The first duas to teach your child, with meanings

A dua is a child's own conversation with Allah, and children are often better at it than adults: they ask for things simply and expect an answer. Allah says, "Call upon Me; I will respond to you" (Qur'an 40:60). This guide gives you ten short duas to start with, each with the Arabic, a transliteration, the meaning and the source, and a simple way to teach them.

Which everyday duas should a child learn first?

Start with the duas that belong to moments your child lives every day. They get practised without you planning anything.

The sneezing dua is a favourite with children because it is a little conversation, with a part for each person. Practise it as a game.

Which short duas from the Qur'an can children learn?

Once the everyday duas are secure, add a few short duas from the Qur'an. Children love knowing that these are words Allah Himself taught us to say.

Is there a short dhikr children can learn?

"Light on the tongue, heavy in the scale" is a picture children understand at once. Hold out your hands like a balance and let them feel the idea. The Beautiful Tasbih (Book 90) is a story about dhikr for children.

How do I teach a dua to a young child?

1. Say it in its moment

   Teach the eating dua at the table and the sleeping dua in bed. A dua tied to a daily moment is practised every day without any extra effort.

2. Give the meaning first

   Tell your child, in one sentence, what they are saying to Allah. "We are saying: in Allah's name we begin."

3. Say it together, then let them lead

   Say it with them for a week or two. Then pause, and let them say it first.

4. One at a time

   When one dua comes out without a prompt, add the next. Five duas known well are worth more than twenty half-known.

5. Notice it

   When you hear your child say a dua on their own, tell them you heard it. That small moment does more than any reward chart.

In what order, and at what age?

• Ages 3 to 4: Bismillah, Alhamdulillah and the sleeping dua. Say them for your child until they join in.
• Ages 5 to 6: the waking dua, the toilet dua, the sneezing conversation and the dua for parents.
• Ages 7 and up: "Rabbi zidni 'ilma", "Rabbana atina", the dhikr above, and the duas of the prayer, ideally with a teacher who can check pronunciation.

Stories make duas stick, because a child remembers the person who said them. In Series 01, The Little Ant's Prayer (Book 30) and The Dua That Brought Rain (Book 77) are stories about asking Allah, and A Loving Advice for Muadh (Book 89) is about advice the Prophet ﷺ gave a Companion he loved. The Manners of Eating (Book 20) and The Manners of Sleeping (Book 19) cover the manners around meals and sleep, where the first duas live.

Arabic, transliteration or English?

Use all three, for different jobs. The Arabic words are the words of the Qur'an and the Sunnah, so teach those. The meaning in your own language tells your child what they are actually asking for. Transliteration is a bridge for parents and early readers, and it is fine to lean on it at first; as your child learns to read Arabic, move them onto the Arabic script. And remind them that they can always talk to Allah in their own words too, in any language, at any time.

For a ready-made routine that puts several of these duas together each night, see A 10-minute bedtime routine.

The books in this guide

From ilmbee Series 01, 100 illustrated books read in order. The first 3 are free to read.

• Book 19The Manners of SleepingAkhlaq & Good Deeds
• Book 20The Manners of EatingAkhlaq & Good Deeds
• Book 30The Little Ant's PrayerDuas & Dhikr
• Book 77The Dua That Brought RainDuas & Dhikr
• Book 89A Loving Advice for MuadhDuas & Dhikr
• Book 90The Beautiful TasbihDuas & Dhikr

Frequently asked questions

What is the first dua to teach a child?

Bismillah, before eating. It is one word, it is used several times a day, and the Prophet ﷺ taught it to a young boy at his table (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim). Alhamdulillah after eating usually comes next.

What is the dua for parents in the Qur'an?

"Rabbir-hamhuma kama rabbayani saghira": "My Lord, have mercy on them, as they raised me when I was small" (Qur'an 17:24). It is short enough for a young child to learn.

What dua do children say before sleeping?

"Bismika Allahumma amutu wa ahya": "In Your name, O Allah, I die and I live" (Sahih al-Bukhari). Many families say it every night with the three Quls.

Should children learn duas in Arabic or in English?

Both. Teach the Arabic words, which are the words of the Qur'an and the Sunnah, and the meaning in your own language, so your child knows what they are asking for. Transliteration helps at first; reading the Arabic comes later.

How many duas should a 5-year-old know?

There is no set number. A handful said every day, with their meanings, is a wonderful start. What matters is that your child uses them, not how many they can recite.

Sources

Qur'an references are given as surah:ayah, with the meaning in plain English. Hadith are from the collections named.

• Sahih al-Bukhari 5376; Sahih Muslim 2022: "Say Bismillah, eat with your right hand, and eat from what is in front of you."
• Sahih Muslim 2734: Allah is pleased with the servant who praises Him after eating and drinking.
• Sahih al-Bukhari 6324: the duas for sleeping ("Bismika Allahumma amutu wa ahya") and waking ("Alhamdu lillahil-ladhi ahyana...").
• Sahih al-Bukhari 142; Sahih Muslim 375: the dua on entering the toilet.
• Sahih al-Bukhari 6224: what to say when sneezing, the reply, and the answer to the reply.
• Qur'an 17:24 (Al-Isra): "My Lord, have mercy on them, as they raised me when I was small."
• Qur'an 20:114 (Ta-Ha): "My Lord, increase me in knowledge."
• Qur'an 2:201 (Al-Baqarah): "Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire"; Sahih al-Bukhari 6389; Sahih Muslim 2690: the dua the Prophet ﷺ made most often.
• Sahih al-Bukhari 6406; Sahih Muslim 2694: two phrases light on the tongue, heavy in the scale, beloved to the Most Merciful.
• Qur'an 40:60 (Ghafir): "Call upon Me; I will respond to you."