Parenting Perspective 

In a world that is often noisy and filled with distractions, the value of silence is easily overlooked. Yet, children need moments of quiet to feel calm, to reflect, and to reconnect with their own inner world. By gently weaving small moments of silence into your family life, you can help to restore a sense of peace and create a space for the remembrance of Allah. This does not require long periods of total quiet, but rather the introduction of gentle, repeated pauses that teach your children to value tranquillity. 

Introduce Brief, Intentional “Quiet Minutes” 

After a shared family prayer, you could invite everyone to sit silently together for just one minute. You can introduce this by saying, ‘This is our special moment to let our hearts feel peaceful with Allah.’ These short and consistent pauses teach children by experience that there is a deep comfort to be found in stillness. 

Encourage a Moment of Silence Before Meals 

Before you begin eating, you can encourage a few seconds of silence just after saying ‘Bismillah.’ This simple pause helps to cultivate a sense of mindfulness and a deeper respect for the blessings on the table, turning silence into an integral part of gratitude. 

Use Silence to Create Calm Transitions 

Short, intentional silences can be very effective when moving between different activities. For example, you could implement a moment of quiet when transitioning from homework to playtime, or from screen time to getting ready for bed. A simple, shared pause, perhaps accompanied by a few deep breaths, can help to reset the family atmosphere. 

Lead by Example in Valuing Stillness 

Your own attitude towards silence will set the tone for the rest of the family. Show your children that silence is not awkward, but is in fact restful and replenishing. You can do this by sitting quietly with a calm smile, reciting dhikr softly under your breath, or simply looking out of the window at nature without the need for conversation. Children will naturally copy the peaceful tone that you set. 

Incorporate Silence into the Bedtime Routine 

The moments just before sleep are a perfect opportunity to introduce a routine of quiet. After dimming the lights, you could invite everyone to whisper one small, personal dua, and then to stay silent together for a minute. Linking silence to the bedtime routine helps to create an atmosphere of peace that children will come to treasure. 

By repeating these small habits, your family will learn that silence is not an emptiness to be feared, but a precious gift, a quiet space where calm, gratitude, and a feeling of closeness to Allah can be found. 

Spiritual Insight 

The Quran on Finding Rest in Remembrance 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Ra’ad (13), Verses 28: 

‘…Indeed, it is only with the remembrance of Allah (Almighty) that one can (and does) find peace of mind and heart….’ 

This beautiful verse teaches us that true inner calm and tranquillity flow from the remembrance of Allah. Creating moments of silence in our day provides a quiet space for this remembrance, allowing our hearts to reflect and find the rest that they need. 

Prophetic Wisdom on the Virtue of Silence 

It is recorded in Riyadh Al Saliheen, Hadith 705, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak good or remain silent.’ 

This hadith powerfully teaches that silence, when used with wisdom, is in itself an act of virtue. By intentionally adding small, peaceful pauses into your family’s daily routines, you are reflecting both prophetic guidance and divine mercy. This helps your children to associate silence not with boredom or emptiness, but with a feeling of peace, wisdom, and closeness to Allah.