Opening the ayah…
وَتَنْحِتُونَ مِنَ ٱلْجِبَالِ بُيُوتًۭا فَٰرِهِينَ
Wa tan'ḥitūna mina l-jibāli buyūtan fārihīna
"And ye carve houses out of (rocky) mountains with great skill.
Translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali
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Opening the guide…
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4-I guide
They skilfully carved their houses out of the mountains.
Start with bismillah.
Ask: "How would you carve a house out of rock?"
Abdul Malik Fareed takes a look inside the rock-cut homes at Mada'in Salih.
Now listen to the ayah together in the app, with the translation. Ask: "What did Thamud carve?"
Each child keeps one wonder question, for example: "Why were they proud of their skill?" Younger children can draw theirs.
Find it in the mushaf: Surah Ash-Shu'ara is surah 26. Find ayah 149. The key word farihin means skilled, or delighting. Thamud were amazing engineers. But they were proud of their skill and forgot the Giver. Talent should lead to thankfulness.
Fact: Which ayah of Al-Fajr says Thamud cut out the rocks in the valley?
Ages 5–8: Clay carving. Carve a little house into a block of clay.
Ages 9–12: Skill and pride. Write how talent can lead to pride or gratitude.
Finish with: "I found it is ayah ___ of Al-Fajr."
Talk together:
Make a small plan: "This week, I will thank Allah for one talent I have."
Action: Thank Allah for one talent you have.
