How to Raise a Child with an Imagination Guided by the Quran

The Stories We Grew Up With

Do you remember your childhood evenings?
Perhaps you sat beside your Dadi, Nani, mother or grandmother as she told you stories of the Prophets. There may have been no colourful screen, no animation and no fast-moving pictures. Yet every story felt alive.
You could picture Prophet Nuh and his great ark. You could imagine Prophet Musa standing before the sea with his staff. You could feel the peace and mercy in the life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. You could wonder at the miracles Allah gave to Prophet Isa, who healed people by Allah’s leave.
Every scene came alive inside your own mind.
Those stories did more than entertain us. They gave us comfort. They brought us closer to Allah. They connected us to the people who raised us. And, without us even realising it, they taught us to imagine.

Childhood Today

Today, childhood often looks very different.

Many children spend their quiet moments holding a phone, watching cartoons, short videos and fast-moving content. The colours, sounds, characters and scenes are all ready-made. The child does not need to wait, wonder or create much within their own mind. They simply watch.
Phones are not the enemy, and parents should not feel guilty. Screens are now part of modern life. But we must ask an important question:
When was the last time our children sat close to us and listened to a story?

Why Stories Matter

When a child listens to a story or reads a book, their mind has work to do. They hear the words and begin to form pictures within themselves.
What did the ark of Prophet Nuh look like?
How large was the whale that swallowed Prophet Yunus?
What colour was the sky when Prophet Ibrahim looked at the stars?
How did a young companion feel when he heard Prophet Muhammad ﷺ speak?
A storybook gives children words, pictures and ideas—but it also gives them space to wonder. An illustration can open the door to a story, while the child’s imagination completes the journey.
As you read together, pause and ask:

• “Why do you think Prophet Nuh kept building the ark?”

• “How do you think Prophet Yunus felt inside the whale?”

• “What would you ask Prophet Muhammad ﷺ if you could meet him?”

These simple questions help children think, speak, feel and imagine.

Imagination That Brings a Child Closer to Allah

Faith-based storytelling offers something especially beautiful. Children do not only learn the names of the Prophets. They begin to feel courage through Prophet Musa, patience through Prophet Ayyub, trust through Prophet Nuh, hope through Prophet Yunus and kindness through Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

They learn that Allah helped the Prophets through every difficulty. They learn that faith is not only something to memorise. It is something to see, feel and carry in the heart.
A child who hears these stories regularly begins to understand that Allah is near in moments of fear, difficulty, hope and happiness.

What Research Tells Us

Research reminds us why these moments matter.

A brain-imaging study of 47 children aged three to five found that greater screen-media use was associated with differences in brain pathways linked to language and early literacy. This does not mean that every screen will harm a child. However, it does show why young children need plenty of real conversation, reading and connection. Read the JAMA Pediatrics study

Research on preschool children has also found that a stronger home-reading environment is linked with greater activity in brain areas involved in understanding language and creating mental images while listening to stories. Read the study summary
The message is simple: children need more than content. They need connection.

Bringing Story Time Back

You do not need a perfect routine or an hour every day. Even ten minutes before sleep can become a precious family habit.
Choose a story. Keep the phone away. Open a book. Look at the pictures. Read slowly. Pause. Ask one question.
A child may not remember every detail of the story. But they will remember your voice. They will remember turning pages with you. They will remember the feeling of safety, love and faith.

This is where Goodword’s children’s books can become part of family life. Carefully written stories and engaging illustrations help parents introduce the Quran, the Prophets and Islamic values in a way children can understand, enjoy and remember.
For a rich collection of Quran stories, explore 100 Best Quran Stories. To create a daily reading habit, 365 Days with the Quran offers a year-long journey through Quran stories and lessons. For a gentle night-time routine, Bedtime Quran Stories helps bring stories of faith into those quiet moments before sleep.

Give Your Child a Story to Carry for Life

We do not only want our children to watch the world on a screen.
We want them to see the signs of Allah, imagine goodness and carry the stories of faith in their hearts.
Because a child whose imagination is rooted in faith can grow up with hope, courage and a deep connection with Allah.

Explore Goodword Children’s Books

Discover Quran stories, board books, activity books and more at Goodword India’s Children’s Books collection.

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