Monday mornings at the Islamic boarding school always bring a special spirit. In a simple classroom, students are getting ready for their practical Arabic lesson. Standing in front of the class is a young teacher named Ustadz Hasan, a figure known for his friendliness and ability to liven up the learning atmosphere, even though the students cannot see Ustadz Hasan directly because he is blocked by a partition.
"Assalamu'alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh," Ustadz Hasan greets them warmly. "Today we will learn Arabic that you can immediately use in your daily lives, especially in relation to worship and social interaction."
The students listened enthusiastically. Among them, Zahra sat in the front row with sparkling eyes, ready to absorb new knowledge while smiling cheerfully from time to time. For her, Arabic was not just a subject but an important bridge to understanding the Sunnah and the Qur'an more deeply.
Ustadz Hasan began by introducing several greetings and short prayers commonly used in Islamic boarding schools. "These simple phrases will help you converse with others politely and respectfully," he said as he wrote the phrases on the board.
Zahra did not hesitate to ask, "Ustadz, how can we remember these phrases so we don't forget them quickly?"
Ustadz Hasan smiled. "Good question. You can repeat each phrase in different contexts, using repetition and direct practice. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, because we learn from our mistakes."
The lesson was interactive. Ustadz Hasan invited the students to simulate short conversations, such as asking about someone's well-being, saying thank you, or apologizing in Arabic.
Salsabila and Salsabi, who had just started adjusting to the Islamic boarding school, also looked enthusiastic. They exchanged sentences in soft voices to practice pronouncing new words, while Aira and Nisa watched and cheered them on.
In between activities, Zahra slipped in light jokes that livened up the class. "If I say something wrong, please don't throw books at me!"
Small laughs were heard throughout the room, proving that learning can still be fun.
That day's practical Arabic class was the first step for the students to not only understand the theory, but also to experience the language as a tool that brings them closer to knowledge and sunnah practices.
***
Since the first session of practical Arabic lessons, the students have been eager to use the new language in their daily lives, despite the inevitable challenges and funny moments. Zahra, with her energetic and humorous nature, has been the main driving force in keeping the atmosphere lively and cheerful.
On one occasion, Ustadz Hasan gave a simple assignment: each group had to create a dialogue in Arabic and practice it directly in the boarding school environment. The twins, Salsabila and Salsabi, were enthusiastic, while Zahra, Tariqah, and Nisa formed a small, energetic group.
However, when they tried to apply the greetings and expressions they had just learned to their fellow students in the hall, a funny incident occurred. Zahra mispronounced a sentence and instead of praising, she said something that made her friends laugh out loud.
"I said 'assalamu'alaikum' but it came out as 'assalamu'alaikum warhun'—I don't know what that is," Zahra laughed while holding her stomach. "Maybe I just discovered a new version of the greeting!"
Laughter spread throughout the group, but Ustadz Hasan, who heard the mistake, smiled understandingly. "It's okay. Mistakes are part of the learning process. The important thing is that you dare to try and improve."
With that encouragement, Zahra and her friends practiced more and more earnestly, albeit with a touch of humor. Memorizing Arabic sentences that began with jokes became easier for them to remember.
Over time, they began to show real progress in delivering greetings, prayers, and apologies in Arabic correctly and politely. It was not just a matter of memorization, but also of appreciating the values of politeness contained therein.
In their daily lives, they try to remind and encourage each other, applying the knowledge they have gained in their daily interactions, while maintaining unity and cheerfulness.
Practical Arabic lessons not only open the door to new knowledge, but also strengthen the ukhuwah (brotherhood) between the students, especially between Zahra, Salsabila, Salsabi, and Tariqah, who are becoming closer.
***
In the following weeks, practical Arabic lessons became a favorite moment at the Islamic boarding school. Amid laughter and jokes, the sense of friendship and synergy among the students grew stronger. Zahra, who had always been known as an encourager, often led spontaneous Arabic practice sessions during her free time.
One afternoon, after the afternoon prayer, Zahra invited Salsabila, Salsabi, Tariqah, and several other friends to gather in the reading room. "Come on, let's practice the prayers we often use, but this time we'll read them together and give them their true meaning," said Zahra enthusiastically.
Salsabi nodded, "I like how you make learning feel warm. It makes us not afraid to make mistakes."
