Opening the ayah…
ٱتَّخَذُوٓا۟ أَيْمَٰنَهُمْ جُنَّةًۭ فَصَدُّوا۟ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ فَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌۭ مُّهِينٌۭ
Ittakhadhū 'ay'mānahum' junnatan faṣaddū ʻan sabīli -llahi falahum' ʻadhābun mmuhīnun
They have made their oaths a screen (for their misdeeds): thus they obstruct (men) from the Path of Allah: therefore shall they have a humiliating Penalty.
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
They used their oaths as a cover and turned people away from Allah's path, so they face a humiliating punishment.
Start with bismillah.
Ask: "What makes a promise powerful?"
Watch the Dreamy Tales video The Power of a Promise.
Now listen to the ayah together in the app, with the translation. Ask: "What did they use their oaths for?"
Each child keeps one wonder question, for example: "How can promises be used wrongly?" Younger children can draw theirs.
Find it in the mushaf: Surah Al-Mujadilah is surah 58. Find ayah 16. The key word junnah means a shield or cover. They hid behind promises to fool people and block them from good. Real promises open doors; fake ones block paths.
Fact: Why do people shake hands when they agree?
Ages 5–8: Promise path. Draw a path with an open gate (kept promise) and a blocked gate (broken promise).
Ages 9–12: Real promises. Write three rules for making promises that build trust.
Finish with: "I found that people shake hands because ___."
Talk together:
Make a small plan: "This week, I will keep every promise I make."
Action: Keep every promise you make.
