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Year 1

Muslim stories: The Ants

I can tell the Story of the Prophet and the Ants and explain its meaning.

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New
New
Year 1

Muslim stories: The Ants

I can tell the Story of the Prophet and the Ants and explain its meaning.

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These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The story of the Prophet and the Ants tells of how the insects were suffering because of a fire.
  2. The fire had been lit by the Prophet's companions.
  3. He told them that the ants were Allah's creatures and should be cared for.
  4. Many Muslims interpret the story to have a deeper meaning about caring for all living beings.

Keywords

  • Suffering - feeling of pain or unhappiness

  • Companions - close friends and followers of the Prophet Muhammad

  • Creature - an animal or other living being

Common misconception

Ants are only insects and don't matter.

Prophet Muhammad taught that all living things should be cared for.


To help you plan your year 1 religious education lesson on: Muslim stories: The Ants, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Remember when teaching an Islamic story, images of Muslim prophets are not shown. Many Muslims do not use figurative art for decoration.
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This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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4 Questions

Q1.
What word that means ‘good news’ is the name of the four books in the Bible which tell the stories of Jesus?
Old Testament
New Testament
Correct answer: Gospels
Q2.
What symbolic food is eaten during Holy Communion?
biscuits
grapes
Correct answer: bread
Q3.
What parable teaches Christians to care for others? The Parable of the Good ...
Correct Answer: Samaritan, samaritan
Q4.
What story teaches Muslims to care for others? The Story of ...
Correct answer: Muhammad and the Hungry Stranger
Muhammad and the Ants
Muhammad and the Crying Camel

5 Questions

Q1.
The Story of The Prophet and the Ants shows that Prophet Muhammad ...
Correct answer: was kind to animals.
didn’t mind how animals are treated.
didn't like ants.
Q2.
The Story of the Prophet and the Ants is found in ...
the Qur'an
Correct answer: the Hadith
the Bible
Q3.
Which of these is not a Muslim belief?
People should notice and care for small creatures.
People should think before they act.
Correct answer: People should only care for themselves.
Q4.
Complete the quote: "Whoever is kind to God’s creatures is …”
kind to Muhammad.
Correct answer: kind to himself.
a kind person.
Q5.
Match the keyword to the correct definition.
Correct Answer:suffering ,feeling of pain or unhappiness
tick

feeling of pain or unhappiness

Correct Answer:companion,close friends and followers of the Prophet Muhammad
tick

close friends and followers of the Prophet Muhammad

Correct Answer:creature ,an animal or other living being
tick

an animal or other living being

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