This week’s Kutuby Learning blog shines a light on how to teach your kids to make du’a and some easy peasy du’as they can learn easily.
Anas bin Malik narrated that the Prophet said: “The supplication is the essence of worship.”
- Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3371
Du’a is a vital component of worship that strengthens our bond between you and Allah SWT. It is a moment where you subjugate yourself to Allah and accept humility and His greatness. Du’a may be brief, or long, and the best part about Du’a is that you can do it anywhere, anytime, and for any reason.
As Muslim families trying our best to raise our children as practising Muslims, we can never underestimate the power of Du’a. As a matter of fact, we need to nurture our kids in a way that they learn to rely on Du’a and Allah for anything that goes on in their life.
After talking with parenting and teaching experts, the Kutuby Learning team has put together the five essential tips on how you can teach your kids to make du’a.
1. Amplify the Significance of Du’a
Before jumping into how we can teach our kids to make du’a, we must first enlighten and educate them on what du’a really is. Du’a is a connection between you and Allah SWT. Du’a can be made at any moment in your life. Du’a is not only for times of sorrow and distress but also for times of joy and gratitude. Du’a is a way we can express our emotions to the Creator. Du’a reminds us that He already knows everything within our hearts. But more importantly, Du’a assures us that He loves us and cares about us deeply.
Let your kids know they can talk to Allah about absolutely anything they are going through-through Du’a. If there is a football match they are practising for, or if there is a test they are studying for, or even if there is a toy that they have been vying for, tell them that Allah loves it when we talk to Him.
When My servants ask you, O Prophet about Me: I am truly near. I respond to one’s prayer when they call upon Me. So let them respond with obedience to Me and believe in Me, perhaps they will be guided to the Right Way. - Qur’an 2:186
2. Start as a Family
An excellent way to start teaching your kids to make du’a is by practising as a family. Studies show that whenever an activity is done in the form of a group or in this case, a family, it produces an inclination towards the very act, and provides greater results.
The dinner table is one of the best places to start du’as. Gather around and before you start, encourage them to recite “Bismillah” and, “Alhamdulillah” after they finish. Another excellent example of where a family occurrence can create a habit for du’a is travelling. Reciting the du’a along with your children before travelling is a powerful way to nourish their minds to make du’a and raise them as better Muslims. Here’s an interesting article we recommend on 7 Ways to Raise Children Who Love Islam. If you are looking for more ways to connect your family with Allah SWT, here’s how to Strengthen Islamic Values in Your Family with 6 Simple Steps.
3. Sign up on Kutuby Learning
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4. Highlight that Allah Responds to Du’a
The acceptance or delay of du’a being heard is a delicate matter that needs to be handled with care when talking to children. Break this hard-to-digest information into bite-sized pieces. It is important that we be realistic when explaining to children how not all du’as are accepted. However, emphasise the part that this does not indicate that the du’a is not accepted at all. It may be accepted in the future, or perhaps, Allah SWT may have something better which may prove more fruitful. Thus, it is essential to stay steadfast and remain patient and consistent with du’a. Teach them how Allah SWT loves us, and He always has something better planned for us. To understand how you can do this, read our article on 6 Ways to Explain Allah’s Attributes to Kids.
5. Maximise the Acceptance of Du’a
On the bright side, there are occasions when there is a greater chance of a du’a being accepted. These include times when it is raining, when a person is sick, or while travelling, and the times between the Athan and Iqamah. Make sure to encourage your children to join you in du’a at the right moment.
To maximise the chances, observe the following moments or times when your du’a is likely to get accepted InshAllah.
- The night of Laylat al-Qadar (the last ten nights of Ramadan)
- When a person is in calamity
- On the day of Jumuah
- After obligatory prayers
- During Hajj (On the day of Arafah)
- When you drink Zam-Zam
Apart from the occasions, there are certain actions that please Allah SWT and increase chances of du’a
- By supplicating for others
- By praying Tahajjud
- By repentance (Istighfar) and frequent dhikr
- Sending Salawaat upon the Prophet ﷺ
- Being thankful to Allah SWT
- By fasting for the sake of Allah SWT
- Asking Allah SWT by His names
Some Easy Peasy Dua's
The Kutuby Learning team brings 7 du’as you can teach your children today.
- Du’a for entering the Mosque
اللَّهُمَّ افْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ
Oh Allah, open the gates of Your mercy for me.
- Du’a for leaving the Mosque
اللَّهُمَّ إنِّي أَسْأَلُك مِنْ فَضْلِكَ وَرَحْمَتِكَ
O Allah indeed I ask of You for Your Virtue (Bounty) and Your Mercy.
- Du’a to recite in the morning and evening
اللَّهُمَّ بِكَ أَصْبَحْنَا، وَبِكَ أَمْسَيْنَا، وَبِكَ نَحْيَا، وَبِكَ نَمُوتُ وَإِلَيْكَ النُّشُورُ
O Allah, by You we enter the morning and by You we enter the evening, by You we live and by You we die, and to You is the Final Return.
- Du’a to make things easy
رَبِّ اشْرَحْ لِي صَدْرِي وَيَسِّرْ لِي أَمْرِي
My Lord, expand for me my breast [with assurance] and ease for me my task.
- Du’a to ease the pain
أعوذ بالله وقدرته من شر ما أجد وأحاذر
I seek refuge in the Honour of Allah and His Might from what I feel and what I apprehend.
- Du’a for entering home
بِسْـمِ اللّهِ وَلَجْنـَا، وَبِسْـمِ اللّهِ خَـرَجْنـَا، وَعَلَـى رَبِّنـَا تَوَكّلْـنَا.
In the name of Allah we enter and in the name of Allah we leave, and upon our Lord, we place our trust.
- Du’a for leaving home
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ تَوَكَّلْـتُ عَلَى اللَّهِ، وَلاَ حَوْلَ وَلاَ قُـوَّةَ إِلاَّ بِاللَّهِ.
In the name of Allah, I place my trust in Allah, and there is no might nor power except with Allah.
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These are 5 simple ways you can implement today to teach your children how to make du’a. Let us know about your feedback, and feel free to share some ideas with us.
