Opening the ayah…
إِنَّهُۥ مِن سُلَيْمَٰنَ وَإِنَّهُۥ بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
'Innahu min sulay'māna wa'innahu bis'mi -llahi rraḥ'māni rraḥīmi
"It is from Solomon, and is (as follows): 'In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful:
Translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali
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Guided by the 4-I journey: Inspire, Investigate, Integrate, Impart. Use it as a starting point and make it your own.
Opening the guide…
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4-I guide
The letter came from Sulayman and opened with bismillahir-rahmanir-rahim.
Start with bismillah.
Ask: "How do you start something important?"
Hear a young Qari Abdul Basit recite the part about Solomon's letter, from Quran Stories.
Now listen to the ayah together in the app, with the translation. Ask: "How did the letter begin?"
Each child keeps one wonder question, for example: "Why begin with bismillah?" Younger children can draw theirs.
Find it in the mushaf: Surah An-Naml is surah 27. Find ayah 30. The key word bismillah means in the name of Allah. Sulayman began his letter with Allah's name and His mercy. This is the one place in the Quran where bismillah appears inside an ayah. We start our actions the same way.
Fact: In which surah does bismillah appear twice?
Ages 5–8: Bismillah moments. Say bismillah before eating, drawing and playing today.
Ages 9–12: Mercy first. Write why a message from a king began with mercy.
Finish with: "I found it is Surah ___."
Talk together:
Make a small plan: "This week, I will say bismillah before everything I start."
Action: Say bismillah before everything you start.
