Informed Decisions, Responsible Actions
Suggested Duration: 60 minutes
Key Stage 2
Learning Objectives ► To understand that as Muslims we are required to make informed decisions and take responsible actions
Key Words ► Appropriate choice, informed decision, seeking knowledge, verify
Islamic Values Islam teaches us to enquire and research before making a decision and taking action. We should pray to God for guidance.
Citizenship Values Citizenship teaches us to look at all the facts and then act responsibly when making decisions.
Resources
Activities
Ask some quick questions to recap the last lesson. Share the lesson objectives
A Starter Activity Give pupils some random choices and ask them to give their responses, either by raising their hand or by standing up. For example, you can ask: ► Is pizza better than fish and chips? ► Should we study in the classroom or go to the park and study there? ► Should you go to school in the car with your mum/dad or walk with your friends?
Tell pupils that they have just made some decisions, but did they have enough information to make those decisions? Stress that if we collect information and think carefully before making a decision, then it is called an informed decision'. When you act on something after gathering and verifying information then it is called 'taking responsible action'.
B Development
Activity 1: Making Decisions
Ask pupils to work in pairs and complete Pupils' Activity Sheet 2.2101, which contains various scenarios of decisions that a young person has to make.
Explain the activity to pupils by using a completed example on the worksheet. Allow time for pupils to complete the table and then take feedback.
Ask pupils: For each scenario, why was it a responsible action? Would they have done things differently?
Allow for flexibility and disagreements in this exercise. Remind pupils about the Islamic manners of dialogue.
Activity 2: Islamic Guidance
Ask a pupil to recite the following verses. Explain the meaning.
هَلْ يَسْتَوِي الَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
'...Can those who have knowledge and those who do not have knowledge be equal?...' (Surat al-Zumar 39:9)
Question: What did we learn from this verse?
Suggested answer: Here the Quran clearly says that the people who have knowledge and those who do not have knowledge are not equal. The Quran encourages us to seek
knowledge.
Whenever we have to make a decision we should collect the right information, verify it and then make a decision. We collect information by talking to people of knowledge, reading books, journals, and so on.
فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ لِنتَ لَهُمْ وَلَوْ كُنتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ الْقَلْبِ لَانفَضُّوا مِنْ حَوْلِكَ فَاعْفُ عَنْهُمْ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ وَشَاوِرْهُمْ فِي الأَمْرِ فَإِذَا عَزَمْتَ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُتَوَكِّلِينَ
( Prophet Muhammad ) ‘It is by the mercy of God that you are gentle with people; had you been harsh and hard hearted they would have run away from you. So pardon them and seek forgiveness for them; and seek their advice on issues and once you have made a decision then put your trust in God, indeed God loves the trusting.' (Surat Al `Imran 3:159)
‘The cure for ignorance is to question.' (Abu Dawud)
'Half of knowledge is gained through questioning. (Nahj al-Balaghah)
'Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave. ' (Ibn Majah)
Explain that these three ahadith are encouraging Muslims to do research and questioning in order to find the truth. We should not stop learning and seeking new skills and knowledge at any age.
C Plenary
Emphasise that the Qur`an always encourages us to do the right thing even if it goes against us. We should seek guidance from the Islamic principles when making decisions.
If you are unable to make a decision then you should ask those who have the right knowledge and skills. You may go to your parents and elders in the community.
Try reading for yourself when you are older - but read reliable sources only; not everything you find on the internet is true. Sum up and stress that Islam: ▸ encourages us to make fully informed decisions and not to jump to make a decision based on desire or what we want for ourselves ▸ encourages us always to do the right thing and take responsible actions that are appropriate.
Use the Islamic principles (that is, talking to people of knowledge and skill, asking questions, reading appropriate books) as a guide for making the right decision.
Suggested Follow-up Work
Ask pupils to share one incident in which they changed their mind about something because they managed to get hold of the correct information.
title: "Activity Sheet 2.2101" description: "Activity sheet for making decisions." lesson: 21 stage: "ks2"
Informed Decisions, Responsible Actions
Pupils' Activity Sheet 2.2101
Key Stage 2
Taking Responsible Decisions
| Decisions | Good/Bad | Why? | | :---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | :------- | :----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | When my mum told me to go to make up my bed and clean my room, I shouted back: 'No, I can't be bothered.' | Bad | The Qur'an tells us that we should always respect and obey our parents and never say or do anything to displease them. The Prophet said: 'Paradise lies at the feet of mothers...' So we should always respect them and do as they say. | | My friends called me late at night and asked me to meet them at the local chippy. I was alone so | decided to stay at home. | | | | At break-time I noticed a car drive towards the school fence and lots of people went to the car. I joined them along with the rest of my friends. They were talking about things I didn't understand. | | | | My parents are not very religious but they still want me to wear a head scarf. I decided not to wear it. | | | | My teacher wanted me to help him clean up an area in the madrasah and I said yes, but only if I get something in return! | | |