How do I help my child admire real-life people of integrity? 

Parenting Perspective 

Children are naturally drawn to people who seem popular or powerful, and they may not always distinguish between admirable and undesirable traits. To steer them toward a deeper appreciation for integrity, it is essential to highlight individuals in their own lives who consistently demonstrate honesty, fairness, and respect. When children learn to admire integrity over superficial popularity, they begin to build a strong moral character. 

Highlight Role Models in Daily Life 

Direct your child’s attention to the people they interact with every day who exemplify good character. These everyday examples are often the most relatable and impactful. 

• A teacher who treats every student in the class fairly. 

• A sibling who has the courage to admit a mistake and apologise sincerely. 

• A neighbour who quietly and consistently helps others without seeking recognition. 

You can reinforce the lesson by saying, ‘Did you notice how honest he was, even when it was difficult? That is a quality worth admiring.’ 

Teach the Difference Between Popularity and Integrity 

Help your child develop the critical thinking skills to look beyond surface-level popularity and see a person’s true character. 

• Ask reflective questions: ‘That person might be well-known, but do they treat others with kindness and respect?’ 

• You can also state, ‘Someone may not be famous, but they are always honest and fair. That is much more important.’ 

This contrast teaches them that what looks impressive is not always what is truly admirable. 

Share Relatable Stories of Integrity 

Stories are a powerful way to provide living examples of integrity that your child can connect with and remember. 

• Share an account from your family’s history: ‘Your uncle once found some lost money and went to great lengths to return it because it was not his.’ 

• Point out integrity in the community: ‘That shopkeeper is known for never overcharging his customers.’ 

Encourage Them to Practise Integrity Themselves 

A child’s admiration for a virtue grows when they begin to embody it themselves. Encourage and praise their own acts of integrity. 

• Celebrate when they admit to a mistake honestly, even if they are afraid of the consequence. 

• Praise them when you see them treating a friend or sibling fairly. 

• You can affirm their actions by saying, ‘That is exactly what a person of integrity would do.’ 

Admiration deepens when a child starts practising these values in their own life. 

Spiritual Insight 

Guidance from the Quran 

Islam places a high value on truthfulness and justice, which are the cornerstones of integrity. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Ahzaab (33), Verse 70: 

‘O those of you, who are believers, seek piety from Allah (Almighty) and always speak with words of blatant accuracy.’ 

This verse directly commands believers to embody the core qualities of integrity: consciousness of Allah and truthful, just speech. Teaching your child to admire people who live by this principle helps them understand that honesty is a divinely valued trait that is far more important than worldly popularity. 

Guidance from the Hadith 

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught that truthfulness is not just a good habit, but a path that leads to righteousness and, ultimately, to Paradise. 

It is recorded in Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 6094, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Truthfulness leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise. A man keeps on telling the truth until he becomes a truthful person.’ 

This Hadith shows the profound connection between integrity and one’s ultimate destiny. By guiding your child to admire people who are consistently truthful and upright, you help them see integrity as one of the most honourable and rewarding qualities a person can possess.