Simple Verses to Teach Young Children about the Qur'an

There’s nothing more pure than the curiosity and love of learning in children.

As a Muslim parent, I see this love for learning as a way for my children to become closer to God, Allah.

Ramadan is a wonderful, if not the most special, time of year to harness this love and expose my kids to the words and message of Allah.

Ramadan is so beloved to Muslims as it is the month of the Islamic calendar in which the Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him). We observe this month through fasting, as commanded in the Qur’an.

But as my kids are too young to join in with fasting, I am determined to make Ramadan meaningful in other ways for me and my children this year.

Scroll down to see a list of 30 ayat I have selected from the Qur’an. These can be discussed with small children to help them learn the essence of the Qur’anic messages.

Last year, my main preoccupation was about making Ramadan fun and exciting in the hopes that I could compete with the allure of Christmas, which is unavoidable in the UK.

I’ve taken a different perspective this year.

I’ve stopped thinking about Ramadan in contest with Christmas – they are not the same things, they aren’t comparable and I don’t need to be worried that Christmas will ‘win over’ my children!

Instead, I’ve started reflecting on what makes Ramadan special to us as Muslims.

The true beauty of Ramadan is deeper than sparkling tinsel and brightly decorated trees.

The true beauty of Ramadan is not only in the act of fasting.

Ramadan is a celebration and remembrance of our collective roots. For all Muslims, symbolically, Ramadan signals the beginning of our Islamic journey, the journey towards Allah as the source of our salvation.

Because in Ramadan, Allah’s true words were revealed – the Qur’an.

My daughter will be 5 years old during Ramadan this year, and though she is still young, she has an incredible appetite for learning about Islam and I know I can engage her with real words from the Qur’an.

So I came up with the idea of reading an ayat (verse) a day from the Qur’an – not to memorise, but just to expose her to the words of Allah (swt) and their beautiful meanings in a child-friendly way.

This approach allows me to choose short, simple to understand ayats without the pressure of memorisation or trying to understand whole surahs.

There are plenty of ayats that can deliver powerful messages by themselves – such is the power of Allah’s words.

I have chosen 30 of my favourite ayat which I felt would be appropriate for my daughter to learn about. These are from the translation of the Qur’an by M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.

I would recommend keeping discussions as child-friendly and simple as possible. There is no need to drill down to the symbolic meanings for very young kids. Discuss the obvious meanings and when they are older, you can start talking about deeper messages and meanings.

I would not focus on memorisation either, not unless they are interested in doing so. The point of discussing an ayat a day is to keep the intrigue and interest about Islam and the Qur’an alive for your children.

You might also decide that one ayat a day is too much or too little – see how you get along and how your children respond. Never force anything. The main thing is for this exercise to be enjoyable and build their love for Islam and excitement for Ramadan.

30 short and simple ayat to start teaching young children about the Qur’an

Guide us to the straight path – Surah 1, Al-Fatiha, 6
It was in the month of Ramadan that the Quran was revealed as guidance for mankind, clear messages giving guidance and distinguishing between right and wrong – Surah 2, Al-Baqarah, 185
God wants ease for you, not hardship – Surah 2, Al-Baqarah, 185
Speak good words to all people – Surah 2, Al-Baqarah, 83
So remember me; I will remember you – Surah 2, Al-Baqarah, 152
God does not burden any soul with more than it can bear – Surah 2, Al-Baqarah, 286
My mercy encompasses all things – Surah 7, Al-A’raf, 156
You have no ally or helper other than Him. Surah 9, At-Tawbah, 116
‘I cannot succeed without God’s help’. Surah 11, Hud, 88 (spoken by Prophet Shu’ayb to his people)
Truly it is in the remembrance of God that hearts find peace. Surah 13, Ar-Ra’d, 28
Each soul [will] be rewarded for its labour. Surah 20, Ta Ha, 15
[It is] He who cures me when I am ill – Surah 26, Ash-Shu’ara’, 80
Maybe some of what you seek to hasten is near at hand – Surah 27, An-Naml, 72 (a useful lesson to help little ones start thinking about patience)
Do good to others as God has done good to you – Surah 28, Al-Qasas, 77
Call on Me and I will answer you – Surah 40, Ghafir, 60
Whoever does good benefits himself, and whoever does evil harms Himself – Surah 45, Al-Jathiya, 15
In God’s eyes, the most honoured of you are the ones most mindful of Him – Surah 49, Al-Hujurat, 13
Shall the reward of good be anything but good? – Surah 55, Ar-Rahman, 60
He is with you wherever you are – Surah 57, Al-Hadid, 4
[Allah] will provide for them [believers] from an unexpected source – Surah 65, At-Talaq, 3
He knows both what is open and what is hidden – Surah 87, Al-A’la, 7
So [Prophet] warn them: your only task is to give warning – Surah 88, Al-Ghashiya, 21
Truly where there is hardship there is also ease – Surah 94, Ash-Sharh, 5
Read! In the name of your Lord – Surah 96, Al-‘Alaq, 1
Those who believe and do good deeds are the best of creation – Surah 98, Al-Bayyina, 7
You have your religion and I have mine – Surah 109, Al-Kafirun, 6
We sent it down on the Night of Glory. What will explain to you what that Night of Glory is? The Night of Glory is better than a thousand months – Surah 97, Al-Qadr, 1-3 (not exactly one ayat, but I felt this surah is short and important enough to discuss during the 27th night or any time in the last 10 days. You could also read the full surah and talk about its meaning, as it is very short.)
Allah, the Eternal Refuge – Surah 112, Al-Ikhlas, 2
No one is comparable to Him – Surah 112, Al-Ikhlas, 4
God: there is no god but Him, the Ever Living, the Ever Watchful – Surah Baqarah, 255

I pray this list is beneficial to you and you find it helpful to spark conversations with your little ones, insha’Allah, God willing. Praying that you have a blessed Ramadan this year.

Salaam x