The question
Your program is available to me. I was scattered in my thinking — I didn't know what duties my child should know at age four. By Allah's grace, then through your grace, I now have information and a foundation to walk on. My question: how do I present it to him?
Qur'an, sciences, letters, numbers, and creed — all in one day, or do I divide them?
If you tell me, I'll be grateful.
Our answer
May Allah ennoble you with him as a memorizer and practitioner of the Book of Allah. Four years is still small, so be patient with him. Endear it to him and strengthen in him the love of the Qur'an, for at this age he won't understand the virtues with the depth that pushes him to act — together with mentioning the virtues of the Qur'an (the hadiths on its virtues), and increasing his love of Allah (by his knowing Allah, His names, His attributes, His blessings upon him, and the role of the Qur'an in his life; and teach him that the Qur'an is a constitution and laws and the reference for the details of his life).
It is good that you be patient with his reactions, and also be firm about the time of memorization and fixing the time. It is also good to tie accomplishment to a reward, such as an Islamic cartoon no longer than ten minutes.
Variety in approach helps reinforce what's working and grow it.
If you can have a child of his age join him during memorization and the preparatory level program, that would be good.
Or arrange a fun activity for him after every accomplishment in memorization — that increases his love for the Qur'an.
Look for a shaykh for him who will stay with him in the coming months and be a teacher and trusted advisor.
Tie privileges he loves to accomplishments in the Qur'an, and be a role model for him. May Allah create him under His care and make him an imam of the God-fearing.
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