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Nurturing Hearts with Mercy: A Reminder for Parents, Homeschoolers, and Educators

He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor, the Fashioner; to Him belong the best names. Whatever is in the heavens and earth is exalting Him. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.

 Al-Hashr 59:24

 


All children are the creation of Allah. He is Al-Musawwir, the One who fashions and forms in perfect measure. Every child placed in our care — whether in a weekend school, homeschool setting, full-time classroom, or living room — has been shaped by Him with wisdom, purpose, and beauty. When we truly remember this, it transforms the way we respond to the challenges of nurturing young hearts.

Each Muslim child is unique. They grow and develop at different rates. They carry different strengths, weaknesses, personalities, and prior learning experiences. Some grasp quickly. Others need repetition. Some are confident. Others are quiet observers. No two journeys look the same — and because of this, no child should ever be made to feel like a failure.

As parents, homeschoolers, and educators, we must hold tightly to the extraordinary patience of our beloved Prophet ﷺ. Anas ibn Malik reported:

“I served the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, for ten years. By Allah, he never even said to me, ‘Uff!’ He never said harshly, ‘Why did you do that?’ or, ‘Why did you not do that?’”

— Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim

Ten years of companionship — and not a single harsh word. This is not simply a story; it is a model for every home and every classroom.

Every child wants to succeed. They want to feel capable. They want to feel seen. They want to know they are pleasing Allah. When a child struggles, it is rarely due to laziness; more often, it is due to unmet needs, unclear instruction, emotional overwhelm, or a skill that simply requires more time to develop.

Our role is not merely to deliver information. It is to remove obstacles. To provide tools. To adjust methods. To encourage effort. If a child repeatedly “fails,” it is an invitation for us to reflect: Have we made the path accessible? Have we nurtured their confidence? Have we made learning feel safe?

When Mu'adh ibn Jabal was sent to Yemen, the Prophet ﷺ advised him:

“Make things easy and do not make things hard. Give glad tidings and do not drive people away.”

— Sahih al-Bukhari

This guidance belongs in every sphere of tarbiyah — in the masjid classroom, around the kitchen table, and during late-night homework struggles. Ease does not mean lowering standards. It means leading with wisdom, mercy, and an understanding of human nature.

For many children, a weekend school class, a homeschool lesson, or a parent-led Qur’an session may become their strongest emotional memory connected to Islam. Those moments shape their lifelong relationship with faith. If they associate Islam with pressure, shame, or constant criticism, their hearts may quietly distance themselves. But if they associate it with warmth, encouragement, and hope, their connection will deepen.

We are not just teaching tajweed, memorization, or manners. We are shaping hearts entrusted to us by Al-Musawwir.

Let us choose patience over pressure. Mercy over harshness. Encouragement over comparison. Hope over frustration.

Because long after lessons are forgotten, children remember how we made them feel — and that feeling can either draw them closer to Allah or push them away.

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