Opening the ayah…
فَٱخْتَلَفَ ٱلْأَحْزَابُ مِنۢ بَيْنِهِمْ ۖ فَوَيْلٌۭ لِّلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ مِنْ عَذَابِ يَوْمٍ أَلِيمٍ
Fa-kh'talafa l-'aḥ'zābu min[m] bay'nihim' . faway'lun llilladhīna ẓalamū min' ʻadhābi yaw'min 'alīmin
But sects from among themselves fell into disagreement: then woe to the wrong-doers, from the Penalty of a Grievous Day!
Translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali
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Opening the guide…
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4-I guide
But the groups among them differed, so ruin awaits the wrongdoers from the punishment of a painful Day.
Start with bismillah.
Ask: "What makes Muslims around the world united?"
Watch the Noor Kids story What Makes Muslims United?
Now listen to the ayah together in the app, with the translation. Ask: "What happened after 'Isa's clear message?"
Each child keeps one wonder question, for example: "How can people stay united after a clear message?" Younger children can draw theirs.
Find it in the mushaf: Surah Az-Zukhruf is surah 43. Find ayah 65. The key word al-ahzab means the groups, factions. Even after 'Isa's clear message, people split into groups and argued. This is a lesson for everyone, including Muslims: division weakens people. Holding to the clear message of tawhid keeps us together.
Fact: What does the word ummah mean?
Ages 5–8: Together strong. Try breaking one stick, then a bundle of sticks, and talk about unity.
Ages 9–12: Unity ideas. Write three ways Muslims can stay united even when they disagree on small things.
Finish with: "I found that ummah means ___."
Talk together:
Make a small plan: "This week, I will make peace with someone I disagreed with."
Action: Make peace with someone you disagreed with.
