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Blessed Beads: The One Simple Thing To Put In Your Ramadan Calendar This Year

 

Every year I have big plans for a Ramadan calendar  but where I always start strong, by mid Ramadan I’m falling apart trying to keep those things filled with meaningful things for each child! Sound familiar? 

This year I had a special idea that I’d love to share with you. It’s easy and elegant and beautiful. It’s non-toxic and sensory and eco friendly. What is it? It is a bead a day, for each day of Ramadan and three extra ones on Eid!

That’s  thirty- beads stacked together one day at a time – and just like that – the humble bead is elevated to an instrument of joy, light and reflection: A tasbih! The beads are oversized and child friendly, we are not talking small choking hazard or delicate stones and pearls.

The premise truly is simple: take one bead for each day of Ramadan and have your child add it to a string stacking the beads as the days go by, adding to what will be, by the end of Ramadan – their own personal handmade tasbih. They can use themselves or give to a loved one as a treasured gift.

To add a layer of meaning and intention to this mini adventure of ‘making your own tasbih‘  I have shared a simple step by step below to make the beads from ‘play clay’ with your child using  items found in your kitchen cupboard. Here are some thoughts to keep in mind as you do so –

~ While forming this ‘clay’ with your child, talk about how Allah fashioned us with His Hands lovingly and with intention for a higher purpose.

~ As you form each bead, whisper a small ‘Bismillah’ for each one, imagining how special each bead feels knowing it is being created for a higher purpose.

~ If you choose to use real clay to make these beads, as our friend Ashley May shares in her book Thirty Sunsets And A Moon, be sure to pull out this previous lesson from our archives, where together, you will be able to reflect on the diversity of soil colors and how they relate to the story of prophet Adam.

~ As you roll each bead, don’t focus too much on the exact size or dimension, but talk with your child about how each bead is different and has its own small imperfections and that each bead is imprinted with the warmth and energy of the hand it is in.

~ As you let them dry overnight and find the soft malleable balls transformed into hard spheres so satisfying to roll in your hands – reflect on the names of Allah – the Turner of Hearts who can make the hardest of hearts soft again.

If you love the idea but don’t have the time right now to make these from scratch, you can still use the idea of building a tasbih with your child by using  other natural materials such as woolen felt balls or wooden beads. My friend Leila includes a wooden ready to assemble tasbih set as part of  her small business Muslim Busy Box. The beauty of these materials is not only are they biodegradable but they can both hold a perfume very well, so don’t forget to add a touch of fragrance to these  natural child friendly tasbih!

This year  we are being intentional about trying to have a ‘Renewable Ramadan’. Pushing ourselves to make choices that are green and which leave a low carbon footprint and letting go of what can seem like a lot of ‘noise’ around the latest Ramadan or Eid trends. Follow us on instagram as we begin to share other ways in which to decorate both our homes and our hearts with the hashtag #RenewableRamadan

Homemade 'Clay' Beads For A Ramadan Tasbih

Sumaya Teli
These sensory beads are a delight to make and hold. The addition of coconut essence adds another layer of intrigue, especially enjoyable with a young child.
5 from 1 vote

Ingredients
  

  • 2 Cups Salt
  • 2/3 Cup Water
  • 1 Cup Cornstarch
  • 1/2 Cup Water
  • 3 Drops Coconut essence or any other essential oil of your choice
  • Tooth pick or similar instrument for piercing hole
  • String, twine, ribbon or strong thread

Instructions
 

  • Stir salt and water in a saucepan over heat 4-5 minutes.
  • Remove from heat; add cornstarch and cold water.
  • Stir until smooth; return to heat and cook until thick.
  • Allow the clay to cool and add a few drops of coconut essence or any other essential oil of your choice
  • Roll into a long rod and using a knife score along and divide the rod into 33 pieces, there will be enough for extra so roll and shape as many 'oversize' beads as you desire.
  • Use a toothpick or similar shape to pierce a hole through the bead and leave aside to dry
  • Air dry (overnight or over two nights depending on size of beads) or put in oven at 200F for two hours. Store unused clay in a clear plastic bag.
  • Once dry, put aside one bead for each day of Ramadan and on each day take a moment to sit with your child and let them decorate the bead with paint, markers, and so on. If you like, finish with clear acrylic spray or clear nail polish. Start your tasbih by stringing the bead on some strong thread or ribbon, and add one bead everyday. By the end of Ramadan you will have enough beads, individually decorated to have made a tasbih.

 

 

Modeling clay recipe inspired by FamilyEducation

You might  also like A Simple Ramadan Craft You’ll Want To Keep Up All Year, another beautiful, eco friendly ‘make’ with a child that costs little or nothing.

 

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5 Comments

  • Reply Samira May 4, 2021 at 10:06 am

    5 stars
    MashaAllah this is such a lovely idea thank you for sharing.
    InshaAllah I look forward to doing this with my little one when he is a little older.
    Just a quick question about the recipe , I noticed it lists water – 2/3 and then a half cup water. Should it all go in at the same time?
    Jazakum Allahu Khair.

    • Reply Sumaya Teli May 5, 2021 at 10:25 pm

      Thank you Samira – yes first add the 2/3 cup water and then when it says to add the cold water in the second step, you can add the 1/2 cup. hope that makes sense.

  • Reply RMK April 5, 2021 at 11:27 pm

    This is such a fabulously simple yet meaningful idea masha’Allah, really really love it! We stocked up on loads of coloured air dry clay for lockdown, so this is a perfect calendar project- a little bit of daily crafting without being overwhelming for this mum of 3 little ones! I can imagine doing this with tapered paper strips next year as well (rolling them into paper beads) to change things up. This is perfect to go along with learning the names of Allah, which is my target activity for them this Ramadan insha’Allah, thanks so much for the idea

    • Reply Sumaya Teli May 5, 2021 at 10:26 pm

      So glad to know this is something that has inspired you. Thank you for your comment!

  • Reply Leila March 26, 2021 at 12:41 pm

    I can’t wait to try these! I love the idea of adding a scented oil!

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