What Is a Strong Islamic Personality? Let's Talk About Belief in Allah

If you're reading this, I’m certain it means you want your children to grow up as sincere, righteous Muslims. But before we can talk about how to raise them that way, we need to clearly understand: who is a righteous Muslim? What qualities and traits define such a person?

 

On the surface, we might say a person is defined by their words and actions. But if we look deeper, we’ll see that behind every word and every action lie thoughts and beliefs. That’s why the very first thing we need to focus on is a person’s way of thinking.

 

So, what beliefs must an Islamic personality be built upon?

 

The first and foremost is belief in the existence of the One and Only Allah, the Creator of all things, Eternal, without beginning or end.

 

You might think this is too obvious to even say out loud. Of course, every Muslim naturally believes in Allah, right? What’s there to discuss?

 

But if you’re thinking that it’s automatic, natural, and doesn’t need to be addressed, that’s a serious mistake.

 

Yes, belief in Allah can be instinctive. But it must also be rational and personal. In other words, each individual must come to this belief on their own, through reflection, understanding, and conviction.

 

A child should not believe in Allah simply because their parent does. Worse still, such faith, rooted only in imitation, is weak and unreliable. It’s a kind of blind following, a passive inheritance from previous generations. And that kind of faith is vulnerable.

 

Later, I’ll share concrete evidence to support this point and explain how to help your child form a firm, reasoned belief in Allah.

 

But first, let’s look at the second essential belief that forms the foundation of the Islamic mindset: faith that the Qur’an is the final, relevant, and true revelation from the Almighty Allah.

 

This belief is often harder to explain. When it comes to belief in the Creator, we can usually find a way to explain it to our children clearly and reasonably. But when a child asks, "Why should I believe in the Qur’an?", most parents are left speechless. Some respond with phrases like, “You just have to believe,” or, "It’s our holy book," or worse, "Our grandparents believed in it, so should we."

 

No, we should not believe just because they did.

 

Faith in the Qur’an must also be precise and personal, based on rational evidence. A Muslim should believe in the Qur’an with full confidence and without the slightest doubt, and be able to explain and defend that belief in conversation with anyone.

 

So, these are the two foundations upon which all other beliefs, thoughts, feelings, and actions of a Muslim rest. And among the ideas built upon that foundation is the question of life’s purpose. A question that often becomes the turning point in a person’s search for the truth.

 

If you think it’s too early to speak to children about such "philosophical" topics, that too is a mistake. Children are naturally curious. Questions like "Where did I come from?", "Why am I alive?" and "What will happen to me after death?" start to appear in their minds as early as age six or seven. That’s why we must address these topics as part of their upbringing.

 

As for a person’s actions, they are a direct result of their thoughts and beliefs. And for a sincere Muslim, those actions will naturally align with the commands and prohibitions of Almighty Allah. A Muslim should stay away from sin, avoid doubtful things, fulfill their obligations (fard), and strive to do as many recommended good deeds as possible.

 

But here I need to make an important point: we must not idealize people or aim to raise sinless children. That is impossible.

 

Sometimes they will make mistakes, fall into sin, or take a wrong turn. Our task as parents is to raise a personality with deep faith, a correct understanding of Islam, free from extremism, and a strong, conscious connection with Allah. That connection helps them navigate their lives even when they make mistakes or commit wrong actions.

 

I understand, dear reader, by this point, you may have more questions than answers. By now, you may be asking: How do I raise a child like this? Don’t worry, we’re getting to that right now.

 

What follows is the basic framework I use with my children, as well as in my in-person and online classes. It’s a universal model. Your task is to understand the principle behind it and then adapt it to your child’s age and individual needs.

 

The first step is to help your child (and first of all, yourself) understand and accept the existence of the Creator through reason. Yes, I keep coming back to this, and I will continue to do so, because I believe this is an essential starting point.

 

Think about it. Can someone truly fear Allah if, deep down, they still carry even a shadow of doubt about His existence? Will they be willing to sacrifice their time, comfort, resources, or morning sleep for His sake? Does it make any sense to talk about the Qur’an, prayer, the Day of Judgment, Paradise, or Hell if the question of the Creator’s existence hasn’t been fully resolved?

 

Of course not.

 

Building a strong and confident personality begins with belief in the One Creator. This belief must be established through reason, and then it must take root deeply in the heart. A person should feel, with every part of their being, that Allah is always near. They must remember Him at all times.

