Opening the ayah…
أَفَأَنتَ تُسْمِعُ ٱلصُّمَّ أَوْ تَهْدِى ٱلْعُمْىَ وَمَن كَانَ فِى ضَلَٰلٍۢ مُّبِينٍۢ
'Afa'anta tus'miʻu ṣṣumma 'aw' tah'dī l-ʻum'ya waman kāna fī ḍalālin mmubīnin
Canst thou then make the deaf to hear, or give direction to the blind or to such as (wander) in manifest error?
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
Can you make the deaf hear or guide the blind or someone clearly lost?
Start with bismillah.
Ask: "Can we force someone to believe?"
Watch the Guided Hearts story Finding the Right Way.
Now listen to the ayah together in the app, with the translation. Ask: "What does the ayah say the Prophet could not do?"
Each child keeps one wonder question, for example: "Why can't anyone force guidance into a heart?" Younger children can draw theirs.
Find it in the mushaf: Surah Az-Zukhruf is surah 43. Find ayah 40. The key words tusmi' as-summ mean make the deaf hear. This is not about people who cannot hear with their ears; it is about hearts that refuse to listen. The Prophet was sad when people didn't believe. Allah comforted him: your job is to share; only Allah opens hearts.
Fact: What does the word hidayah mean?
Ages 5–8: Share, don't force. Share a good idea with a friend and let them choose.
Ages 9–12: My job, Allah's job. Write what our job is in sharing Islam and what belongs to Allah.
Finish with: "I found that hidayah means ___."
Talk together:
Make a small plan: "This week, I will make du'a for someone to be guided."
Action: Make du'a for someone to be guided.
