Children remember stories long after they forget lists. These stories are told from the Qur'an itself, with the surah and ayah numbers so an older child can go and read the account for themselves. We never draw a prophet, so each picture shows the place or the object at the heart of the story.
Story 1 · ages 5-7
Adam — the first human
Allah created Adam, peace be upon him, taught him the names of things, and made him the first human and the first prophet. When he slipped, he turned back to Allah and was forgiven.
1Made by Allah
Allah created Adam from clay and gave him knowledge no other creation had.
2The angels honoured him
Allah told the angels to bow to Adam, and they obeyed.
3Iblis refused
Iblis refused out of pride, and became the enemy of every child of Adam.
4One mistake
Adam and his wife ate from the one tree they were told to leave — and were sorry immediately.
5Tawbah works
They asked Allah for forgiveness and He accepted it. Nobody is too far gone to say sorry.
Wa iz qulnaa lilmalaaa'i katis judoo liAadama fasajadooo illaaa Ibleesa abaa wastakbara wa kaana minal kaafireen
“And [mention] when We said to the angels, "Prostrate before Adam"; so they prostrated, except for Iblees. He refused and was arrogant and became of the disbelievers.”
Qaalaa Rabbanaa zalamnaaa anfusanaa wa illam taghfir lanaa wa tarhamnaa lanakoonanna minal khaasireen
“They said, "Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers."”
Do this before next time
Say sorry to Allah for one thing today, the way Adam did — quickly and honestly.
Story 2 · ages 5-7
Nuh — the ark
Prophet Nuh, peace be upon him, called his people to Allah for hundreds of years. Only a few listened. Allah told him to build a ship, and the flood came.
1A very long dawah
The Qur'an says he stayed among his people for a thousand years minus fifty, calling them to Allah.
2They laughed
People mocked him while he built a huge ship far from any water.
3Two of each
Allah told him to take pairs of the animals and those who believed.
4The flood
The water came, and the ark carried the believers safely.
5Family is not enough
One of his sons refused to board and was not saved — belief is a choice each person makes.
Wa laqad arsalnaa Noohan ilaa qawmihee falabisa feehim alfa sanatin illaa khamseena 'aaman fa akhazahumut toofaanu wa hum zaalimoon
“And We certainly sent Noah to his people, and he remained among them a thousand years minus fifty years, and the flood seized them while they were wrongdoers.”
Wasna'il fulka bi-a'yuninaa wa wahyinaa wa laa tukhaa tibnee fil lazeena zalamoo; innahum mughraqoon
“And construct the ship under Our observation and Our inspiration and do not address Me concerning those who have wronged; indeed, they are [to be] drowned."”
Wa hiya tajree bihim fee mawjin kaljibaali wa naadaa Noohunib nahoo wa kaana fee ma'ziliny yaa bunai yarkam ma'anaa wa laa takum ma'al kaafireen
“And it sailed with them through waves like mountains, and Noah called to his son who was apart [from them], "O my son, come aboard with us and be not with the disbelievers."”
Qaala sa aaweee ilaa jabaliny ya'simunee minal maaa'; qaala laa 'aasimal yawma min amril laahi illaa mar rahim; wa haala bainahumal mawju fakaana minal mughraqeen
“[But] he said, "I will take refuge on a mountain to protect me from the water." [Noah] said, "There is no protector today from the decree of Allah, except for whom He gives mercy." And the waves came between them, and he was among the drowned.”
Do this before next time
Do the right thing once this week even if someone laughs at you for it.
Story 3 · ages 8-11
Ibrahim — the friend of Allah
Prophet Ibrahim, peace be upon him, broke his people's idols, was thrown into a fire and saved by Allah, raised the Kabah with his son Isma'il, and passed the test of the sacrifice.
1Questioning idols
As a young man he showed his people that statues cannot hear, help or even protect themselves.
2The fire
They threw him into a fire, and Allah made it cool and safe for him.
3Building the House
He and his son Isma'il raised the Kabah in Makkah and prayed for it to be accepted.
4The great test
He was tested with sacrificing his son, obeyed Allah, and Allah replaced the sacrifice with a ram.
5Why we do Eid al-Adha
The qurbani at Eid al-Adha remembers this obedience every single year.
Wa iz yarfa'u Ibraaheemul qawaa'ida minal Baitiwa Ismaa'eelu Rabbanaa taqabbal minnaa innaka Antas Samee'ul Aleem
“And [mention] when Abraham was raising the foundations of the House and [with him] Ishmael, [saying], "Our Lord, accept [this] from us. Indeed You are the Hearing, the Knowing.”
“And when he reached with him [the age of] exertion, he said, "O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I [must] sacrifice you, so see what you think." He said, "O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, of the steadfast."”
