My husband never plays, reads, or prays with our child. How can I practically encourage him to be more involved? 

Parenting Perspective 

The Impact of Imbalance 

When both parents are actively involved, a child experiences the greatest benefits, including emotional connection and responsibility. When one parent is missing from play, reading, or prayer, children may develop emotional attachments to the active parent while feeling distanced from the other. This mismatch has a long-term impact on identity, trust, and spiritual grounding. 

A Gentle Invitation to Participate 

The solution is to extend a friendly invitation rather than judgement. Begin by finding routine times where engagement is feasible, such as Friday evening wind-down time, bedtime, or breakfast. Approach your husband confidently: You might enjoy reading one verse of Quran with them before bedtime, just one night a week to start. They really appreciate it. Keep the focus on curiosity or opportunity rather than responsibility. When he engages, accentuate even minor gestures: let the child to tell him they appreciated the moment. Positive reinforcement, rather than pressure, fosters continued behaviour. Create partnership traditions, such as praying with your child first and then inviting him to join you for a short Dua. Or you read a story and hand it to him to say goodnight. Small yet consistent steps over time help to create presence without overwhelming you. Finally, communicate the impact privately: gently explain to your husband how involved relationships influence the child’s emotional and spiritual well-being. Only a few minutes of shared time can change the child’s perception of him from distant to trustworthy. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islamic parenting places equal importance on spiritual connection and physical provision. When parents model love and worship together, their children become more anchored. Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Tahreem (66), Verse 6: 

“O you who are Believers, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire (of Jahannam) whose fuel is people and stones. “

This verse requires parents to defend their families spiritually, emotionally, and ethically. It is recorded in Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1631, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

“When a man dies, his deeds come to an end except three: charity which continues, beneficial knowledge, and a righteous child who prays for him. “

This Hadith emphasises how a child’s prayer generates constant charity for the parent. Encouraging your husband to pray with the child is more than just involvement; it is establishing a spiritual legacy. Small steps now result in constant pleasure and emotional intimacy, which resonates both spiritually and relationally.