From Naughty to Righteous: An Islamic Strategy for Educating Children with Love and Worship

By Dr. Abdul Wadud Nafis, Lc., MEI

Every child is born like a clean white sheet, and it is the parents who shape its colors. When a child exhibits “naughty” behavior, they are actually asking for guidance—not punishment. This is where the role of parents becomes crucial—not merely to correct, but to shape the soul. Religious education, habitual worship, and the instilling of noble character are the three main pillars that can transform mischief into righteousness and instability into strength of character. Through love, prayer, and good example, even the most rebellious child can grow into a gentle, obedient, and morally upright individual.

The following is a comprehensive explanation of strategies for educating a mischievous child, integrated with religious education, regular worship, and the development of akhlaqul karimah (noble character):

1. Understand the Causes of Misbehavior

Before educating, first understand the root of a child’s misbehavior. It may stem from environmental factors, lack of attention, a desire to assert their presence, or imitating negative adult behavior. In Islam, a child is an amanah (trust), and it is the parents’ duty to discover and fulfill their inner needs.

2. Build Loving Communication

Teach children to speak politely and openly. Listen to them without judgment. In Islamic teachings, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) interacted gently with children—even when they made mistakes.

3. Instill Religious Values Early On

Religion is the foundation of morality. A child who understands religious values will develop an inner moral compass.

Teach tawheed (monotheism) and love for Allah and His Messenger.

Gently introduce the concepts of halal-haram, reward and sin.

Involve children in simple religious discussions, like “Why do we pray?” or “What does it mean to be honest?”

4. Establish Daily Worship Habits

Worship builds discipline, calms the soul, and brings children closer to Allah.

Invite them to pray in congregation, especially at dawn (Subh) and sunset (Maghrib).

Guide them in reciting daily prayers and reading the Qur’an.

Foster a love of worship—not out of fear, but out of love for Allah.

5. Shape Noble Character Through Example

Character is a reflection of faith. Children learn from what they see. Therefore:

Model good character traits such as patience, honesty, humility, and helpfulness.

Use stories of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as role models: how he treated children, elders, and those who disagreed with him.

6. Apply Discipline with Consistency and Compassion

Discipline does not mean harshness. In Islam, educating is an act filled with mercy.

Create clear rules and constructive consequences—not punitive ones.

Teach that good deeds earn reward and bad ones have consequences.

7. Appreciate and Encourage Positive Behavior

Praise children when they show good behavior. In Islam, giving glad tidings is preferred over instilling fear.

Example: “MashaAllah, you prayed on time. Surely Allah loves you.”

8. Distance from Negative Influences, Connect with Islamic Environments

Limit interactions or exposure to uneducational content.

Encourage participation in mosque activities, children’s Islamic study circles, or Islamic community groups.

9. Make the Home a Madrasah and a Place of Love

Home should be where children feel safe, valued, and guided. A religious atmosphere at home has great impact:

Frequently engage in dhikr and read Qur’an together.

Use Islamic expressions like bismillah, alhamdulillah, inshaAllah, and so on.

Infuse love and prayer into everyday activities.

10. Pray for Your Child and Seek Allah’s Help

Finally and most importantly: involve Allah in the educational process. Many parents succeed in raising once-mischievous children into righteous ones through prayer, patience, and leading by example.

Conclusion:

Educating a naughty child is not about punishment, but about guiding with love, patience, and religious values. By making the home a madrasah, worship a daily habit, and noble character a living example, inshaAllah, a child will grow into a righteous, intelligent, and compassionate individual. For within every misbehaving child lies a great potential waiting to be shaped with wisdom and love.

References:

1. Al-Ghazali. Ihya’ Ulumuddin. Beirut: Dar al-Fikr, 2005.

2. Abdullah Nashih Ulwan. Child Education in Islam. Jakarta: Gema Insani, 2001.

3. Zakiah Daradjat. Islamic Educational Science. Jakarta: Bumi Aksara, 2004.

4. Quraish Shihab. Bringing the Qur’an Down to Earth. Bandung: Mizan, 1999.

5. Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah. Raising Children in Islam. Cairo: Dar al-Ma’arif, 1992.

6. Elly Risman. Our Children Are Not Our Property. Jakarta: Buah Hati, 2015.

7. Ainur Rofiq al-Amin. Character Education from an Islamic Perspective. Malang: UIN Maliki Press, 2016.

8. Mochamad Sirozi. Educating Children with Love and Example. Yogyakarta: Pustaka Pelajar, 2017.