What can I do to make them see their body as a trusted friend? 

Children often absorb cultural messages that make them judge their bodies or compare themselves to others. This can lead them to see their own body as an enemy that fails them when it grows slowly, looks different, or struggles with certain tasks. A healthier foundation is to help them view their body as a trusted friend, one that carries them, signals its needs, and stays with them through every stage of life. 

Parenting Perspective 

Teach the Language of Friendship 

Encourage your child to speak about their body in a gentle way. Instead of saying, “My legs are weak,” guide them to say, “My legs are learning to grow stronger.” When they use softer words, they begin to treat their body with patience and kindness, just as they would treat a friend. 

Notice and Thank the Body’s Efforts 

Draw their attention to daily functions with gratitude. You might say, “Your hands held your book today,” or, “Your stomach worked hard to digest your meal.” When children recognise how their body serves them every day, they begin to respect it instead of criticising it. 

Introduce Body Signals as Helpful Messages 

Explain that tiredness, hunger, or even pain are not punishments but messages from their friend. A friend whispers, “Please rest,” or, “I need food.” Listening to these signals helps children see that their body is loyal and always guiding them, never against them. 

Model Trust Through Your Own Choices 

Children watch how parents treat their own bodies. If you ignore your tiredness or criticise your appearance, they may learn the same mistrust. Show them instead that you rest when your body asks, nourish it with care, and treat it gently. Demonstrating friendship through your own behaviour makes the idea real. 

Create Rituals of Respect 

Simple acts such as stretching in the morning, making dua before meals, or washing hands with intention can be framed as ways to thank the body. These small rituals remind children daily that their body is a gift from Allah Almighty and deserves care. 

Protect Them from Harsh Voices 

When relatives or peers comment negatively about appearance, step in with reassurance. You might say, “Allah Almighty made your body just right for you. It has carried you through every step until today, and it will continue to serve you.” Shielding them from shame helps preserve trust between them and their body. 

Link Friendship with Resilience 

Tell your child, “A true friend stays with you in easy and hard times. Your body is like that, it works with you even when things are difficult.” This simple image helps them see their body as an ally that will never abandon them. 

Spiritual Insight 

The Quran reminds us that the human body is part of Allah Almighty’s perfect design. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah At Tin (95), Verses 4: 

‘We have certainly created man in the best of stature…’ 

This verse assures children that their body, however it grows or changes, is part of a divine artistry that is already beautiful. 

It is recorded in Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 5199, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Your body has a right over you.’ 

This Hadith emphasises that the body is not an enemy but a trust from Allah Almighty. It deserves justice, kindness, and care. 

You can gently explain to your child: “Allah Almighty made your body to stay with you every day of your life. It carries you when you walk, protects you when you are sick, and even helps you worship. It is always with you, like the best of friends.” 

When children see their body through this lens, they respond with compassion instead of frustration. They no longer view imperfections as betrayal. Instead, they recognise every ability, signal, and change as an act of loyalty. Over time, this nurtures a soft self-image. They learn to treat their body with gratitude, to speak kindly to it, and to trust it as a faithful companion on their journey toward Allah Almighty.