Trust in Allah “Tawakkul”
We should build and teach our children trust in Allah from an early age.
Children should not only trust us parents but also trust their Creator completely.
How do I explain to the child what trust in Allah means?
First and foremost, we as parents should set an example because children learn by imitation, not by lectures or threats. So if we ourselves find ourselves in a difficult situation, we should make dua to Allah together with the child and say that we are satisfied with what He is testing us with and that we trust in His plans. We should try to explain to the child that Allah is the best planner and He only wants the best for us and He only understands the wisdom behind the test. When we make dua to Allah and ask for something, we should not say "In sha Allah" at the end of the dua because that would mean we are not convinced that Allah will help us, but we should have firm trust in Allah and be firmly convinced that ONLY ALLAH can help us and HE is the ANSWERED of prayers and it is HIS JOB to answer our dua.
“Allah is Generous and has shame, and when His servant raises his hands, Allah is ashamed not to give.” (Imam Ahmad in his Mushad, Ibn Maga, Thirmidi)
In the Holy Quran (Sura Al Talaq 2-3) it is written:
Allah says:
"...and whoever fears Allah, He will provide him with a way out and provide for him with what he does not expect. And whoever puts his trust in Allah, He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah accomplishes what He wills; indeed, Allah has made a decree for everything."
We should teach children to ask Allah first for a way out and for relief, and then people. Children should learn from their parents that parents always turn to Allah first with their requests, and then to people, and that parents never despair because they trust in Allah and know that everything will turn out well. A Muslim is always content; if misfortune befalls them and they are patient, Allah will reward them. If good fortune befalls them and they are grateful, Allah will reward them.
If the child has a task and wants to achieve something, but has doubts and is unsure, we as parents should encourage and support him and, above all, teach him to trust in Allah that he will accomplish the task with Allah's help.
An example of everyday life where we ask Allah for help and support every day is the daily prayer and Surah Al Fatiha:
With each reciting of Surah al-Fatiha, we seek help from God, expressing it as follows: "And to You alone we ask for help, and in You we seek refuge." Because we are aware of our own weaknesses and we trust in God and His mercy.
Trusting in one's Creator means always being aware that He is closer to us than our jugular vein, as the verse so beautifully states: "And indeed, We created man, and We know what is in his heart; and We are closer to him than (his) jugular vein." (Quran, Sura Kaf 50:16)
When we place our world, our fears and problems in God's hands, He will put trust in our hearts so that we will never feel doubt or fear again.
We should teach our children to place their affairs and problems in Allah's hands. This brings relief for both us and the children, because knowing that someone is there to take care of everything makes us calm and content.
The children should be sure that Allah will help them solve their problems.
Absolute trust in Allah is shifting one's own affairs, one's own problems, onto Allah.
Ibn Qayyim (ra) said: “Whoever sincerely relies on Allah to achieve something will achieve it.”
Therefore, trust in Allah is absolutely essential to faith and a strong Muslim character, which is something we should teach our children. Self-doubt, resentment, and fear stem from Satan. Children are naturally happy and highly motivated individuals and naturally have trust in us and in Allah; we should not destroy this fundamental trust.
We Muslims should be convinced that there is no way to change our share of destiny. This means that whatever is intended for us cannot fail us, and that we cannot achieve anything that is not intended for us. And we must be content with whatever befalls us.
The Messenger (sws) said: “If you had put your trust in Allah as you should put your trust in Him, He would have provided for you as He provides for the bird: it flies out (in the morning for its livelihood) with an empty stomach and returns (in the evening) with a full stomach.”
(At-Tirmidhi 2344, ibn Majah 4164)
We should always be confident and always maintain a state of fundamental trust in Allah. This gives our hearts inner peace and serenity to accept things as they come. For Allah has given us a promise that he will not abandon his faithful servants. I wish this fundamental trust in Allah and the resulting inner peace for us and all our children. May Allah guide our children on the right path, Ameen!