Class: Senior Secondary School 1 (SS1 / SSS 1)
Term: 1st Term
Week: 8
Age: 15 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Islamic Religious Studies
Curriculum Theme: Islamic Religious Studies
Previous Lesson: Qualities of the Prophet: Reasons People Embraced Islam.
Topic: Makkan and Medinan surahs
Subject Matter: meaning of Makkan surahs, meaning of Medinan surahs, distinctions between Makkan and Medinan surahs, features of Makkan revelations, features of Medinan revelations

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

Define Makkan and Medinan surahs.
State at least four features of Makkan revelations.
List at least four features of Medinan revelations.
Identify key distinctions between Makkan and Medinan surahs.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the historical context of Qur’anic revelations.
Value the importance of understanding the different stages of revelation.

Psychomotor Domain:

Classify given surahs as either Makkan or Medinan based on their features.
Outline the features of Makkan and Medinan surahs in their notes.

Share their understanding of surah classifications with peers.
Cooperate in group activities involving surah identification.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

Senior Secondary Schools Education Curriculum
State Unified Scheme of Work
Islamic Religious Knowledge for Senior Secondary Schools, Book 1
https://www.islamicstudies.info/tafseer/makki-madani.php
https://www.al-islam.org/brief-history-fourteen-infallibles/quran-makki-and-madani-revelations

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Qur’an copies
Charts displaying features of Makkan and Medinan surahs
Whiteboard and markers

Rationale for the Lesson

Understanding Makkan and Medinan surahs helps pupils grasp the historical context and development of Islamic teachings. This knowledge enables them to better interpret the Qur’an and appreciate the gradual nature of its revelation.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils are expected to have basic knowledge of the Qur’an as the word of Allah and some familiarity with the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in Makkah and Madinah.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Makkan and Medinan Surahs

Meaning of Makkan Surahs

Makkan surahs are chapters of the Qur’an that were revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in Makkah before his migration (Hijrah) to Madinah in 622 CE. These revelations generally occurred during the early period of Islam.

Meaning of Medinan Surahs

Medinan surahs are chapters of the Qur’an that were revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in Madinah after his migration (Hijrah) from Makkah in 622 CE. These revelations occurred during the later period of his prophethood.

Features of Makkan Revelations

The following are some features of Makkan revelations:

They are generally short in length.
They often begin with “O mankind” (Ya Ayyuhan Naas).
They focus on establishing the oneness of Allah (Tawhid).
They emphasize belief in the Day of Judgment, heaven, and hell.
They contain stories of past prophets and nations.
They often use strong and challenging language.
They usually address issues of faith and morality.

Features of Medinan Revelations

The following are some features of Medinan revelations:

They are generally longer in length.
They often begin with “O you who believe” (Ya Ayyuhal Ladheena Aamanu).
They lay down Islamic laws (Shariah) regarding worship, finance, marriage, and crime.
They address the Muslim community and regulate its social structure.
They often contain verses about Jihad (struggle in the way of Allah).
They refute the arguments of hypocrites and People of the Book (Jews and Christians).
They usually deal with practical aspects of community life and governance.

Distinctions between Makkan and Medinan Surahs

The main distinctions between Makkan and Medinan surahs are:

Time and Place of Revelation: Makkan surahs before Hijrah in Makkah; Medinan surahs after Hijrah in Madinah.
Length: Makkan surahs are generally shorter; Medinan surahs are generally longer.
Audience: Makkan surahs address humanity; Medinan surahs often address the Muslim community.
Themes: Makkan surahs focus on Tawhid, prophethood, and the Hereafter; Medinan surahs focus on Islamic law, social regulations, and community building.
Style: Makkan surahs use passionate and challenging language; Medinan surahs use a more legislative and direct style.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them what they know about the Qur’an and its revelation. The teacher then introduces the topic of Makkan and Medinan surahs.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the questions and listen attentively to the introduction of the new topic.
Learning Point: Pupils are prepared for the lesson and understand its relevance.

Step 2: Meaning of Makkan Surahs

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines Makkan surahs, explaining that they were revealed before the Hijrah in Makkah.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and take notes on the definition of Makkan surahs.
Learning Point: Pupils understand what Makkan surahs are.

Step 3: Features of Makkan Revelations

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Elucidation/Listing
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher uses the chart to highlight and explain the key features of Makkan revelations, such as their length, themes, and language.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the chart, listen to the explanations, and copy the features into their notebooks.
Learning Point: Pupils identify and record the characteristics of Makkan surahs.

Step 4: Meaning of Medinan Surahs

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines Medinan surahs, clarifying that they were revealed after the Hijrah in Madinah.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and take notes on the definition of Medinan surahs.
Learning Point: Pupils understand what Medinan surahs are.

Step 5: Features of Medinan Revelations

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Elucidation/Listing
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher uses the chart to highlight and explain the key features of Medinan revelations, such as their length, themes, and focus on legislation.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the chart, listen to the explanations, and copy the features into their notebooks.
Learning Point: Pupils identify and record the characteristics of Medinan surahs.

Step 6: Distinctions between Makkan and Medinan Surahs

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Comparative Analysis
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a discussion comparing and contrasting the features of Makkan and Medinan surahs, emphasizing their key distinctions. The teacher uses examples from the Qur’an.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate in the discussion, ask questions, and note down the distinctions between the two types of surahs.
Learning Point: Pupils can differentiate between Makkan and Medinan surahs based on their characteristics.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

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

Define Makkan surahs.
State three features of Makkan revelations.
Define Medinan surahs.
List three features of Medinan revelations.
Mention two key distinctions between Makkan and Medinan surahs.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization/Homework Assignment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the main points of the lesson and assigns homework: “Identify two Makkan and two Medinan surahs from your Qur’an and state one feature for each.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy down the homework assignment.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and apply knowledge to homework.

Lesson Keywords

Makkan Surahs – Chapters of the Qur’an revealed before the Hijrah.
Medinan Surahs – Chapters of the Qur’an revealed after the Hijrah.
Hijrah – The migration of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) from Makkah to Madinah.
Tawhid – The oneness of Allah.
Shariah – Islamic law.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher will encourage them to research and present specific examples of Makkan and Medinan surahs. For those who require more support, the teacher will provide simplified charts and direct guidance during identification activities.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Teachers should ensure that they have a good understanding of the historical context of the Qur’anic revelations. Encourage pupils to use their Qur’an copies to identify verses and surahs that exemplify the features discussed. Emphasize that while general rules exist, some surahs may contain verses revealed in different periods, making classification sometimes complex.