The religion of Islam dates back to the 7th century in the ancient city of Mecca on the Arabia peninsula. Today, it is practiced by about 2 billion people all over the world! Islam is the world's second largest religion and its followers account for about 25% of the world's total population.
Teaching about various world religions is a vital component to the study of world history, geography, and culture. The study of religion is a powerful way for students to learn more about world history and the belief systems that have influenced human culture for millennia.
There are many wonderful books and read alouds to share with students to enhance their understanding of Islam. This book is called The Spider & The Doves and teaches about the story of the Hijra, the Prophet Muhammad's journey from Mecca to Medina to escape persecution.
Storyboard Text
THE SPIDER & THE DOVES by Farah Morley
EXPOSITION
RISING ACTION
The Spider & The Doves: The Story of the Hijra by Farah Morley tells the story of the Prophet Muhammad’s* migration in 622 CE from Makkah (Mecca) to Yathrib (Medina) in order to escape persecution. The tale is told through the eyes of a spider and doves who witness the life of the Prophet Muhammad* and the Hijrah.
CLIMAX / TURNING POINT
"Even if you placed the sun in my right hand and the moon in my left, I will never give up my sacred duty to call people to God."
The story begins in Mecca, in modern day Saudi Arabia. Long ago, Mecca was a small, beautiful and bustling city that was a respite in the middle of the Arabian desert. Near Mecca was a cave in Mount Thawr where a little spider and two nesting doves lived. The doves could travel far and wide and brought back stories of what they saw to the grateful spider.
FALLING ACTION
The doves flew to Mecca and saw the wise, honest and kind-hearted man, Muhammad* who, like his ancestor Abraham*, was a Prophet and Messenger from God. Muhammad* taught that there is one God and that all living things should be treated with kindness and respect. The doves shared the stories of the Prophet Muhammad* with the spider who loved to hear about all the wonderful ways he would help people and animals.
RESOLUTION
Muhammad* spoke out against the cruelty of the leaders of Mecca and said everyone should worship the one true God. This angered the leaders. One day, the doves came to the spider in alarm saying that the leaders were going to try and kill Muhammad*! Muhammad* and his close friend fled and came upon the cave of Mount Thawr. They ducked inside to hide. When the spider saw him, he knew instantly that this man was the kind-hearted Messenger from God!
The spider wished there was something he could do to help, but he felt so small and insignificant. Suddenly he had an idea: he would spin his web around the entrance of the cave! The spider's web deceived the evil men who were chasing Muhammad*. They believed that if anyone was inside, then the web and the nesting doves would have been disturbed. They went away and Muhammad* and Abu Bakr+ were safe!
Muhammad* and Abu Bakr+ escaped and made their way to Yathrib where they received a warm welcome. The city was renamed Medinat al-Nabi, the City of the Prophet. A mosque was built and a constitution was established a constitution to keep peace amongst his followers and the other tribes. The name of Muhammad's flight is the Hijra. It allowed the spread of Muhammad's* beautiful message of love and kindness and the growth of Islam throughout the world.
"In those days justice was for all, not just for the rich and powerful. People of different races and tribes, rich and poor, worked together as one; and peace ruled the land as it had always ruled the Prophet's* heart."