Parenting Perspective 

Sakinah, the beautiful Islamic concept of tranquillity and peace, is one of the greatest gifts a parent can give to a child. A home that is filled with sakinah feels safe, calm, and blessed, creating an environment where faith can be lived in a natural and effortless way. This does not mean a home must be silent or perfect, but rather that it has an atmosphere where even the busiest moments are softened by an underlying current of love and remembrance of Allah. 

Establish Calm and Consistent Routines 

Children feel most secure when their life follows a steady and predictable rhythm. Regular mealtimes, shared family prayer, and a consistent bedtime routine all help to create a sense of predictability that brings peace. You can reinforce this by saying, ‘Allah has given us these routines to help make our home feel calm and settled.’ 

Cultivate a Habit of Soft Speech 

A harsh tone of voice can instantly disrupt a feeling of tranquillity. It is important, even when correcting a child’s behaviour, to make an effort to lower your voice and use words that are both gentle and firm. This practice teaches children that peace is a lived and cherished value, not just an abstract idea. 

Fill the Home with Gentle Remembrance 

The atmosphere of a home can be greatly influenced by what is heard within it. Playing gentle Quranic recitation softly in the background, or reciting short surahs together as a family after prayer, can have a calming effect. Weaving simple dhikr, such as ‘SubhanAllah’ or ‘Alhamdulillah,’ into your daily conversation helps to keep everyone’s hearts anchored in remembrance. 

Make Gratitude a Visible Practice 

Make a habit of expressing your gratitude to Allah out loud for both big and small things, from the food on your table to a shared moment of laughter. An attitude of thankfulness naturally shifts a family’s focus from what may be missing to the countless blessings that are present, which is a powerful way to nurture a peaceful environment. 

Protect the Home from Lingering Conflict 

Disagreements are a normal part of family life, but it is important to avoid long and drawn-out arguments in front of your children. Aim to resolve conflicts calmly and to model the act of apologising when it is needed. This shows your children that peace can be quickly restored, which helps to foster a sense of emotional safety and forgiveness. 

By combining these steps, the atmosphere in your home can become a true reflection of sakinah, a place where your children associate family life with love, stability, and the ever-present mercy of Allah. 

Spiritual Insight 

The Quran on the Home as a Place of Rest 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Nahal (16), Verses 80: 

‘And Allah (Almighty) has designated for you, a resting place within your homes…’ 

This verse reminds us that our homes have been divinely designed to be havens of rest and tranquillity. When we teach this to our children, we help them to see their home not just as a building, but as a sacred blessing in which the mercy of Allah is reflected. 

Prophetic Wisdom on Tranquillity Through Remembrance 

It is recorded in Riyadh Al Saliheen, Hadith 1023, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘No people gather in one of the houses of Allah, reciting the Book of Allah and studying it together, but tranquillity descends upon them, mercy covers them, the angels surround them, and Allah mentions them to those who are with Him.’ 

Although this beautiful hadith speaks specifically of gatherings in the masjid, its spirit can undoubtedly flow into our homes when the Quran and the remembrance of Allah are made present. By filling the house with gentle worship, soft speech, and sincere gratitude, parents can cultivate an atmosphere of sakinah, nurturing a sanctuary where children feel the peace of Allah surrounding them.