Opening the ayah…
أَتَبْنُونَ بِكُلِّ رِيعٍ ءَايَةًۭ تَعْبَثُونَ
'Atab'nūna bikulli rīʻin 'āyatan taʻ'bathūna
"Do ye build a landmark on every high place to amuse yourselves?
Translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali
Looking for reflections…
Shared reflections are reviewed before they appear. We feature ones that follow the spirit of the 4-I journey and suit families of all backgrounds.
Guided by the 4-I journey: Inspire, Investigate, Integrate, Impart. Use it as a starting point and make it your own.
Opening the guide…
No reflections for this ayah yet. Be the first, by reflecting with the 4-I journey below!
4-I guide
Hud asked why they built a monument on every high place just for show and play.
Start with bismillah.
Ask: "Why do people build things just to show off?"
Inspiring Sprouts tells the rise and fall of 'Ad, the story of Prophet Hud.
Now listen to the ayah together in the app, with the translation. Ask: "What did 'Ad build?"
Each child keeps one wonder question, for example: "What is wrong with building for show?" Younger children can draw theirs.
Find it in the mushaf: Surah Ash-Shu'ara is surah 26. Find ayah 128. The key words ayatan ta'bathun mean a landmark you play with. 'Ad built towers on every hill, not for need but for pride. Building is good when it serves people, not when it is only for showing off.
Fact: What is the tallest building in the world today?
Ages 5–8: Useful or show. Sort pictures of buildings into useful and show-off.
Ages 9–12: Building with purpose. Write what makes building worthwhile.
Finish with: "I found the tallest building is ___."
Talk together:
Make a small plan: "This week, I will make something useful for my family."
Action: Make something useful for your family.
