How to Use Stories of the Companions to Teach Making Amends 

Parenting Perspective 

Children often learn best through engaging stories, and the lives of the companions (Sahaba) of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ are filled with beautiful examples of humility, accountability, and making amends. Sharing these stories with your child allows them to see that even the best and most righteous of people made mistakes, but what truly mattered was how they corrected them. This approach nurtures a mindset where mistakes are not hidden in shame but are repaired with sincerity.

Teach Accountability Through Real-Life Examples 

You can tell your child stories of how the companions would immediately make things right when they realised they had caused harm to someone. For instance, if one of them had taken something wrongfully, they would hasten to return it with a sincere apology. These powerful stories highlight that true honour is not found in never making mistakes, but in having the courage to repair them honestly. 

Show That Making Amends Heals Relationships 

Explain to your child the outcome of these stories. You could say, “When the companions apologised and made things right with each other, their friendships and brotherhood grew even stronger.” Through these examples, children begin to see that making amends is not a punishment, but is instead a beautiful way of building stronger love and trust. 

Use Stories to Inspire Everyday Actions 

After sharing a story, it is helpful to connect its lesson to your child’s own world. For example, “Just like that companion fixed his mistake by returning what he took, you can fix your mistake by sharing the toy you grabbed or by saying you are sorry with kindness.” This makes the timeless lessons of the Sahaba practical and relatable for your child. 

By weaving these powerful stories into your parenting, you can give your child living examples of faith in action, showing them that taking responsibility and repairing harm are truly noble qualities. 

Spiritual Insight 

The companions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ understood that the act of making amends was an integral part of sincere repentance (tawbah) and a sign of a noble character. Their examples teach us that real strength lies in repairing any harm we have caused, quickly and with complete humility. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Tawbah (9), Verses 100: 

‘And from those initial (Muslims) who gained pre-eminence over others (due to the strength of their faith), amongst the Migrants (exiles from Makkah) and the Helpers (hosts to the Migrants in Madinah); and also those people who followed them on (the pathway of)  benevolence; Allah (Almighty) is pleased with them and they are pleased with Allah (Almighty…’ 

This verse reminds us that the companions earned the pleasure of Allah Almighty through their excellent conduct, which included their sincerity in admitting their faults and making amends. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also taught that we must hasten to correct our wrongs. 

It is recorded in Riyadh Al Saliheen, Hadith 210, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘He who has done a wrong affecting his brother’s honour or anything else, let him ask his forgiveness today before the time (the Day of Resurrection) when he will have neither a dinar nor a dirham.’ 

This teaches us that correcting the wrongs we have done in this world is essential, because avoiding our responsibility to make amends now will only lead to a heavier accountability in the Hereafter. By sharing the beautiful examples of the companions’ honesty and repentance, you can help your child to see that their mistakes are not final. They learn from these stories that what truly matters is humility, quick action to make amends, and the sincere intention to improve, which are all qualities that please both people and Allah Almighty.