Children have the most innocent minds and purest hearts. Yes, they ask endless questions with excitement. They seek answers and reasons. But actually, the only thing that answers all of their questions is, all they want is, all they need is to love and to be loved. All they dream is living far from nightmares and ‘’monsters under the bed’’; feeling secure and safe.
Children have the most innocent minds and purest hearts. Yes, they ask endless questions with excitement. They seek answers and reasons. But actually, the only thing that answers all of their questions is, all they want is, all they need is to love and to be loved. All they dream is living far from nightmares and ‘’monsters under the bed’’; feeling secure and safe.
We, as parents, love our kids to the moon and back, that is for sure. Now try to imagine how Allah, as our creator, loves us and our kids.
He gave us life, surrounded us with beautiful people, provided air that we breathe in, created jungles to clean that air… He is giving and forgiving. He loves us and wants to be loved.
So, what happens once we are loved? Once we feel that we are loved? Once our kids feel that they are loved… They are loved by the One that they love the most, the One that could love them the most…
1. Feeling loved makes kids feel safe and secure.
If a kid feels safe, far from all dangers, all badness and sadness her/his self-esteem increases. S/he takes stronger steps, finds the strength in her/him to deal with all the possible problems. A kid with healthy self-esteem will surely grow up to be a nice person, a good friend, a good worker.
2. Feeling loved makes kids love.
When a kid is loved, s/he sees everything and everybody around her/him as loveable things, people. When a kid approaches life with love, problems will be easier to solve, everywhere will feel like home, the hardships will seem easier to figure out.
3. Feeling loved increases iman in kids’ little heart.
Our religion is the most beautiful, but surely not the easiest one. We are supposed to pray 5 times a day, fast for a month every year, visit Kaba if possible. These are all meaningful if done with love and will. Praying times turn to get together with the Most Loved, fasting becomes an opportunity to clean our body and soul, visiting Kaba is a chance to refresh our Iman… Love changes all the colors.
4. Feeling loved helps kids understand Islam better.
“Love Allah for what He nourishes you with of His Blessings, love me due to the love of Allah, and love the people of my house due to your love of me.” (Hadith by Imam At-Tirmizi)
“A person will be with those whom he loves.” (Hadith by Imam Al-Bukhari and Imam Muslim)
“None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.” (Hadith by Imam Al-Bukhari and Imam Muslim)
Our prophet told about love, more than once. He says that we should love each other to complete our Iman, that we will be together with the ones we love. Love is the core, the main component of Iman, and of course Islam. Feeling loved by Allah, and love things for Allah will help kids figure what Islam really is about out.
We have a huge duty now, as parents and teachers. We should teach our kids and students to love Allah, and we should remind them that they are loved by Allah rather than just teaching them rituals like prayers and fasting. This will lead them to grow up with strong Iman in their hearts and minds.
