A true Muslim means submitting his/her will to Almighty God that is Allah (SWT). We believe that there is no other God besides Allah, and Prophet Mohammad, (PBUH) is the messenger of Allah. We call this as Iman (Faith). However, a true Muslim must obey every command of Allah and follow the teachings of Prophet Mohammad, (PBUH) to enter into paradise or Jannah.

One of the best teachings of our beloved Prophet is practising of Prayer/ Salah (obligatory 5 times prayer in the day). Prayer/ Salah is a blessing of Allah for the entire humankind. The practice of Salah has been made mandatory for every single individual right from the age of seven.

Teaching Children the Importance of Islamic Prayer/ Salah

Salah/ Prayer is the second most important pillar of Islam after Shahadah, and a true Muslim must know the importance of Salah. Therefore, it is the duty and responsibility of every parent to teach their kids Salah. We must encourage our children to develop a habit of praying, where we also must make them understand that Salah is a mandatory practice that cannot be avoided in any way. However, there are many ways by which you can start teaching your children Salah. Let us focus on a few Ways To Make Your Children Love Salah.

1. Set yourself an example

Children love to imitate elders. Therefore, if your child has become seven years of age, then you must show him/her how you are doing wudu' getting ready for Islamic Prayer/ Salah, hearing Adhan, etc. As a parent, you have to be the primary example to your children of being a true Muslim.

2. Young age, the right age

From the age of seven, you must make your child aware of Islamic Prayer/Salah. Furthermore, it is instructed to parent to be strict with Salah when their child reaches the age of ten. Remember, that if your child does good deeds and follows the commandments of Allah and follows the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, (PBUH) it is not only beneficial for your child but you as well.

3. Tell your child the stories of Prophet Muhammad

Children love to hear stories, and they believe what is being told to them. Therefore, make the Prophet Muhammad (saw), the hero. You can tell them the stories of all the prophets and how they use to pray and how we will be rewarded on the Day of Judgement.

4. Be lenient at the beginning

You should not be too strict with your child as he/she might lose interest in Islamic Prayer/ Salah. In the beginning, you must focus on creating an interest in them about Salah instead of asking them to offer Salah five times strictly.

5. Do it in an Immersive, engaging way

To develop an interest in your child about Islamic Prayer/Salah, you can invite his/her friends to join him/her in Salah. In this way, your child will develop an interest and will become eager to know more about the practice of Salah.

6. Tell them about Allah

Without understanding the existence of Allah, the Prayer/ Salah will become nothing but a ritual without emotional and spiritual connection with Allah. Tell your child how Allah created everything and why He is worthy of worship.

7. Stay constant

Sometimes your child may feel lazy and might get deviate as well. But as a parent, we must make our children understand the punctuality and the benefits of the regular practice of Prayer/Salah.

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Sabrah bin Ma'bad al-Juhni narrated that: Allah's Messenger (SAW) said: "Teach the boy Salat when he is seven years old, and beat him (if he does not pray) when he is ten."

(Jami` at-Tirmidhi 407)