 

Faith in Allah must be personal. Each individual must come to it on their own. Why can’t belief be inherited from parents? What’s the danger in that? You’ll understand once you reflect on the story of the people of the Prophet Nuh (Noah).

 

Back in those early times, there was no other belief system except monotheism. Allah created the first human being, Adam, who was a Prophet. His son, Sheeth, was also a Prophet. Their descendant Idris was a Prophet. People followed their guidance, worshipped the One Creator, and lived within the limits He set.

 

Among them were righteous individuals who guided the people and called them to goodness. They were honest, kind, sincere, and deeply loved by those around them. There were five of them: Wadd, Suwa’, Yaghuth, Ya’uq, and Nasr.

 

When these righteous men passed away and returned to their Lord, the people were overwhelmed with sadness. They missed their beloved mentors deeply.

 

Taking advantage of these feelings, the accursed shaytan whispered to someone: "Why don't you build monuments to these righteous people, so that you remember them and do not forget their teachings?" This idea was supported by society, and the plan was carried out.

No, people did not start worshipping these monuments right away. At first, they served as reminders. But as years passed and generations changed, the descendants forgot why their ancestors had built these idols.

 

Then the accursed whispered again: "Why do you turn to Allah, who is far from you? These righteous ones are near and will surely hear your prayers. They are close to Allah and will convey your requests to Him. Ask them, and they will intercede for you before the Almighty…"

 

Thus, the first idolatry appeared on Earth.

 

You may ask, what does this have to do with raising children and faith in Allah? What can we learn from this?

 

First, the necessity of sober, critical thinking. Especially during moments of strong psychological emotions–grief, sadness, love, joy, excitement–it is essential to make serious decisions only after calm analysis and critical examination. This skill must be taught to our children.

 

If the people of Prophet Nuh had thought more deeply about the idea of building monuments, they might have come to very different conclusions. People die, it is natural. Before those righteous people, there were even better people, Prophets, but no statues were built for them after death. People are mortal; only Allah is eternal. He is our support and reliance in both grief and joy. We must rely solely on Allah and thus not depend on people.

 

And this pattern was not unique to the people of Prophet Nuh; it is a problem that runs like a red thread through the histories of many peoples:

 

"When it is said to them, 'Follow what Allah has revealed,' they reply, 'No, we only follow what we found our forefathers practicing.' Would they still do so even if Satan is inviting them to the torment of the Blaze?" (Luqman 21)

 

"In fact, they say, 'We found our forefathers following a particular way, and we are following in their footsteps.' Similarly, whenever we sent a warner to a society before you, its spoiled elite would say, ‘We found our forefathers following a particular way, and we are walking in their footsteps.'" (Az-Zukhruf 22–23)

 

Even in the history of the last Prophet Muhammad, when his beloved uncle Abu Talib, who supported and protected the Prophet and his message in everything, nevertheless did not accept the True Faith because of his strong attachment to his ancestors' religion. It is narrated by Ibn Hisham that when Abu Talib was on his deathbed, the Prophet (peace be upon him) came to him and said: "O uncle, say the words ‘La ilaha illa Allah’ so that I may intercede for you before Allah!" Hearing this, Abu Jahal and Abdullah ibn Umayya shouted in unison: "O Abu Talib! Will you renounce the religion of Abd al-Muttalib?" They continued until he said, "I will not renounce the religion of Abd al-Muttalib!" and refused to say these words.

 

Even if you and your ancestors are steadfast Muslims and have devoted your lives to the cause of Allah, your children should not simply imitate you. They must choose this path independently and consciously. Your task is to help them with wisdom and kind exhortation.

 

So, how can we help them?

 

First, we discuss with the child the question of the origin of humans and the world around us.

 

Ask your child questions like: Why do you think humans have five fingers on one hand? Why do people have eyebrows and eyelashes? Do you know how the heart, liver, kidneys, and lungs work? It’s helpful to get a children’s anatomy encyclopedia and show pictures of these organs. Believe me, your child will study these pictures with great interest and start asking questions. Don’t rush to answer. Let them think. Have these conversations in a calm environment, using a kind and friendly tone.

