The one walking should greet the one sitting.
5. A small group should greet a larger group.
6. It is a means of earning rewards from Allah.

2. Forgiveness (Al-Afw)

Forgiveness in Islam means pardoning others for their wrongdoings, overlooking their faults, and letting go of resentment. It is a highly praised attribute of Allah (Al-Ghaffar, Al-Afuw) and a virtue encouraged among believers.

Importance of Forgiveness:

1. It brings inner peace and spiritual tranquility.
2. It strengthens relationships and promotes social harmony.
3. Allah loves those who forgive and promises great rewards for them.
4. It is an act of following the example of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
5. It helps to purify the heart from hatred and anger.

3. Cleanliness (At-Taharah)

Cleanliness is a fundamental aspect of Islam, often referred to as “half of faith.” It encompasses physical, mental, and spiritual purity.

a. Cleanliness of the Mind

This involves purifying one’s thoughts, intentions, and emotions from negative traits. It means:

1. Having pure intentions (Niyyah) in all actions.
2. Avoiding evil thoughts, jealousy, hatred, and malice.
3. Cultivating positive thoughts, gratitude, sincerity, and good will towards others.
4. Seeking knowledge and wisdom to purify understanding.

b. Cleanliness of the Body

This refers to physical purity and hygiene, essential for health and worship. It includes:

1. Performing Wudu (ablution) before prayers.
2. Performing Ghusl (ritual bath) when required (e.g., after menstruation, childbirth, or seminal discharge).
3. Maintaining personal hygiene such as bathing regularly, brushing teeth (using Miswak), trimming nails, and removing unwanted hair.
4. Keeping the body free from impurities (Najasaat) like urine, faeces, and blood.

c. Cleanliness of Clothes

This involves ensuring that one’s clothing is clean and free from any impurities, especially when performing acts of worship.

1. Washing clothes regularly to keep them clean and presentable.
2. Ensuring clothes are free from Najasaat (impurities) before prayer.
3. Wearing modest and clean attire as a reflection of one’s faith and respect for oneself and others.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Explanation, Question and Answer, Demonstration, Guided Practice

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engaging learners

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students with “Assalamu Alaikum” and asks them to respond. The teacher then asks students what they understand by “good human attributes” and introduces the topic of human attributes in Islam, focusing on greeting, forgiveness, and cleanliness.

Pupils’ Activity: Students respond to the greeting and share their ideas on good human attributes. They listen attentively to the introduction.

Learning Point: Introduction to human attributes

Step 2: Greeting and Responses

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the Islamic greeting “Assalamu Alaikum” and its full response “Wa Alaikumus Salaam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh”. The teacher demonstrates the proper way to greet and respond, highlighting its importance and etiquette in Islam.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen, repeat the greeting and response, and practice greeting each other in pairs.

Learning Point: Islamic greeting and response

Step 3: Importance and Etiquettes of Greeting

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Discussion/Elaboration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses with students the various etiquettes of greeting (e.g., younger greets older, small group greets larger group) and the spiritual and social benefits of greeting others with Salaam.

Pupils’ Activity: Students participate in the discussion, sharing their understanding of why greeting is important and how it builds good relationships.

Learning Point: Etiquettes and benefits of Salaam

Step 4: Forgiveness (Al-Afw)

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Questioning

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the concept of forgiveness in Islam, emphasizing that Allah is forgiving and encourages believers to forgive others. The teacher asks students for examples of situations where forgiveness is important.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen to the explanation and provide examples of situations requiring forgiveness. They discuss the importance of forgiving others.

Learning Point: Meaning of forgiveness

Step 5: Importance of Forgiveness

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides students to discuss the benefits of forgiveness, such as inner peace, stronger relationships, and earning Allah’s pleasure. The teacher relates it to real-life scenarios.

Pupils’ Activity: Students contribute to the discussion on the benefits of forgiveness and how it can resolve conflicts.

Learning Point: Benefits of forgiveness

Step 6: Cleanliness (At-Taharah)

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Categorisation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the concept of cleanliness in Islam as “half of faith” and categorizes it into cleanliness of the mind, body, and clothes. The teacher briefly explains each category.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen and identify the three aspects of cleanliness discussed by the teacher.

Learning Point: Aspects of Islamic cleanliness

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. What is the full Islamic greeting and its response?
2. Mention two benefits of greeting others with Salaam.
3. Define forgiveness in your own words.
4. List the three types of cleanliness discussed today.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Understanding of human attributes

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes on greeting, forgiveness, and cleanliness into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Recording lesson content

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 1 minute

Teaching Skill: Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly reminds students of the importance of practising proper greetings, forgiveness, and maintaining cleanliness in all aspects of their lives as good Muslims.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen and reflect on the lesson’s main points.

Learning Point: Reinforcement of Islamic values

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Answer the following questions in your notebook:

1. Write a short paragraph explaining why cleanliness of the mind is important in Islam.
2. Give two practical ways you can demonstrate forgiveness in your daily interactions.
3. Practise greeting your family members with the full Islamic greeting for the rest of the week and note their responses.

Lesson Keywords

• Salaam – Islamic greeting of peace
• Assalamu Alaikum – Peace be upon you
• Wa Alaikumus Salaam – And upon you be peace
• Forgiveness (Al-Afw) – Pardoning others for their wrongdoings
• Cleanliness (At-Taharah) – Purity of mind, body, and clothes
• Wudu – Ritual ablution before prayer
• Ghusl – Ritual full body bath

Differentiation

For students needing support, the teacher will provide simplified explanations and more opportunities for repetitive practice of greetings. Advanced students can research and present additional Quranic verses or Hadith related to the virtues of forgiveness and cleanliness.

Suggested Lesson Videos

Search YouTube for “Islamic greetings forgiveness cleanliness JSS3”