By : Dr. H. Momon, S.Ag., M.Ag.
(Lecturer in Early Childhood Islamic Education [PIAUD], Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training, UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung)
Early Childhood Education
This article discusses key tips and guidance for educators who wish to instill sound articles of faith (aqidah) in children, based on child psychology and developmental stages. It also explains how to convey information through engaging methods, utilizing examples from the children's immediate environment and their everyday experiences.
A practical approach to introducing children to many of the Beautiful Names of Allah (Asmaul Husna), fostering a love for Allah and orienting their hearts and minds toward Him.
Considering the importance of childhood, there needs to be a unified effort to introduce the faith to children and bring them closer to their world, so that children can get to know Allah SWT, through scientific methods that are easy, understandable and interesting for them.
Educators provide lessons on how to introduce Allah SWT to children, as Allah SWT says :
اِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ الْخَلّٰقُ الْعَلِيْمُ
God bless you
“Your True God is the All-Creator, All-Knowing (QS. Al Hijr [15]: 86).
He saw the majesty and height of the sky, the expanse and firmness of the earth, the grains of air and their distribution, the life he carried within himself and the creatures around him who also glorified Allah SWT, so that he could know Him.
ذٰلِكُمُ اللّٰهُ رَبُّكُمْۚ لَآ اِلٰهَ اِلَّا هُوَۚ خَالِقُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ فَاعْبُدُوْهُ ۚوَهُوَ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَّكِيْلٌ
"That is Allah, your Lord. There is no god but Him, the creator of all things. So, worship Him. He is the preserver of all things" (QS. Al An'am [6]: 102
If a child comes to know God, he will love Him and if he loves Him, he will obey Him. A child comes to know God through His word :
وَلِلَّهِ الْأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَىٰ فَادْعُوهُ بِهَا ۖ وَذَرُوا الَّذِينَ يُلْحِدُونَ فِي أَسْمَائِهِ ۚ سَيُجْزَوْنَ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ
"Allah has Asmaulhusna (the best names). So, ask Him... (QS. Al A'raf [7]: 180).
So, he believes in His oneness, his soul feels calm seeing His tenderness and compassion for His servants, he glorifies Allah within himself when he sees His strength and power and always feels surrounded by Him. Because he knows that Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing and All-Knowing of everything. In this way, faith becomes integrated into one's life and forms one's morals
The author argues that the best time to begin teaching aqidah (articles of faith) is early in a child's life. Delaying discussions about Allah with a child will make it more difficult for parents to convey such information later on. Starting early allows these conversations to unfold more naturally, as they can be rooted in what the child observes in their daily life—such as seeing their parents pray, perform salat (ritual prayer), or engage in dhikr (remembrance of Allah).
The earlier parents speak to their children about God, the easier and faster it becomes for the children to feel close to Him and to be more responsive to His commands and prohibitions. Regardless of their age, children have the capacity to absorb beliefs from a very early stage.
Next are practical examples for introducing children to the names of Allah and His attributes, such as : Al-Hayyu Al-Qayyum (the Almighty, the Almighty Who Stands Alone), Al-Ahad Ash-Shamad (the Almighty, the Almighty Who Hangs), Ash-Shafi (the Almighty who heals), Al-Khaliq (the Almighty Creator), Al-Ghafur (the All-Forgiving), As-Sattir (the All-Covering Disgrace), and so on. This is a practical way to instill a sense of love for Allah in a child:
Part One : Telling a Story
Once upon a time, a little child went for a walk with his father in a beautiful park filled with colorful flowers and tall trees. As they were walking, the child stopped and asked his father, “Father, who made these flowers so beautiful ? And who sent the sun to bring about our day ?”
The father smiled, took his child’s hand, and said, "My child, Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala is the Creator of everything beautiful that you see around you. He is the One who loves us dearly; He has gifted us these eyes to see and this heart to feel, and He watches over us at every moment—even while we sleep." The child gazed up at the clear sky and asked, "Is God watching me right now, Father ?"
