Start with bismillah.

Ask: "How many surahs in a row have we seen start with alif, lam, mim?"

Watch The Quran Made Simple video The Quran's Prediction About the Romans.

Now listen to the ayah together in the app, with the translation. Ask: "Which letters open the surah?"

Each child keeps one wonder question, for example: "What is special about the opening of Ar-Rum?" Younger children can draw theirs.

Find it in the mushaf: Surah Ar-Rum is surah 30, and it has sixty ayat. Ar-Rum means the Romans, the eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire of the Prophet's time. This is the third surah in a row, after As-Sajdah and Luqman, to open with alif, lam, mim. Straight after these letters comes a remarkable prediction about the future.

Fact: What was the capital city of the eastern Roman Empire?

Ages 5–8: Letter steps. Step forward once for alif, once for lam and once for mim, saying each sound.

Ages 9–12: Surah chain. Write the names of surahs 29 to 32 and note which open with alif, lam, mim.

Finish with: "I found that the capital was ___."

Talk together:

• Why might several surahs share the same opening?
• Which name of Allah does this remind you of?
• What do you know about the Romans?
• What do you expect this surah to talk about?
• What would you like to ask about this ayah?

Make a small plan: "This week, I will listen to the opening of Ar-Rum every day."

• Listen to Ar-Rum's opening daily.
• Try letter steps.
• Share your surah chain.
• Next time: the next ayah (30:2) tells of the Romans' defeat. Explore it together!

Action: Listen to the opening of Ar-Rum every day.