 

Next, discuss the question of how humans came to be. Most likely, the child will confidently say that Allah created humans. Then tell them about the theory of evolution. Don’t be afraid of this: sooner or later, your child will encounter these misguided ideas and will be better prepared with your help. You can say something like: "Did you know there are a huge number of people in the world who deny the existence of Allah? They call themselves atheists. By the way, their number is close to 1.6 billion! These people claim the world came from a single primitive cell that started dividing, gradually forming the universe, which continues to expand and grow to this day (and by the way, the fact that the universe is expanding is scientifically proven). According to atheists, life on Earth also developed gradually through evolution, and humans descended from ape-like ancestors."

 

Say this seriously, so the child truly thinks it over. Don’t rush to disprove these ideas, but ask: "What would you say to these people? How would you invite them to Islam? Is it possible to prove the existence of the Creator?"

 

Also, tell the child that there are many pagans in the world, like Buddhists, Hindus, Krishna devotees, Zoroastrians (fire worshippers), etc. Explain that these people seem to believe in a Creator God, but also claim that alongside Him, there are many other gods: gods of the sun, earth, water, fire, and so on. 

 

Why is all this necessary?

 

First, this is the reality we live in, and your child will sooner or later have to face it. It is better that the child learns about it from their parent rather than from other sources that can easily mislead them.

Second, this is necessary for reflection. To distinguish white from black, one must see both. To be certain of the truth, a person must confront falsehood. This confrontation should happen close to a wise and supportive parent who will help sort it out and provide proofs that convince the child of the truth of Islam and monotheism.

 

The proofs of the existence of the One Creator that I use in conversations with children are very simple and logical. No sane person would argue with the fact that:

 

●      If there is order, then there is the One who established it

●      If there is a law, then there is the One who set it

●      If there is a trace, then there is the One who left it

There are many such laws, traces, and orders around us. It’s best to start with what interests your child most.

 

There are many such laws, traces, and orders around us. It is best to take them from the area that interests your child the most. For example, if they are interested in space and planets, draw their attention to the precise order in the universe, where every planet and galaxy moves along a set orbit and does not deviate from it. Discuss the planets of the solar system, their distance from the Sun, their temperature, and how everything on our planet is accurately calculated: the proximity to the Sun, the layers of the atmosphere, the composition of the air, etc.

 

Even if your child is not interested in space, still tell them about it and show a video (choose a suitable one in advance).

 

For example, if your child is interested in flowers, plants, or domestic and wild animals, use their interests. Learn a bit about the subject yourself, paying attention to the precise order that exists in all of Allah’s creations. Then have a conversation with your child on these topics, emphasizing the harmonious and beautiful order present in every blade of grass, flower, and little insect. Such conversations have great positive effects, starting with the fact that your child will appreciate your attention to their interests, and ending with the fact that the existence of the Creator, who established the order in those things they enjoy, will be remembered much better and deeply rooted in their consciousness.

 

I fully understand that in our age of digital technology and gadget obsession, few children will be interested in astronomy, botany, zoology, or human anatomy. Nowadays, children are mostly absorbed in their phones. But despite this, our task is to encourage them to reflect on the surrounding world, animals, and the human being. And this is not my fantasy–this is the method of the Almighty Allah, which is presented in the Quran:

 

"And He is the One who spread out the earth and placed firm mountains and rivers upon it, and created fruits of every kind in pairs. He covers the day with night. Surely in this are signs for people who reflect."
 (Surah Ar-Ra‘d / The Thunder, 13:3)

 

"And He is the One who sends down rain from the sky-causing all kinds of plants to grow, producing green stalks from which We bring forth clustered grain. And from palm trees come clusters of dates hanging within reach. There are also gardens of grapevines, olives, and pomegranates, similar in shape but dissimilar in taste. Look at their fruit as it yields and ripens! Indeed, in these are signs for people who believe."
 (Surah Al-An‘am / The Cattle, 6:99)

 

"Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth; the alternation of the day and the night; the ships that sail the sea for the benefit of humanity; the rain sent down by Allah from the skies, reviving the earth after its death; the scattering of all kinds of creatures throughout; the shifting of the winds; and the clouds drifting between the heavens and the earth–in all of this are surely signs for people of understanding."
 (Surah Al-Baqarah / The Cow, 2:164)

 

You’ve probably heard these verses before, but let’s go deeper and truly reflect on them.

 

Why does the Almighty urge us to think about the alternation of night and day? What’s so special and meaningful about this?

