Parenting Perspective 

Children often learn about the concept of tawakkul (trust in Allah) through the tone that their parents use. If trust is framed as a stern demand, such as, ‘You must trust Allah, otherwise you are weak,’ it can feel heavy and pressurising. True reliance, however, should feel like a deep sense of peace, a state in which a child knows they are never alone and can safely rest their worries in the care of Allah. To nurture this feeling, the concept of trust must be taught through gentleness, reassurance, and a parent’s own lived example. 

Use Gentle and Comforting Phrases 

The language you use to describe trust is very important. Try to use phrases that make it feel like a comforting and reassuring act. 

• ‘Trusting in Allah means knowing with certainty that He always chooses what is best for us.’ 

• ‘When we hand our worries over to Allah, our own hearts can feel much lighter.’ 

Words like these help your child to experience the idea of trust as a source of comfort, not as a heavy burden. 

Model a Calm and Peaceful Reliance 

When you are facing a difficulty yourself, you can let your child hear you verbalise your own reliance, for example by saying, ‘This is a little tough, but I know that Allah will help me.’ Children are more influenced by the tone they observe than by the instructions they are given. If your own reliance sounds peaceful, theirs is likely to as well. 

Gently Separate Effort from Results 

It is important to explain to your child, ‘Our job is to try our very best, but the final results always belong to Allah.’ This simple distinction can relieve a child from the heavy feeling that they must control every outcome. It helps to make the act of trust feel like a peaceful release, not a pressure to succeed. 

Use Simple Examples from Nature 

You can point to the birds that find their food each day, or the rain that arrives at just the right time. Saying, ‘Look at the way Allah takes care of the birds. We can be sure that He will take care of us, too,’ makes the concept of trust feel tangible and real. 

Celebrate Every Small Act of Trust 

When you notice your child handing a worry over to Allah, even in a very small way, it is important to affirm their action. An encouraging comment like, ‘Alhamdulillah, that is exactly what trusting in Him looks like,’ helps to make the act of reliance feel positive and rewarding. 

These simple habits will help your child to grow up experiencing tawakkul as a feeling of peace in their heart, not as a heavy obligation on their shoulders. 

Spiritual Insight 

The Quran on the Love Found in Reliance 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Aalai Imran (3), Verses 159: 

‘…Then when you have decided (on any matter), then put your reliance upon Allah (Almighty); indeed, Allah (Almighty) loves those who are totally reliant on Him.’ 

This verse beautifully shows that the act of trusting in Allah is a source of divine love and reassurance, not a source of pressure. Sharing this with your children can teach them that the act of tawakkul is about allowing themselves to be embraced by the loving care of their Lord. 

Prophetic Wisdom on Active, Peaceful Reliance 

It is recorded in Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 4164, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘If you were to rely upon Allah with the reliance, He is due, you would be provided for as the birds are they go out hungry in the morning and return full in the evening.’ 

This hadith shows that true reliance brings with it a sense of peace and provision, free from stress. The birds act in a natural and trustful way, and Allah provides for them. When children hear this beautiful example, they learn that trusting in Allah is not about feeling pressured; it is about moving forward with a calm and certain assurance, knowing that His help is always near.