Parenting Perspective 

When a child says, ‘I am scared of Allah,’ many parents feel an instinctive sense of relief, as if fear alone is enough to anchor faith. Yet, if left unbalanced by love, this fear can become a heavy burden that distorts a child’s relationship with their Creator. Children need to understand that while a sense of awe (taqwa) is part of belief, it is love and mercy that form its heart. Supporting them means gently shifting their perception from an image of Allah as only a punisher to one of Allah as Ar-Rahman, the Most Merciful. 

Begin with empathy and an acknowledgement of their sincerity: ‘It shows that your heart is sensitive and aware of Allah, and that is a truly good sign.’ This simple validation reframes their fear as a seed of faith, not a flaw. From that point of connection, you can help them explore the wider, more complete picture of who Allah is. 

Broaden Their Understanding of Allah 

Children often hear warnings about Jahannam without an equal or greater emphasis on Allah’s mercy. You can balance their understanding by teaching them about the 99 Names of Allah, especially focusing on Ar-Rahman (The Most Compassionate) and Ar-Rahim (The Most Merciful). Help them to internalise the foundational belief that His mercy is greater than His anger. 

Use Relatable Examples of Care 

Explain that, just as a loving parent sets boundaries to protect their child from harm, Allah gives us rules to guide and protect us. These rules are not signs of harshness, but expressions of divine care. If they fear disappointing Him, remind them that He also delights in our smallest acts of goodness: a kind word, a gentle smile, or an honest admission. This shows that His love is accessible and not just conditional on perfection. 

Connect Worship with Mercy 

Encourage them to see their Salah as a private conversation with Allah, a moment to share their worries, not just a test of perfect memorisation. Teach them simple duas of forgiveness that emphasise His vast, accepting mercy. Slowly, these rituals can become associated with comfort and hope rather than fear. A beautiful way to reinforce this is to share one short story each night about the Prophet’s mercy, showing how divine compassion was reflected through him. 

Spiritual Insight 

The noble Quran constantly reminds believers to maintain a balance between awe and hope, but it always emphasises hope in Allah’s mercy as the true anchor of a believer’s faith. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Aa’raaf (7), Verse 156: 

‘“…But My Mercy is Infinite beyond everything; so I will, very soon, ordain (accordingly) for those people who have attained piety, and make the benevolent donations – Zakah, those people who are true believers in Our Signs”.’ 

This verse teaches that mercy is not a distant or rare attribute; it is an all-encompassing reality. While a healthy sense of fear (reverence) has its place, it is mercy that defines Allah’s relationship with His creation. 

It is recorded in Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2751a, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘When Allah completed the creation, He wrote in His Book with Him upon the Throne: Verily, My mercy prevails over My wrath.’ 

This hadith qudsi offers profound reassurance. It is a declaration from Allah Himself that mercy is His dominant and prevailing quality. For a child’s heart, internalising this truth can begin to shift their image of Allah from that of a distant, severe judge to a compassionate Lord who is eager to forgive. 

By validating their fear and then gently broadening their awareness to include Allah’s infinite mercy, you can help them nurture a faith that is balanced with both reverence and love. Over time, your child can learn that a proper fear of Allah should never make them want to flee from Him, but should inspire them to run towards Him, trusting that His mercy will always be greater than their mistakes.