How can I help siblings pray for each other after a hurt and repair? 

Parenting Perspective 

When siblings hurt one another, the process of repair is often limited to a quick ‘sorry’ or the act of sharing something afterwards. While this restores a sense of peace on the surface, the heart can still feel bruised underneath. Guiding your siblings to pray for one another after a conflict adds a beautiful layer of depth to their repair. It teaches them that love is more than just words and that relationships are healed not only with our actions, but also with our sincere prayers (dua). This practice strengthens their bond by rooting the act of repair in sincerity and true compassion. 

Keep It Short, Simple, and Natural 

It is important not to make prayer feel like a punishment or a lecture. Instead, you can add it as the final, gentle step after an apology has been made. 

1. Apology: ‘I am sorry for grabbing your toy.’ 

2. Repair: ‘Here, you can have it back, and I will share another one with you.’ 

3. Prayer: ‘O Allah, please bless my brother and help us to be kind to each other.’ 

When children see this sequence repeated consistently, prayer becomes a natural and beautiful part of the repair process. 

Offer Simple Dua Scripts to Guide Them 

Children often do not know what to say when they are asked to pray. You can provide them with a few simple, one-line prayers that they can use. 

• ‘O Allah, please forgive us and make our hearts soft for each other.’ 

• ‘O Allah, please give my sister a joyful day tomorrow.’ 

• ‘O Allah, please help us to be more gentle with our words.’ 

These short phrases are easy for children of all ages to remember and are filled with meaning. 

Model It Yourself 

When you make a mistake and hurt one of your children, be sure to apologise, make a repair, and then say your prayer out loud: ‘O Allah, please bless my son and protect his heart.’ This powerful modelling shows them that making dua for one another is not just for children, but for everyone in the family. 

By embedding prayer in your family’s repair process, you can turn ordinary quarrels into profound moments of mercy, compassion, and spiritual growth. Over time, your children will learn that true forgiveness is not just about moving on; it is about cleaning their hearts, wishing good for each other, and drawing closer to Allah Almighty, together. 

Spiritual Insight 

Dua as a Means to Build Love and Heal Hearts 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Hashar (59), Verse 10: 

‘And those people that came after them, they say: “Our Sustainer, forgive us and our brothers and those people that preceded us in faith; and do not place any jealousy in our hearts for those people who are believers; Our Sustainer, indeed, you are the Most Considerate and Most Merciful”.’ 

This verse shows that believers are taught to pray for one another as a way of removing resentment from the heart and filling it with mercy. Teaching your siblings to do this for each other after a hurt ensures that their bond is not just patched up on the outside, but truly healed on the inside. 

The Prophet ﷺ Encouraged Praying for One Another 

It is recorded in Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2732, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘The supplication of a Muslim for his brother in his absence will certainly be answered. Every time he makes a supplication for good for his brother, the angel appointed for this says: “Ameen, and for you the same.”’ 

This beautiful hadith teaches children that praying for their sibling is not just an act of kindness; it is also an act that returns a blessing directly to them. They learn that making dua for their sibling is both healing for the other person and a source of strength and blessing for their own heart.