Many of us become parents with the desire to help children love the Quran.
We want to see them learn it, memorise it, recite it, and ultimately, live it.
But something I have come to realise is that this desire is easier said than done. One day, you are reciting the Qur’an to them, the next day you realise that you haven’t even opened the Quran yourself for some days.
From experience, helping children love the Quran is a lifelong “tasking” task, and I share some tips that we can all continue to use in our daily lives.
Pray about It
If you want a child who loves the Quran, then it has to be a daily prayer point. Even though we make the physical effort, only Allah (ta’ala) can endear a heart to His words. So as we strive to do our part to instill a love of the Quran in our children, let us remember to put it in dua.
Some of my favorite parenting stories are about parents who prayed for specific goodness for their children. From the story of Maryam the mother of Prophet Isa (Alayhi Salaam), the verse below was revealed:
“But when she delivered her, she said, “My Lord, I have delivered a female.” And Allah was most knowing of what she delivered, “And the male is not like the female. And I have named her Mary, and I seek refuge for her in You and [for] her descendants from Satan, the expelled [from the mercy of Allah ].” (Qur’an 3:36)
If you remember, Isa (Alayhi Salaam) is the only child that didn’t cry when he was born, and it is said that every child cries at birth because of the touch of Shaytaan. See how his grandmother’s dua was accepted?
Teach them the Qur’an
I have always been of the opinion that children should be taught the Qur’an as soon as they can speak, and that the should have been listening to it way before then. if we want to help them love the Qur’an, then we should teach it to them, or get someone who can teach it to them.
Teach them at home or enroll them in a madrasah where they can learn. The more children (and even adults for that matter) come in contact with the Qur’an, the easier it becomes for it to hold a special place in their hearts.
Show Love for the Qur’an
We know that children learn a great deal from what they see, and there is hardly any greater model for them than their parents.
Let your child see you show love and enthusiasm for the Qur’an. Let them see you read it, recite it, listen to it, talk about it. Let them see you every day trying to connect with the Qur’an and they will be drawn to the love of the Qur’an too.
Talk About the Qur’an with them
Even when you teach them (or get someone to do it), it is a good idea to talk about the Qur’an with them. Share stories from the lives of the Prophets and Messengers, tell them the description of Jannah in the Qur’an and show them the signs of Allah (ta’ala) that are mentioned in the Qur’an.
Remember how you as an adult feel about hearing the stories of Musa (Alayhi Salaam), or Nuh (Alayhi Salaam), or even the stories of the early days of Islam. Think of how these stories impact on your faith as a Muslim and know that it will have a similar effect on children.
Recite the Qur’an a Lot
This is by far one of the most tried and tested methods that I know. Even children who have never attended Islamic schools or madrasahs build a love for the Qur’an the more they hear it being recited. I have personally seen this with a toddler who does not attend madrasah but loves the Qur’an because his parents recite it as often as possible.
The same way that kids build a love for cartoons and toys when they have access to it is the same that they get used to, and love, the Qur’an when it is constantly being recited around them.
Helping our children love the Qur’an is one of the parenting duties that we have as Muslims, and it is a duty that I pray that Allah (ta’ala) grant us ease to perform in the best of ways, ameen.
Do you have another tip to make children love the Qur’an? Please share with us in the comments.
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