Start with bismillah.

Ask: "What can you do when someone is mean to you?"

Watch the Bridge the Gap video When People are Mean.

Now listen to the ayah together in the app, with the translation. Ask: "What did those enemies want?"

Each child keeps one wonder question, for example: "How do I stay safe and kind when someone wants to hurt me?" Younger children can draw theirs.

Find it in the mushaf: Surah Al-Mumtahanah is surah 60. Find ayah 2. The key words wa waddu law takfurun mean they wish you would disbelieve. Allah explains that those at war with the believers wanted to harm them and pull them away from their faith. Like a rose with thorns, we can be beautiful and still protect ourselves.

Fact: Why do roses have thorns?

Ages 5–8: Safe and kind. Practise saying "Please stop" in a calm, strong voice.

Ages 9–12: Safety plan. Write who you would tell if someone tried to hurt you or pull you away from good.

Finish with: "I found that roses have thorns to ___."

Talk together:

• How can we stay kind and still stay safe?
• Which name of Allah does this remind you of?
• Who can we tell if someone is unkind to us?
• Why should we never give up our faith because of pressure?
• What would you like to ask about this ayah?

Make a small plan: "This week, I will tell a trusted adult if anyone is unkind to me."

• Tell a trusted adult about unkindness.
• Practise "please stop".
• Share your safety plan.
• Next time: the next ayah (60:3) says relatives won't help on the Last Day. Explore it together!

Action: Tell a trusted adult if anyone is unkind to you.