Start with bismillah.

Ask: "Whom do you tell when something is really hard?"

Play the short Yusuf clip of ayah 86 from Muslim Ummah.

Now listen to the ayah together in the app, with the translation. Ask: "To whom did Ya'qub complain?"

Each child keeps one wonder question, for example: "Why tell Allah our sadness?" Younger children can draw theirs.

Find it in the mushaf: Surah Yusuf is surah 12. Find ayah 86. This is a beautiful ayah. Ya'qub took his deep sadness to Allah alone. We can always tell Allah everything we feel. He listens, and He knows what we don't.

Fact: Learn the phrase 'innama ashku bathhi wa huzni ilallah' (I complain of my grief only to Allah).

Ages 5–8: Talk to Allah. Tell Allah in du'a about something that makes you sad.

Ages 9–12: Telling Allah. Write why telling Allah our feelings brings comfort.

Finish with: "This ayah teaches us to tell our sadness to ___."

Talk together:

• To whom did Ya'qub complain?
• Which name of Allah does this remind you of?
• Why tell Allah?
• What will you tell Allah today?

Make a small plan: "This week, I will tell Allah my feelings in du'a every night."

• Tell Allah everything.
• Make your du'a.
• Share your writing.
• Next time: the next ayah (12:87) sends the sons to search. Explore it together!

Action: Tell Allah your feelings in du'a every night.