Opening the ayah…
وَلَقَدْ أَخَذْنَٰهُم بِٱلْعَذَابِ فَمَا ٱسْتَكَانُوا۟ لِرَبِّهِمْ وَمَا يَتَضَرَّعُونَ
Wa laqad' 'akhadh'nāhum bil-ʻadhābi famā (i)s'takānū lirabbihim' wamā yataḍarraʻūna
We inflicted Punishment on them, but they humbled not themselves to their Lord, nor do they submissively entreat (Him)!-
Translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali
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Opening the guide…
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4-I guide
Allah tested them with hardship, yet they didn't humble themselves before their Lord or call on Him.
Start with bismillah.
Ask: "Why does a reed bend in the wind but a dry stick snaps?"
Only a few minutes are needed: Saad Al-Ghamdi recites Al-Mu'minun on Noor International.
Now listen to the ayah together in the app, with the translation. Ask: "What didn't they do?"
Each child keeps one wonder question, for example: "Why do hardships make some people humble and others hard?" Younger children can draw theirs.
Find it in the mushaf: Surah Al-Mu'minun is surah 23. Find ayah 76. Hard times are meant to soften hearts so we turn to Allah. These people stayed stiff and proud.
Fact: Why are reeds flexible? Find out about their stems.
Ages 5–8: Bend or snap. Gently bend a green twig and a dry twig.
Ages 9–12: Soft heart. Write how a hard time made you closer to Allah.
Finish with: "I found reeds bend because ___."
Talk together:
Make a small plan: "This week, I will make du'a when something goes wrong."
Action: Make du'a when something goes wrong.
Snap twigs gently, away from eyes.
