ASH KIDZ! · Stories for young readers
The Qur’an for children and youth
The preaching of Muhammad
Begin with Al-Fātiḥa and Al-Baqarah, the first two chapters in our growing reading journey.
Introduction
Welcome to our journey through the beautiful stories of the Holy Qur’an, adapted for young readers. While we aim to inspire curiosity and respect for different beliefs and cultures, we understand the sensitivity of religious narratives. If any part of these stories inadvertently causes offense, please reach out to us at ASH. We strive to respectfully share these stories, and remember that the ultimate judge of our intentions is ALLAH. We hope that this humble effort brings children closer to the teachings of the Holy Qur’an, fostering a deeper understanding of the Islamic faith. Let’s embark on this enlightening journey together!
Islamic education is based on finding a balance between the spiritual and material aspects of life. Each believer is therefore not only part of the material creation of ALLAH (GOD) on earth, but also has a deep spiritual world to cultivate. Starting from this point, education aims to prepare the children of believers, the future of the religion, not only for the life of this world, but also for the eternal life of the Hereafter.
The first article of faith is belief in ALLAH, the Arabic word for GOD: the Creator, GOD Most High, who made Himself known to Abraham, a great example of faith.
But how can we make the greatness of GOD known to young people, when He can neither be seen nor fully imagined by our limited minds, nor perceived through our ordinary five senses?
Well, ALLAH has created us in a pure state, naturally inclined to the Truth, even more so when we are young. Therefore, it is very important to understand some of the concepts and lessons of the Qur’an from an early age, so that, as we grow up, we can approach the Holy Text with a foundation of knowledge that will make learning easier.
Planting a seed
Teaching children to believe in GOD is something that should be cultivated every day, like planting a seed. It is watered every day so that the roots grow, strengthening its foundation. We must have love and patience, because these are what will save us and our children in this life and the Hereafter.
The Qur’an (Arabic: القرآن) is the holy book of Islam and is considered by Muslims to be “the Word of ALLAH (GOD)”.
Muslims believe that this Book was revealed by ALLAH to the Prophet Muhammad.
Revealed in Arabic more than 1,400 years ago, the Qur’an has been translated into many languages so that it can reach as many people as possible. Yet these translations are keys to approaching the Qur’an; they cannot replace the original Arabic text.
The Qur’an contains 114 “surahs” (chapters) and is also divided into 30 reading parts. The number of verses varies from one surah to another.
Surah 1 · 7 verses · Available
Al-Fātiḥa — The Opening
الفاتحة
The first is a very special chapter, and it is called Surah Al-Fātiḥa, or the chapter that opens! In fact, it is like a key that opens the door to all the most beautiful stories and teachings of the Qur’an. This chapter begins with the words “Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Raheem,” which means “In the name of GOD, the Compassionate, the Merciful,” and these two important attributes should always be remembered first… And I will explain why…
The first chapter, Surah Al-Fātiḥa, is indeed very special and full of wisdom. It begins with the words “Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Raheem,” reminding us that we should always start everything we do in the name of ALLAH, the Most Compassionate and Most Merciful. These two attributes are like a gentle reminder of GOD’s love and care for us.
You see, GOD watches over us with compassion and mercy greater even than the care of a loving parent. When we begin by acknowledging His name, we’re opening our hearts to His guidance and protection. It’s as if we’re saying, “Dear ALLAH, I know You are the Most Compassionate and Most Merciful, and I trust in Your love and guidance in everything I do.”
This opening chapter also teaches us something very important – the essence of our relationship with GOD. We praise Him as the LORD of all the worlds, recognizing His greatness and power. We acknowledge that He is the source of all goodness and mercy in our lives.
And then, we humbly ask ALLAH for guidance. We ask Him to show us the straight path, the path of those who have earned His blessings and love. We seek His help to stay on the right track and avoid the path of those who have gone astray.
So, every time we recite Surah Al-Fātiḥa, we are not just reciting words; we are opening our hearts to GOD’s love, guidance, and mercy. It’s like a beautiful conversation between us and our Creator, reminding us of His presence in our lives and His willingness to guide us on the right path. This is why Surah Al-Fātiḥa is so special and is often called the “Opening”: it opens our hearts and minds to the wisdom and love of ALLAH.
Surah 2 · 286 verses · Available
Al-Baqarah — The Cow
البقرة
The Qur’an’s Chapter 2, known as “Al-Baqarah” (البقرة, Al-Baqarah), is a vast and profound chapter filled with wisdom. To present it in a way that’s accessible and enjoyable for children and young people, let’s embark on a simplified journey through its key themes and stories.
