Start with bismillah.

Ask: "Why do roses and cactuses have sharp points?"

Watch the SciShow Kids video Plants with Weapons!

Now listen to the ayah together in the app, with the translation. Ask: "What is special about the lote trees in Jannah?"

Each child keeps one wonder question, for example: "Why won't anything hurt us in Jannah?" Younger children can draw theirs.

Find it in the mushaf: Surah Al-Waqi'ah is surah 56. Find ayah 28. The key words sidr makhdud mean lote trees with their thorns removed. The sidr is a hardy tree with tasty fruit and sharp thorns. On Earth, thorns protect plants from hungry animals. In Jannah, there is nothing to fear, so the trees have no thorns at all.

Fact: Why do some plants grow thorns?

Ages 5–8: Look, don't touch. Go on a nature walk and spot plants with thorns or spines, without touching them.

Ages 9–12: Sharp words. Find out the difference between thorns, prickles and spines.

Finish with: "I found that plants grow thorns to ___."

Talk together:

• What does a tree without thorns tell us about Jannah?
• Which name of Allah does this remind you of?
• Are there "thorns" in the way we speak or act?
• How can we be gentle like a thornless tree?
• What would you like to ask about this ayah?

Make a small plan: "This week, I will remove one 'thorn' from how I speak, like sulking or snapping."

• Remove one prickly habit.
• Go on a look-don't-touch walk.
• Share thorns, prickles and spines.
• Next time: the next ayah (56:29) speaks of trees with layered fruit. Explore it together!

Action: Remove one 'thorn' from how you speak, like sulking or snapping.