Ramadan Parenting Challenge Day 23: Be Thankful

Ramadan Parenting Challenge 2014

Therefore remember Me (by praying, glorifying), I will remember you, and be grateful to Me (for My countless favours on you) and never be ungrateful to Me. (Qur’an 2:152)

Ramadan teaches you many things such as patience, generosity, empathy and being grateful for your food and drink. It reminds you that there are less fortunate people who go without food and drink every day. How blessed are you to have food with which to break your fast during Ramadan and every other day? Do you give thanks to Allah?

What about the many other things that Allah has given you?

And Allah has brought you out from the wombs of your mothers while you know nothing. And He gave you hearing, sight, and hearts that you might give thanks (to Allah). (Qur’an, 16:78)

Allah, it is He Who has made the night for you that you may rest therein and the day for you to see. Truly, Allah is full of Bounty to mankind; yet, most of mankind give no thanks. (Qur’an 40:61)

You thank Allah by obeying Him and praising Him.

Teach your children to be grateful to Allah by finding things to be grateful for each day. Schedule in a time each day to finish this sentence: “I am grateful to Allah for __________” and say “Alhamdulilah.”

And when someone has done a kindness to you, do you give your thanks?  Prophet Muhammad (s) said, “Anyone who doesn’t thank people has not thanked Allah.” (Abu-Dawud and Tirmidhi)

Teach your children to say thank you to others by modeling the behaviour.

Challenge for today is to:

1. Find things to be grateful for each day. Teach your children the same.
2. Thank people for their kindness. Model this behaviour to your children.

Do these and continue to do them for the remaining days of Ramadan.