For today's challenge, you can read about the story of Saba in the Qur'an, surah Saba (54: 15-19). It's a story of abundance and with abundance comes disobedience as people tend forget where that abundance comes from.
Indeed there was for Saba' (Sheba) a sign in their dwelling-place - two gardens on the right hand and on the left; (and it was said to them:) "Eat of the provision of your Lord, and be grateful to Him." A fair land and an Oft-Forgiving Lord!
But they turned away (from the obedience of Allah), so We sent against them Sail Al-'Arim (flood released from the dam), and We converted their two gardens into gardens producing bitter bad fruit, and tamarisks, and some few lote-trees.
Like this We requited them because they were ungrateful disbelievers. And never do We requite in such a way except those who are ungrateful (disbelievers).
And We placed, between them and the towns which We had blessed, towns easy to be seen, and We made the stages (of journey) between them easy (saying): "Travel in them safely both by night and day."
But they said: "Our Lord! Make the stages between our journey longer," and they wronged themselves; so We made them as tales (in the land), and We dispersed them all totally. Verily, in this are indeed signs for every steadfast, grateful (person).
You might like to read Ibn Kathir's commentary in Stories of the Qur'an.
Lesson and Activity
Today's lesson is similar to Qarun. Like Qaran, the town of Saba was given abundance but in the form of two gardens full of food. Yet they chose not to be grateful and disobeyed Allah. What are other examples of abundance that Allah could give us that could lead us astray?
I've found a colouring book about thankfulness on line that you can download for free and have your young child colour in.
I've found a colouring book about thankfulness on line that you can download for free and have your young child colour in.
Comments Required
There are so many other lessons to learn. Can you think of any others? I'd love to hear them. Please write in the comment below.
At the end of this Ramadan Reading Challenge, if you or your children have participated then you will get a prize (not sure what yet - will keep you updated). To be eligible, please leave a comment on what lesson you have learnt from the reading of the story and include any activities that you did to extend it. Just a line or two would be fine (so that I can contact you).
We enjoyed this story. It did remind my son of the story of the man of the two gardens and of course Qarun. We have a little tradition in our home- whenever my son or daughter gets a gift, a toy or what have you, we ask them what do we say?? The first thing they say before even thanking us is"Thank you Allah", then thanks mom or dad. This is now so familiar to them that it is easy for them to say even without thinking about it. We discuss often how we should never forget to thank Allah for everything. In thanking him he will give us more. In forgetting to thank him he may take away our gifts as was mentioned in this story.
ReplyDeleteThe story of the two gardens is coming up soon insha Allah.
DeleteThat is such good training for children to automatically thank Allah first. Great parenting there.