His father replied gently, "Yes, my child. God is always with you; He hears your words, knows what is in your heart and loves you even more than you love yourself. Because God is so generous and bestows all these blessings upon us, we, in turn, love Him, feel grateful for His gifts and do things that please Him."
The child felt an extraordinary warmth in his heart. From that day on, he began to perceive God’s presence in everything beautiful, loving God sincerely and expressing his gratitude to Him in every prayer and at all times.
Second : Dialogue
Begin by asking reflective questions about Allah’s blessings, such as, "Who created this warm sun for us ?" or "Why do we love Allah ?" Allow the child to express their feelings and thoughts honestly and openly; this helps them sense that Allah is near and is listening to them.
Use stories from the Quran that highlight Allah’s mercy and generosity, then discuss them with your child. Ask them, "How do you see Allah’s mercy in this story ?" This connection helps children understand the attributes of Allah’s beauty and majesty in a simple way.
Make dialogue a part of “your” daily life—whether you are taking in a beautiful natural landscape or encountering a situation that calls for a sense of gratitude.
Reflecting on real-life events through the lens of God’s love transforms faith into a living practice, rather than a rigid theory. Ensure that your conversational language is filled with gentleness and encouragement and avoid any approach that relies on instilling fear.
The goal is for the child to grow up with a sense of security and peace within the love of God, fostering an internal awareness to do good out of love, rather than out of fear.
Third : The Rewards of Dhikr Derived from Reciting the Most Beautiful Names of Allah
Introducing dhikr—the remembrance of Allah—to children by reciting the Most Beautiful Names of Allah (al-Asma’ al-Husna) from an early age and helping them become accustomed to this practice, serves as a highly effective method of spiritual education. This practice is not merely about memorization; rather, it is a process of instilling values that foster spiritual closeness and a profound love for the Creator.
Children are concrete thinkers who find it easier to grasp concepts through tangible examples or clear, observable traits. This is true when they learn to memorize and understand the meanings of the Asmaul Husna (the Beautiful Names of Allah). For instance, they come to understand that Allah is Ar-Rahman (The Most Gracious) and Ar-Rahim (The Most Merciful) by experiencing the love and compassion shown to them by their parents and those around them. They come to know Allah as Al-Hafiz (The Protector), who constantly watches over them while they play or sleep. By learning these attributes, Allah becomes someone who feels close and real to them—rather than merely an abstract concept—which serves as a foundation for the growth of love.
The Fourth : Is Reflection
Children are naturally very curious. Encouraging them to observe God’s creation is the most tangible way to cultivate a sense of wonder—which serves as a gateway to love.
When observing flowers in bloom, rainfall, or the beauty of a sunset, parents can reflect on these sights by saying, “God’s creation is truly beautiful, isn’t it? God created the colors of these flowers because He loves us very much and wants us to be happy.” Through this sense of wonder at His creation, a child’s heart will be drawn to love the Creator.
Fifth : Practical Application in Daily Life
Instilling a love for Allah SWT in children cannot be achieved through abstract understanding alone. It requires practical steps that are consistent, enjoyable and relevant to their everyday lives
At mealtimes, remind your children that the delicious food before them is a manifestation of the love and care of Ar-Razzaq (The Provider of Sustenance). Encourage them to say "Bismillah" with genuine sincerity, rather than merely out of habit.
When Children Feel Scared or Sad
Teach them to ask for protection from Al-Hafiz (The Protector) or As-Salam (The Giver of Peace), for example; by saying, "Come, let us ask for protection from Allah, the Almighty Owner of All Things."
This practical approach will become deeply ingrained in a child’s heart if it is applied consistently and modeled directly by the parents within the dynamics of daily family life.
The Conclusion is
Instilling a love for Allah SWT in children serves as the primary foundation for building a robust and meaningful spiritual character. This process is not achieved through coercion or rigid theory, but rather through an approach that touches their hearts, minds, emotions and daily experiences.
TM/Rully.