Everyone has bad days, whether it’s a child feeling left out, a teen struggling with schoolwork, or a parent stressed with obligations. Hardships can make us feel sad, upset, or even hopeless. However, Islam teaches us that hardships are a test, and that hope lies in turning to Allah with patience and reliance. This article will explore how young children, teens, and Muslim parents can find hope and strength to conquer a bad day.
Finding Strength as Young Children
Remind your child that hard days will happen and how we handle hard times makes a difference. Assure them they are not isolated and you will help them to work through it:
Empathize With How They’re Feeling
Parents must be aware of their emotions and understand how they’re feeling despite parents perceiving their struggles are unimportant. Allow your child to tell you their hard day and emotions. Tell them that you comprehend their feelings. Children learn from experience and exposure, so when parents identify and manage their feelings, they can learn strategies and gain the skills to become understanding with their children.
If They Made a Mistake, Talk Through It
Usually, children can be hard on themselves for making a mistake. It can affect their feelings and self-worth for the entire day or longer. Parents can assist them to comprehend that making mistakes is okay and they will learn to do better next time. Allow your child to discuss their mistake and how it makes them feel. Afterwards, encourage them to correct their mistakes. Moreover, tell them that you are grateful that they admitted their mistake and having strategies to learn from their mistakes.
Turning to Allah
Remind them that Allah is always listening and loves them, even on bad days. Remind them to make supplication (du’a) and rely that Allah will help them feel better. They use kind words to comfort their children and encourage them to talk about their feelings. For example, they can teach to make a short dua like “Ya Allah, help me feel better.”
Also, they can teach children to take deep breaths and say "Bismillah" to become composed. Deep breaths help them relax, while saying "Bismillah" reminds them that Allah is with them. This simple habit helps children feel more composed and ready to face challenges with patience and trust in Allah. By teaching patience and faith, parents help their children find strength in difficult moments.
Small Ways to Feel Better
Here are some examples of activities that children can do to feel better after having a bad day:
- Creativity (illustrating, painting, drawing, coloring, or crafting). It helps children to decrease stress, motivate them to use their imagination, and express themselves differently.
- Spend time Outdoors. Children will have a break from the demands of daily tasks if they walk to a local park or around the neighbourhood with their parents. The outdoor environment can assist them to relax their mind and lower anxiety.
- Helping with simple chores. For example, children can set the table or pick up toys. Completing small tasks gives them a sense of accomplishment and strengthens their bond with family. Helping others brings happiness and changes their focus from sadness to positivity.
Finding Strength as Teenagers
Understanding Life’s Challenges
Teens face many hardships that can make life challenging. They might struggle with schoolwork and feel stressed about tests or exams. Some adolescents have difficulty making friends or coping with peer pressure. Others may feel overwhelmed from preparing for post-secondary education. These struggles can feel discouraging, but they provide growth.
Tough moments challenge people and help them grow stronger. Facing obstacles teaches patience, resilience, and problem-solving. Every trial is a chance to learn and improve people. Overcoming hardships builds confidence and prepares people for future challenges. Rather than feeling discouraged, they can focus on what they can control and find strategies to move forward. Complicated times may feel stressful, but they shape character and inner strength. With each obstacle, people become more capable and equipped for life's difficulties.
Prophet Ayyub or Job (AS) – Overcoming Hardships
Allah gave Prophet Ayyub a lot of blessings. He was healthy, wealthy, had a good family, owned a lot of land and livestock. He was grateful for his blessings, and he lived in fortune for awhile until he faced several trials. Allah sent these afflictions because he wanted to test Prophet Ayyub’s faith and patience. As a result, he lost all of his blessings. However, he continued to be steadfast in his devotion and faith to Allah. However, the hardest test that he faced was his health complications. He had several diseases which he faced a lot of pain and suffering physically and socially. The community members avoided him because they were concerned that his illness was contagious. Therefore, Prophet Ayyub and his wife went to the vicinity of the city. He lived in misery for an extensive period. One day, he prayed to Allah.
The Qur'an verse about Prophet Ayyub's prayer is:
"And [mention] Job (Ayyub), when he called to his Lord, 'Indeed, adversity has touched me, and You are the Most Merciful of the merciful."
(Surah Al-Anbiya 21:83)
Allah heard his prayer and responded to him. Allah restored Prophet Ayyub’s blessings and increased his blessings by granting him more wealth and children prior to the difficult trial. His story teaches that patience and perseverance lead to ease after obstacles.
Healthy Ways to Cope
Here are some examples of activities that teenagers can do to feel better after having a bad day:
- Talk to a parent or friend. When teens talk to a trusted friend or parent, they feel less stressed and more understood. Sharing their feelings helps them feel acknowledged and more relaxed. A parent or friend can give support, advice, or nice words to make them feel better. Knowing someone is there for them makes their issues seem easier to solve.
