Parenting Perspective 

It is natural for children, especially as they grow older, to push back against reminders that connect discipline with faith. They might roll their eyes at being asked to make dua or resist discussions about Islamic values when they are upset. This does not necessarily mean they are rejecting faith itself; often, they are simply resisting the timing or the tone. The key is to keep faith-based discipline gentle and non-coercive, so it feels like guidance rather than pressure. 

Choose the Right Moment 

Avoid linking every misbehaviour immediately to a religious lesson, especially in the heat of the moment. Instead, it is often more effective to wait until emotions have calmed down, and then reflect on the situation together. For example: ‘Remember how the Prophet ﷺ taught us to always use kind words? That would have really helped in our disagreement today.’ 

Keep Faith Gentle and Relatable 

Use short, simple, and practical connections to link everyday actions to faith. For instance: ‘We say Bismillah before we eat to remind ourselves to be grateful for our food.’ Simple, everyday examples help children to see faith as a natural and gentle guide, not as a heavy lecture that is only brought up when they are in trouble. 

Model Before You Preach 

Children are far more likely to accept faith-based guidance when they see it being lived by their parents. If you demonstrate patience when you are angry, or you turn to prayer when you are feeling stressed, your own example will teach them more than your words ever could. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam teaches that all guidance must be offered with wisdom, patience, and mercy. Even when people resist, the prophetic approach was never to force them, but to invite them towards goodness with clarity and a gentle heart. 

The Principle of No Compulsion 

The Quran makes it clear that faith cannot be forced upon anyone; rather, it must be nurtured with patience, clear reasoning, and good example. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Baqarah (2), Verses 256: 

‘ There is no compulsion in (the adoption of) the pathways of life (compliant with existential nature as created by Allah Almighty); without any doubt, the right pathways are self-explanatory (and distinctive) from the erroneous pathway…’ 

Making Religion Easy and Welcoming 

The prophetic tradition teaches that guidance should always be presented in a way that draws people’s hearts closer to the faith, not in a way that pushes them away. 

It is recorded in Riyadh Al Saliheen, Hadith 636, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Make things easy and do not make things difficult. Give glad tidings and do not drive people away.’ 

By responding to your child’s resistance with calmness and mercy, you are reflecting the prophetic method of teaching. Your child learns that faith is a path of love, wisdom, and hope, and that discipline grounded in Islam is intended to guide, not to control.