What are the fundamental aqidah concepts for kids

Instilling the fundamental concepts of «Aqeedah» Islamic creed  in children from an early age is one of the most important responsibilities of parents. The information our children receive at a young age forms the basis of their faith and Islamic identity. Hence, the need is to simplify the basic concepts of 'Aqeedah' and 'Tawheed' (Monotheism) in a way that suits their age, using stories and books aimed at children as a means of building a generation that is connected to its religion and loves God and His Messenger ﷺ (Prophet Muhammad). In this article, we take you on a tour to learn about everything related to the basic concepts of faith for children, how to teach them, and the best books that can help you do so.

What does Aqidah mean in Islam?

There are basic concepts of creed that children should know. Your child may ask: Who created us? Why are we here? Where are we going? Parents should provide clear answers to their children's questions. The basic creed is centered around the following points:

• Allah: He is the Creator, the Provider, the Controller of all things, the Most Powerful and the Most Merciful.
• Tawheed: The belief that Allah is One, with no partner in His dominion or in His worship.
• The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: He is the Messenger of Allah, the good example who taught us how to live and worship our Lord.
• Messengers and Prophets: They are people chosen by Allah to convey His message.
• The Last Day: Belief that there is another life after death in which there will be reckoning and reward.

To answer all your children's questions about Allah, get the Noor Islam series of books from Manarah Publishing, which help to present simplified concepts about Islam, Allah, and His Messenger.

The role of Aqidah in shaping Islamic identity

After understanding the meaning of creed and its basic concepts, we arrive at its role in shaping Islamic identity. It serves as an internal compass for our children, and when our children learn the meaning of Tawheed, it helps them in the following ways:

• Creed helps our children feel secure, as the belief that Allah (الله‎) is the Protector and Provider gives all of us a feeling of security in the face of fears and challenges.
• Understanding the creed from an early age helps our children form their values, teaching them honesty, trustworthiness, love, and other qualities that Allah and His Messenger Muhammad love.
• Learning the creed helps our children take pride in their Islamic identity and its great history.

Pillars of Faith (Arkan al-Iman) for Kids

Children should be taught the pillars of Faith at an early age. You can simplify them for your children as follows:

• Belief in God, which means believing that God exists, that He created us, and that He loves us.
• Faith in angels, who are creatures created by God from light. We cannot see them, but they are always present. They do not eat, drink, or sleep, and they never disobey God, but only carry out His commands.
• Faith in the heavenly books, which are messages from God to us, such as the Holy Quran, which was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
• Belief in all the messengers, who are heroes and role models chosen by God to teach people goodness, the best of whom is our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
• Belief in the Last Day, that we will return to God after death to be judged and receive our reward, either Paradise or Hell.
• Belief in destiny, that everything that happens in the universe, good or bad, is by God's knowledge and will, and we must be content and trust in Him.

To make teaching your children the pillars of Faith simple and enjoyable, discover the Noor Islam series from Manara Publishing. These books use colorful illustrations, engaging stories, and step-by-step lessons to help children build a strong foundation of faith while enjoying the learning process. Start your child's journey of learning about Islam today with trusted resources from Manara Publishing.

What are the Pillars of Islam (Arkan al Islam)?

After reviewing the pillars of faith, let us learn about the pillars of Islam. Some people confuse the two, but they are different. The pillars of Islam include the following:

• The first pillar is the two testimonies (Shahadatayn), which means to say that there is no god but Allah (الله‎) and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. These are the keys to Islam.
• The second pillar is prayer (Salat), which means to perform the five daily prayers.
• The fourth pillar is giving zakat, which means giving a portion of one's wealth to help the poor.
• The fifth pillar is fasting(ٍSawm) during Ramadan, which means refraining from food and drink from dawn to sunset during the month of Ramadan in order to remember those in need and draw closer to God.
• The sixth pillar is the Hajj for those who are able to do so, which means traveling to the Kaaba and visiting it once in a lifetime. 

In short, while the pillars of Faith (Iman)are rooted in belief within the heart, the pillars of Islam are expressed through outward actions that reflect a Muslim’s devotion and obedience to Allah.

Names and attributes of Allah (Asmaul Husna) : A Way to Love and Honor Him

The Names and attributes of Allah (Asmaul Husna) are one of the most important things to teach children. These are the names that Allah has used to describe Himself in the Holy Quran and in the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Each of Allah's beautiful names indicates one of His great attributes. He is Most Merciful, who shows mercy to His servants; Most Generous, who always provides them with good things; and Most Gracious, whose generosity is unmatched.

Teaching children Names and attributes of Allah (Asmaul Husna) benefits them, but how?