 

I’ll share my thoughts with you, and I encourage you to form your own.

 

In the way day turns into night, I see a clear sign of care for human beings and our well-being. After all, the human being is weak and limited. We spend our energy throughout the day, and we restore it at night. A full night’s sleep, which is only possible when it’s dark, is essential for a healthy mind and a strong immune system.

 

Reflect on these questions, and invite your child into the process. Ask them:

 

●      Why do you think night is necessary?

●      What would happen if there were no night at all?

●      What is the wisdom behind the alternation of night and day?

●      What do you like most about the day? And about the night?

●      What do you dislike about them?

Through this kind of deep thinking, we begin to understand the wisdom and might of Allah. Teach your child to notice this wisdom: how delicately balanced and perfectly ordered our environment is. Use Qur'anic verses that call out to those with reason. Highlight their messages and explore them together with your child.

 

Here’s another verse that lends itself to powerful questions and discussions:

"Do you not see that Allah sends down rain from the sky, channelling it through streams in the earth, then produces with it crops of various colours, then they dry up and you see them wither, and then He reduces them to chaff? Surely in this is a reminder for people of reason."
 (Surah Az-Zumar / The Groups, 39:21)

 

This is a perfect moment to introduce your child to the water cycle. I cover this topic extensively in the children’s course I teach, because it's one of those natural phenomena we constantly encounter. It serves as a powerful reminder of the order established by the Creator of water and the earth.

 

Show your child this order. Depending on their age, explain or ask questions like:

 

●      Where do puddles go?

●      What are clouds made of, and how much do they weigh?

●      Why do raindrops fall straight down instead of flying in different directions?

●      What do you think would happen if it didn’t rain for a year or two?

 

Continue this discussion in light of the verse mentioned above by talking about life and death through the example of plants. How Allah revives the trees after winter. How water sustains life on Earth. Why do flowers bloom first, and only afterward do fruits appear?

 

Be sure to talk about water and its laws, like in the verse:

 "…and in the water which Allah sends down from the sky–by which He revives the earth after its death…"
 (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:164)

 

Water is a powerful reminder for all of us, because we use it multiple times a day: when we wash, drink, or cook.

 

Tell your child about the physical laws and properties of water. Teach them that water exists in three states: liquid, solid, and gas. Do simple experiments with ice, steam, and boiling. Emphasize that water, like everything else created, has rules: when it boils, when it freezes, and when it evaporates, and these rules never change.

 

And if there is a law, then there must be the One who established it.

 

Insha’Allah, this approach, especially the hands-on experiments, will stick with children for a long time. They’ll remember it each time they wash their hands or take a sip of water, and recall the One who created these laws and made water a blessing for us.

 

Another fascinating example is the Earth’s atmospheric layer, which is also mentioned in the Qur’an:

"So He formed the heaven into seven heavens in two Days, assigning to each its mandate. And we adorned the lowest heaven with stars like lamps for beauty and for protection. That is the design of the Almighty, All-Knowing."
 (Surah Fussilat, 12)

Ask your child:

 

●      What is the sky made of?

●      How does it protect the Earth?

●      Why does Allah speak of seven heavens?

●      Why don’t they mix?

●      What are the “lights” mentioned in the verse?

 

Of course, a parent should know the answers to these questions. After all, a parent is the first teacher and the wisest guide for their children. You might think: But I’m not a scientist! I’d need to spend so much time studying all this, and then even more time patiently explaining it to my child. I can’t manage all that!

 

My answer is found in the Qur’an:

 "Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity. Each will have what it has earned, and against it will be what it has brought upon itself…"
 (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:286)

 

If Allah entrusted you with children, it means you're capable of raising them.

 

There’s one vital truth you need to absorb: raising a child, shaping their personality, and strengthening them on the path of Islam is your most important responsibility.

 

Not your job. Not your hobbies. Not your social life. Not even inviting others to Islam comes before guiding your children to it. Make time for it. Plan for it.

 

In reality, it doesn’t take that much time to find useful information about the world around us. For example, when I wanted to teach children about camels, it took me just 15 minutes to find what I needed online.