Surah As-Saaffaat · 37:107
وَفَدَيْنَٰهُ بِذِبْحٍ عَظِيمٍۢ
Wa fadainaahu bizibhin 'azeem
“And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice,”
Do this before next time
Name one thing you would find hard to give up for Allah, and one small step towards it.
Story 4 · ages 8-11
Yusuf — the dream and the forgiveness
Prophet Yusuf, peace be upon him, dreamed of eleven stars bowing. His brothers threw him in a well out of jealousy. Years later he ruled Egypt's stores in a famine — and forgave them.
1The dream
He saw eleven stars, the sun and the moon bow to him, and told his father Ya'qub.
2Jealousy
His brothers put him in a well and told their father a wolf had taken him.
3Sold and jailed
He was sold in Egypt and later imprisoned for something he did not do — and stayed honest throughout.
4The dream of the cows
He explained the king's dream: seven good years then seven hard ones, and planned the food stores.
5Forgiveness
When his brothers came for food, he forgave them: 'No blame on you today.'
Iz qaala Yoosufu li abeehi yaaa abati innee ra aytu ahada 'ashara kawkabanw wash shamsa walqamara ra aytuhum lee saajideen
“[Of these stories mention] when Joseph said to his father, "O my father, indeed I have seen [in a dream] eleven stars and the sun and the moon; I saw them prostrating to me."”
Falammaa zahaboo bihee wa ajma'ooo anyyaj'aloohu fee ghayaabatil jubb; wa awyainaaa ilaihi latunabbi 'annahum bi amrihim haaza wa hum laa yash'uroon
“So when they took him [out] and agreed to put him into the bottom of the well... But We inspired to him, "You will surely inform them [someday] about this affair of theirs while they do not perceive [your identity]."”
“And when they entered upon Joseph, he took his parents to himself and said, "Enter Egypt, Allah willing, safe [and secure]."”
Do this before next time
Forgive one person this week and tell nobody about it except Allah.
Story 5 · ages 8-11
Musa — standing up to Fir'awn
Prophet Musa, peace be upon him, was placed in a basket on the river as a baby, raised in Fir'awn's own palace, and sent back to tell the most powerful man on earth to worship Allah.
1The basket
His mother placed him in the river to save him, and Allah brought him back to her.
2Called at the mountain
Allah spoke to him at the mountain and gave him signs — the staff and the shining hand.
3'Go to Fir'awn'
He was sent to Fir'awn, who claimed to be a god, and asked Allah to make his task easier.
4The sea splits
Allah told him to strike the sea with his staff; his people crossed and Fir'awn's army drowned.
5The Tawrah
Allah gave him the Tawrah as guidance for the Children of Israel.
Aniqzifeehi fit Taabooti faqzifeehi fil yammi fal yul qihil yammu bis saahili yaakhuzhu 'aduwwul lee wa 'aduwwul lah; wa alqaitu 'alaika mahabbatam minnee wa litusna'a 'alaa 'ainee
“[Saying], 'Cast him into the chest and cast it into the river, and the river will throw it onto the bank; there will take him an enemy to Me and an enemy to him.' And I bestowed upon you love from Me that you would be brought up under My eye.”
Surah Taa-Haa · 20:25
قَالَ رَبِّ ٱشْرَحْ لِى صَدْرِى
Qaala Rabbish rah lee sadree
“[Moses] said, "My Lord, expand for me my breast [with assurance]”
Wa katabnaa lahoo fil alwaahi minkulli shai'immaw 'izaanw wa tafseelal likulli shai'in fakhuzhaa biquwwatinw waamur qawmaka yaakhuzoo bi ahsanihaa; wa ooreekum daaral faasiqeen
“And We wrote for him on the tablets [something] of all things - instruction and explanation for all things, [saying], "Take them with determination and order your people to take the best of it. I will show you the home of the defiantly disobedient."”
Innaaa anzalnat Tawraata feehaa hudanw wa noor; yahkumu bihan Nabiyyoonal lazeena aslamoo lillazeena haadoo war rabbaaniyyoona wal ahbaaru bimas tuhfizoo min Kitaabil laahi wa kaanoo 'alaihi shuhadaaa'; falaa takhshawun naasa wakhshawni wa laa tashtaroo bi aayaatee samanan qaleelaa; wa mal lam yahkum bimaaa anzalal laahu fa ulaaa'ika humul kaafiroon
“Indeed, We sent down the Torah, in which was guidance and light. The prophets who submitted [to Allah] judged by it for the Jews, as did the rabbis and scholars by that with which they were entrusted of the Scripture of Allah, and they were witnesses thereto. So do not fear the people but fear Me, and do not exchange My verses for a small price. And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed - then it is those who are the disbelievers.”
Do this before next time
Ask Allah for courage the way Musa did — learn the dua in ayah 25–28 of Surah Ta-Ha.
