Goodnight stories from the Quran?

[Saj]

Salaam

I have been reading stories from the Quran from a book aimed at children to my 3-4 years old. They are mainly about the prophets e.g. Nuh, Hud, Musa, Salih, Aadam, Isa, Shuaib, Ayub etc. So my child at about 4 years old is familiar with the name of the prophets and that Allah gives us everything we want and has asked us to obey Him but will punish bad people who don't listen to him etc.

My friend (also Muslim) disagreed with telling stories like this to children because she thinks it is no use for them to know the names of Prophets at this age with seemingly unpleasant stories, rather they should be taught values that can help them be better people in real life.

What do Muslim parents here think of this?

I feel that the Quran stories do provide values and that it is better for children to grow up with an awareness that God punishes as well as loves. I know, especially in modern thinking, this is frowned upon because it could unnecessarily upset children and make them fearful. I think this needless shielding of children has given rise to the child-like behaviour of teenagers and even some adults who cannot cope with hardships or failures. Also fairy tales and other children stories are full of potentially fearful things.

I can understand how it might not be politically correct for a child to think bad people will get put into the fire but it forms the basis for accepting that actions have consequences and that bad actions will lead to hurt.

As for knowing the prophets names, I think there is benefit in this as well - I hope that when she is older and reads about them herself, it will be somewhat familiar and we name things we have attachments to.

So, if you are a parent who told their young children stories of the prophet Nuh, Hud, Salih, Shuaib, Aadam' sons etc. - has it had any lasting negative effects, now that your children are older?

[Mad Dog Dead Donkey]

I'm not a parent, but the Sahabah would teach their children the Seerah, and tell them of the ghazawat that took place in the time of the Prophet and through the Seerah they would teach their children the Sunnah and thereby implant within the hearts of their children the Love for the Prophet and Ahlul Bayt and the Sahabah.

[blueskies]

I tried reading Quran stories to my little one, but found it difficult because it's difficult for a child to understand an evil king, killing, burning people in a fire etc. I guess children from the sahabah's time would have understood such things much better than children living in our time and country.

I basically try and tell the story, but end up simplifying it a lot - kind of works so far because I focus on adab, listening to Allah, thanking Allah, caring for people etc.

As for not knowing the Prophets name's, that seems odd for someone to think that. You're going to have to tell your kids some stories, so what's better - Ninky Nonk and Pinky Ponk, or Saalih and Hud!!!

[cakeNbarfee]

I think its a great idea to read Quran stories to young children, especially 3-4 year olds. I would be interested in knowing the name of the book, as I'm looking for a book like this myself. My mum used to tell us stories of the prophets when we were younger. Growing up in a non muslim country they were really inspirational for us, knowing the hardships other had gone through to teach the word of Allah, made us proud and thankful to be muslim and that made it easier for us to know why we lived/ate/behaved/dressed differently from everyone else in our class.

I can understand how it might not be politically correct for a child to think bad people will get put into the fire but it forms the basis for accepting that actions have consequences and that bad actions will lead to hurt.

As for knowing the prophets names, I think there is benefit in this as well - I hope that when she is older and reads about them herself, it will be somewhat familiar and we name things we have attachments to.

So, if you are a parent who told their young children stories of the prophet Nuh, Hud, Salih, Shuaib, Aadam' sons etc. - has it had any lasting negative effects, now that your children are older?

I don't think it will be a problem. If you think of traditional children stories they're pretty gruesomen, like chicken little and the gingerbread man who both get eaten at the end. Or sleeping beauty and snow white who both fall into a coma. Not to mention all the women that get kidnapped or locked up, e.g. rapunzel. My husband who is not from a western counrty and had never heard these stories before was actually shocked to know that they are children stories. He thought they were politically incorrect and unsuitable for young children!

I've stopped telling these stories to my child as they're pretty useless and don't teach him anything as well as being completely made up. I would rather tell him true stories that teach him something. I don't think there is anything wrong with telling children about bad people being put in the fire becasue it is actually true, and if done with sensitivity, will as you say teach them that actions have consequeces.

So keep telling the stories. And tell me a good book I an use to tell stories from too!

[Umme Maryam]

I think its a great idea to read Quran stories to young children, especially 3-4 year olds. I would be interested in knowing the name of the book, as I'm looking for a book like this myself. My mum used to tell us stories of the prophets when we were younger. Growing up in a non muslim country they were really inspirational for us, knowing the hardships other had gone through to teach the word of Allah, made us proud and thankful to be muslim and that made it easier for us to know why we lived/ate/behaved/dressed differently from everyone else in our class.



I don't think it will be a problem. If you think of traditional children stories they're pretty gruesomen, like chicken little and the gingerbread man who both get eaten at the end. Or sleeping beauty and snow white who both fall into a coma. Not to mention all the women that get kidnapped or locked up, e.g. rapunzel. My husband who is not from a western counrty and had never heard these stories before was actually shocked to know that they are children stories. He thought they were politically incorrect and unsuitable for young children!

I've stopped telling these stories to my child as they're pretty useless and don't teach him anything as well as being completely made up. I would rather tell him true stories that teach him something. I don't think there is anything wrong with telling children about bad people being put in the fire becasue it is actually true, and if done with sensitivity, will as you say teach them that actions have consequeces.

So keep telling the stories. And tell me a good book I an use to tell stories from too!

Assalam alaikum!

I agree that Stories from the Quran or Islamic stories are definitely better than reading out silly stories that have no meaning at all. I believe the idea is to introduce Islam to the young child in a way that will develop curiosity in her/him to learn more.

I have recently purchased dozens of books that contain short stories from the Quran for my 3 yr old at a book exhibition. The books are colourful,the language is simple and ideal for children 4 yrs onwards. You can buy them online from this website: www.goodwordbooks.com

Wasalam