Children sometimes hear about the Dajjal from friends, videos or khutbahs. Without context, it can be frightening.
First, reassure
“The Prophet ﷺ told us about the Dajjal because he loved us and wanted us to be safe. Allah is stronger than everything, and He protects the believers.”
Two protections to teach
- Al-Kahf: whoever memorises the first ten verses of Surah Al-Kahf is protected from the Dajjal (Sahih Muslim 809). See memorising Al-Kahf 1–10.
- The dua in prayer: after the tashahhud, seek refuge from four things, including the trial of the Dajjal (Sahih Muslim 588).
اللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ، وَمِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ، وَمِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَحْيَا وَالْمَمَاتِ، وَمِنْ شَرِّ فِتْنَةِ الْمَسِيحِ الدَّجَّالِ
How much to explain, by age
| Age | Level |
|---|---|
| 5–8 | “A big liar will come before the end of the world. Allah will protect the believers. We learn Al-Kahf to be safe.” |
| 9–12 | He will claim to be god and trick people; the believers will recognise his lies |
| 13+ | The hadith in more detail, and the lesson of not being fooled by appearances |
Limit scary content
Some online videos about the end times are dramatic and frightening. Keep children to calm, accurate sources.
Teacher’s tip: turn fear into action: “Every verse of Al-Kahf you learn is a shield.” Children feel strong instead of scared.
Related: Fear of the Day of Judgement.
