🧒 Raising children (tarbiyah) · #52
Which daily supplications and remembrances should young children be taught first?
Start with short, frequently used ones: bismillah before eating, the supplications before and after sleeping, the supplication on entering the toilet, and the greeting of salam and alhamdulillah.
The Prophet ﷺ taught a young child to say the name of Allah and eat with the right hand (Sahih al-Bukhari 5376). He would say "Bismika amutu wa ahya" on going to sleep and "Alhamdulillahil-ladhi ahyana baʿda ma amatana wa ilaihin-nushur" on waking (Sahih al-Bukhari 6312), and he sought refuge with Allah on entering the toilet (Sahih al-Bukhari 142). The best way is to say them aloud with the child every time the activity happens until it becomes a habit; picture cards and songs help young children. Explain the meaning briefly in their own language so that a supplication is not mere memorisation. Add more little by little, for example Ayat al-Kursi and the three Quls before bed. See Supplication & prayer.
The Prophet ﷺ taught a young child to say the name of Allah and eat with the right hand (Sahih al-Bukhari 5376). He would say "Bismika amutu wa ahya" on going to sleep and "Alhamdulillahil-ladhi ahyana baʿda ma amatana wa ilaihin-nushur" on waking (Sahih al-Bukhari 6312), and he sought refuge with Allah on entering the toilet (Sahih al-Bukhari 142). The best way is to say them aloud with the child every time the activity happens until it becomes a habit; picture cards and songs help young children. Explain the meaning briefly in their own language so that a supplication is not mere memorisation. Add more little by little, for example Ayat al-Kursi and the three Quls before bed. See Supplication & prayer.
Sources
Sahih al-Bukhari 5376Sahih al-Bukhari 6312Sahih al-Bukhari 142