Teaching Children about Worshipping Allah: Spiritually, Physically, and Intellectually
By Wendy Díaz
Maryland

 

What is the purpose of life? This is a question that humankind has grappled with since ancient times. Those who have never learned about the Islamic faith would be stunned to know that Muslims have the answer. There is a direct response to this ultimate question from the very Originator of creation in the Qur’an. Our holy book and final testament, preserved since its revelation over 1,400 years ago, contains guidance from Allah, or God Almighty, who says:

“And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” 

(Surah Ad-Dhariyat, 51:56)

With this simple verse, He summarized the purpose of our existence. Human beings, men and women both, are here on this Earth to worship our Creator. In his Tafsir, Imam Ibn Kathir explained this verse as meaning that Allah: 

“created the creatures so that they worship Him Alone without partners. Those who obey Him will be rewarded with the best rewards, while those who disobey Him will receive the worst punishment from Him. Allah stated that He does not need creatures, but rather, they are in need of Him in all conditions. He Alone is their Creator and Provider.” 

(Ibn Kathir)

Now that we have the answer to life’s greatest question, the next step is knowing how to apply it. The topic of the purpose of life is one that is simple in its wording, yet complex in its essence. How do we worship? Is it an action? Is it a thought? Is it something deeper? How do we teach this knowledge to others, especially our children? 

When it comes to explaining this concept to young children, it is best to approach it in a way that is easy for them to understand.

To achieve this goal, we can dissect the concept of purposeful worship into three categories: spiritual, physical, and intellectual. These three components, along with our egos, make up who we are as human beings. We have a soul, an Earthly body, and intelligence – each of these components engage in worship in their own unique ways though some may overlap. All of them need to be cultivated through faith. 

Knowing Ourselves, Knowing Our Purpose 

In  The Alchemy of Happiness, Imam Al-Ghazali, may Allah have mercy on him, said: "Know that the key to the knowledge of Allah, may He be honored and glorified, is knowledge of one's own self." To support this point, he quoted the verse of the Qur’an in which Allah says,

"We shall show them Our signs on the horizons and within themselves so that it will become evident to them that it is the Truth." 

(Surah Fussilat, 41:53)

It is essential to prompt our children to look inward and see those signs in themselves, recognizing how fragile yet complex our bodies are. We have a spirit residing within that will eventually return to Allah and a mind to think, both of which are housed in our bodies. Our worldly life is temporary and our mission here is to stay connected to Allah through our worship. If they can take time to reflect on that reality, it will help them understand how our worship is like nourishment for our minds, bodies, and souls. 

Here is a simple breakdown that even a young child can grasp:

Worshipping Allah in the spiritual form is like food for the soul. 

We know that worshipping Allah is our primary purpose because we learn it in the Qur’an. Allah also instructs us on how to worship. In the opening chapter of the Qur’an, Surah Al-Fatihah, we recite, 

“It is You we worship, and You we ask for help.” 

(Surah Al-Fatihah, 1:5) 

Before anything else, we must recognize that our worship is directed to Allah alone, and we only call upon Him for our needs. Secondly, we build a spiritual connection with Allah. Some of the ways that Muslims stay connected to the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth is through contemplation, reflection, remembrance of Allah, recitation of the Qur’an, supplication, and prayer. Last, but not least, we always make the intention to perform acts of worship for the sake of Allah Alone. This intention keeps us focused anytime we are engaged in worship.

Allah says in the Qur’an:

“Recite, [O Muḥammad], what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater. And Allah knows that which you do.” 

(Surah Al-Ankabut, 29:45)

From this verse, we learn that through fulfilling our purpose, we prevent ourselves from falling into sin. Our souls need constant daily doses of reminders, not just through the ritual aspects of worship, but by staying mindful of Allah and uttering words of praise. In our dhikr we say  bismillah (in the name of Allah) to begin a deed,  inshaAllah or God willing, when we plan something, and  alhamdulillah, all praise and thanks is for Allah alone,  when we finish. These are constant reminders that we cannot do anything if not by Allah’s decree.

Worshipping Allah in the physical form is food for the body. 

