The Committed Believer · Raising Children

Disciplining Children in Islam

Learn about Islamic teachings on child discipline and upbringing.

5 questions · Medium · about 4 minutes

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5 questions, about 4 minutes.

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1. What did the Prophet ﷺ teach parents about training children in prayer?

  • Teach them to pray at seven, and correct them if they neglect it at ten. (correct answer)
  • Use harsh punishment to force obedience.
  • Avoid teaching prayer until puberty.
  • Separate children from their families as discipline.

Why

Parents are responsible for raising and teaching their children, especially in matters of religion. The Prophet ﷺ instructed parents to teach children prayer at seven, discipline them if they do not pray at ten, and separate them in their beds. This discipline should be balanced with mercy, gentleness, encouragement, warning, and a good environment. Light correction is not the goal in itself; it is used only when needed and without causing harm.

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2. What is a father’s duty regarding children who are sleeping through prayer?

  • Wake them for prayer and follow up so they do not go back to sleep. (correct answer)
  • Leave them sleeping because they can pray later.
  • Wake them only on Fridays.
  • Assume only the mother is responsible.

Why

The father is a shepherd over his household and is responsible for his flock, and the mother also shares responsibility. Parents should encourage their children, male and female, to pray regularly and on time. A father should not leave children sleeping through prayer; he should wake them and follow up, because merely waking them once may not be enough if they go back to sleep. A child who has reached puberty should also take personal means to wake for prayer.

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3. What prophetic etiquette is mentioned regarding children when evening comes?

  • Keep them indoors for the first part of the night. (correct answer)
  • Let them play outside freely.
  • Feed them a special meal.
  • Keep all doors open.

Why

Authentic hadiths mention the etiquette of keeping children indoors when evening comes, because devils spread out at that time. After part of the night has passed, they may go out again. The same guidance mentions other protective etiquettes, such as closing doors, mentioning Allah’s name, covering vessels, tying waterskins, and extinguishing lamps. Scholars explained these commands as recommendations and advice according to most scholars, and they are means of safety from harm.

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4. What does the story of Nuh عليه السلام and his son teach parents about raising children?

  • Parents must take the means, but Allah ultimately guides hearts. (correct answer)
  • Parents can force guidance if they are strict enough.
  • Education alone guarantees righteousness.
  • Children of righteous parents will always be righteous.

Why

Parents are required to discipline, teach, and take beneficial means in raising their children, but they must not rely on their own intelligence, methods, schools, or skills as if these alone guarantee success. Guidance belongs to Allah. Even Nuh عليه السلام could not guide his son when Allah did not will guidance for him. This teaches parents to take the proper means while relying on Allah, making du‘a, and asking Him not to leave them to themselves.

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5. What effect can hearing parents recite Qur’an and dhikr have on a young child?

  • It nourishes the child’s soul and influences their words and actions. (correct answer)
  • It has no effect until puberty.
  • It automatically guarantees the child will become righteous.
  • It only improves academic ability.

Why

A young child is deeply affected by what they repeatedly see and hear at home. When a child hears parents reciting Qur’an, making dhikr, praying, and remembering Allah, this nourishes the soul and helps bring the heart to life. Children often imitate what they observe, such as copying wudoo’, dhikr, and post-prayer routines. This does not guarantee guidance, but it is an important means of spiritual training.

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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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