Story 6 · ages 5-7
Sulayman — the king who understood the ants
Prophet Sulayman, peace be upon him, was given a kingdom no one has had since: he understood the speech of birds and ants, and the wind and the jinn worked by Allah's command.
1A gift, not his own power
Everything he had came from Allah, and he thanked Allah for it.
2The ant
He heard an ant warn her people, and smiled and praised Allah.
3The hoopoe
A bird brought him news of a woman ruling Saba and her people worshipping the sun.
4The queen believes
She came, saw the truth, and submitted to Allah.
5Power with justice
A king who prays and judges fairly is stronger than a king who is only rich.
Wa laqad aatainaa Daawooda wa sulaimaana 'ilmaa; wa qaalal hamdu lil laahil lazee faddalanaa 'alaa kaseerim min 'ibaadihil mu'mineen
“And We had certainly given to David and Solomon knowledge, and they said, "Praise [is due] to Allah, who has favored us over many of His believing servants."”
Wa warisa Sulaimaanu Daawooda wa qaala yaaa aiyuhan naasu 'ullimnaa mantiqat tairi wa ooteenaa min kulli shai'in inna haazaa lahuwal fadlul mubeen
“And Solomon inherited David. He said, "O people, we have been taught the language of birds, and we have been given from all things. Indeed, this is evident bounty."”
“Until, when they came upon the valley of the ants, an ant said, "O ants, enter your dwellings that you not be crushed by Solomon and his soldiers while they perceive not."”
Fatabassama daahikam min qawlihaa wa qaala Rabbi awzi'nee an ashkura ni'mata kal lateee an'amta 'alaiya wa 'alaa waalidaiya wa an a'mala saalihan tardaahu wa adkhilnee birahmatika fee 'ibaadikas saaliheen
“So [Solomon] smiled, amused at her speech, and said, "My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to do righteousness of which You approve. And admit me by Your mercy into [the ranks of] Your righteous servants."”
Qeela lahad khulis sarha falammaa ra at hu hasibat hu lujjatanw wa khashafat 'an saaqaihaa; qaala innahoo sarhum mumarradum min qawaareer; qaalat Rabbi innee zalamtu nafsee wa aslamtu ma'a Sulaimaana lillaahi Rabbil 'aalameen
“She was told, "Enter the palace." But when she saw it, she thought it was a body of water and uncovered her shins [to wade through]. He said, "Indeed, it is a palace [whose floor is] made smooth with glass." She said, "My Lord, indeed I have wronged myself, and I submit with Solomon to Allah, Lord of the worlds."”
Do this before next time
Be kind to the smallest creature you see today — Sulayman cared about ants.
Story 7 · ages 5-7
Yunus — the dua inside the whale
Prophet Yunus, peace be upon him, left his people before Allah told him to. He ended up in the dark inside a great fish — and one honest dua brought him out.
1He left too early
His people would not listen, so he left before Allah gave him permission.
2Into the sea
The ship, the storm, and then the great fish swallowed him.
3Darkness
Inside, in total darkness, he called on Allah and admitted he was wrong.
4Allah answered
Allah saved him — and says He saves the believers like this.
5His people believed
When he returned, the whole city turned back to Allah.
Wa Zan Nooni iz zahaba mughaadiban fazaanna al lan naqdira 'alaihi fanaanna al lan naqdira 'alaihi fanaadaa fiz zulumaati al laaa ilaaha illaaa Anta Subhaanaka innee kuntu minaz zaalimeen
“And [mention] the man of the fish, when he went off in anger and thought that We would not decree [anything] upon him. And he called out within the darknesses, "There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers."”
La ilaha illa anta subhanaka inni kuntu minaz-zalimin
There is no god except You; glory be to You. I have surely been among the wrongdoers.
Qur'an 21:87 — the dua of Yunus, peace be upon him.
Do this before next time
Learn the dua of Yunus by heart and say it next time you are scared.
Story 8 · ages 12-15
Isa — a word from Allah
Prophet Isa, peace be upon him, was born to Maryam with no father by Allah's command, spoke as a baby, healed the sick by Allah's permission, and is a prophet — not divine, and not Allah's son.
1Maryam
Allah chose Maryam, and the Qur'an has a whole surah named after her — the only woman named in it.
2Born by Allah's word
Allah says 'Be' and it is. Isa was created without a father, just as Adam was created without parents.
3He spoke as a baby
He defended his mother's honour as an infant, saying he was a servant of Allah.
4Miracles by permission
He healed the blind and the sick and brought the dead to life — always by Allah's permission, never his own power.
5Not Allah's son
Muslims love Isa deeply and believe he is a mighty prophet. Allah has no son, and Isa was not killed — Allah raised him.
