Opening the ayah…
عَسَىٰ رَبُّنَآ أَن يُبْدِلَنَا خَيْرًۭا مِّنْهَآ إِنَّآ إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا رَٰغِبُونَ
ʻassā rabbunā 'an yub'dilanā khay'ran mmin'hā 'innā 'ilā rabbinā rāghibūna
"It may be that our Lord will give us in exchange a better (garden) than this: for we do turn to Him (in repentance)!"
Translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali
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Opening the guide…
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4-I guide
Perhaps our Lord will give us a better garden, they said, for we turn to Him in hope.
Start with bismillah.
Ask: "Can a forest grow back after a fire?"
Watch the Planet Pals video How does a Forest Grow Back After a Fire?
Now listen to the ayah together in the app, with the translation. Ask: "What did they hope for?"
Each child keeps one wonder question, for example: "Does Allah always give a second chance?" Younger children can draw theirs.
Find it in the mushaf: Surah Al-Qalam is surah 68. Find ayah 32. The key words inna ila rabbina raghibun mean we turn to our Lord in hope. After admitting their mistake, they turned to Allah with hope. Some scholars say Allah gave them an even better garden. New green shoots grow even after a fire.
Fact: How long does it take green shoots to appear after a forest fire?
Ages 5–8: New shoots. Plant a seed in a pot of soil and care for it daily.
Ages 9–12: Fresh start. Write a short story about someone who made a mistake, turned back to Allah and started again.
Finish with: "I found that green shoots appear after about ___."
Talk together:
Make a small plan: "This week, I will make a fresh start on one habit."
Action: Make a fresh start on one habit.
