Start with bismillah.

Ask: "Who is the boss of you: you, or your feelings?"

Watch the MiniIman Kids nasheed Don't Be Angry, Control the Nafs.

Now listen to the ayah together in the app, with the translation. Ask: "What has this person made into a god?"

Each child keeps one wonder question, for example: "How can I be the boss of my wants?" Younger children can draw theirs.

Find it in the mushaf: Surah Al-Jathiyah is surah 45. Find ayah 23. The key words ilahahu hawahu mean his god is his desire. Some people obey every craving and feeling, as if their wants were in charge. Little by little, their hearts stop listening to the truth. Believers let Allah be in charge, and they train their wants, like training a puppy.

Fact: What does the Arabic word nafs mean?

Ages 5–8: Boss game. Practise saying "Not now" to a pretend want, like a sweet before dinner.

Ages 9–12: Want tracker. For one day, note each strong want and whether you or the want was in charge.

Finish with: "I found that nafs means ___."

Talk together:

• What does it look like when desires are in charge?
• Which name of Allah does this remind you of?
• How can anger take over if we let it?
• What helps you calm down?
• What would you like to ask about this ayah?

Make a small plan: "This week, I will pause and breathe when I feel a strong want or anger."

• Pause and breathe.
• Play the boss game.
• Share your want tracker.
• Next time: the next ayah (45:24) quotes people who think only time ends us. Explore it together!

Action: Pause and breathe when you feel a strong want or anger.