Opening the ayah…
فَغَفَرْنَا لَهُۥ ذَٰلِكَ ۖ وَإِنَّ لَهُۥ عِندَنَا لَزُلْفَىٰ وَحُسْنَ مَـَٔابٍۢ
Faghafar'nā lahu dhālika . wa'inna lahu ʻindanā lazul'fā waḥus'na ma'ābin
So We forgave him this (lapse): he enjoyed, indeed, a Near Approach to Us, and a beautiful place of (Final) Return.
Translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali
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4-I guide
So We forgave him that, and he has a place close to Us and a fine home to return to.
Start with bismillah.
Ask: "How does it feel when someone says, I forgive you?"
Watch the Tiny Sparks Stories video Al-'Afuww, the Pardoner.
Now listen to the ayah together in the app, with the translation. Ask: "What two good things did Dawud receive?"
Each child keeps one wonder question, for example: "Does Allah always forgive when we ask sincerely?" Younger children can draw theirs.
Find it in the mushaf: Surah Sad is surah 38. Find ayah 25. The key word zulfa means nearness, being close. After Dawud turned to Allah, Allah forgave him and gave him a special closeness and a beautiful final home. Asking forgiveness does not push us away from Allah. It brings us nearer.
Fact: Which other prophet in this surah is given the very same promise of nearness and a good return?
Ages 5–8: Clean slate. Write a mistake on a whiteboard, then wipe it clean and talk about forgiveness.
Ages 9–12: Closer steps. Write three actions that bring a person closer to Allah.
Finish with: "I found that it is Prophet ___ in ayah ___."
Talk together:
Make a small plan: "This week, I will forgive someone who upset me."
Action: Forgive someone who upset you.
