إِذْ قَالَ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوْمِهِۦ مَاذَا تَعْبُدُونَ
How to read it
'Idh' qāla li'abīhi waqaw'mihī mādhā taʻ'budūna
Behold! he said to his father and to his people, "What is that which ye worship?
Translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali
Opening the ayah…
إِذْ قَالَ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوْمِهِۦ مَاذَا تَعْبُدُونَ
'Idh' qāla li'abīhi waqaw'mihī mādhā taʻ'budūna
Behold! he said to his father and to his people, "What is that which ye worship?
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
He asked his father and his community: what is it that you serve?
Start with bismillah.
Ask: "Is it okay to ask questions about what people believe?"
Watch the Little Muslim Learner video Prophet Ibrahim: Breaking Idols and Surviving Fire, Part 1.
Now listen to the ayah together in the app, with the translation. Ask: "What did Ibrahim ask his father and people?"
Each child keeps one wonder question, for example: "How did Ibrahim speak to his father?" Younger children can draw theirs.
Find it in the mushaf: Surah As-Saffat is surah 37. Find ayah 85. The key word ta'budun means you worship. Ibrahim asked a simple, thoughtful question to make his people think. He spoke to his father respectfully, even while disagreeing. Asking good questions is a powerful way to find the truth.
Fact: Which surah tells how Ibrahim spoke gently to his father, calling him "O my father"?
Ages 5–8: Question jar. Fill a jar with good questions about Allah's creation.
Ages 9–12: Respectful disagreement. Write how to disagree with an adult politely.
Finish with: "I found that the surah is ___."

Talk together:
Make a small plan: "This week, I will speak gently to my parents even when I disagree."
Action: Speak gently to your parents even when you disagree.
