Parenting Perspective 

Explain That the Prophet ﷺ is Our Role Model 

Tying the love for the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to good behaviour is a powerful way to guide your child in living a righteous and compassionate life. You can start by explaining to your child that the Prophet ﷺ is the ultimate role model for how we should behave. You might say, ‘The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was the kindest, most honest, and most generous person. When we follow his example, we make Allah happy and live in a way that brings us peace.’ 

Teach His Noble Qualities 

Teach your child about the qualities of the Prophet ﷺ that make him a perfect role model, such as his kindness, patience, honesty, and generosity. For example, you could say, ‘The Prophet ﷺ always treated others with respect, even when they were unkind to him. He was patient and kind, and we can try to be like him.’ Help your child to understand that following the Prophet’s ﷺ example means treating others with respect, being honest, helping those in need, and showing compassion. 

Encourage Emulation and Praise 

Encourage your child to emulate the Prophet ﷺ in their daily actions, whether it is being kind to family members, being patient with others, or helping someone in need. It is important to praise them when they demonstrate these qualities, as this reinforces the connection between good behaviour and a love for the Prophet ﷺ. For example, ‘I am so proud of how you helped your sister today, just like the Prophet ﷺ would have done.’ Finally, you can instil in your child the importance of learning about the Prophet ﷺ through stories from his life, as these can inspire them to adopt his noble traits. 

Spiritual Insight 

In Islam, love for the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is essential for a believer’s faith. Allah Almighty says in the noble Quran at Surah Al Ahzaab (33), Verse 21: 

‘Indeed, there is for you (O mankind) in (the personality of) the Messenger of Allah (Almighty) (Prophet Muhammad ﷺ), an outstanding example of incredible benevolence; it is for those people that have hope in Allah (Almighty) and the Day of Judgement, and (desire) to remember Allah (Almighty) excessively.’ 

This verse underscores that the Prophet ﷺ is the perfect role model for all believers, and that following his example leads to righteousness. 

The holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself taught us the importance of good character and behaviour. It is recorded in Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 3587, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘The best of you are those who are the best to their families.’ 

This Hadith highlights that kindness and respect should be extended to all people. By helping your child to tie their love for the Prophet ﷺ to good behaviour, you are encouraging them to live in accordance with the Islamic values of kindness, honesty, and generosity, which will strengthen their faith and their character.