- Exercise. Moving their body, like walking or playing sports, decreases stress and increases their mood. It gives them a break from worries and helps them feel more relaxed. Also, exercise makes them more energetic and helps clear their mind. It can make them feel stronger and more confident, helping them handle problems better.
- Engage in a hobby. Teens watching a TV show, reading, or cooking gives them an activity to divert their attention. It helps them feel more positive and confident.
Strengthening Faith and Hope
Parents play an important role in encouraging their teens to pray, read the Quran, and make du’a, especially during difficult times. Salah brings peace, helps clear the mind, and strengthens the connection with Allah. It teaches patience and gratitude, helping teens handle stress in a healthy way.
It is reported in a hadith from Abu Huraira (RA):
“The first deed for which a person will be called to account on the Day of Judgment will be his prayer.”
(Tirmidhi 413)
This hadith shows the great significance of salah in Islam. It is the foundation of Islamic faith and a direct connection with Allah. By being punctual with prayers and with sincerity, believers strengthen their faith and prepare for afterlife.
Reading the Quran provides comfort and guidance, reminding teens that hardships are temporary.
The Quran states:
“Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.”
(Surah Ar-Ra’d 13:28)
This ayah means that remembering Allah brings tranquility and comfort to the heart. When people face stress, sadness, or worry, turning to Allah helps them feel relieved. Life has a lot of obstacles, but relying in Allah’s mercy and guidance gives strength.
These acts build inner strength, calm emotions, and give hope, making it easier to get through a bad day.
Finding Strength as Muslim Parents
Managing Stress and Overwhelm
Parenting is stressful because it requires constant patience, responsibility, and care. Parents juggle many tasks, from providing for their children to guiding them through challenges. The daily pressures of work, household duties, and emotional support can feel overwhelming. When stress builds up, parents should take a deep breath, and step away for a short break to reset. These actions help calm the mind and improve focus.
The Quran states:
“For indeed, with hardship comes ease.”
(Ash- Sharh 94:6)
This verse means that every challenge comes with relief. When people go through hard times, they should remember that ease will follow. This verse gives hope and reminds people to stay patient and trust that things will get better.
Seeking Strength from Faith
Parents face many challenges, but turning to prayer, reading the Quran, and making du’a brings comfort and strength. These acts remind them that they are never alone in their struggles. Trusting Allah (tawakkul) helps parents stay patient and hopeful, knowing that every hardship has a purpose.
The Quran says,
“And whoever relies upon Allah – then He is sufficient for him.”
(Surah At-Talaq 65:3)
This verse means that when people trust Allah completely, He takes care of them. Allah provides for their needs and helps them through obstacles. By strengthening their faith, people find peace in their hearts and wisdom in their decisions. Seeking support from Allah allows them to handle stress with patience and resilience.
Here are some examples of activities that parents can do to feel better after having a bad day:
- Have a Support Network. Parents feel understood and not isolated. Communicating with family members or close friends provides comfort and advice. Joining parenting communities allows parents to share experiences and learn from other parents. Meeting other parents builds friendships and offers encouragement. Support makes parenting challenges easier to handle.
- Make Time for Yourself. Assign at least 30 minutes every day to do an enjoyable activity. Parents can walk to a local mall, watch a movie, or enjoy a delicious meal. Spending time alone helps them relax and recharge. When parents feel refreshed, they have more patience and energy for their children and teenagers. Improves their
well-being and creates a happier home. - Rest. Parents should get 7–8 hours of sleep per night. Getting enough sleep helps parents stay patient and alert. It gives them energy to care for their children, teenagers, and handle daily activities. Also, sleep enhances mood and decrease stress levels. When parents rest well, they feel better and make better choices. Helps create a calmer and happier home.
Young children, teens, and parents face challenges, but these moments help us grow stronger. Hard times may feel overwhelming, but they never last forever. With patience and faith, we can get through any difficulty. Difficulties do not last forever, and every challenge is a chance to grow stronger. No matter how hard the day may seem, there is always a way forward. With time, strength, and perseverance, brighter days will come.
- How To Handle Back Talk - Baby Chick
- 7 Simple Ways to Help Your Kids Reset After A Bad Day |.Purple Ladybug
- What To Do When Your Child Has a Tough Day - Baby Chick
- Trials of Patience: A Story About Prophet Ayyub (A.S - Issuu
- 12 steps your teen can take to get through a bad day - Mums At The Table
- 6 Powerful & Life Changing Tips for Muslim Parents - resources.muslimkids.tv
Add new comment