What should I do if my child skips them during exam weeks? 

Parenting Perspective 

Exam periods are known to disrupt established family routines, and it is entirely normal for children to let go of certain habits, including consuming Sunnah foods, as they focus intensely on their studies. During such high-pressure times, a parent’s role is to offer gentle support and maintain the spiritual connection without adding to their child’s burden. The objective shifts from consistent practice to preserving a positive and loving association with the Sunnah. 

Reframing the Goal: Connection over Compliance 

The most important principle during exam weeks is to prioritise your child’s emotional and mental well-being. Pressuring or nagging them about skipping Sunnah foods can be counterproductive, potentially creating a negative association with a practice that should be a source of peace. Instead, reframe the goal from perfect compliance to maintaining a positive connection. Gently remind them that the intention behind the act is what truly matters. Explain that even one date eaten with the conscious thought of following the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is a meaningful act of worship. 

Practical and Supportive Strategies for Stressful Times 

To make it easier for your child to continue the practice, focus on simplicity and accessibility. Prepare a small, inviting tray with what could be termed ‘Sunnah brain food’ and leave it on their study desk. This could include a few dates, a small bowl of walnuts, some olives, or a flask of water with a teaspoon of honey. By presenting these foods as nourishing snacks that can aid concentration and provide energy, you integrate the practice into their study routine rather than presenting it as a separate obligation.  

The Power of Parental Modelling and Flexibility 

Children are profoundly influenced by the behaviour of their parents. During exam time, let them see you calmly observing the Sunnah yourself. Eat a date, audibly say ‘Bismillah’, and offer a quiet prayer for their success. This passive modelling is a powerful, non-confrontational reminder of the habit’s importance. It demonstrates that these practices are a source of strength for you, which can inspire them to seek the same comfort. It is also crucial to plan for flexibility. Understand that there will be days when they are too overwhelmed to remember, and that is perfectly acceptable. The aim is habit resilience, not rigid perfection.  

Spiritual Insight 

In Islam, every act can be transformed into worship through sincere intention, and even periods of intense worldly activity, like studying for exams, are not separate from our spiritual lives. Maintaining a connection to Sunnah practices during these times is not about adding another task to a long list; it is about seeking divine assistance and infusing a stressful period with spiritual calm and barakah (blessing). It reminds a child that their ultimate reliance is on Allah Almighty, and that seeking knowledge is in itself a noble pursuit.  

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Mulk (67), Verse 15: 

‘It is He who has made for you the Earth subservient (to your needs); so, walk (freely) amongst its marvels; and eat of the nourishment He (Allah Almighty) has provided for you; and to Him is the (ultimate) Resurrection.’ 

This verse beautifully illustrates that Allah Almighty has made the world and its resources accessible to us. When a child is studying, they are ‘traversing a path’ in pursuit of knowledge. The instruction to ‘eat of His provision’ is a reminder that even during this focused journey, we are sustained by Him. Consuming a Sunnah food during a study break is a conscious acknowledgement of this divine provision.  

It is recorded in Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 1, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:  

‘The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended. So whoever emigrated for worldly benefits or for a woman to marry, his emigration was for what he emigrated for.’ 

This profound statement underscores the immense value of niyyah (intention) in Islam. During the stress of exams, this principle provides immense relief and encouragement. The spiritual reward is not contingent on the quantity of the act but on the sincerity of the intention behind it. For a student, the intention behind eating a Sunnah food can be multifaceted: to follow the prophetic example, to seek physical energy to study effectively for the sake of Allah, and to invite barakah into their time and knowledge.