Lesson Note on The Glorious Quran: Suratul Fil Reading, Translation and Commentary for SSS 2

Class: Senior Secondary School 2 (SS2 / SSS2)
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 5
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Islamic Religious Studies
Curriculum Theme: Study of the Qur’an
Previous Lesson: Hajj: Meaning and Values of Pilgrimage.
Topic: The Glorious Quran
Subject Matter: Suratul Fil (Q 105), reading (recitation), translation, comments (commentary)

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain:

• Recite Suratul Fil (Q 105) correctly with proper Tajwid.
• Translate the verses of Suratul Fil into English.
• Explain the meaning and context of Suratul Fil.

Affective Domain:

• Appreciate Allah’s power and protection as demonstrated in Suratul Fil.
• Develop humility and avoid arrogance, learning from the fate of Abrahah.

Psychomotor Domain:

• Demonstrate accurate recitation of Suratul Fil.
• Write out the translation and key lessons from Suratul Fil.

Social Domain:

• Share the historical significance and moral lessons of Suratul Fil with peers.
• Apply the lessons of humility and trust in Allah in their daily interactions.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• Senior Secondary Schools Education Curriculum
• State Unified Scheme of Work
• Islamic Religious Studies for Senior Secondary Schools, Book 2
• The Glorious Qur’an
• https://www.quran.com/105
• https://www.islamicfinder.org/quran/surah-al-fil/

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Copies of the Glorious Qur’an
• Whiteboard and markers
• Charts showing the Arabic text and translation of Suratul Fil

Rationale for the Lesson

Understanding Suratul Fil helps pupils learn about a significant historical event that demonstrates Allah’s power and protection of His Sacred House. It also teaches important moral lessons about humility, the consequences of arrogance, and the importance of trusting in Allah’s divine plan, which are relevant to their character development.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have basic knowledge of the Glorious Qur’an, its importance as a divine book, and some general Islamic history.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

The Glorious Qur’an: Suratul Fil (Q 105)

Introduction to Suratul Fil

Suratul Fil (The Elephant) is the 105th Surah of the Glorious Qur’an, consisting of 5 verses. It is a Meccan Surah, revealed in Makkah before the Hijrah. The Surah narrates the historical event of the Year of the Elephant, when Allah protected the Ka’bah from destruction by the army led by Abrahah.

Text and Translation of Suratul Fil

The teacher will guide pupils to recite the Surah with correct Tajwid and then provide the translation as follows:

• Verse 1: أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ فَعَلَ رَبُّكَ بِأَصْحَابِ الْفِيلِ
• Translation: Have you not seen how your Lord dealt with the owners of the Elephant?
• Verse 2: أَلَمْ يَجْعَلْ كَيْدَهُمْ فِي تَضْلِيلٍ
• Translation: Did He not make their plot go astray?
• Verse 3: وَأَرْسَلَ عَلَيْهِمْ طَيْرًا أَبَابِيلَ
• Translation: And He sent against them flocks of birds,
• Verse 4: تَرْمِيهِم بِحِجَارَةٍ مِّن سِجِّيلٍ
• Translation: Striking them with stones of hard clay.
• Verse 5: فَجَعَلَهُمْ كَعَصْفٍ مَّأْكُولٍ
• Translation: And He made them like eaten straw.

Commentary on Suratul Fil

This Surah describes Allah’s intervention to protect the Ka’bah from Abrahah, the Christian ruler of Yemen, who marched with a large army, including war elephants, to demolish the Ka’bah in Makkah. Allah sent flocks of birds (Abaabeel) that dropped small, hard stones on Abrahah’s army, causing their complete destruction. This remarkable event occurred in the year of the Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) birth, known as “Amul Fil” (The Year of the Elephant).

Lessons from Suratul Fil

The following are important lessons from Suratul Fil:

• Allah’s Supreme Power: The Surah demonstrates Allah’s absolute power to protect His House and His will, even against mighty armies.
• Divine Protection: It reassures believers that Allah protects those who are righteous and His sacred symbols.
• Consequences of Arrogance: Abrahah’s pride and evil intention to destroy the Ka’bah led to his and his army’s humiliating destruction.
• Humility: The event serves as a reminder for humans to remain humble and acknowledge Allah’s sovereignty.
• Trust in Allah: It teaches the importance of putting one’s trust in Allah, as His help can come from unexpected sources.
• Significance of the Ka’bah: It highlights the sanctity and importance of the Ka’bah as the House of Allah.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils, reviews the previous lesson briefly, and introduces the topic by asking if anyone knows the story of the elephants that attacked the Ka’bah.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the greeting and share any prior knowledge about the story.
Learning Point: Pupils are prepared for the new lesson and connect it to previous knowledge.

Step 2: Recitation of Suratul Fil

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Recitation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher recites Suratul Fil verse by verse with correct Tajwid, guiding pupils to repeat after him/her. The teacher corrects any pronunciation errors.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and repeat each verse, focusing on correct Tajwid.
Learning Point: Pupils learn to recite Suratul Fil accurately.

Step 3: Translation of Suratul Fil

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher translates each verse of Suratul Fil into English, explaining the meaning of key Arabic words. The teacher writes the translation on the board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, take notes, and ask questions for clarification.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the literal meaning of Suratul Fil.

Step 4: Commentary/Explanation of Suratul Fil

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Lecture/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher provides a detailed commentary on the Surah, explaining the historical context of Abrahah’s army and the miraculous destruction by the birds.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, contribute to the discussion, and ask questions about the event.
Learning Point: Pupils gain a deeper understanding of the background and significance of the Surah.

Step 5: Lessons from Suratul Fil

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Analysis
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to identify and discuss the moral and spiritual lessons that can be derived from Suratul Fil, such as Allah’s power, humility, and the consequences of arrogance.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils state the lessons they have learned and discuss how these lessons apply to their lives.
Learning Point: Pupils internalize the moral teachings of the Surah.

Step 6: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. Recite Suratul Fil (Q 105) with correct Tajwid.
2. Translate the first three verses of Suratul Fil into English.
3. Briefly explain the historical event that Suratul Fil refers to.
4. Mention two important lessons we can learn from Suratul Fil.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 7: Conclusion

Time: 0 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the main points of the lesson, emphasizing the importance of Suratul Fil and its lessons. The teacher assigns homework: to memorize Suratul Fil and write down its translation and three lessons.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and note down the homework assignment.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and prepare for further study.

Lesson Keywords

• Suratul Fil – The 105th chapter of the Qur’an, meaning “The Elephant”.
• Tajwid – The rules governing the pronunciation during recitation of the Qur’an.
• Abrahah – The Yemeni governor who attempted to destroy the Ka’bah.
• Ka’bah – The sacred building at the center of the Grand Mosque in Mecca.
• Abaabeel – Flocks of birds mentioned in Suratul Fil.
• Amul Fil – The Year of the Elephant, the year Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was born.

Differentiation

For pupils who are struggling with recitation, the teacher will provide extra one-on-one guidance and phonetic breakdowns. Advanced pupils can be encouraged to research further details about the historical context of Suratul Fil and present their findings to the class.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Ensure that pupils have access to copies of the Glorious Qur’an. Emphasize the historical context to make the story more engaging. Encourage pupils to reflect on the moral lessons and how they can be applied in their daily lives. Pay close attention to Tajwid during recitation to ensure correct pronunciation.