Opening the ayah…
لَعَلَّكَ بَٰخِعٌۭ نَّفْسَكَ أَلَّا يَكُونُوا۟ مُؤْمِنِينَ
Laʻallaka bākhiʻun nnaf'saka 'allā yakūnū mu''minīna
It may be thou frettest thy soul with grief, that they do not become Believers.
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
The Prophet was so sad that people would not believe that he might almost wear himself out with grief.
Start with bismillah.
Ask: "How do you feel when someone you love makes a bad choice?"
Nouman Ali Khan's Friday khutbah shares lessons from this surah.
Now listen to the ayah together in the app, with the translation. Ask: "Why was the Prophet sad?"
Each child keeps one wonder question, for example: "How much did the Prophet care for people?" Younger children can draw theirs.
Find it in the mushaf: Surah Ash-Shu'ara is surah 26. Find ayah 3. The key word bakhi'un means wearing yourself out. The Prophet cared deeply about people, even those who rejected him. Allah comforts him. Caring is good, but results are in Allah's hands.
Fact: Which ayah near the start of Surah Al-Kahf also speaks of the Prophet's deep grief over people's rejection?
Ages 5–8: Caring heart. Draw a big heart with the names of people you care about.
Ages 9–12: Care and trust. Write how to care about people without getting overwhelmed.
Finish with: "I found it is ayah ___ of Al-Kahf."
Talk together:
Make a small plan: "This week, I will make dua for someone I care about."
Action: Make dua for someone you care about.
