How To Use 5D
First Step – Explore
Begin this step by immersing your students and captivating them with the world around them.
- Present scientific knowledge without referring to causes, natural laws, or chance occurrences
- Be mindful of your word choice, as it reveals the underlying worldview. Use words like designed and made to set the mindset towards the idea of a Creator.
- Present relevant videos and discuss the content. If any video hints at a secular ideology, point it out.
- Reveal fascinating facts that will spark curiosity and ignite the flame of exploration in your students’ hearts.
Second Step – Compare
Now, transition to the second dimension, where you’ll encourage your students to compare the explored phenomena to a man-made one for better comprehension.
- Encourage them to come up with an analogy
- Draw parallels between the explored phenomena and human-made objects to uncover profound analogies.
- Use the video to engage in thoughtful comparisons.
- Highlight the similarities and differences between created and man-made phenomena.
- Make sure learners understand the amount of knowledge, power, and will behind explored and man-made phenomena.
Third Step – Question
In the third dimension, your role as a teacher transforms into that of a thought-provoking guide
- Draw upon the analogy from the previous dimension to negate secular trios of nature, causes, and chance
- Challenge your students to delve into the realm of possibility by questioning the origins of man-made objects and the explored topic.
- Encourage them to engage in critical thinking by probing into the concept of nature.
- Use the questions provided to show that nature without mind and knowledge cannot be the source of the explored topic
- Show how material causes do not, on their own, make things grow or change.
- Show how there is no random occurrence or chance.
Fourth Step – Connect
Step into the fourth dimension, where you’ll lead your students to the awe-inspiring revelation of the Creator in the explored topics.
- Showcase the intricate interconnectivity of the observed phenomena and provide evidence that points towards a Maker
- Discuss the interdependency of creation to make a case that they are needed but insufficient to make anything.
- Foster discussions on the beneficial outcomes that emerge from the created things to show the benevolence of their creator.
- Conclude that the Maker must possess unlimited power and wisdom, referred to as Allah in the Qur’an.
- Encourage students to see the Divine Names of Allah reflected in the explored topic.
Fifth Step - Appreciate
The fifth dimension is one of gratitude and reflection. Here, you’ll encourage your students to see beyond the surface and delve into the deeper meaning of the explored topics.
- Guide them to understand the intended benefits of creation and appreciate them as special gifts.
- Brainstorm with “what-if” questions to appreciate the value of gifts we enjoy but take for granted.
- Engage in Dhikr, remembrance – show how the topic reminded them of Allah as the Creator.
- Engage in Fikr and reflect on the profound wisdom and power behind the explored topics.
- Show gratitude, Shukr, for the blessings they can observe.
As they engage in this dimension, they’ll uncover moral lessons that invite them to utilize these gifts to their fullest potential, fostering a sense of purpose and virtue.
Character lessons
The 5D model goes beyond just academic learning; it emphasizes the development of moral, spiritual, and professional character traits. Rather than viewing science as an isolated discipline, students are encouraged to see it as a lens through which they can gain a more profound understanding of the world and themselves. Through this model, they can find meanings in the scientific study of the universe and derive character lessons to be a better person.
Qur’an and Hadith
Relevant verses enable learners to recognize overlapping messages and meanings in the Qur’an and the universe. Relevant Hadith reminds learners of the teachings of the Prophet (pbuh) as an all-encompassing role model.
Du’a
At the end of each topic in the 5D Thinking journey, we conclude with a special du’a, written like a poem. As learners perceive the fifth dimension of reality and see the signs of Allah, they feel His presence. This du’a is poetic to help express these feelings, making it easier for learners to remember.
Activities
This section offers a variety of activities for each of the 5 Dimensions, empowering educators to tailor them to their learners’ needs and capabilities. In every chapter, we include a hands-on in-class activity designed to engage students in practical learning. These activities are powerful analogical (compare) and critical (question) thinking tools, aligning perfectly with the 5D Thinking model. They offer a dynamic way to reinforce the concepts taught in each dimension, allowing students to apply and experience the lessons tangibly.
Think Thank Game
General Instructions
The Think Thank Game is a delightful and gratitude-filled activity designed to help learners appreciate the countless blessings of Allah. Played in groups of at least two, the game involves one player expressing their amazement for a specific aspect of the given topic following the prompt “SubhanAllah!” The player must complete ten rounds without any pauses or repetitions to win the game. This interactive activity fosters appreciation and a deeper understanding of the wonders surrounding us.
Example – Alhamdulillah for the Human Body:
Moderator: “SubhanAllah! (loudly and fast).”
“SubhanAllah for having unique fingerprints!”
“SubhanAllah for having different faces!”
“SubhanAllah for having different voices!”
“SubhanAllah for having unique smells!”
“SubhanAllah for having eyes with unique iris!”
“SubhanAllah for having one-of-a-kind ears!”
“SubhanAllah for having distinctive hair!”
“SubhanAllah for having unique handwriting!”
“SubhanAllah for having unique footprints!”
“SubhanAllah for having a unique tongue!