Opening the ayah…
وَٱلسَّارِقُ وَٱلسَّارِقَةُ فَٱقْطَعُوٓا۟ أَيْدِيَهُمَا جَزَآءًۢ بِمَا كَسَبَا نَكَٰلًۭا مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌۭ
Wa ssāriqu wa ssāriqatu fa-q'ṭaʻū 'ay'diyahumā jazā'an[m] bimā kassabā nakālan mmina -llahi . wa-llahu ʻazīzun ḥakīmun
As to the thief, Male or female, cut off his or her hands: a punishment by way of example, from Allah, for their crime: and Allah is Exalted in power.
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
Stealing carries a serious legal penalty set by Allah as a deterrent, for He is Mighty and Wise.
Start with bismillah.
Ask: "Why is taking what isn't yours so harmful?"
a reciter recites Al-Ma'idah on NgajiBareng04. A few minutes is plenty.
Now listen to the ayah together in the app, with the translation. Ask: "What is this ayah about?"
Each child keeps one wonder question, for example: "Why does Islam treat stealing so seriously?" Younger children can draw theirs.
Find it in the mushaf: Surah Al-Ma'idah is surah 5. Find ayah 38. Islam protects people's property. Scholars explain this penalty has very strict conditions, is carried out only by a just court, and was rarely applied. The goal is a safe, honest society.
Fact: What scholars say about the year of famine under 'Umar? He did not apply this penalty when people stole from hunger.
Ages 5–8: Ask first. Practise asking before borrowing anything.
Ages 9–12: Honesty. Write why respecting others' things builds trust.
Finish with: "Islam protects people's ___."
Talk together:
Make a small plan: "This week, I will always ask before using something that isn't mine."
Action: Always ask before using something that isn't yours.
