In a world filled with competing influences, nurturing a strong Islamic identity in our children is one of the most valuable gifts we can offer. Honouring the symbols of Allah (شعائر الله) is an essential part of this process, embedding love for the dīn deep within their hearts. This love serves as an anchor that will assist them in carrying Islam into their adult lives out of personal conviction and love. Celebrations and special moments in Islam are not just rituals but powerful opportunities to strengthen our, and our children’s, connection to our dīn.
The Significance of Honouring the Symbols of Allah
“And whoever honours the symbols of Allah, it is certainly out of the piety of the heart.” (22:32)
Honouring and respecting the symbols of Allah and the visible signs of the dīn is an essential element of honouring and venerating our Creator, Allah ﷻ. The symbols of Allah (شعائرالله) are the sacred signs of His dīn such as: the places and times that we should honour as Muslims, the landmarks, and acts of worship that He has prescribed for His servants.
Islamic celebrations, special days, and milestones are not just events; they are divine opportunities to shape the hearts of ourselves and our children. They provide a sense of identity, belonging, and love for the dīn from an early age.
The Importance of Our Islamic Celebrations
Children naturally gravitate towards celebrations. If we do not make our Islamic celebrations meaningful and joyful, they may find excitement elsewhere, drawn to Western holidays that stem from other faiths. Instead of offering alternatives to non-Islamic holidays, our focus should be on making our own occasions rich and memorable by creating sustainable family traditions.
When children participate in rejoicing at the beginning of Ramadan, preparing for Eid with excitement, or looking forward to Jumuʿah as a special day, they develop a natural attachment to Islam. Explaining the significance and rewards of these occasions helps children feel connected to something greater than themselves.
Islamic Celebrations: Suggestions & Tips
Ramadan: A Month of Spiritual Joy
Ramadan is not just about fasting—it is a month of willpower, growth, reflection, and excitement for children when made special. Here are some ideas to create a meaningful Ramadan experience:
- Explain the significance of Ramadan, the reasons for fasting, and the merits of the month.
- Make Ramadan baskets for family, friends, and community members, filled with dates, sweets, or small gifts.
- Use Qur’an planners and reading materials to encourage a love for the Qur’an.
- Prepare good deed checklists/fasting trackers to help children stay engaged. Have children mind-map/list their good deeds.
- Have new prayer outfits for tarawih, making prayer feel extra special.
- Prepare donation packs, getting children excited about giving to those in need.
- Involve children in meal preparation and making new or well-loved recipes.
- Set up a warm Ramadan atmosphere by decorating your home.
Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha: Making Eid Unforgettable
The Eids should be the highlight of the year for children. The joy of the day should be unmatched, leaving them with lasting memories. Some ways to make Eid extra special include:
- Teaching the historical and spiritual significance of each Eid to deepen children’s understanding and love.
- Exploring the Sunnahs of each Eid and consciously doing them with children.
- Joining the community for Eid prayer and other community events, so children experience the collective joy of Eid as part of a community.
- Getting children involved in preparations like treat bags, gifts, and Eidi envelopes.
- Preparing special meals as a family tradition.
- Decorating the home with banners, balloons, and lights.
Honouring Jumuʿah as a Special Day
Jumuʿah should be a highlight of the week, not just another Friday. By creating traditions around it, children will grow up looking forward to this blessed day. Ideas include:
- Dressing up in nice clothes and applying perfume to make the day feel special.
- Teaching the significance of the day, making it a family discussion.
- Family recitations and reflections on Surah al-Kahf to build a habit of weekly Qur’an engagement.
- Post-prayer treats or outings, reinforcing Jumuʿah as a day of joy.
Creating Meaningful Milestones in a Child’s Islamic Journey
In addition to honouring celebrations of events, mark significant Islamic milestones in your children’s lives to teach them to embrace Islam with pride. Some meaningful ways to celebrate include:
- Salah parties when children turn seven, encouraging them in their prayer journey and setting an action plan to build consistency with prayer.
- First fast celebrations, marking their introduction to fasting with encouragement.
- Hijab parties when a girl begins to wear hijab, making it an exciting transition.
- Qur’an recitation/completion celebrations, honouring their dedication and achievement.
By celebrating milestones, we make the commitments in our dīn feel rewarding rather than burdensome, which helps children embrace them with excitement and associate them with positive experiences.
It is important to note that when decorating our homes for Islamic occasions, we should do so with gratitude and modesty, avoiding extravagance and ensuring that our intentions remain sincere for the sake of Allah, not for showing off.
The way we celebrate and honour Islamic traditions has a lasting impact on our children’s hearts. By making Islam a source of joy, honour, and meaning, we instil in children a love for our dīn that will, inshaAllah, carry them into an adulthood of personal conviction.
As parents and educators, we play a crucial role in ensuring that Islamic celebrations are deeply cherished. These moments are not just cultural practices—they are essential for nurturing īmān in young precious hearts.