OPENING QUESTION
What kind of things do you spend your time thinking about?
Are there any things that distract you from what you should be doing?
What kind of things do you worry/stress about? Where do you usually go for reassurance?
REFLECTION SCENARIOS
Do not yet introduce the surah and emphasise there is no right/wrong answer. Encourage honest reflection without guiding to any lessons yet.
1. At the moment it's exam season and that's all Siddiqa can think about. Her day revolves around studying and doing as well as she can. She normally sets her alarm for Fajr but this week decides she needs the extra sleep instead.
- What has become the centre of Siddiqa's life?
- Can something good become too important?
2. Sara has just joined a new school. She notices that lots of the girls have Labubu charms on their bags. She doesn't even think they're cute, but decides to get one anyway.
- Why might Sara have done that?
- What was she hoping would happen?
3. Asiya finds out she hasn't been invited to an iftar that all her friends are attending.
- How do you think she feels?
- Where do you think she might turn for comfort?
Allah is our Creator, He knows what we will struggle with and what challenges we will face. He has given us all the guidance we need to navigate these scenarios in the Quran.
LESSON
Before revealing the surah, display and read the translation only, then ask if anyone recognises which surah it is. This is Surah Ikhlas, one we recite throughout our day in salaa. Knowing the words is different from understanding the message. When we learn what Allah is teaching us here, we discover that this short surah answers one of the biggest questions in life.
KEY QUESTION: What should my life revolve around?
Allows the group to first reflect on the message themselves.
What do you think this surah is directing your attention towards?
What do you think it means that Allah is One?
What does Allah As Samad, the Eternal Refuge mean to you?
1. What is Allah teaching us?
Allah is teaching us that He is the only ONE our life should revolve around.
Family, friends, school, sports all have a time and place but none of them should become the centre of our lives. In every part of our day, Allah Al Ahad has to take priority.
We think and behave in the way Al Ahad has taught us to.
Allah is teaching us that He is As Samad, the one who is secure and satisfies all our needs
To be completely reliable requires knowing fully, caring fully, is able fully.
Allah As Samad is the only one who will always be a source of comfort and security and meet all your needs. Allah As Samad is the Only One we can always turn to and depend on.
2. Why does it matter?
If I know Allah is Al-Aḥad: I make Allah the centre of my life and my highest priority. I don't need to follow the crowd or seek everyone's approval. I choose what pleases Allah above what pleases other people.
If I know Allah is Aṣ-Ṣamad: I turn to Allah first when I am worried or in need. I don't lose hope when people disappoint or leave me out. I remember that my worth comes from Allah, not from likes, grades or popularity.
3. What might change if I lived this message seriously?
Revisit earlier scenarios with new understanding from the surah and ask "If this person truly lived the message of this surah, what might they think/do differently?
AFFIRMATIONS
Ask the group to create and write their own sentence that captures which lesson from the surah they most want to remember this week. They can share with the group if others want to add to their own.
Allah is the One at the centre of my life.
I choose what pleases Allah above everything else.
I turn to Allah because He is enough for me.
My worth comes from Allah, not from other people's opinions.
Allah is always with me and I can always rely on Him.
FAMILY REFLECTION FOR THE WEEK
A question to take home.
When during your day did remembering that Allah is Al-Ahad (the One who deserves to be at the centre of your life) or As-Samad (the One you can always depend upon) influence your choices, actions, or attitude? How did that reminder affect the way you behaved?