Opening the ayah…
إِنَّكَ لَا تَهْدِى مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ وَلَٰكِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَهْدِى مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِٱلْمُهْتَدِينَ
'Innaka lā tah'dī man' 'aḥ'bab'ta walākinna -llaha yah'dī man yashā'u . wahuwa 'aʻ'lamu bil-muh'tadīna
It is true thou wilt not be able to guide every one, whom thou lovest; but Allah guides those whom He will and He knows best those who receive guidance.
Translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali
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Opening the guide…
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4-I guide
The Prophet could not guide everyone he loved; Allah guides whom He wills and knows best who will accept guidance.
Start with bismillah.
Ask: "Can we make someone believe?"
Hear a reflection on wanting guidance for our loved ones, uploaded by nizwan ismail. Play the first few minutes.
Now listen to the ayah together in the app, with the translation. Ask: "Who guides hearts?"
Each child keeps one wonder question, for example: "What can I do for people I love who are not guided?" Younger children can draw theirs.
Find it in the mushaf: Surah Al-Qasas is surah 28. Find ayah 56. The key words innaka la tahdi mean you cannot guide. Even the Prophet, the finest teacher, could not force anyone's heart. Our job is to share kindly and make dua. Guidance of the heart belongs to Allah alone.
Fact: Which prophet in the Quran had a son who refused to board the ark?
Ages 5–8: Dua list. Make a list of people you love and make dua for them.
Ages 9–12: Our part, Allah's part. Write what we can do and what only Allah can do.
Finish with: "I found it was Prophet ___."
Talk together:
Make a small plan: "This week, I will make dua for someone I love."
Action: Make dua for someone you love.
