Parenting Perspective 

The quiet moments before bed offer one of the most powerful opportunities to nurture a child’s heart. As the day comes to a close, the emotions of the day often surface, and children can be particularly open to moments of gentle reflection. Weaving the practice of thankfulness into these moments can transform the bedtime routine into a sacred time of calm, connection, and remembrance of Allah. In this way, gratitude becomes more than just a formality; it becomes a genuine source of comfort that helps to soften the heart before sleep. 

Create a Simple ‘Gratitude Round-Up’ 

You can invite each member of the family to name one blessing from their day, no matter how small it may seem. For example, a child might say, ‘Alhamdulillah, I really enjoyed playing football today,’ or, ‘Alhamdulillah for Mama’s delicious cooking.’ This simple practice helps to train a child’s mind to actively notice the favours of Allah in their daily life. 

Pair Gratitude with a Simple Dua 

After your child has shared their moment of gratitude, you can guide them to say a short, combined dua, such as, ‘Alhamdulillah. Ya Allah, thank You for today, please forgive me for any mistakes I made, and please bless our family tomorrow.’ This helps your child to link the feeling of gratitude with the act of seeking Allah’s ongoing care. 

Use a Shukr Notebook or Jar 

It can be a lovely practice to keep a small journal or a decorated jar near your child’s bed. Each night, they can write or draw one thing for which they are thankful. Over time, this growing collection becomes a powerful visual reminder of the abundance of blessings that Allah provides. 

Model Sincere Gratitude Yourself 

Before turning off the lights for the night, you can say aloud, ‘Alhamdulillah, Allah gave me this peaceful evening with my wonderful children.’ Children are far more likely to imitate the sincerity they hear in your voice than they are to follow formal instructions. 

Connect Gratitude with a Feeling of Safety 

Reassure your child with gentle words like, ‘Alhamdulillah, Allah watched over us all day today, and He will continue to protect us while we sleep tonight.’ Linking thankfulness to a feeling of safety makes the practice of gratitude feel soothing and deeply comforting. 

By embedding these simple habits into your bedtime routine, your children can go to sleep with hearts that have been lightened by remembrance, learning that gratitude is not only an act of worship but is also a source of profound comfort. 

Spiritual Insight 

The Quran on the Virtue of Nightly Remembrance 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Zumar (39), Verses 9: 

‘(Who can be better) than the one who is devoutly obedient (to the commands of Allah Almighty), prostrating and standing (in prayer) during the hours of the night; mindful (of what needs to be done in preparation) for the life Hereafter; and always (functioning) in anticipation of the mercy of his Sustainer; say (O Prophet Muhammad ﷺ): “Can there ever be parity between those people that have knowledge and those people that do not have knowledge?”…’ 

This verse highlights the special virtue of remembering Allah during the night. Teaching our children to end their day with an act of gratitude helps to keep their hearts connected to Him, even as they rest. 

Prophetic Guidance on Evening Gratitude 

It is recorded in Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith 5071, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said that whoever says the following supplication in the evening has fulfilled their gratitude for the night: 

‘O Allah, whatever blessing has come to me or any of Your creation is from You alone, without partner, so for You is all praise and to You is all thanks.’ 

This beautiful supplication shows us that consciously ending our day with thankfulness is a complete act of gratitude in itself. By making bedtime a consistent time for reflection and saying ‘Alhamdulillah,’ parents can teach their children that being thankful is not an occasional gesture, but a nightly act of worship and peace.