What free or affordable materials can I use for Islamic learning? 

Parenting Perspective 

Starting with Free and Existing Resources 

Teaching your child about Islam does not have to cost much at all. Some of the deepest and most lasting lessons are found in heartfelt conversations and simple daily practice. Start with what you already have, the noble Quran and authentic Hadith books in your home are your greatest resources. Many well-known Islamic publishers now share free PDF storybooks for children, easy-to-read Tafseer or printable Dua cards that you can use at home without extra expense. 

Utilising Your Local Masjid and Trusted Websites 

Check your local Masjid library. Many have shelves full of Islamic books that can be borrowed, and they may also run community classes for children at a very low cost. Explore trusted websites for free worksheets, colouring pages and lesson plans to help your child learn the Arabic alphabet, memorise short Surahs or read stories of the Prophets.¹ You do not need fancy graphics or expensive kits, hand-made flashcards, family story times and regular conversations are sometimes more powerful than any expensive resource. 

Using Daily Moments as Teaching Opportunities 

Use daily moments as teaching opportunities: talk about gratitude while cooking, mention Sabr during a walk, or discuss kindness while gardening together. Reach out to other parents in your community. Sharing ideas and materials in a small group can keep costs down and create a supportive circle. Above all, remember that what brings Barakah is not how much you spend but the love, sincerity and consistency you bring to your child’s Islamic learning. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam places immense value on seeking knowledge and passing it on, regardless of wealth or resources. The best Islamic learning is that which is sincere and rooted in everyday life. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Mujadila (58), Verse 11: 

‘Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees. ‘

This Ayah reminds us that true status comes from beneficial knowledge, not from how much we spend to acquire it. 

It is recorded in Jami Tirmidhi, Hadith 2646, that holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ stated: 

‘Whoever treads a path in search of knowledge, Allah will make the path to Paradise easy for him. ‘

Share this Hadith with your child to help them see that learning Islam is a journey blessed with reward, even in small steps. Make Dua: O Allah, grant us beneficial knowledge and make it a light for our family. Teach your child to appreciate simple books and humble gatherings for what they truly are, means to grow closer to Allah Almighty. Show them that even sharing a short Ayah or Hadith each day can build strong Iman and character over time. By using free or affordable resources with good intention, you demonstrate that it is the heart behind the learning that brings Barakah, not the cost, a lesson they will carry with them throughout their lives, InshaAllah.