The Committed Believer · Raising Children

Islamic Child Guidance and Behavior

Explore Islamic teachings on guiding children's behavior and upbringing.

6 questions · Medium · about 3 minutes

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6 questions, about 3 minutes.

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Show questions and answers Spoilers: every answer and explanation for all 6 questions.

1. What should a young person do if their father does not wake them up for Fajr?

  • Take practical means to wake up, such as sleeping early, setting an alarm, or asking someone to help. (correct answer)
  • Give up on praying Fajr on time.
  • Blame the parents and make no effort.
  • Pretend that Fajr is no longer required.

Why

Parents should encourage their children to pray regularly and on time, and the father should not leave his children sleeping without waking and following up with them. But a young person who has reached puberty is accountable and should also take practical means to wake up for prayer. These means include sleeping early, setting an alarm, having a sincere intention, asking family members who wake for prayer to wake them, or arranging a reminder call from friends. The matter may also be raised gently with the father or indirectly through a mosque lesson or khutbah.

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2. What is one recommended way to encourage children to pray regularly?

  • Explain the importance of prayer and its rewards. (correct answer)
  • Threaten them constantly without teaching them.
  • Rely only on gifts and ignore explanation.
  • Stop advising them if they forget repeatedly.

Why

Children should be encouraged to pray through a combination of methods. Parents should be real examples by praying on time, explain that prayer is a pillar of Islam, teach them its rewards and warnings, provide gentle reminders and beneficial materials, encourage righteous company, and offer moral or material encouragement where appropriate. Parents should also continue advising without despair and make abundant du‘a that Allah guides their children to establish prayer.

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3. Why should parents avoid praying against their children?

  • The du‘a may coincide with a time when Allah answers supplications. (correct answer)
  • Parents’ supplications are never answered.
  • Children are not affected by parents’ words.
  • It is only disliked if the child hears it.

Why

Children are a blessing and a source of joy for parents, so parents should pray for their guidance and wellbeing, not against them. The Prophet ﷺ warned against praying against oneself, one’s children, or one’s wealth, because the supplication may coincide with a time when Allah answers. Parents may say harmful words in anger that they do not truly mean, and Allah may withhold answering out of mercy, but they should still avoid this mistake and instead ask Allah to guide and rectify their children.

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4. What is one possible consequence of parents openly favouring one child over others?

  • It may create resentment and envy among siblings. (correct answer)
  • It always makes the other children more religious.
  • It guarantees the favoured child’s success.
  • It automatically strengthens family unity.

Why

A parent may naturally feel more inclined toward one child because of that child’s character or qualities, but expressing favouritism can cause serious harm. It may make the favoured child proud or lazy and may cause the other children to feel resentment, envy, discouragement, or even hostility. Parents should be fair in visible matters such as gifts, kindness, praise, maintenance, education, medical care, and similar outward treatment, while also recognizing each child’s different strengths and needs.

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5. What is a key factor in helping young people stay on the right path during adolescence?

  • Connecting them with righteous friends. (correct answer)
  • Leaving them with unlimited free time.
  • Allowing private misuse of modern communication.
  • Avoiding all religious discussion until adulthood.

Why

Adolescence is a sensitive stage with physical, mental, emotional, and sexual changes. Righteous friends are important because friends influence one another and can encourage prayer, worship, and beneficial knowledge. Young people should also have their time filled with useful activities, be encouraged to worship, be protected from improper use of modern communication, and be taught the rulings they need after puberty, especially purification, prayer, and the signs of accountability.

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6. What is a main reason bad behaviour spreads easily in children?

  • It often follows whims and desires. (correct answer)
  • It always comes from lack of intelligence.
  • It is impossible to correct.
  • It only comes from school.

Why

Bad behaviour often follows whims and desires, so a child may pick it up quickly from small influences. Good behaviour requires training the self to resist harmful desires, so it needs effort, patience, and a sound upbringing. Children should be guided through kindness and gentleness, wise discipline when necessary, good parental example, a good environment, and constant du‘a. Harshness and force do not make good character beloved to the child and may lead to stubbornness, fear, lying, or alienation.

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A note on these answers

These questions are for learning and self-testing. Explanations are drawn from the sources linked on each question and are not a fatwa. For a ruling on your own circumstances, please consult a qualified scholar.

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