Opening the ayah…
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَآ إِلَىٰ ثَمُودَ أَخَاهُمْ صَٰلِحًا أَنِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ فَإِذَا هُمْ فَرِيقَانِ يَخْتَصِمُونَ
Wa laqad' 'ar'salnā 'ilā thamūda 'akhāhum' ṣāliḥan 'ani (u)ʻ'budū -llaha fa'idhā hum' farīqāni yakh'taṣimūna
We sent (aforetime), to the Thamud, their brother Salih, saying, "Serve Allah": But behold, they became two factions quarrelling with each other.
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
Allah sent Salih, their brother, to Thamud, telling them to worship Allah, but they split into two arguing groups.
Start with bismillah.
Ask: "What happens when people split into arguing groups?"
Deen Stories TV asks why the nation of Thamud was destroyed. Play the first few minutes.
Now listen to the ayah together in the app, with the translation. Ask: "What happened to Thamud's people?"
Each child keeps one wonder question, for example: "Why did they split into two groups?" Younger children can draw theirs.
Find it in the mushaf: Surah An-Naml is surah 27. Find ayah 45. The key word fariqani yakhtasimun means two groups arguing. Salih was one of Thamud, their brother. He called them to Allah. Some believed and some refused, and they quarrelled. The truth divides those who accept it from those who reject it.
Fact: Which ayah of Al-A'raf says Thamud carved homes out of the mountains?
Ages 5–8: Two teams. Talk about how to disagree without fighting.
Ages 9–12: Brother messenger. Write why a messenger from among the people is a mercy.
Finish with: "I found it is ayah ___ of Al-A'raf."
Talk together:
Make a small plan: "This week, I will disagree politely if I need to."
Action: Disagree politely if you need to.
