Parenting Perspective 

It is natural for children to sometimes wonder why their own family’s rules are different from those of their cousins, their friends, or their neighbours. Without gentle guidance, they may begin to assume that ‘different’ means ‘wrong’, or they may even start to feel embarrassed about their own home. Telling them stories can help them to see that while different families may vary in their approach, they can all still raise good and responsible children. These kinds of stories can help to build a child’s respect for diversity, while at the same time strengthening the pride they feel in their own family. 

Share Examples from Your Own Family 

You can share stories from your own upbringing by saying, ‘Your uncle’s family was always a bit stricter about doing chores, while in our family, we focused more on our studies. Both families raised children who grew up to be kind and to care for others.’ This helps to show that success can take many different forms. 

Use Simple, Everyday Analogies 

You can use an analogy that your child will easily understand. For example, ‘Just like a beautiful garden has many different kinds of flowers, like roses, tulips, and lilies, families can also raise their children in different ways. They can all grow up to be strong and kind.’ 

Share Stories from the Prophetic Community 

Tell your child how the companions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ came from a wide variety of different households and tribes, and that each of them had been shaped by their own unique traditions. Despite this, they all became righteous and honourable people under the unifying banner of their shared faith. This proves that a variety in our upbringings can still produce immense goodness. 

Highlight the Blessings in Your Own Family’s Approach 

You can say, ‘Some families might focus on one particular thing, while other families focus on another. In our family, we try to create a good balance, and that is a special blessing from Allah.’ This helps to reassure your child that being different is not a weakness. 

Through stories that celebrate this kind of variety, your child can learn that being different does not mean being less, and that true goodness is measured by our shared values, not by our uniformity. 

Spiritual Insight 

Diversity as Part of Divine Wisdom 

Islam teaches us that the diversity that exists among people and their families is a part of the wisdom of Allah. Our righteousness is not determined by having identical practices, but by our taqwa (God-consciousness) and our good character. 

Diversity as a Blessing for Mutual Understanding 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Hujuraat (49), Verses 13: 

‘O mankind, indeed, We (Allah Almighty) have created you all from one man and one woman; and placed you amongst various nations and tribes for your introduction to each other; indeed, the best of you in the judgement of Allah (Almighty) is the one who is most virtuous…’ 

This verse reminds us that the differences between our families are not intended to be barriers, but are in fact opportunities for learning and for showing mutual respect. 

Goodness Is Judged by Hearts and Deeds 

It is recorded in Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2564, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Allah does not look at your forms or your wealth, but He looks at your hearts and your deeds.’ 

This hadith teaches us that the real measure of a family’s success is in the character and the righteousness of the people they raise, not in whether their particular ways happen to mirror those of others. By sharing stories that are rooted in an appreciation for diversity, and by grounding these stories in your faith, you can help your child to appreciate that while families may raise their children differently, the qualities of goodness, respect, and taqwa are what truly matter in the sight of Allah.