Muharram: Teaching our children to stand on the side of truth

Muharram is far more than a historical event. It is a living lesson that echoes through every generation, calling humanity to choose between truth and falsehood, justice and oppression, light and darkness.

The stand of Imam Hussain ibn Ali at Karbala was not just a battle fought over 1,300 years ago. It was a declaration that truth must never bow to tyranny, even when the cost is great. Imam Hussain stood against corruption, injustice, and the abuse of power, teaching us that silence in the face of oppression is never an option for believers.

Today, our children are growing up in a world filled with confusion, division, and competing voices that seek to influence their hearts and minds. This makes the lessons of Karbala more relevant than ever.

Children need role models who demonstrate courage, integrity, faith, and sacrifice. They need to understand that being a Muslim is not merely about what we believe, but about standing for what is right.

Muharram Activity Book Cover

For parents looking for age-appropriate ways to introduce these lessons, our Muharram Activity Book for children aged 4 to 11 helps bring the story of Karbala to life through engaging activities, illustrations, and discussions designed for young minds. The book teaches children about Imam Hussain, courage, sacrifice, compassion, and standing against injustice in a gentle and accessible way. While created from a love of Ahlul Bayt, its core message of truth, justice, faith, and moral courage resonates with all Muslims.

Many Sunni families have also found it a valuable resource for introducing their children to the universal lessons of Karbala and the character of Imam Hussain. You can learn more about the book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Muharram-Activity-Book-Safoo-Publications/dp/B0C9S7QL84/

“The greatest test for mankind has always been brotherhood."

One of the greatest lessons we can teach our children during Muharram is the importance of unity and brotherhood among believers.

The greatest weapon of Satan has always been division. From the beginning of humanity, Satan used his weapon of divide and conquer against the first sons of Adam. Brotherhood has always been one of the greatest struggles of the Ummah. Satan knows that believers united are strong, but believers divided become weak.

He seeks to divide families, communities, and nations. He sows suspicion where there should be trust and hatred where there should be love.

This is why it is particularly painful when divisions arise among Muslims. Whether Sunni or Shia, we all testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger. We all turn towards the same Qur’an and worship the same Creator.

Allah commands:

“And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided.” (Qur’an 3:103)

At a time when the Muslim Ummah faces immense challenges, we must teach our children that unity among believers is a strength and division is a weakness. Differences of opinion should never become hatred. Love for Ahlul Bayt should never become a cause for hostility. Respect for the Companions should never become a cause for division.

Those who deliberately sow division among Muslims, fuel hatred between believers, and seek to fracture the Ummah walk a path that opposes the spirit of Imam Hussain’s stand at Karbala. Yazid’s tyranny was not merely political. It was rooted in arrogance, power, and the tearing apart of justice and truth.

Whenever people seek to divide believers, elevate hostility over brotherhood, or place sectarianism above Islam, they risk following the same destructive path that tyranny has always taken.

Throughout creation, Allah has established pairs and opposites that help us recognise truth through contrast. We know light because darkness exists. We know good because evil exists. We know justice because oppression exists.

Allah (swt) tells us:

“And We created all things in pairs, so that you may reflect.” (Qur’an 51:49)

Just as every action has an equal and opposite reaction, a principle observed in the physical world, we see a similar reality in the moral world. Every force of goodness encounters resistance. Every movement towards truth is challenged by falsehood. This struggle is part of the human test.

The story of Karbala teaches children that neutrality is not always an option. There are moments when a side must be chosen. Imam Hussain chose truth over comfort, justice over safety, and obedience to Allah over worldly gain. As parents, our responsibility is to nurture children who choose the path of light, righteousness, compassion, and courage.

Muharram reminds us that the battle between truth and falsehood continues in every generation. The question is not whether that struggle exists, but which side we choose to stand on.

May we raise children who stand with Imam Hussain’s message of courage and justice, who choose light over darkness, truth over falsehood, and unity over division. May they become among those who answer Allah’s call to hold firmly together to His rope and never allow the forces of darkness to separate what Allah intended to be united.