Opening the ayah…
إِذْ أَبَقَ إِلَى ٱلْفُلْكِ ٱلْمَشْحُونِ
'Idh' 'abaqa 'ilāl-ful'ki l-mash'ḥūni
When he ran away (like a slave from captivity) to the ship (fully) laden,
Translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali
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4-I guide
When he went off to the crowded, loaded ship.
Start with bismillah.
Ask: "What should we do when we feel like giving up on something hard?"
Watch the Islamic Relief Canada video Prophet Yunus and the Whale.
Now listen to the ayah together in the app, with the translation. Ask: "Where did Yunus go?"
Each child keeps one wonder question, for example: "Why did Yunus leave his people?" Younger children can draw theirs.
Find it in the mushaf: Surah As-Saffat is surah 37. Find ayah 140. The key word al-mashhun means fully loaded. Yunus's people did not listen, and he left them, going to a ship, before Allah gave him permission to leave. Even a noble prophet was taught a lesson in patience. The story shows how Allah guides and cares for His servants.
Fact: What is the name of the city Yunus was sent to, according to many scholars?
Ages 5–8: Wait for permission. Play a game where you must wait for a "go" signal before moving.
Ages 9–12: Patience lesson. Write about a time you wanted to give up and what helped you continue.
Finish with: "I found that the city was ___."
Talk together:
Make a small plan: "This week, I will keep going with something hard instead of giving up."
Action: Keep going with something hard instead of giving up.
