Why Talk About Hajj Rituals with Our Kids (Even When They’re Young)

How many times has your child asked why we fast in Ramadan, or why we pray five times a day? You know how curious they can be. Hajj rituals are no different. They might not fully understand why people are walking in circles or throwing pebbles at pillars, but they can understand that it’s something special. That it’s a time when millions of people gather just to get closer to Allah. And when we introduce them to these beautiful stages of Hajj early on, it starts to become part of what they identify with as they grow up.  

Explaining the Stages of Hajj Without Overwhelming Them 

You don’t need to cover all the stages of Hajj in one sitting. Sometimes it’s just a quick question at the dinner table: 

“Do you know what Hajj is?” 

Or while folding laundry: 

“Do you know the story of Hajar?” 

And that’s your opening. 

Kids learn in small pieces. You give them little bits here and there. Over time, it adds up. Talking like this at home with our kids casually sends a message that these aren’t things to learn “when you grow up” but that they’re part of “who you are.” 

So, when they see people walking around the Kabah or camping in tents in Mina, it won’t feel distant. It’ll be something they connect with. 

Fun Ways to Teach Hajj at Home

Here are some easy, low-prep ideas that turn learning about Hajj rituals into fun family time: 

• Play the Jamarat game by tossing cotton balls at a wall with a paper that says 'Jamarat' taped to it.
• Read them a storybook about Hajj that sticks to them. The Green Dinosaur Umbrella is a beautifully written picture book that brings the journey of Hajj to kids in a way they can understand and connect with. It’s a heartwarming tale about an umbrella (yes, a green dinosaur umbrella!) that makes its way through Makkah, helping different pilgrims along the way. 

A Gentle Reminder (From One Parent to Another)

You don’t have to wait until your child is older to start talking about Hajj. You just need to begin with a question or a story. That way our kids will feel connected to their faith — not just when they’re older, but from now.