My child always wants more and never seems grateful. How do I teach shukr?
Bloomtivo answers
Make gratitude a daily habit, not a lecture: a “gratitude jar” where your child adds one thing they are thankful for each evening, saying “Alhamdulillah” for three things at dinner, and thanking people by name. Teach that Allah promises more to those who are grateful (Quran 14:7), and limit the “wants” triggers like adverts and unboxing videos.
Reviewed by Mohamed Eid, Bloomtivo teacher · Updated
↓ The full answer
Children are surrounded by adverts and videos telling them what they don’t have. Gratitude has to be practised to grow.
What Islam teaches
Allah says: “If you are grateful, I will surely give you more” (Quran 14:7).
The Prophet ﷺ taught that whoever does not thank people does not thank Allah (Sunan Abi Dawud 4811).
Daily habits
When
Habit
Dinner
Everyone says “Alhamdulillah for …” three times
Bedtime
One note into the gratitude jar
After a gift
A thank-you message or drawing within 2 days
Every meal
Bismillah before, Alhamdulillah after
Reduce the “wants”
Fewer unboxing and haul videos.
A “wish list” instead of instant buying: wait two weeks before deciding.
Look at people with less, not more. The Prophet ﷺ advised looking at those below us in worldly things so we don’t belittle Allah’s blessings.
Giving builds gratitude
Let your child choose a toy to donate or put a coin in the sadaqah box each week. See teaching sadaqah.
The gratitude jar
On a hard day, open the jar together and read the notes. Children are often surprised how much they have.
Teacher’s tip: model it out loud. When you say “Alhamdulillah, the bus came on time,” your child learns that gratitude is for small things too.
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