Parenting Perspective 

Children naturally explore their world through imaginative play, and this is a healthy part of their development. Dishonesty, on the other hand, is the intentional act of presenting something false as true, usually to avoid getting into trouble. The key to telling the difference between the two lies in the child’s intent and the context of the situation. 

Look at the Intent and the Context 

Ask yourself: is my child just being playful, or are they trying to mislead me to escape responsibility? A child claiming to have fought a dragon is clearly using their imagination. A child who insists they did not break a vase when they did is being dishonest. The intent behind the words is the most important clue. Often, imaginative stories happen during playtime, whereas dishonesty is a response to a direct question about a broken rule. 

Gently Clarify Reality Versus Pretend 

If you are ever unsure, you can gently ask for clarification: ‘That sounds like a very exciting story! Is that something you imagined, or did it really happen?’ This gives your child a chance to separate pretend from reality without feeling accused or shamed. 

Encourage Both Creativity and Honesty 

It is important to celebrate your child’s creativity by giving them plenty of space for imaginative play. At the same time, you should always emphasise that when it comes to real-life events and answering direct questions, the truth is what matters most. This balance helps children to grow in both creativity and integrity. 

Spiritual Insight 

We are Accountable for What We Say 

Islam values creativity but warns against presenting falsehood as fact. The Quran reminds us that we are accountable for what we say and claim to know, which encourages us to be truthful. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Israa (17), Verse 36: 

‘And do not pursue (to meddle in matters) with which you have no knowledge; indeed, your hearing (everything you heard), your sight (everything you observed), your conscience (everything you thought), in fact, all of these (your faculties) shall be called for questioning (on the Day of Judgement).’ 

Honesty is a Lifelong Habit 

The prophetic tradition teaches that truthfulness is a characteristic that a person strives for throughout their life, until they are recorded with Allah as being among the truthful. This shows that cultivating honesty from a young age is a vital spiritual goal. 

It is recorded in Sahih Muslim, 2607, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘A person will keep speaking the truth and striving for truth until he is recorded with Allah as a truthful one.’ 

Imagination is a Gift, Honesty is a Foundation 

By guiding your child to distinguish between imagination and truth, you nurture both their creativity and their integrity. They learn over time that while imagination is a wonderful tool for play, honesty is the foundation of all trust and is essential for drawing close to Allah.