Opening the ayah…
قَالَ رَبِّ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِى غُلَٰمٌۭ وَكَانَتِ ٱمْرَأَتِى عَاقِرًۭا وَقَدْ بَلَغْتُ مِنَ ٱلْكِبَرِ عِتِيًّۭا
Qāla rabbi 'annā yakūnu lī ghulāmun wakānati (i)m'ra'atī ʻāqiran waqad' balagh'tu mina l-kibari ʻitiyyan
He said: "O my Lord! How shall I have a son, when my wife is barren and I have grown quite decrepit from old age?"
Translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali
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Opening the guide…
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4-I guide
Zakariya asked in wonder how he could have a son when his wife was barren and he was so old.
Start with bismillah.
Ask: "What would you say if something amazing happened suddenly?"
Listen together as Ahmad Al-Nufais recites ayat 1–15 of Maryam, a short clip shared by Ahmad AlNufais Indonesia.
Now listen to the ayah together in the app, with the translation. Ask: "What two reasons made Zakariya amazed?"
Each child keeps one wonder question, for example: "Was Zakariya doubting, or amazed?" Younger children can draw theirs.
Find it in the mushaf: Surah Maryam is surah 19. Find ayah 8. Zakariya wasn't doubting Allah; he was amazed and wanted to understand. It is okay to ask questions with a believing heart.
Fact: Find the similar question in Al Imran (3:40).
Ages 5–8: Wow moments. Share a moment that made you say 'How?'
Ages 9–12: Questions. Write the difference between doubting and wondering.
Finish with: "I found it in Surah ___, ayah ___."
Talk together:
Make a small plan: "This week, I will ask a question about the Quran I wonder about."
Action: Ask a question about the Quran you wonder about.
