How to Teach Your Kids About Dhul Hijjah

The sacred month of Dhul Hijjah is almost here, associated with the Holy pilgrimage, Hajj. It is the month whose significance doubles not only due to Hajj but also because it is the ideal time to maximize our ibadah, pay more attention to sacrifice, and perform good deeds. Being a parent, if you wonder how to teach your kids about Dhul Hijjah, its importance, and which activities they should do this month, then we have you covered.

And [mention, O Muhammad], when We designated for Abraham the site of the House, [saying], « Do not associate anything with Me and purify My House for those who perform Tawaf and those who stand [in prayer] and those who bow and prostrate. [Qur’an 22:36]

How to teach your kids about Dhul Hijjah?

Children are naturally curious and look for resources to learn about new things. Hence it is best to engage them in different activities to help them know about the greatest sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim, his wife, Lady Hajra, and his son Prophet Ismail (peace be upon them). As parents, we can strive to instill in them the love and respect for this greatest sacrifice and how to associate with their struggles in today’s time.

What is the significance of Dhul Hijjah?

Dhul Hijjah is the 12th and the last month of the Islamic calendar. This month, Allah (SWT) obligated the spiritual journey toward Ka’aba to the Muslims, so they could purify themselves and seek nearness to their Lord. The first ten days of this month have immense significance as Allah (SWT) says:

« Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them. And fight against the disbelievers collectively as they fight against you collectively. And know that Allah is with the righteous [who fear Him]. » [Surah Taubah 9:36]

The importance of the month of Dhul Hijjah is also evident from one of the ahadith of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as he said:

 » The division of time had turned to its original form, which was current when Allah created the Heavens and the Earths. The year is of twelve months, out of which four months are sacred: Three are in succession Dhul Qadah, Dhul Hijjah, and Muharram, and (the fourth is) Rajab of (the tribe of) Mudar which comes between Jumada Al-Akhirah and Shaban. » [Sahih Bukhari]

For kids’ spiritual learning, the month of Dul Hijjah brings many essential aspects that parents can teach and bring them closer to their religious beliefs and faith.

10 Activities for kids during Dhul Hijjah

Children learn more quickly through activities that further spark their imaginative juices apart from a play-based act. It is better to involve them in certain activities by which they get creative and intrigued to learn about the historical events attributed to the sacred month of Dhul Hijjah. We have listed down ten activities for your kids during Dhul Hijjah; they are simple but engaging and meaningful:

1. Revisit and help them understand the five pillars of Islam.
2. Discuss Hajj and its rituals.
3. Involve in different DIY activities with your kids, draw the Hajj pillars and teach your kids what happens during the pilgrimage.
4. Help them make a nice donation box with recycled objects, so they learn the importance of giving charity to needy people.
5. Make them relearn the Islamic calendar months.
6. Discuss the merits of the month of Dhul-Hijjah.
7. Make a chart of different good deeds and tell your kids to act upon them along with you.
8. Read them prophets’ stories, particularly the great sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) last address on mount Arafah.
9. Recite Takbir regularly and make them recite the Talbiyah with its translation.
10. Start a conversation about the essence of Eid and its rituals. Decorate your home and involve them in making and delivering Eid presents.

Get your ideas to life about revisiting Prophet Ibrahim’s story.

This month allows us to recall the great sacrifice and holy journey of Prophet Ibrahim and Lady Hajra. It also offers us a chance to relate to their efforts. Instead of speaking to your kids, initiate a collective activity and let your creative juices flow. We present some ideas:

• Indulge in Hajj-inspired STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) activities showcasing each hurdle Prophet Ibrahim overcame. Let kids make their Zamzam well with recycled objects. You can also help them make an image of the Holy Ka’aba or Masjid al-haraam.
• Draw a complete picture or sketch of the incident and perform on it. Remember to be respectful about it.
• For parents with teens and pre-teens, you can engage in open-ended conversations regarding each effort. You can ask them questions like: What lesson do we get from the struggles of Prophet Ibrahim? How can we associate with a similar event in our life?

Inculcate a wish and respect to perform Hajj.

Children need to learn about religion and religious beliefs to get more intrigued instead of sliding away from their core values. Teach them about Hajj and its rituals, so they are always eager to learn in-depth and experience it when they grow up. Help them build a strong association with all pillars of Islam so much so that they pass on this knowledge to peers and friends.

• Show them the live broadcast so they can capture the visuals and sounds and store them in their memories.
• Make a record book of your family members’ Hajj experiences, including yours.
• Pay a visit to a relative or neighbor who has returned from Hajj. Record their journey’s experiences.
• Pick up old pictures of Hajj, watch documentaries, and discuss how things have changed over the years.
• Learn each symbol associated with Hajj rituals and understand its meaning.

Teach them the importance of sacrifice.

Eid al-Adha is a special occasion for sacrificing animals, but it also teaches us to sacrifice our spiritual illnesses, such as greed, hatred, jealousy, etc. This month, we should ensure that our kids learn how to be empathetic and grateful by taking lessons from the life of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him). When Allah (SWT) asked Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his most beloved possession, he brought his only son, Prophet Ismail, and started sacrificing him in the way of Allah (SWT). That’s when Allah, The Merciful, sent a lamb and told Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) that He accepted his sacrifice. Qur’an mentioned this great sacrifice in multiple instances in Surah Saffat:

• « And when he reached with him [the age of] exertion, one he said, « O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I [must] sacrifice you, so see what you think. » He said, « O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allāh wills, of the steadfast. » [37:102]
• We called out to him, « O Abraham! You have already fulfilled the vision. » Indeed, this is how We reward the good-doers. That was indeed a revealing test. And We ransomed his son with a great sacrifice, and blessed Abraham ˹with honorable mention˺ among later generations: « Peace be upon Abraham. » [37:104-109]

If you have grown-up kids, sit with them and discuss what they would want to sacrifice during the holy days of Dhul Hijjah in terms of their habits. Bring out their ideas on how to help those who might be experiencing a rough time. Perform with the sunnah prayers and fasts recommended during the month of Dhul Hijjah.

Focus on doing good deeds.

Dhul Hijjah is the best month to increase our worship and indulge in more focused and dedicated deeds. The core idea is to revisit our connection with Allah (SWT) and ask for His forgiveness and mercy. Engage your kids and yourself in acts like fasting, paying alms, social service, and gaining in-depth knowledge. You can also follow these steps:

• Dedicate a specific time for Qur’an recitation along with family.
• Perform prayers that inspire you to be a supporting hand for others.
• Plan out competitions with kids on doing as many good deeds as possible.
• Assign a title for each day during the first ten days and plan your daily rituals accordingly.

Final Thought

Our younger children are not accountable for their actions, yet instilling love and respect towards religious beliefs and values should be the priority from early childhood. Young minds are like blank canvases, and it’s upon parents how they paint the canvas. Let’s remind them of the importance of our sacred months and the benefits of worship and good deeds. Follow the tips and suggestions discussed in this blog on how to teach your kids about Dhul Hijjah. This way, you can strengthen their love for Islam and its values. May Allah (SWT) grant us the opportunity to make the most of this month and teach our kids true love and knowledge of Islam.