25 Timeless Lessons Adults Can Learn from Children for Personal and Spiritual Growth
In the journey of learning and personal growth, adults can indeed gain profound insights from the innate qualities of children. As Imam Shāfi’īe (may Allāh have mercy upon him) wisely noted:
تَعَلَّمْ فَلَيْسَ الْمَرْءُ يُوْلَدُ عَالِماً وَلَيْسَ أَخُوْ عِلْمٍ كَمَنْ هُوَ جَاهِلُ
“Acquire knowledge, for verily no human is born learned and surely the educated and uneducated cannot be equal.”
Imam Suyūṭī (may Allāh’s mercy be with him) highlighted five qualities in children that, if adopted by adults in their relationship with their Rabb, could elevate them to the status of Awliyaa (friends of Allah).
1. Trust in Sustenance
لَا يَهْتَمُّوْنَ بِالرِّزْقِ
Children live carefree lives, trusting that their needs will be met, embodying an unwavering faith in their sustenance. Adults often lose sleep over financial stress, yet the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) assured us of Allah’s provision.
2. Acceptance without Complaint
وَلَا يَشْكُوْنَ مِنْ خَالِقِهِمْ إذَا مَرِضُوا
Children do not question their Creator during times of illness or difficulty. Their pure acceptance reflects a profound level of trust and submission that adults can learn from.
3. Unity in Eating
وَيَأكُلُوْنَ الطّعَامَ مُجْتَمِعِيْنَ
Eating together fosters community and brotherhood. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) emphasized the importance of communal eating, which strengthens bonds and fosters mutual care.
4. Tears in Fear
وَإِذَا خَافُوْا جَرَتْ عُيُوْنُهُمْ بِالدُّمُوْعِ
Children’s tears in fear are spontaneous and sincere. Crying out of fear of Allah is a beloved act in Islam. As described in the Qur’an and Hadith, weeping out of His awe is a sign of true piety.
5. Quick Reconciliation
وَإِذَا تَخَاصَمُوْا َتَسَارَعُوْا إِلَى الصُّلْحِ
Children’s ability to quickly reconcile after conflicts is a remarkable quality. Holding grudges can harm relationships and communities, while swift reconciliation fosters peace and harmony.
To delve deeper into these qualities and explore courses that nurture such values, consider enrolling in our courses at IQS. For those seeking guidance and support, our Islamic counselling services are available.
By embracing these child-like qualities, we can enrich our spiritual journey and foster a closer relationship with Allah.
We further extend this list to explore more qualities of kids:
6. Curiosity and Eagerness to Learn
Children are naturally curious and eager to learn about the world around them.
This quality of inquisitiveness and the constant desire to gain knowledge is something adults can embrace to foster continuous personal and spiritual growth. As the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) said:
طَلَبُ الْعِلْمِ فَرِيضَةٌ عَلَى كُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ
“Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.” (Sunan Ibn Majah)
7. Innocence and Purity of Heart
Children possess an innate innocence and purity of heart.
Their hearts are free from malice, jealousy, and hatred, which aligns with the Islamic ideal of maintaining a clean and sincere heart. Allah says in the Qur’an:
يَوْمَ لَا يَنْفَعُ مَالٌ وَلَا بَنُونَ إِلَّا مَنْ أَتَى اللَّهَ بِقَلْبٍ سَلِيمٍ
“The Day when there will not benefit [anyone] wealth or children, but only one who comes to Allah with a sound heart.” (Qur’an 26:88-89)
8. Forgiveness and Letting Go
Children forgive easily and do not hold grudges.
Their ability to forgive and move on is a valuable lesson in maintaining relationships and fostering community harmony. Allah loves those who forgive:
فَاعْفُ عَنْهُمْ وَاصْفَحْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ
“So pardon them and overlook [their faults]. Indeed, Allah loves the doers of good.” (Qur’an 5:13)
9. Optimism and Positivity
Children are naturally optimistic and see the world with a positive outlook.
Adults can benefit from adopting a similar perspective, focusing on hope and trust in Allah’s plan. The Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) encouraged positive thinking:
يُعْجِبُنِي الفَأْلُ، الكَلِمَةُ الحَسَنَةُ
“I like optimism, the good word.” (Sahih Bukhari)
10. Joy in Simple Things
Children find joy in simple pleasures.
Their ability to find happiness in small, everyday moments can teach adults to appreciate and find contentment in life’s simple blessings. Reflecting on the Prophet’s (peace and blessings upon him) simplicity can be inspirational:
قَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ
“There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern.” (Qur’an 33:21)
11. Dependence on Parents and Guardians
Children rely completely on their parents and guardians.
This dependence teaches adults the importance of Tawakkul (reliance on Allah). Just as children trust their parents, adults should place complete trust in Allah’s wisdom and plan.
وَمَنْ يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُ
“And whoever relies upon Allah – then He is sufficient for him.” (Qur’an 65:3)
12. Spontaneous Expressions of Love
Children express love freely and openly.
Their ability to show affection without hesitation is a reminder of the importance of expressing love and compassion to family and community. The Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) emphasized love and kindness:
لَا يُؤْمِنُ أَحَدُكُمْ حَتَّى يُحِبَّ لِأَخِيهِ مَا يُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِهِ
“None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.” (Sahih Bukhari)
13. Gratitude and Appreciation
Children are often quick to show gratitude and appreciation.
