How can I use Allah’s Names to comfort fear at night? 

Parenting Perspective 

Night-time fears are very common in children. Shadows, unfamiliar noises, or the simple act of being alone in the dark can make them feel anxious. Parents can comfort their child by teaching them to connect these moments of fear with the remembrance of Allah Almighty. Using Allah’s Beautiful Names helps children to anchor their hearts in a sense of divine protection and love, replacing their fear with a feeling of security. 

Introduce Allah’s Names as a Source of Reassurance 

You can teach your child that Allah Almighty is Al-Hafeez (The Protector), Ar-Rahman (The Most Merciful), and As-Salaam (The Source of Peace). Remind them gently, ‘When you feel afraid, you can call on Allah by His Beautiful Names, because He is always near and is always watching over you.’ 

Create a Practical and Child-Friendly Routine 

It is helpful to create a short and simple night-time routine. After reciting a Surah or making a personal dua, you can ask your child to whisper one of the Names of Allah three times, such as, ‘Ya Hafeez, Ya Hafeez, Ya Hafeez.’ You can pair this recitation with a deep breath, a warm cuddle, or a reassuring hand on their shoulder to link the words to a physical feeling of calm. 

Connect the Names to a Feeling of Safety 

Encourage your child to say, ‘Allah is As-Salaam; He is the One who keeps me safe,’ just before they go to sleep. Over time, this positive habit helps to reframe the night-time as a moment of peace and tranquillity, rather than a time of fear. 

By weaving the Beautiful Names of Allah into your child’s bedtime rituals, you can teach them to calm their own hearts, not only through your parental presence but also through a direct and powerful spiritual connection. 

Spiritual Insight 

In the Islamic tradition, calling upon Allah by His Beautiful Names is considered a profound act of worship and a powerful means of seeking comfort, peace, and protection from all harm. 

Finding Peace and Protection in Allah’s Names 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Hashar (59), Verse 23: 

‘He is Allah (Almighty), other than Whom there is no one worthy of worship except Him; the Ultimate Commander; the Most Divine; the Patron of Peace; the Guarantor of Faith; the Absolute Sanctuary; the Most Cherished; the Irrefutable Causator; the Perfection in Greatness; unlimited glory is to Allah (Almighty), Who is above and beyond their icon worshipping pagan (beliefs).’ 

This verse, which mentions several of His Beautiful Names, reminds us that the qualities of Allah are a source of ultimate protection, security, and peace for all believers. 

The Prophetic Practice of Seeking Night-Time Protection 

It is recorded in Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 5623, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘When night falls, restrain your children, for the devils spread out then. When an hour of the night has passed, release them, and close the doors while mentioning Allah’s Name.’ 

This hadith teaches us that the simple act of remembering Allah and mentioning His Name can bring real and tangible safety into our homes at night. 

By teaching your children to call on Allah’s Names before they sleep, you are giving them a spiritual shield that they can carry with them for the rest of their lives. They learn from this that the fears of the night can be softened and transformed into peace through remembrance, trust, and a constant awareness of the protection of Allah Almighty.