Start with bismillah.

Ask: "What are the five basic tastes?"

Watch the OnlineClass4Kids video Five Tastes. (It has music.)

Now listen to the ayah together in the app, with the translation. Ask: "Which tree is mentioned?"

Each child keeps one wonder question, for example: "Why does Allah describe the food of the Fire as bitter?" Younger children can draw theirs.

Find it in the mushaf: Surah Ad-Dukhan is surah 44. Find ayah 43. The key words shajarat az-zaqqum mean the tree of Zaqqum, a bitter tree in the Fire. The Quran contrasts the sweet fruits of Jannah with this bitter tree, so we understand that good choices lead to sweetness and bad choices to bitterness. Our tongue can tell sweet from bitter: a sign to ponder.

Fact: Which part of the tongue senses bitter tastes?

Ages 5–8: Taste test. Taste something sweet, salty and sour, and describe each one.

Ages 9–12: Sweet choices. Write three choices that leave a "sweet" feeling and three that leave a "bitter" one.

Finish with: "I found that bitterness is sensed by ___."

Talk together:

• Why does the Quran compare good and bad to sweet and bitter?
• Which name of Allah does this remind you of?
• Which choices leave a sweet feeling inside you?
• How can we choose sweetness?
• What would you like to ask about this ayah?

Make a small plan: "This week, I will make one choice that leaves a 'sweet' feeling, like forgiving someone."

• Make a sweet choice.
• Do a taste test.
• Share sweet choices.
• Next time: the next ayah (44:44) says whose food it is. Explore it together!

Action: Make one choice that leaves a 'sweet' feeling, like forgiving someone.