Parenting Perspective 

Children often notice from a very early age that different families do things in different ways, from the food they eat and the language they speak to their styles of discipline and their family traditions. Without gentle guidance, they may come to see these differences as something strange or confusing. Your role as a parent is to help them to recognise that these differences are not flaws, but are in fact a part of what makes each family special. By providing positive examples, involving them in your own shared practices, and consistently showing respect for others, you can help to shape their outlook so that they learn to celebrate diversity. 

Use Simple, Relatable Analogies 

You can say to your child, ‘Just like the flowers in a garden come in many different beautiful colours, families also have their own different ways of doing things, and that is what makes each of them beautiful.’ Using analogies can make the concept of diversity easy for a child to grasp. 

Share Positive Stories 

Tell your child stories about your relatives, your neighbours, or the companions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, who all came from a variety of different backgrounds, yet were honoured and respected for their good character. This helps to build a sense of pride and respect for diversity. 

Celebrate Traditions from Both Sides of Your Family 

If you and your spouse come from different backgrounds, you can make a point of including meals, stories, and customs from both of your families in your child’s life. This shows them that your differences are not in competition with one another, but are in fact complementary and enriching. 

Model Respectful Speech 

It is important to avoid making negative comments about the styles of other families in front of your child. Instead, you can try to point out their good qualities by saying, ‘Your cousin’s family is very good at sharing with one another; Alhamdulillah, that is something we can learn from, too.’ 

Reassure Them of Their Belonging 

You can remind your child, ‘You do not have to choose between our different ways of doing things; you are blessed to be a part of both of them.’ This helps to strengthen their emotional security. 

By turning these differences into lessons of respect and joy, you can help to raise a child who sees the variety in the world as a source of richness, not as a cause for division. 

Spiritual Insight 

Human Differences as a Sign of Divine Wisdom 

Islam consistently emphasises that the differences between human beings are a sign of the wisdom of Allah. Our different families, cultures, and traditions are not meant to divide us, but to enrich our lives and our understanding of one another. 

Differences as Divine Signs 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Rome (30), Verses 22: 

‘And amongst His Signs (of the infinite truth) are that He (Allah Almighty) created the layers of trans-universal existence and the Earth; and (designed) diversity of your languages and your (skin) colours; indeed, in this there are (logical and rational) Signs for those who are imbued with knowledge.’ 

This verse reminds us that diversity itself is a sign of the greatness of Allah, and is something that is worthy of our appreciation. 

Valuing Diversity Through Brotherhood 

It is recorded in Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 2446, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘The believer to another believer is like a building whose different parts enforce each other.’ 

This hadith teaches us that our differences, just like the different parts of a building, are intended to strengthen and to complete one another. By teaching your child that our differences are a part of the beautiful design of Allah and are a source of our collective strength, you can help to nurture in them a sense of gratitude, pride, and respect. They will learn that the beauty of family life comes not from being the same as one another, but from the rich variety that is united under a banner of love and faith.