Raising Muslim Kids: Simple Steps to a Strong Deen

Raising kids is a big responsibility. As Muslim parents, the job of raising kids is not just limited to giving them worldly knowledge. We must also make them aware of Allah and their religion and make them love Islam like adults do. Such knowledge also helps to form a strong foundation for Deen. It might sound difficult at first.

However, teaching such knowledge may not be as difficult as it sounds. All you need is consistency and intention to raise kids with Islam in their hearts and actions. Let us explore a few simple and effective ways how you can raise Muslim kids with a strong Deen.

1.   Start with Yourself

When building any habit in your children, it is important to follow this one simple rule. You must practice it yourself before teaching it to your kids. Children are smart and they often learn by watching and observing the adults. If they see you praying regularly, following religion, and being kind and honest, it will be a powerful example for them. You can never pour from an empty cup; therefore, you can work on building a relationship with Allah first, and your child will follow you naturally.

2.   Teach Them About Salah Early On

It is never too early to teach your kids about Salah. Teach them about the foundations of Islam, Salah, which direction they must face while praying, and when and how to pray. You can also teach them about digital tools that will make their Salah easier. For instance, a qibla compass can help them how to navigate the Kaabah. To learn more about Qibla Compass, visit this page.

3.   Make Dua Regularly

Dua is a very powerful tool that every Muslim must include in their daily activities. You must make dua for your kids and every other member of the family and even the Muslim ummah. In this dua, you must not only ask for worldly success, rather, you must also ask Allah to grow their Imaan, to be truthful, and to love Salah. Allah listens to every dua you make, and therefore, you must always make dua in favor of your kids.

4.   Make Salah Non-Negotiable

Salah is one of the pillars of Islam, which makes it no less than a foundation. It is absolutely essential to teach your kids that praying is important. Telling them verbally may not be enough. Therefore, you will have to teach them by performing Salah yourself. You must show them how to offer prayers and invite them to pray along with you. If your kids are offering Salah regularly, then you must also celebrate their efforts in doing so.

To make them more inclined towards Salah, you can make a prayer space in your home. Decorate it and place Islamic books in that space. Try praying together as a family and sometimes ask them to lead. Always gift them for achieving tiny milestones, not just verbally but with actual gifts.

5.   Tell Stories About Prophet and Sahaba

When it comes to teaching Islam, there is no better way than to tell your kids about the Prophet and the Sahaba. Children love to listen to stories. You must share with them about the various important moments in Islamic history. Furthermore, you can also tell them about the other prophets of Islam. After you are done narrating a story, ask your children about what they learned from it. Share your point of view as well. This will encourage them to think rationally. Islamic history is full of stories that create a deep impact in the children’s life.

6.   Celebrate Islam

Being a Muslim is something to be proud of. Teach your kids about Islam and how you should celebrate it. Always talk about Islamic holidays with excitement. Also, tell them why a particular day is celebrated and how. Allow them to see Islam as something beautiful and not just a bunch of rules to live by. You can simply instill these values by performing small acts such as decorating your home during Ramadan, having an Eid breakfast, or reading Islamic books. When we make Islam fun, the kids automatically form a connection with Deen.

7.   Teach Allah’s Names

You can teach your kids the names of Allah in simple ways. Understanding who Allah is is an essential component of Islam. Start off by teaching them easy names and incorporating the names with the daily activities. For instance, you can say Allah is Ar-Razzaq, as he gave us dinner today. You can even say, Allah is As-Sami’, he listens to you whenever we pray. Teaching these names shows the kids that Allah is important and he controls our worldly affairs.

8.   Never Say No to Questions

Children are curious by nature and they will often ask the most difficult questions. Never say no to any of their questions. For example, they may even ask you why should we pray five times a day or why we cannot eat Haram etc. Instead of shutting them down, you can say ‘That’s a great question’ let's discuss more on it.

9.   Real Life Learning

Today's digital world is distracting. Kids can get lost in this world easily, and it not only steals time but their attention, too. You must teach your kids to live in the real moment. Teach them how to give charity and how to fulfill everyone's responsibility. These small acts enable them to learn in real-time rather than through some digital screen. You can replace screen time by keeping them busy. You can take them to Islamic events where they can play with kids of their own age or take them to a charity event and ask them to participate, too.

Conclusion

When drawing your children towards Deen, always remember that you are raising human beings. Perfection can never be achieved, but you must hope they remain connected to Allah and their Deen. Focus on taking small steps daily. It can even be as small as a bedtime dua but their Imaan will be built brick by brick rather than a wall suddenly. Also, remember that Allah is seeing your efforts and he will bless you for every patient moment you spend with your child.