Assalamualaikum wrt. wbt.my brothers and sisters in Islam ! 

 How is your iman today? My group members and I had fun over the weekend looking for websites, I especially spent some time playing games…just testing and exploring the sites you see:P. 

Prophetic Timeline

 I see some of my friends have already shared what they found. So, my turn…and guess what I got ^^.


                               
PROPHETIC TIMELINE: http://prophetictimeline.com/home/index2.php

THE Timeline

An interactive and animated timeline of the Seerah! You’re gonna love this. The timeline’s divided generally into three eras and specifically into individual years which when clicked tell the important events in that year. One can either read or listen because they have audiobook quality narration (apparently BBC studio!). But wait, this is not just a simple summary of the Prophet’s life, instead, the developer (Muslim Research & Development Foundation)“liberally seeks to draw out the deeper meanings, lessons and wisdoms of these events, which are applicable to the people of the 21st century as they were 1400 years ago.” and focuses on revealing the true personality of the Last Messenger of Allah. Thus, the timeline has added features like Lessons & Wisdoms that delve into deeper meanings and derive lessons and guidance from the sirah, Edicts & Rulings, that explain the background of verses and injunctions of the Quran revealed during that year and the Contentious Narratives that tackle various narrative that misrepresent the Prophet so that misunderstandings about the Prophet S.A.W. may be addressed.

Some of the other features

In fact, the website gives a lot more than just the timeline, there’s the Prophet’s Last Sermon, a description about him, the beginnings of a collection of attractive videos aaaand watchout for the upcoming features and project by these brilliant servants of Allah.

  I believe that the website is not just good in its layout and design but also that it is for a more mature audience as compared to outer interactive websites. Secondary school kids would love the ‘coolness’ dripping off it, with the special features of the timeline posing a challenge to their intellect. The website in its totality can be used in classes in such a way that almost all levels of Bloom’s taxonomy may be covered. I use the word ‘use’ because the implementation of the taxonomy would be on the instructor’s discretion since, yes, questions are posed and higher level thought if provoked. But, it would require a discussion and all the old arguments of time-limitations, control etc :D. 

A crucial fact is that the developers understand the sirah and the issues of authenticity surrounding it. Hence, they have related some of their sources and selection method for any crosschecking the reader may want to do. 

My first thought when I saw the website was ‘COOOOL!’ and my second ‘Oh but they’ve got a lot of reading material (which is however, suitable for teenagers and above) and audio only’. But as I went through the website I found that they were smack on track with their plan to set up the SirahMap, where the users will “Experience for the first time in history, the result of an extraordinary collaboration of satellite technology, the Saudi Geological survey and the work of on-the-ground researchers.” Now that’s ‘Cool’ to the power of n! Indeed, when this is up, users/ students can learn ‘hands-on’…virtually at least:P… aaand it would be suitable for younger age groups aaand would cater for the different learning styles and different intelligence e.g. spatial and kinesthetic. Hmm, also to note, the audio also caters for those with disability of vision ^^. 

On the other hand, some of the topics discussed under contentious narratives may be beyond the intellectual capacity of even high school goers. I believe that as an intermediary step to the SirahMap, the developers could put in maps and pictures and a full list of the references used would encourage and help in self learning. 

Summarily, this website is an example of ta’dib as Al-Attas defined it because it makes a brilliant attempt to go beyond the story of the life of the Prophet S.A.W. to understanding the right place of events, people (especially the Prophet S.A.W.) and Quranic verses in relation to Allah, hopefully to spark the self-recognition and see its realization in acknowledgement. More of such websites, in different languages, are in dire need. 

May Allah bless the efforts of MDRF and ease them on their ongoing projects and plans! 

Hope I've enticed you into exploring the website ^^...Rabbana zidna 'ilman nafian! 

Wassalam, 

 Sofia.