As part of the Islamic Manners for Children, we studied the word Kind and learnt about Kindness to Parents in Islam. We talked about what it means and ways to be kind to parents.
For today’s activity, I asked the kids to give me all the ways they can be kind. It was fun. I have an 8 year old and 3 year old version!
They said:
- Kind means to help
- Kind means to smile
- Kind means to not get angry
- Kind means making someone happy
That is right. Kind means to be pleasant and helpful but how can one be kind to one’s parents?
Meaning of Kindness in Islam and Kindness to Parents
In Islam, kindness to parents is given a lot of importance. It is mentioned in the Quran as well as in numerous Hadith…
- It is reported on the authority of ‘Abdullah that the Messenger of Allah observed: The best of the deeds or deed is the (observance of) prayer at its proper time and kindness to the parents.
- Ibn ‘Umar said, “Making parents weep is part of disobedience and one of the major wrong actions.”
- Ibn ‘Umar said, “Allah has called them the ‘dutiful’ (al-Abrar) because they are dutiful (birr) to their parents and children. Just as you have a duty which you owe your parent, so you have a duty which you owe your child.”
- Ibn ‘Abbas said, “If any Muslim obeys Allah regarding his parents, Allah will open two gates of the Garden for him. If there is only one parent, then one gate will be opened. If one of them is angry, then Allah will not be pleased with him until that parent is pleased with him.” He was asked, “Even if they wrong him?” “Even if they wrong him” he replied.
- Anas narrated from the Apostle (ﷺ) about the major sins. He (the Holy Prophet) observed: Associating anyone with Allah, disobedience to parents, killing a person and false utterance.
In the Quran, it is mentioned:
“And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honour. And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: ‘My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was small.’” (Quran 17:23-24)
and again it is said:
“And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years give thanks to Me and to your parents, unto Me is the final destination.” (Quran 31:14)
What does being Kind to One’s Parents mean.
When you are kind to your parents it means you will love them, be helpful, respectful and dutiful. To be precise, you will speak kindly, will understand their hardships in raising you and you will try to be more cooperative.
When a person is speaking nicely to their parents day and night, helping around the house, not getting angry, trying to be respectful and responsible because he understands how hard his parents work, don’t you think it will become his habit to be kind in general.
Yes, it will affect his personality. He will have good manners and morals.
The Prophet (PBUH) said ‘ I have been sent to perfect your character’.
Islam emphasizes good character and morals as being a part of religion. Therefore, Isn’t it true that being kind to parents means good character?
How can children be taught to be kind to parents
We had already discussed that being kind to parents and ways to help them in C is for Charity. But, I asked my children how they can be kind to parents again.
They said, they could help us, smile and not get angry…
That is right. But what about respect? How can we show respect to our parents?
It is very important that children understand what all we do for them. Parents naturally assume that their children see them work so they will know. That is not true. Most children don’t know how hard we work to put food on the table or all the things that we provide for them.
It is not about complaining. It is about explaining why parents are given such importance in Islam. Talk about ways your children can help you be happy. Just that much will be enough.
We made a list of six things that children can do for their parents and together, I helped make it into a poster.
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Activity for K is for Kindness in Islam
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A few years ago, we bought a book Loving Our Parents- Stories of Duties and Obligations by Abdul Malik Mujahid, which has a collection of stories for children. It is by DarrusSalam Publications. If you have children over 8 years old, this is a good read.
This book is available worldwide through DarrusSalam Publications. I have seen it in Jarir (in Saudi Arabia) and it is also available on Amazon. US and UK links below.
I highly recommend that you use a book for this activity. For younger children, it doesn’t have to be an islamic book to read. You can find a fun loving book that talks about your love for them too. Two of my favorite books to read to my children are these:
This post is part of the A-Z of Islamic Manners for Children series- a 26 day email course to help you teach your child the manners and moral in Islam.
My Salah Mat – Innovative Islamic Toy Review