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"What!?" You shift around to glance at your 6-year-old. You give him a heavy stare and then ask again, “What did you say?” He repeats the word again with the casualness of a morning greeting. Your 6-year-old just blurted a word of profanity!

How do you handle this delicate situation? Well, there are several things you can do to discourage your child from saying bad words. Here are 6 productive ways to get started:

• Try to determine if older family members, friends, or TV viewing are providing your child with the improper words he is using. Young children are excellent mimickers. If they are hearing inappropriate words from those they regularly interact with, you might have a continuous battle trying to get them to stop using the words themselves. If you conclude they are getting the words from others around them, attempt to limit your child’s contact with these sources and mention your concerns to the individuals, as well.

Abu Hurairah reported: The Prophet (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasalaam) said, 'A man utters a word pleasing to Allah without considering it of any significance for which Allah exalts his ranks (in Jannah); another one speaks a word displeasing to Allah without considering it of any importance, and for this reason he will sink down into Hell.' (Bukhari)

• Explain to your child that the words he is using are not good words and that he is a Muslim, and Muslims should use decent words. Teach him the hadith in which The Prophet (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasalaam) said: 'Whosoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him say good or remain silent.'(Muslim)

Mention this hadith to your child often, not only during times of flagrantly ill speech, but also when he calls his friends and siblings hurtful names.

• Provide your child with alternative words to use when he uses inappropriate words of a lower grade than profanity. Tell him instead of saying I hate Jamal, say Jamal “irritates” me. Children take pleasure in learning new words and phrases.

• When you hear your child using proper words, compliment his behavior. One way of showing your child you are pleased with his pleasant words is by using incentive charts. Simply place a star on your child’s chart whenever he uses good words instead of negative words. When he reaches a certain number of stars such as ten, give him a special treat. Incentive charts work wonders! Acknowledging your child’s proper speech will go a long way toward encouraging him to use suitable words in the future, In sha Allah.

The Prophet (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasalaam) said, 'When the son of Adam gets up in the morning, all the limbs humble themselves before the tongue and say: ‘Fear Allah for our sake because we are with you: (i.e., we will be rewarded or punished as a result of what you do) if you are straight, we will be straight; and if you are crooked, we will become crooked.‘' (Tirmidhi).

• If the words aren’t exceedingly objectionable, try ignoring your child when he uses distasteful words. Sometimes kids go through phases with offensive words. They use them for a while then switch to others. Although the words ‘stupid’, ‘crazy’, and ‘dumb’ aren’t nice words, they aren’t profanity. It can become a chore following every single improper word your child uses.

However the following verse from the Qur’an is a great reminder for your child:

{يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا يَسْخَرْ قَوْمٌ مِّن قَوْمٍ عَسَىٰ أَن يَكُونُوا خَيْرًا مِّنْهُمْ وَلَا نِسَاءٌ مِّن نِّسَاءٍ عَسَىٰ أَن يَكُنَّ خَيْرًا مِّنْهُنَّ ۖ وَلَا تَلْمِزُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ وَلَا تَنَابَزُوا بِالْأَلْقَابِ ۖ بِئْسَ الِاسْمُ الْفُسُوقُ بَعْدَ الْإِيمَانِ ۚ وَمَن لَّمْ يَتُبْ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الظَّالِمُونَ}

{O you who believe! let not (one) people laugh at (another) people perchance they may be better than they, nor let women (laugh) at (other) women, perchance they may be better than they; and do not find fault with your own people nor call one another by nicknames; evil is a bad name after faith, and whoever does not turn, these it is that are the unjust.} [Al-Hujurat:11]

• Set a good example for your child. When you speak to or about others, use pleasant words. Let your children hear good words flowing from your mouth on a regular basis. In the long run, this might be the most productive way of taming your child’s foul mouth.

Abu Musa Al-Ash’ari reported: "I asked the Messenger of Allah : “Who is the most excellent among the Muslims?” He said, 'One from whose tongue and hands the other Muslims are secure' (Muslim).

Further Reading

Mum and Dad poem

Pictures according to Quran and Sunnah

Halloween: Innocent Fun or Mortal Danger?

Dajjal on a Donkey

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