Start with bismillah.

Ask: "What makes a really good apology?"

Watch the Funimation 3D video How to Apologize for Kids.

Now listen to the ayah together in the app, with the translation. Ask: "What did they do in the early hours?"

Each child keeps one wonder question, for example: "Why did good people ask for forgiveness so often?" Younger children can draw theirs.

Find it in the mushaf: Surah Adh-Dhariyat is surah 51. Find ayah 18. The key words bil-ashar mean in the last part of the night, just before dawn. Even though they had prayed at night, these believers still asked Allah to forgive them. Saying sorry to Allah and to people keeps our hearts soft.

Fact: What are the steps of a sincere apology?

Ages 5–8: Make-up plan. Draw one way to put right something you got wrong.

Ages 9–12: Apology steps. Write the four parts of a good apology with an example.

Finish with: "I found that a good apology includes ___."

Talk together:

• Why would good people still ask for forgiveness?
• Which name of Allah does this remind you of?
• How does it feel after you say sorry and mean it?
• What makes saying sorry hard sometimes?
• What would you like to ask about this ayah?

Make a small plan: "This week, I will say astaghfirullah three times after fajr."

• Say astaghfirullah after fajr.
• Draw a make-up plan.
• Share your apology steps.
• Next time: the next ayah (51:19) talks about sharing with people in need. Explore it together!

Action: Say astaghfirullah three times after fajr.