Parenting Perspective 

When a child asks about Jannah, Jahannam, or destiny, they are grappling with concepts that can challenge even an adult’s understanding. Their questions may sound unsettling: ‘Will everyone I love be in Jannah?’ or ‘Why would Allah send people to Jahannam?’ These are not signs of disbelief but are reflections of a child’s natural attempt to make sense of the unseen. If such questions are met with fear or harshness, the child may learn to suppress their curiosity rather than seek knowledge. 

Children need a safe space to wrestle with these big ideas without feeling that they are sinning simply by asking. Your role as a parent is not to have every answer, but to walk alongside them, gently guiding their wonder towards clarity and trust in Allah Almighty. 

Welcome the Question Before the Answer 

Begin with gratitude for their trust: ‘I am so glad you are asking such thoughtful questions.’ This immediately signals that their thinking is valued. If you do not have an answer, it is powerful to admit it and suggest finding one together. This honesty teaches them that faith is a lifelong journey of learning, not a list of pre-memorised replies. 

Simplify Without Oversimplifying 

Children require answers that are both truthful and age-appropriate. Avoid overwhelming them with complex theology; instead, offer simple, foundational concepts that nurture trust. For example: 

• Jannah can be explained as the beautiful home where Allah Almighty gives endless happiness to those who tried their best to live with kindness and faith. 

• Jahannam can be described as the painful consequence for those who knowingly and persistently rejected the truth and caused great harm. 

• Destiny can be framed as Allah Almighty knowing everything that will ever happen, while still giving us the freedom to choose our actions. 

Focus on the Mercy of Allah 

When questions about divine justice or fate arise, gently steer the conversation towards the vastness of Allah Almighty’s compassion. It is essential for a child’s heart to know that His justice is always perfectly balanced with His mercy, preventing fear from overshadowing hope. You could even create a small family journal for exploring the unseen together, turning their individual curiosity into a shared journey of discovery. 

Spiritual Insight 

The noble Quran acknowledges that matters of the unseen can cause the human heart to wonder, yet it consistently directs us back towards a profound trust in the wisdom and justice of Allah Almighty. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Aalai Imran (3), Verse 185: 

‘Every person shall taste (the process of) mortal expiration; and indeed, on the Day of Resurrection you will be repaid comprehensively (for your actions); so whoever is drawn away from the Hellfire, and admitted into the Gardens (of Paradise)…’ 

This verse helps to shift a child’s focus from abstract anxieties to the ultimate reality: Jannah is the goal, Jahannam is the warning, and the fleeting nature of this world should not overshadow the certainty of the next. 

It is recorded in Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 79, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, while there is good in both. Be eager for what benefits you, seek help from Allah, and do not give up. If something befalls you, do not say: If only I had done such and such, rather say: Qaddara Allah wa ma sha’a fa‘al (Allah has decreed and what He wills, He does), for indeed “if” opens the door to the deeds of Shaytan.’ 

This hadith provides a powerful and balanced framework for understanding destiny. It teaches us to act with effort, rely on Allah, and accept His decree without falling into despair. It beautifully balances our human responsibility with a deep trust in the divine plan, showing that a belief in destiny empowers, rather than erases, our efforts. 

When your child brings you their most difficult questions, see them as opportunities for connection, not as threats to faith. Each question, when met with patience and care, can strengthen their spiritual understanding. Over time, your calm and thoughtful responses will teach them that Islam has space for curiosity, and that the path to true knowledge is paved with both sincere inquiry and peaceful surrender to the wisdom of Allah Almighty.