Teaching adults to be grateful for even the smallest blessings can improve their spiritual state. Gratitude is a central tenet of Islam:
وَلَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ
“And if you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor].” (Qur’an 14:7)
14. Living in the Present Moment
Children live in the moment and enjoy the present.
Adults often worry about the past or future, missing the beauty of the present. Living mindfully and being present can lead to a more fulfilling life. The Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) said:
مَنْ أَصْبَحَ مِنْكُمْ آمِنًا فِي سِرْبِهِ، مُعَافًى فِي جَسَدِهِ، عِنْدَهُ قُوتُ يَوْمِهِ، فَكَأَنَّمَا حِيزَتْ لَهُ الدُّنْيَا
“Whoever among you wakes up secure in his property, healthy in his body, and has his food for the day, it is as if he were given the world.” (Sunan Ibn Majah)
For those who seek to enhance these qualities and apply them in their lives, IQS courses offer comprehensive learning experiences rooted in Islamic teachings. Additionally, our Islamic counselling services provide support and guidance for personal and spiritual challenges.
By adopting these child-like qualities, adults can significantly improve their spiritual journey, relationships, and overall well-being.
15. Creativity and Imagination
Children have a boundless imagination and creativity.
Their ability to think creatively and imagine without limits can inspire adults to approach problems and opportunities with fresh perspectives. Creativity in thinking can be a form of worship if used to benefit humanity and draw closer to Allah.
16. Resilience and Adaptability
Children quickly adapt to new situations and bounce back from setbacks.
Their resilience teaches the importance of patience (Sabr) and adaptability in facing life’s challenges. Allah praises those who are patient:
وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ
“And give good tidings to the patient.” (Qur’an 2:155)
17. Joy in Giving
Children find joy in giving and sharing.
Their generosity without expectation of return is a quality that adults can emulate. Giving in charity and helping others is highly rewarded in Islam:
مَنْ دَلَّ عَلَى خَيْرٍ فَلَهُ مِثْلُ أَجْرِ فَاعِلِهِ
“Whoever guides someone to goodness will have a reward like one who did it.” (Sahih Muslim)
18. Trust in the Future
Children have a natural optimism about the future.
Their hopefulness is a reminder to trust in Allah’s plan and remain hopeful even in difficult times. The Qur’an encourages believers to never lose hope:
إِنَّهُ لَا يَيْأَسُ مِن رَّوْحِ اللَّهِ إِلَّا الْقَوْمُ الْكَافِرُونَ
“Indeed, no one despairs of relief from Allah except the disbelieving people.” (Qur’an 12:87)
19. Unconditional Love
Children love unconditionally and without judgment.
Their pure love can teach adults to love others for the sake of Allah, without conditions or judgments. The Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) exemplified unconditional love and compassion:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ حُبَّكَ وَحُبَّ مَنْ يُحِبُّكَ
“O Allah, I ask You for Your love and the love of those who love You.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi)
20. Honesty and Transparency
Children are naturally honest and transparent in their actions and words.
Their straightforwardness can inspire adults to maintain honesty and integrity in all their dealings. The Qur’an emphasizes truthfulness:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَكُونُوا مَعَ الصَّادِقِينَ
“O you who have believed, fear Allah and be with those who are true.” (Qur’an 9:119)
21. Spontaneity and Joy in Play
Children find joy in spontaneous play and activities.
Their ability to enjoy the moment and have fun can teach adults the importance of relaxation and finding joy in everyday activities, which is essential for a balanced life.
22. Courage and Bravery
Children often show courage and bravery, even in unfamiliar situations.
Their fearless nature can inspire adults to face their fears and challenges with bravery and trust in Allah’s protection. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) encouraged courage:
قُلِ الْحَقَّ وَإِنْ كَانَ مُرًّا
“Speak the truth even if it is bitter.” (Sunan Ibn Majah)
23. Acceptance of Diversity
Children accept and play with others regardless of differences.
Their natural inclusivity can teach adults to embrace diversity and practice tolerance, which is a key aspect of Islamic teachings. Allah created diversity as a sign for us:
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوا إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ
“O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you.” (Qur’an 49:13)
24. Mindfulness and Being Present
Children are fully present in the moment and mindful of their surroundings.
Their ability to focus on the present can teach adults the importance of mindfulness in worship and daily life. Being present in Salah (prayer) is crucial:
قَدْ أَفْلَحَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ هُمْ فِي صَلَاتِهِمْ خَاشِعُونَ
“Certainly will the believers have succeeded: They who are during their prayer humbly submissive.” (Qur’an 23:1-2)
25. Gratitude and Contentment
Children express gratitude for even the smallest things.
Their appreciation for small blessings teaches adults to be grateful and content with what they have. Contentment is a great treasure in Islam:
وَلَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ
“And if you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor].” (Qur’an 14:7)
To cultivate these qualities and integrate them into your life, explore the courses at IQS which are designed to enrich your knowledge and spiritual practice. Additionally, our Islamic counselling services offer support for personal development and spiritual well-being.
By adopting these child-like qualities, adults can greatly enhance their spiritual journey, personal growth, and overall well-being.
Discover more from Institute of Quran and Sunnah
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
