Parenting Perspective 

Children often believe that an apology ends with the words ‘I am sorry’, but you can show them that true reconciliation involves both words and actions. Encouraging your child to offer help after apologising is a powerful way to teach them responsibility and allow them to experience the healing power of kindness. 

Explain Why Actions Strengthen an Apology 

Teach your child in simple terms that, ‘Saying sorry is a very good start, but doing something kind afterwards makes your apology even stronger.’ This helps them to understand that a real repair is not just about speaking, but about showing care through your deeds. 

Give Practical, Age-Appropriate Examples 

If your child spills their sibling’s drink, a good action is to help clean it up. If they break a friend’s toy, they could offer to help fix it or lend one of their own for a while. Linking the apology to a clear, related action makes it feel more meaningful and sincere. 

Practise Repair as a Habit 

You can introduce a simple family rule to help make this a consistent practice: ‘In our family, when we hurt someone, we first say we are sorry, and then we do one thing to help make it better.’ This teaches consistency and helps to turn the act of apology into a natural part of taking responsibility. 

Reinforce With Encouragement 

Be sure to praise not only their words but also their follow-up action. For example: ‘I really liked how you said sorry and then helped your sister with her drawing. That showed real kindness.’ This encouragement helps your child to see the joy of repairing a relationship. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam teaches that wrongs should be corrected not only by admitting our fault but also by following up with good actions. Encouraging a child to pair their apology with an act of kindness is a direct reflection of the Islamic principle of replacing harm with good. 

The Power of Repelling Bad with Good 

The Quran teaches us that responding to a harmful act with a good one has the power to transform hearts and heal relationships. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Fussilat (41), Verses 34: 

‘ And the good actions cannot be equivalent to the mistaken action; (therefore) repel (your mistaken action) with that which is a good action; so, when (you discover) that there is enmity between you and them, (your patience and resilience shall transform them) as if he was a devoted friend.‘ 

Wiping Out a Mistake with a Good Deed 

Prophetic tradition teaches us that performing a good deed after a mistake is a powerful way to wipe out the negative effects of that mistake and restore one’s dignity. 

It is recorded in Riyadh Al Saliheen, Hadith 61, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Fear Allah wherever you are and follow up a bad deed with a good deed which will wipe it out and behave well towards people.’ 

By connecting an apology to a positive action, you are showing your child that Islam values deeds that are backed by sincerity. Offering to help after saying sorry strengthens their character, heals their relationships, and teaches them to live with both humility and compassion.