Start with bismillah.

Ask: "How can a dinosaur bone last millions of years?"

Watch the Natural History Museum video How do dinosaur fossils form?

Now listen to the ayah together in the app, with the translation. Ask: "Who else did they ask about?"

Each child keeps one wonder question, for example: "Does Allah know every person who ever lived?" Younger children can draw theirs.

Find it in the mushaf: Surah Al-Waqi'ah is surah 56. Find ayah 48. The key words aba'una al-awwalun mean our first forefathers. These people thought ancestors who died long ago were gone for good. Fossils show that traces of living things can last for millions of years. Allah knows every single person who ever lived and will raise them all.

Fact: How old are the oldest fossils ever found?

Ages 5–8: Print fossil. Press a leaf or shell into playdough and lift it off to see the print.

Ages 9–12: Fossil steps. Draw the steps of how a fossil forms, from living thing to rock.

Finish with: "I found that the oldest fossils are about ___ years old."

Talk together:

• Why did these people think their ancestors were gone forever?
• Which name of Allah does this remind you of?
• What does Allah's knowledge of every person teach us?
• How can we remember our own ancestors kindly?
• What would you like to ask about this ayah?

Make a small plan: "This week, I will make du'a for my family members who have passed away."

• Make du'a for family who passed away.
• Make a print fossil.
• Share your fossil steps.
• Next time: the next ayah (56:49) answers: earlier and later people alike. Explore it together!

Action: Make du'a for your family members who have passed away.