Opening the ayah…
يَٰقَوْمِ إِنَّمَا هَٰذِهِ ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَا مَتَٰعٌۭ وَإِنَّ ٱلْءَاخِرَةَ هِىَ دَارُ ٱلْقَرَارِ
Yāqaw'mi 'innamā hādhihi l-ḥayātu ddun'yā matāʻun wa'inna l-'ākhirata hiya dāru l-qarāri
"O my people! This life of the present is nothing but (temporary) convenience: It is the Hereafter that is the Home that will last.
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
My people, this worldly life is only a short enjoyment, and the next life is the home that lasts.
Start with bismillah.
Ask: "How long does a holiday feel when it is over?"
Watch the Little Muslim Hub video This World Is Temporary.
Now listen to the ayah together in the app, with the translation. Ask: "Which home lasts forever?"
Each child keeps one wonder question, for example: "How should I live if this life is short?" Younger children can draw theirs.
Find it in the mushaf: Surah Ghafir is surah 40. Find ayah 39. The key words dar al-qarar mean the home that lasts. The believer reminded his people that this life is like a short trip. We can enjoy it, but our real, lasting home is in the next life. Wise people pack good deeds for the journey.
Fact: About how long does an average human live today?
Ages 5–8: Holiday suitcase. Pack a pretend suitcase with good deeds for the journey to the next life.
Ages 9–12: Short and long. Write what you would do differently if you remembered this life is short.
Finish with: "I found that people live about ___ years on average."
Talk together:
Make a small plan: "This week, I will do one good deed each day for my lasting home."
Action: Do one good deed each day for your lasting home.
