5 Simple Ways to Teach Your Kids Kindness

Teaching children to be kind in today’s world, where they see violence everywhere, makes it more important to instill kindness from a young age.

Whoever is kind, Allah will be kind to him; therefore be kind to man on the earth. He who is in heaven will show mercy on you. ~

(Abu Daud: Tirmidhi)

A smile is one of the simplest forms of being kind. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) smiled often, and it is a Sunnah for us to smile, which spreads happiness.

The Qur’an teaches us to be kind to people who are around us. It really doesn’t take much to be kind.

Once you do it with a sincere heart and seek the pleasure of Allah, an act of kindness (al Ma’un) can turn into a reward to be counted on the Day of Judgment.

“Never belittle any good deed. Even your meeting with your brother (Muslim) with a cheerful face”. ~ [Muslim]

Parents

Children learn by example, so be kind and reflect what you want to see in your child.

Teach your child that kindness can be found in the smallest of acts, such as saying something nice to someone.

Giving salaam is a good example of doing something nice for someone.

Another example, depending on age, is washing or helping to wash dad’s car or helping mother in the kitchen.

As children grow, they will learn to appreciate and understand the sacrifice, nurturing, and care that parents give.

As they understand Islam more, it reinforces their obligation to be kind, respectful, compassionate, and patient.

“And We have enjoined on man (to be good) to his parents.” ~ Al Qur’an

Mercy 

Mercy, defined as the willingness to forgive and not punish, is seen as an important virtue by every Muslim.

It is one of the virtues synonymous with being kind. It is an attribute that is commanded in every situation and action and comes from the heart.

Children are often in situations where they can be merciful. An example is sharing. Instead of playing alone with a toy that other siblings want to play with, they can share, and everyone gets to enjoy the toy. This demonstrates being merciful at a basic level.

“He who does not show mercy to others, will not be shown mercy.” ~  [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

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