• Learning Asmaul Husna helps children to know the attributes of their God in a way that is close to their hearts.
• It helps them to love and revere Allah.
• It makes them feel secure, because they know that Allah is merciful, forgiving, and the provider.
• Knowing the  Names and attributes of Allah builds a strong spiritual relationship between the child and his God.
• The beautiful names of Allah make children want to practice these attributes to get closer to Allah, thus refining their morals.

You can get books designed for children to teach them the beautiful names of Allah with ease. Manarah Publishing offers a variety of book series that help children get closer to Allah, learn about religious beliefs and teachings, memorize the Quran, and more. Shop now and get the right series for your child.

learn aqidah for kids 

Teaching creed to young children is a big challenge, but the key here is simplicity, honesty, and connecting it to reality. Don't make creed a difficult lesson and make it a life story by following these tips:

• Begin teaching your children about the creed with stories. Tell them stories about the prophets (Rusul), especially the biography of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, to explain the meanings of monotheism and faith in a way that is close to their hearts.
• You can also use everyday life in a simple way. For example, connect the names and attributes of Allah to everyday situations, such as: Allah is the Provider when eating, and He is the Protector when leaving the house.
• Be a role model for your children. Your child should see your love for God in your good deeds, prayers, and remembrance of Him.
• Use educational games and songs to teach them the concepts of Islamic faith.
• Use simple repetition and gradual progression in explaining the concepts of faith.
• Motivate your child by praising them when they remember the information they have learned.

stories of the Prophets to teach Aqidah 

The stories of the prophets (Rusul) are one of the best ways to teach children about Islam, due to their simplicity. Through these stories, children can learn about faith and inspiring stories. These are the best stories to start with for children:

• The story of Prophet Abraham teaches children about monotheism and the oneness of God, when he rejected idols and called people to worship God alone.
• Prophet Noah shows patience and trust in God's plan, even when people did not believe in him.
• The story of Prophet Moses highlights God's power and mercy in saving him and his people.
• The story of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the best example for children, teaching them love, honesty, kindness, and complete faith in God.

Using the stories of the prophets, parents can explain deep concepts of faith in a way that children understand and enjoy naturally. Discover the Noor Islam series from Manara Publishing to find stories of the prophets that are suitable for children and make lessons of faith fun and memorable.

Building a child’s love of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ

Building a child's love for God and His Messenger from an early age is extremely important, but what is the right way to instill love in their hearts effectively and simply? Here is the answer in a nutshell:

• Talk about God's blessings. Parents should remind their children of God's daily blessings: food, play, health. Love springs from appreciation of blessings.
• Introduce them to the character of the Prophet ﷺ by telling stories about his mercy towards animals and children and how he helped his wives. Make him a friend and a beloved role model in their imagination.
• Connect worship with love. For example, tell them that prayer is a meeting with the one we love (i.e., God), not just a heavy duty.

How parents can weave Aqidah into daily life

Teaching Aqidah (Islamic Creed) is not only about lessons from books, it’s about living faith in everyday moments. Parents can make Aqidah natural for children by turning daily life into opportunities to strengthen belief in Allah. Here are some practical ways:

Morning and evening reminders

Start the day with a short prayer and remind your children of God's blessings, such as health, food, and sunlight. In the evening, remind your children that angels protect them while they sleep.

Use examples from everyday life

Connect faith to things children see around them. For example, the sun and moon show God's power, and the changing seasons teach about God's will and destiny.

Story time

Share stories of the prophets (messengers) before bedtime. This teaches monotheism, patience, honesty, and trust in God in a fun and memorable way.

Connect faith with actions

When a child does a good deed, such as helping others, reassure them that God loves this action and rewards them with good deeds in return.

Incorporate faith into routine prayers

When praying together, explain simply: “We pray to God alone because He is one, and He loves to hear us.” This connects monotheism to daily worship.

 Using tools such as the Noor Islam series from Manara Publishing, parents can use stories, activities, and illustrations to make lessons on faith part of everyday life.

 

PAA Questions

How can parents integrate Aqidah into daily life?

Parents can incorporate faith into everyday life simply by thanking God for food, pointing out the sun and moon as His creations, reminding children that angels record their good deeds, and telling stories of the prophets before bedtime or during the day. These are ideal ways to teach them about faith in an easy manner.

How do you make Aqidah learning fun for kids?

By using stories of the prophets, colorful books, songs, and simple games, keeping lessons short, interactive, and full of encouragement helps children enjoy faith while building strong beliefs. Parents can also use illustrated series such as Noor al-Islam from Dar Manara Publishing to make learning fun.