Start with bismillah.

Press a shell into play dough and lift it out. Ask: "What record did the shell leave?"

Watch the National Science Foundation video "What are Fossils?".

Now listen to the ayah together in the app, with the translation. Ask: "What kind of record is it?"

Each child keeps one wonder question, for example: "Can anything be rubbed out of that record?" Younger children can draw theirs.

Find it in the mushaf: Surah Al-Mutaffifin is surah 83. Find ayah 9. The key words kitabun marqum mean a written, marked record. Once deeds are written, they are kept, unless Allah forgives them.

Fact: How does a living thing become a fossil?

Ages 5–8: Fossil maker. Press leaves, shells or toy feet into clay. Let it dry. You've made fossil records!

Ages 9–12: Rock record. Find out how layers of rock show scientists what lived long ago.

Finish with: "I found that fossils form when ___."

Talk together:

• Rocks keep a record for millions of years. What keeps the record of our deeds?
• Which name of Allah does this remind you of?
• What can "rub out" a bad deed? (Think about repentance and good deeds.)
• What good deeds do you want written in your record?
• Why is it fair that everything is written?

Make a small plan: "This week, I will follow a mistake with a good deed straight away."

• After a mistake, do a good deed straight away.
• Show someone your clay fossils.
• Visit a museum or look at fossil pictures together.
• Next time: the next ayah (83:10) is a warning to those who deny. Explore it together!

Action: Follow a mistake with a good deed straight away.