Qaalat Rabbi annaa yakoonu ee waladunw wa lam yamsasnee basharun qaala kazaalikil laahu yakhluqu maa yashaaa'; izaa qadaaa amran fa innamaa yaqoolu lahoo kun fayakoon
“She said, "My Lord, how will I have a child when no man has touched me?" [The angel] said, "Such is Allah; He creates what He wills. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, 'Be,' and it is.”
Wa Rasoolan ilaa Baneee Israaa'eela annee qad ji'tukum bi Aayatim mir Rabbikum annee akhluqu lakum minatteeni kahai 'atittairi fa anfukhu feehi fayakoonu tairam bi iznil laahi wa ubri'ul akmaha wal abrasa wa uhyil mawtaa bi iznil laahi wa unabbi'ukum bimaa taakuloona wa maa taddakhiroona fee buyootikum; inna fee zaalika la Aayatal lakum in kuntum mu'mineen
“And [make him] a messenger to the Children of Israel, [who will say], 'Indeed I have come to you with a sign from your Lord in that I design for you from clay [that which is] like the form of a bird, then I breathe into it and it becomes a bird by permission of Allah. And I cure the blind and the leper, and I give life to the dead - by permission of Allah. And I inform you of what you eat and what you store in your houses. Indeed in that is a sign for you, if you are believers.”
Wa qawlihim innaa qatal nal maseeha 'Eesab-na-Maryama Rasoolal laahi wa maa qataloohu wa maa salaboohu wa laakin shubbiha lahum; wa innal lazeenakh talafoo fee lafee shakkim minh; maa lahum bihee min 'ilmin illat tibaa'az zann; wa maa qataloohu yaqeenaa
“And [for] their saying, "Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the messenger of Allah." And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them. And indeed, those who differ over it are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it except the following of assumption. And they did not kill him, for certain.”
Bar rafa'ahul laahu ilayh; wa kaanal laahu 'Azeezan Hakeemaa
“Rather, Allah raised him to Himself. And ever is Allah Exalted in Might and Wise.”
Do this before next time
Explain kindly to a friend why Muslims love Isa (Jesus), peace be upon him, and what we believe about him.
Story 9 · ages 8-11
Ayyub and the long illness
Prophet Ayyub, peace be upon him, lost his health and his wealth and was ill for years. He never complained about Allah — he made a gentle dua, and Allah healed him.
1He was tested hard
Illness, loss of property and loss of family — over a long period, not a bad afternoon.
2His dua was polite
The Qur'an records him saying that hardship had struck him, and that Allah is the Most Merciful of the merciful.
3Allah answered
Allah removed the harm and restored his family and more.
4Patience is not silence about pain
You may say it hurts; sabr means not accusing Allah of being unfair.
5For a sick child or parent
This story is what to read when someone you love is ill for a long time.
Fastajabnaa lahoo fakashaf naa maa bihee min durrinw wa aatainaahu ahlahoo wa mislahum ma'ahum rahmatam min 'indinaa wa zikraa lil'aabideen
“So We responded to him and removed what afflicted him of adversity. And We gave him [back] his family and the like thereof with them as mercy from Us and a reminder for the worshippers [of Allah].”
Do this before next time
Make dua for someone you know who is ill, using Ayyub's words: Ya Arhamar-Rahimin.
Story 10 · ages 8-11
Dawud, the psalms and the mountains
Prophet Dawud, peace be upon him, was given a beautiful voice, the Zabur, and a special skill: Allah taught him to shape iron into armour. Even the mountains and birds joined his praise.
1A prophet and a king
Dawud ruled with justice and judged between people fairly.
2Mountains and birds
The Qur'an says Allah commanded the mountains and the birds to echo his praise of Allah.
3He worked with his hands
Allah taught him to make coats of mail — a prophet with a trade.
4The Zabur
He was given a scripture, the Zabur (psalms), full of praise of Allah.
5Work and worship together
Being skilled at something useful is part of being a good Muslim, not separate from it.
Fafahhamnaahaa sulaimaan; wa kullan aatainaa hukmanw wa'ilmanw wa sakh kharnaa ma'a Daawoodal jibaala yusabbihna wattayr; wa kunnaa faa'ileen
“And We gave understanding of the case to Solomon, and to each [of them] We gave judgement and knowledge. And We subjected the mountains to exalt [Us], along with David and [also] the birds. And We were doing [that].”
Wa laqad aatainaa Daawooda minnaa fadlany yaa jibaalu awwibee ma'ahoo wattaira wa alannaa lahul hadeed
“And We certainly gave David from Us bounty. [We said], "O mountains, repeat [Our] praises with him, and the birds [as well]." And We made pliable for him iron,”
Do this before next time
Learn one skill with your hands this month, and say Alhamdulillah when you finish something with it.
Every ayah on this page comes from the Tanzil Uthmani text of the Qur'an with the Sahih International translation, and every hadith carries its collection and number so you can check it yourself. Back to the learning path