🧒 Raising children (tarbiyah) · #59
How should the death of a family member be explained to a young child?
Honestly, briefly and according to their age — avoid confusing phrases like "grandpa is having a long sleep" — and allow the child to grieve.
Allah says that every soul shall taste death (Al ʿImran 3:185) and teaches us to say "inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiʿun" when struck by misfortune (al-Baqarah 2:155–156). The Prophet ﷺ himself shed tears when his son Ibrahim died and said that the eyes weep and the heart grieves, but we say only what pleases our Lord (Sahih al-Bukhari 1303). This teaches a child that crying is not a sign of weak faith. Explain that the body no longer works, the soul has returned to Allah, and we can keep praying for the person. Let the child ask questions, involve them in reciting Yasin or supplications if they wish, and watch for prolonged sadness. See Preparing for death.
Allah says that every soul shall taste death (Al ʿImran 3:185) and teaches us to say "inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiʿun" when struck by misfortune (al-Baqarah 2:155–156). The Prophet ﷺ himself shed tears when his son Ibrahim died and said that the eyes weep and the heart grieves, but we say only what pleases our Lord (Sahih al-Bukhari 1303). This teaches a child that crying is not a sign of weak faith. Explain that the body no longer works, the soul has returned to Allah, and we can keep praying for the person. Let the child ask questions, involve them in reciting Yasin or supplications if they wish, and watch for prolonged sadness. See Preparing for death.
Sources
Surah Ali 'Imran 3:185Surah al-Baqarah 2:156Sahih al-Bukhari 1303