 

"Let man reflect on how the camel was created,
 on the sky–how it is raised,
 on the mountains–how they are set firm,
 on the Earth–how it is leveled out."
 (Surah Al-Ghashiyah, 17–20)

 

Did you know that a camel is a true universal soldier? It can serve as transport, food, drink, wealth, and even protection–all while being extremely low-maintenance. Only the camel can survive on thorny desert plants. Its eyes are protected by three eyelids, and its skin works like a thermal flask, enduring temperatures from +60°C to –40°C. Its hooves are shaped like saucers, allowing it to walk on sand without sinking. And here’s another fascinating fact: the camel is the only pack animal in the world that can be loaded while lying down and then rise to its feet with the cargo on its back!

 

It only takes a few minutes to share this, but the most important thing is the intention and willingness. You do want your child to grow up with strong faith, right? Then give this the time it deserves.

 

Tell your child about the camel, recite the verse from the Qur’an, and reflect on it together. Ask: Why do you think the camel is called the "ship of the desert"? Then expand the discussion to include the topic of the skies (talk about the layers of the atmosphere, their composition, temperature, and functions), the earth (what benefits it brings, its structure and role), and the mountains (by the way, did you know that mountains act like stabilizing pegs for the earth?). After all, it's not without reason that all of this is mentioned together in a single verse.

 

To conclude this section on the existence of Allah the Almighty, I’ll share a short story. It's fictional, but it carries a powerful and memorable message.

 

One day, 10-year-old Timur came home angry and upset. As soon as he stepped inside, he told his parents that he’d had a fight with his friends because they wouldn’t agree with him. "We were talking about Allah," he said, “and I was trying to convince them that since we can’t see Him, He must not exist! They argued with me, and we ended up fighting…"

 

His mother, shocked by what he said, immediately began trying to talk him out of it, but the boy was stubborn. His father, however, chose a different approach. Without saying a word, he decided to prove the existence of the Creator not through argument, but through action.

 

That night, after Timur had fallen asleep, his father took the boy’s notebook and scribbled over several pages with a pen. In the morning, when Timur discovered it, he immediately asked who had done it. His father replied, "Maybe the pen did it by itself?"

 

The next day, the father took Timur’s toothbrush and hid it in one of the sneakers by the door. When Timur couldn’t find his brush and eventually discovered it stuffed in his shoe, he was genuinely upset. Again, his father calmly suggested, "Maybe the toothbrush got there on its own?"

 

Finally, Timur’s pajamas mysteriously turned up not in their usual place but draped over the armchair in the living room. This time, the boy broke down in frustration, shouting and crying, "Who keeps messing with my stuff? Who’s touching my things without asking?"

 

His father said, "Calm down, son. Let’s go for a walk in the park."

When they got to the park, the father began pointing out different things in nature–stones, trees, the river, the earth–and asked a simple question: "What do you think, who put all of this here?"

 

Timur stayed silent.

 

"If you say that a pen can’t write on its own, that a toothbrush and pajamas can’t move themselves or decide where to go, then how do you explain everything around us? Who placed all these things in their places?"

 

"We may not see Him, but we see His traces everywhere, and those traces are proof that He exists. Think about it."

 

This brings us to the end of our chapter on how to help children understand the existence of Allah. I want to remind you of three simple principles that can guide us in this process:

●      If there is order, there must be someone who established it

●      If there is a law, there must be someone who created it

●      If there is a trace, there must be someone who left it

Use these principles. Show your child the order in the world, the laws that govern it, and the traces left by the Creator. Do this with patience and consistency, because strong and conscious faith doesn’t appear overnight. It is built gradually through reflection, connecting the dots, and drawing personal conclusions.

Your task is to keep raising these ideas. Drop thoughts into their mind and you’ll soon see how your child begins to think, reflect, and ask questions on their own.

In this way, we've taken our first step toward raising a person who lives Islam consciously and with strong belief. But this is only the beginning. In the next chapters, we’ll talk about belief in the Qur’an, how actions are formed, and how to resist the pressures of secular society.

 

To close this chapter, I’ll share several verses from the Qur’an that are foundational. They show us the path of self-formation and raising our children. Reflect on them. Pay special attention to the fact that these were the very first words revealed in the Qur’an. Before Allah commanded us to pray, fast, or respect our parents, He told us to READ, because reading is the gateway to everything else, including raising righteous children.

 

Read, in the Name of your Lord Who created humans from a clinging clot. Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous, who taught by the pen; taught humanity what they knew not.

 (Surah Al-‘Alaq, 1–5)

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