Parenting Perspective 

Children are quick to notice when customs in another home differ from their own, whether it is removing shoes at the door or greeting elders with a particular gesture. Without a clear explanation, these practices can seem confusing or unnecessary, which might lead to resistance or awkwardness. The key is to help your child understand that these differences are important signs of respect and part of being a considerate guest. 

Explain with Simple Reasoning 

Frame the custom in a way that your child can easily understand. You could say, ‘Every home has its own special rules, just like we have ours. In this home, taking off our shoes helps to keep their floors clean, and greeting the elders in their traditional way shows that we honour them.’ Connecting these customs to the underlying principles of kindness and cleanliness makes them feel meaningful rather than arbitrary. 

Highlight Mutual Respect 

Remind your child that adapting to another family’s traditions is not about changing who we are, but about showing that we value them. You can illustrate this by saying, ‘When we visit their home, we follow their way. When they come to our home, they kindly follow ours.’ This presents the concept of mutual respect as a natural and fair part of any relationship. 

Practise Before Visits 

If you know what to expect, you can role-play the situation at home. Pretend you are entering a friend’s house and practise taking your shoes off at the door, or rehearse a more formal greeting for an elder. Children feel much more confident and at ease when they know what to do and how to act in an unfamiliar setting. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam instructs believers to act with the utmost respect in every setting, demonstrating humility and a sincere care for the feelings and customs of others. 

Respecting Divine Diversity 

The Quran teaches that the differences between cultures and peoples are part of Allah’s divine plan, intended to foster recognition and understanding, not division. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Hujuraat (49), Verses 13: 

‘ O mankind, indeed, We (Allah Almighty) have created you all from one man and one woman; and placed you amongst various nations and tribes for your introduction to each other; indeed, the best of you in the judgment of Allah (Almighty) is the one who is most virtuous…’ 

The Essence of Mutual Respect 

The prophetic tradition establishes a profound principle for all social interactions: to treat others with the same consideration and respect that we desire for ourselves. 

It is recorded in Sahih Muslim, Hadith 45, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.’ 

By guiding your child to understand and honour these small differences, you are instilling in them the Islamic value of adab. They will learn that showing respect in different homes is not just about manners but about embodying the humility, empathy, and faith of a true believer.