They began with salawat, then continued with short prayers that are usually recited before and after daily activities. Zahra carefully corrected their pronunciation, while Nisa helped translate the meaning of each word so that everyone understood the essence of the prayer.
When one friend mispronounced a word, Zahra did not immediately reprimand her harshly. "Calm down, don't panic. This is a process, we learn while laughing, we learn while improving," she said with a big smile.
The moment became interesting when Tariqah said, "I'm starting to feel the difference. Arabic is not only in books, but it lives in our prayers and conversations."
Zahra replied, "That's right, prayers that are fluent and understood will touch the heart more deeply. So, we don't just memorize the words, but also feel the power behind them."
Salsabila added, "This makes me even more enthusiastic, because Arabic feels closer and more meaningful."
The practical Arabic class also became a place for the students to support each other, correcting one another, especially in pronunciation and meaning. Familiarity grew not only from learning, but also from facing difficulties together.
Ustadz Hasan was proud to see their progress. "This is not just a language lesson, but an exercise in patience, consistency, and unity. You are preparing yourselves to understand and practice the Sunnah more fully," he said enthusiastically during an evaluation session.
The days passed colorfully. Between seriousness and relaxation, between meaning and jokes, the practical Arabic language lessons reinforced that knowledge is not just about theory, but about how it flows and is felt in everyday life.
***
A few weeks after intensive practical Arabic lessons, the Islamic boarding school prepared for a large recitation event. All students were asked to participate, including reciting prayers and sunnah readings in Arabic together.
Under the guidance of Ustadz Hasan and the ustadzah, Zahra and her friends began to practice seriously to prepare their segment. The atmosphere of the rehearsals was enthusiastic, but Zahra's characteristic jokes kept the mood light and fun.
On the day of the recitation, Zahra stood with her group in front of the audience. With loud voices and increasingly better pronunciation, they led the prayers and sunnah recitations as a group. That moment was the culmination of all the practical Arabic language skills they had learned.
Although there was still a little worry and nervousness, especially for Salsabila and Salsabi who were new, the warmth of support from friends and the row of female teachers gave them extra strength. A moment of silence turned into satisfied smiles when they successfully carried out the task perfectly.
In addition to being a practical Arabic language exercise, the event also strengthened the spirit of ukhuwah (brotherhood) among the students, proving that learning a language is not just about memorization, but about unity in deeds and kindness together.
Ustadz Hasan closed the event with motivational words, "You have shown that language is a bridge, not a barrier. Continue to learn and use this knowledge to draw closer to Allah and spread goodness wherever you are."
Zahra, in her new role as an encourager, smiled contentedly. She knew that this practical Arabic lesson not only opened the door to knowledge but also strengthened the bonds of heart and faith among everyone at the Islamic boarding school.
***
A few days after the big recitation event, the atmosphere at the Islamic boarding school became even more lively with a new spirit flowing from the success of the students in using practical Arabic in real-life activities. Zahra became the center of attention not only because of her language skills, but also because of her inspiring attitude towards her classmates.
One morning, as they were preparing for their daily lessons, Zahra sat with Salsabila and Salsabi discussing how the Arabic they were learning could be applied in everyday life—not just as theory in the classroom.
"I want to learn to speak Arabic more fluently, so I can talk directly with the teachers and speakers from outside who often come to the boarding school," said Zahra with a bright smile.
Salsabila replied, "Yes, me too. Arabic is the key, so that we don't just memorize prayers and recitations, but really understand and can communicate."
Tariqah, who was sitting near them, added, "If we can do this, Insha Allah, our da'wah and religious activities will be more meaningful. We will be closer to the true knowledge and sunnah."
They agreed to form an informal Arabic study group that was more relaxed and creative, where they could learn while playing, sharing stories, and even creating short plays in Arabic to strengthen their language skills and hone their courage to speak.
Ustadz Hasan welcomed this initiative. "Learning Arabic is not just about books and theory, but how you use it to strengthen your faith and ukhuwah," he said enthusiastically.
Zahra, who has always been known for her humor and energy, is now even more mature in leading this small group. She is confident that with fun and practical learning methods, the students will find it easier to absorb knowledge while maintaining their enthusiasm and camaraderie.
Practical Arabic lessons at the Islamic boarding school are no longer just a routine but have become a vibrant part of their lives, filled with laughter and useful knowledge.