Opening the ayah…
كَأَن لَّمْ يَغْنَوْا۟ فِيهَآ ۗ أَلَآ إِنَّ ثَمُودَا۟ كَفَرُوا۟ رَبَّهُمْ ۗ أَلَا بُعْدًۭا لِّثَمُودَ
Ka'an llam' yagh'naw' fīhā . 'alā 'inna thamūdā kafarū rabbahum' . 'alā buʻ'dan llithamūda
As if they had never dwelt and flourished there. Ah! Behold! for the Thamud rejected their Lord and Cherisher! Ah! Behold! removed (from sight) were the Thamud!
Translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali
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Opening the guide…
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4-I guide
It was as if they had never lived there; Thamud rejected their Lord, so Thamud were taken far away.
Start with bismillah.
Ask: "What happens to things left behind for a long time?"
Hear the opening minutes of Hud in Mishary Alafasy's voice, from Alafasy.
Now listen to the ayah together in the app, with the translation. Ask: "What is said about their homes?"
Each child keeps one wonder question, for example: "What really lasts in this world?" Younger children can draw theirs.
Find it in the mushaf: Surah Hud is surah 11. Find ayah 68. Thamud's strong homes stood empty, as if no one had lived there. Buildings don't last forever, but faith and good deeds do.
Fact: The ruins at Al-Hijr (Mada'in Salih) in Arabia are linked to Thamud. Find it on a map.
Ages 5–8: What lasts. Talk about what lasts longer: a sandcastle or a kind deed?
Ages 9–12: Salih's story. Write three lessons from Salih's story.
Finish with: "Mada'in Salih is in the country of ___."
Talk together:
Make a small plan: "This week, I will do a lasting good deed."
Action: Do a lasting good deed.
