Parenting Perspective 

The feeling of loneliness can be overwhelming for a child, whether it stems from being left out at school, sitting alone in their room, or simply feeling misunderstood. While a parent cannot be present in every single one of these moments, you can equip your child with comforting words that remind them that Allah is always near. The goal is to give your child a few short, comforting phrases that they can repeat to themselves, words that can help to transform a feeling of loneliness into a moment of connection. 

Teach Them Simple, Reassuring Phrases 

In tender or difficult moments, the simplest words are often the most effective. You can teach them phrases such as: 

• ‘Ya Allah, I know that You are with me.’ 

• ‘Ya Rahman, please fill my heart with Your love.’ 

• ‘Ya Wadood, I know that You care for me.’ 

These short lines are easy for a child to whisper, helping to ground them in the reassuring presence of Allah. 

Encourage Them to Connect Dua to Their Feelings 

Encourage your child to speak to Allah in their own simple words, sharing whatever it is they are feeling. You could prompt them by saying, ‘You can tell Allah, “Ya Allah, I feel a bit left out right now, please can you send me a kind friend?”’ This practice teaches them an invaluable lesson: that even their smallest and most fleeting emotions are worthy of being brought to Allah. 

Practise These Duas Together During Calm Times 

You can help your child to build confidence by sitting with them and whispering these short duas together. The quiet moments before bed or just after a shared prayer are perfect for this. This gentle routine will help them to recall the words naturally when a moment of loneliness arises. 

Pair Words of Comfort with Physical Anchors 

A tangible action can help to make the invisible closeness of Allah feel more real to a child. You could give them a single tasbih bead to hold in their pocket, or encourage them to place their hand over their chest while they are making their quiet dua. 

Celebrate Their Turning to Allah 

When your child shares with you that they made a dua during a moment of loneliness, it is important to respond with gentle joy. An affirmation like, ‘Alhamdulillah, that is so wonderful! Allah loves when you turn to Him. You see, you were never truly alone,’ helps to strengthen the bond between their emotions and their faith. 

Through these simple words and habits, you can teach your child that a feeling of loneliness is not an emptiness to be feared, but is in fact a private doorway to the companionship of Allah. 

Spiritual Insight 

The Quranic Promise of Allah’s Nearness 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Baqarah (2), Verses 186: 

‘And when My servants question you (O Prophet Muhammad ﷺ) about Me (Allah Almighty); then indeed, (inform them of the good news) that I (Allah Almighty) am very close to them; I (Allah Almighty) respond to the prayers of the supplicant, whenever he calls Me (Allah Almighty)…’ 

This verse teaches us that the closeness of Allah is not an abstract concept, but a deeply personal and responsive reality. By sharing these beautiful words with our children, we can remind them that their quietest, whispered duas are immediately heard by the One who is closest to them. 

Prophetic Guidance on Dua as the Essence of Worship 

It is recorded in Jami Tirmidhi, Hadith 3371, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Supplication is the essence of worship.’ 

This hadith shows that the act of calling upon Allah, especially in our moments of vulnerability and loneliness, is not a sign of weakness but is in fact the very heart of our faith. When parents give their children the gentle words of dua, they are handing them a tool that will last a lifetime: the ability to turn solitude into a sacred connection. Over time, a child can grow to carry the deep conviction that no matter how isolated they may feel, Allah is always listening and caring for them.