Parenting Perspective

Children develop their understanding of Allah’s role in their lives largely by listening to the way you speak about Him. If your expressions of gratitude sound distant or merely ritualistic, it is unlikely that they will form a personal connection to the concept. But when your thankfulness is expressed in heartfelt, everyday language, children begin to feel that Allah is close, caring, and personally involved in the details of their lives. In this way, gratitude ceases to be an abstract idea and becomes something they can see, feel, and imitate.

Offer Personalised and Specific Thanks

Instead of only saying Alhamdulillah in a general or formal way, it is helpful to connect it to specific, immediate experiences.

• Alhamdulillah, Allah has given us this delicious food to enjoy together.
• Alhamdulillah that Allah kept us safe on our journey today.
• Alhamdulillah, Allah blessed our family with so much laughter just now.

By naming these concrete, tangible blessings, you help your children to experience gratitude as a real and living emotion, not just a formal routine.

Express Spontaneous Joy and Gratitude

Allow your children to hear the genuine excitement in your voice when you witness something beautiful. A spontaneous exclamation of, SubhanAllah, look at that amazing rainbow! What a beautiful gift from Allah for us to enjoy, links the feeling of joy directly to an awareness of Allah’s presence and creativity.

Model Gratitude Even During Challenges

Gratitude becomes even more powerful when it is modelled during difficult moments. Saying something like, Alhamdulillah, Allah is giving me the patience I need to get through this tired feeling, teaches a profound lesson in resilience and faith. It shows your children that gratitude is not just for the easy times, but is a source of strength during hardship.

Connect Your Gratitude with Affection

You can make your words of thanks even more impactful by pairing them with physical affection. Saying, Alhamdulillah for you, my child; you are one of the greatest blessings Allah has given me, while giving them a hug, makes the feeling of gratitude both spoken and deeply felt.

Through these consistent habits, your expression of gratitude becomes more than just words; it transforms into a living, breathing practice that your children can experience, absorb, and learn to make their own.

Spiritual Insight

The Quran on Gratitude Increasing Blessings

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran, Surah Ibraheem (14), Verse 7:

“And (remember) when your Sustainer made this declaration; (saying that): ‘If you show gratitude, I (Allah Almighty) will indeed amplify them for you (provisions and sustenance); however, if you become ungrateful, then indeed, My punishment is meticulous (in execution).’”

This powerful verse teaches a fundamental spiritual principle: that gratitude is not only an act of worship but is also the very means by which we attract more blessings into our lives. When parents express their thankfulness aloud, they teach their children by example that being grateful is both an act of faith and a cause for more goodness to come.

Prophetic Wisdom on Sincere, Simple Gratitude

It is recorded in Mishkaat Al Masaabih, Hadith 4200, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

“Allah is pleased with His servant when he eats something and praises Him for it, or drinks something and praises Him for it.”

This beautiful hadith highlights how much value Allah places on even the smallest and most simple acts of genuine thankfulness. By modelling this type of heartfelt, in-the-moment gratitude, you show your children that being thankful does not require grand speeches or formal occasions, but only a sincere and present heart.

Over time, they will come to believe that the love of Allah is deeply connected to their everyday expressions of thanks, making gratitude a natural and joyful part of their lives.