Introduction to Guidance
Al-Baqarah begins by telling us that the Qur’an is a guide for those who want to live a good life. It talks about three types of people: those who believe, those who don’t believe in GOD (الله, ALLAH), and those who say they believe but actually don’t. It’s like having three different types of students in a class: hardworking ones, those who don’t want to learn, and those who pretend to learn but don’t really.
Adam and Eve’s Story
We then learn about Adam (آدم, Ādam) and Eve (حواء, Ḥawwā’). ALLAH created Adam and taught him many things. GOD asked the angels to bow to Adam as a sign of respect, but Iblis (إبليس, Iblīs), a jinn, refused and was cast out of heaven. Adam and Eve lived in a beautiful garden but were tricked by Iblis into eating from the forbidden tree. This story teaches us about obedience and the consequences of our choices.
The Israelites and Moses
This part talks about the Israelites (بني إسرائيل, Banī Isrā’īl) and how GOD helped them against their enemy, Pharaoh (فرعون, Fir’awn). Moses (موسى, Mūsā) was sent to guide them and perform miracles, like parting the Red Sea. Despite these miracles, some Israelites didn’t follow ALLAH’s commands. This story shows the importance of faith and following GOD’s guidance.
The Cow and Abraham’s Story
The chapter gets its name from a story about a cow. ALLAH asked the Israelites to sacrifice a cow, but they kept asking for more details instead of obeying immediately. This part also talks about Abraham (إبراهيم, Ibrāhīm) and his devotion to GOD. Elsewhere in the Qur’an, in surah 37, we learn how he was willing to do everything for ALLAH, even sacrifice his son (which GOD prevented). This teaches us about trust and obedience to ALLAH.
Changing Direction in Prayer
Originally, Muslims prayed facing Jerusalem, but then ALLAH instructed them to face the Kaaba (الكعبة, Al-Ka’bah) in Mecca. This change teaches us that it’s not just about the direction we face but our intentions and obedience that matter in prayer.
Fasting, Hajj, and Fighting for Justice
Al-Baqarah talks about fasting during Ramadan, the pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj), and standing up for justice. Fasting helps us understand the struggles of those who are less fortunate, Hajj shows the unity of Muslims worldwide, and fighting for justice is important to uphold goodness.
Finances and Charity
The chapter advises us to be honest in our financial dealings and to help others through charity. It teaches that earning money should be fair, and that helping those in need is a part of being a good Muslim.
The Final Message
Al-Baqarah ends with a prayer for forgiveness, mercy, and help, reminding us of the tests we face in life before GOD. We should live by being truthful, patient, humble, and by always remembering ALLAH in everything we do.
To be continued soon…
Continue exploring on ASH
Find more resources on Islamic Scripture and the Abrahamic religions, or visit another part of our young readers’ library:
Bibliography and further reading
The Qur’anSurahs 1 (Al-Fātiḥa) and 2 (Al-Baqarah) are the primary texts discussed. Abraham’s sacrifice narrative is in surah 37 (Al-Ṣāffāt), verses 100–111. See the ASH Qur’an resource.
Al-Fātiḥa on ASH“Al-Fatiha” (2017) and “Sura 1: Al-Fatiha — The Opening” (2019): resources for the chapter’s text, meaning, and individual words.
Al-Baqarah on ASH“Surah 2: Al-Baqarah — The Cow” (2020): the complete chapter for readers who wish to go beyond this introduction.
Text and reference checksQuran.com’s Arabic text and translations were consulted for surahs 1, 2, and 37; for 3:33 and 3:84; for 4:150–152; and for 42:11. The Arabic verses reproduced here use the ʿUthmānī-script text distributed by AlQuran Cloud. The same project’s metadata was used to check the order of the 114 chapters. ASH’s chapter list was also consulted for chapter titles. Translations of titles and transliterations may vary between editions.
Stories and reflectionsThe narration and notes come from ASH’s original article, The Quran for children and youth: The Preaching of Mohammed (3 December 2021), with language corrections and corrected references. They are an educational introduction, not a complete translation of the Qur’an. Further learning: ASH KIDZ!
IllustrationsFour illustrations created with AI assistance for this page, using architecture, geometric ornament, plants, and shared food. They contain no depictions of GOD, prophets, angels, or people, and do not represent historical events.
ALLAH and the meaning of the name“ALLAH” (ASH, 2016): the Arabic meaning of the word and its use in Arabic-speaking Christian communities as well. In this text, GOD and ALLAH refer to the same Creator.
Belief in the prophetsQur’an 2:136; 2:285; 3:33; 3:84; 4:150–152. Verse 2:136 is reproduced in full using ASH’s English translation; 4:150–152 is also reproduced in full, with an English rendering prepared for this page. Further reading: Āl-ʿImrān and An-Nisā’.