If you ask yourself, what are some of the ways that we worship Allah with our bodies? You will come up with many answers; three of the five pillars of Islam require a physical application, namely Salah, Saum, and Hajj. Although there are spiritual and mental components in the five daily prayers, fasting, and the pilgrimage, they also require movements that are beneficial for our bodies. During prayer, we stand, bow, and prostrate multiple times, beginning with Allah’s name and recognizing His Might and Exalted Status. Over days, weeks, months, and years, we build muscle memory, such that these rituals become second nature. Prayer is like breathing for a believer. Likewise, fasting and performing the rites of the Hajj are systematic. Our physical worship requires discipline, time, and energy. 

Allah says:

“Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers a decree of specified times.”

 (Surah An-Nisa, 4:103)

“So, exalted is Allah when you reach the evening and when you reach the morning. And to Him is [due all] praise throughout the heavens and the earth. And [exalted is He] at night and when you are at noon.” 

(Surah Ar-Rum, 30:17-18)

Abu Hurairah reported that Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

“Allah the Exalted said, ‘O Son of Adam! Busy yourself in worshipping Me, and I will fill your chest with riches and dissipate your meekness. Otherwise, I will fill your chest with distracting affairs and will not do away with your meekness.’” 

(At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah)

Thus, while we engage in all these acts of submission to Allah, we condition our bodies to maintain a lifetime of methodical worship. 

In addition to these physical components, part of our purpose is to also be guardians of the Earth. Allah says in the Qur’an:

“And it is He who has made you successors upon the earth and has raised some of you above others in degrees [of rank] that He may try you through what He has given you. Indeed, your Lord is swift in penalty; but indeed, He is Forgiving and Merciful.” 

(Surah Al-An’um, 6:165)

Our job is to care for our families, communities, and the planet. We exert ourselves physically as we work to keep our environment clean, our families safe, and our bodies fed. All of this is also considered worship if our intention is to please Allah through these actions. All good and permissible actions are acts of devotion if they are performed in Allah’s name. 

Worshipping Allah through our mind is food for our brain. 

Your child may ask, “But how do we worship Allah through our mind?” And that is when you can inspire an “Aha!” moment by asking them, “Well, aren’t we in a constant state of learning?” The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said, 

“Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.” 

(Sunan Ibn Majah) 

We will never know everything there is to know. Recently, I heard a stand-up comedian say that he feels intimidated every time he is in a bookstore or a library because every book represents a piece of information that he does not know. In no other place is he reminded of just how little he knows than where he is surrounded by books. Indeed, the sea of knowledge is vast, no matter if it’s secular sciences or Islamic knowledge. Allah says:

“And if whatever trees upon the earth were pens and the sea was ink, replenished thereafter by seven [more] seas, the words of Allah would not be exhausted. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.”

(Surah Luqman, 31:27)

When we learn about Allah and His messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, read the Qur’an, and memorize hadith, we are expanding our minds. If we do so for the sake of Allah, with sincerity, then we are fulfilling our purpose. Likewise, traveling, exploring nature, and reflecting on the signs of Allah’s existence are ways to feed our minds with faith. When we strengthen our faith, we are more inclined to perform acts of worship, therefore fulfilling the purpose for which we were created.

There are different approaches to talking to children about the purpose of life and they will vary depending on a child’s age and level of understanding. Thankfully, we have clear instructions from Allah in the Qur'an. One example is what he commands the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, to say to his followers: 

“Say, [O Muḥammad], ‘If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.’ Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ ‘Obey Allah and His Messenger.’ If they still turn away, then truly Allah does not like the disbelievers.” 

(Surah Al-Imran, 3:31-32)

Through obeying Allah’s commandments and the instructions set forth by His Messengers, the last of whom was Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, a Muslim lives a purpose-driven life. He is considered a believer in all aspects, given that to be a Muslim the first step is acknowledging the Oneness of God and the prophethood of Muhammad, peace be upon him. Once his faith is established, then his actions become acts of worship in mind, body, and soul. 

[Wendy Díaz is a Puerto Rican Muslim writer, award-winning poet, translator, and mother of six (ages ranging from infant to teen). She is the co-founder of Hablamos Islam, a non-profit organization that produces educational resources about Islam in Spanish (hablamosislam.org). She has written, illustrated, and published over a dozen children’s books and currently lives with her family in Maryland. Follow Wendy Díaz on social media @authorwendydiaz and @hablamosislam.]

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