Getting your children involved in Islamic practices from an early age has a great impact on them. Parents should strive to teach their children to pray and read the Quran from an early age but also involve them in other forms of worship. There are many ways to involve your children and make them enjoy it.
Teaching Your Children
To allow your children to be involved in and enjoy worshipping Allah, they need to be educated and taught about Islam and different aspects of the faith. This can include why we pray five times a day, why we give charity, why we fast in Ramadan, and why we celebrate Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, among many other things.
Today, there are madrassahs that you can send your children to in order for them to learn the religion, as well as online classes specifically for youth, but parents should also take responsibility for teaching their children themselves, as this will instill in them correct Islamic rulings and practices.
To teach your children while still having them engaged, you can use worksheets, card games, Islamic board games, and books. These sorts of resources can help children to learn a lot about Islam while making it fun for them!
Another important point is that to effectively teach your children about Islam and its practices, as a parent, you should strive to be their role model. Your children look up to you and copy you, so by praying, wearing hijab, being modest, following the sunnah, and engaging in acts of worship, your child will follow in your footsteps.
Some ways to teach your children about Islam
Celebrate with your Children
There are Islamic festivals and celebrations throughout the Islamic year, and these can be the perfect time to teach your children as well as enjoy time with them while celebrating together. Eid al-Fitr, the minor Eid, comes after Ramadan, a holy month whereby the devil is locked up.
In this month of increased worship, you can involve your children by praying with them, learning with
them, reading them books, using a Ramadan calendar, or playing Islamic trivia.
Eid al-Fitr
For Eid al-Fitr, you can give your children presents to show them the beauty of giving and sharing with others, and it increases the love between you and them.
Some present ideas for young children may include games, toys, and books.
Eid al-Adha
Equally, for Eid al-Adha, the bigger Eid, giving gifts is also a common practice. Perhaps encourage your child to also give gifts to their siblings, cousins, or friends, as this will instill the practice of wanting for others what you want for yourself in them.
Some present ideas for older children may include Eidi (money), books, clothes, card games, or jewelry.
Qurbani
During Dhul Hijjah, the final month in the Islamic calendar, Muslims are required to give Qurbani to help the less fortunate. All Muslims who are adult, sane, and hold above the level of Nisab (minimum amount of wealth to be considered wealthy) must give Qurbani to commemorate the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim.
You can include your children in this by teaching them about it from an early age and learning about the story of Ibrahim and his son Ismaeel with them.
Learn more about Qurbani for kids here.
Mawlid
You can also involve your children when celebrating and commemorating Mawlid: the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWS). Mawlid falls in the month of Rabi al-Awwal and can be celebrated by wearing new clothes, putting up lights and decorations, and singing Nasheeds. Many Muslims try to learn more about the Prophet Muhammad this month by reading the Seerah (biography of the Prophet).
You can include your children in this by putting up decorations with them or reading books about the life of the Prophet Muhammad.
