Opening the ayah…
وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمُ ٱتَّقُوا۟ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيكُمْ وَمَا خَلْفَكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ
Wa 'idhā qīla lahumu (i)ttaqū mā bay'na 'ay'dīkum' wamā khal'fakum' laʻallakum' tur'ḥamūna
When they are told, "Fear ye that which is before you and that which will be after you, in order that ye may receive Mercy," (they turn back).
Translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali
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4-I guide
People are told to be careful about what lies ahead and what they left behind, so they may find mercy.
Start with bismillah.
Ask: "Why do we look both ways before crossing a road?"
Watch the IQRA Cartoon video Taqwa, a Ramadan lesson.
Now listen to the ayah together in the app, with the translation. Ask: "What should people be careful of?"
Each child keeps one wonder question, for example: "What is in front of me and what is behind me?" Younger children can draw theirs.
Find it in the mushaf: Surah Ya-Sin is surah 36. Find ayah 45. The key word ittaqu means be mindful and careful, from the same root as taqwa. Scholars explain before you as the Hereafter ahead and behind you as the deeds and lessons already past. Being careful both ways leads to Allah's mercy.
Fact: What is the Arabic word for being mindful of Allah?
Ages 5–8: Look both ways. Practise the road-crossing routine of stop, look left, look right.
Ages 9–12: Front and back. Draw yourself in the middle, with past lessons behind and future goals ahead.
Finish with: "I found that the word is ___."
Talk together:
Make a small plan: "This week, I will think before I act and ask if Allah would be pleased."
Action: Think before you act and ask if Allah would be pleased.
