What do I say when my child fears Allah will not forgive them? 

Parenting Perspective 

It is heartbreaking to see a child sink into despair, convinced that their mistake is too big for them to be forgiven. In these moments, your role is to steady their emotions and gently guide them towards hope, without excusing their behaviour. Children need both the reassurance that Allah Almighty’s mercy is vast and the structure that shows them how to turn their remorse into real, positive growth. 

Start with Safety and Empathy 

Begin by calming their fear with a strong sense of belonging. You could say, ‘You are safe with me. Everyone makes mistakes. What matters most is what we do next.’ This helps to lower their panic and creates a space for them to hear you. A child who feels condemned cannot absorb a lesson. 

Gently Correct False and Exaggerated Thoughts 

Children often exaggerate their mistakes, turning them into permanent, negative labels for themselves. Gently help them to separate their feelings from the facts. 

• ‘I know you feel terrible right now, but that feeling does not mean that Allah Almighty has closed His door to you.’ 

• ‘One mistake does not last forever. Forgiveness is always open to us if we return and make a repair.’ 

Offer a Simple Process of Return 

Create a simple and repeatable sequence that your child can remember and use every time they make a mistake. 

1. Admit: Name what happened in objective ‘camera words’. 

2. Repair: Apologise or make amends to the people who were hurt by the action. 

3. Turn Back: Whisper a short prayer (dua) for forgiveness and guidance. 

4. Safeguard: Place one visible reminder to help avoid repeating the mistake. 

This four-step sequence shows them that repentance is a practical process, not an abstract idea. 

Provide Short Dua Lines They Can Use 

Give your child a few simple phrases so they are not lost for words when they want to turn back to Allah. 

• ‘O Allah, please forgive me and guide me to do better next time.’ 

• ‘O Allah, please make my heart clean and keep me from repeating this mistake.’ 

Pairing these short prayers with a practical action helps to turn their feeling of guilt into an opportunity for growth. 

Finally, closing the conversation with a firm and reassuring line is essential. You can say, ‘We have told the truth, we have made our repair, and we have made our dua. We are now finished with this for today.’ This teaches your child that Allah’s mercy is real and available now, not something they must beg for endlessly. 

Spiritual Insight 

Allah Almighty Never Closes the Door of Forgiveness 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Zumar (39), Verse 53: 

‘Say (O Prophet Muhammad ﷺ): “O my servants, those of you who have transgressed against yourselves (by committing sin); do not lose hope in the mercy of Allah (Almighty); indeed, Allah (Almighty) shall forgive the entirety of your sins; indeed, He is the Most Forgiving and the Most Merciful”.’ 

This verse is one of the most hope-giving in the entire Qur’an. You should teach your child that no matter how they feel, Allah Himself commands us, ‘Do not despair.’ The only condition for this immense mercy is that we turn back to Him sincerely and make a firm commitment to avoid repeating the wrong. 

The Prophet ﷺ Reminded Us of Allah’s Joy in Forgiveness 

It is recorded in Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2747, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Verily, Allah is more pleased with the repentance of His servant than a person who loses his camel in a desert, and then, while he is in a state of despair, he suddenly finds it in front of him.’ 

This beautiful hadith shows that Allah Almighty does not forgive us reluctantly; He forgives us joyfully. You can share this with your child to show them that returning to Allah is always met with divine delight, not with rejection.