We have already shared many important verses of the surah for the education of one's family which can be accessed from our reference post: Al-Qurʾān: Selected verses from: Sürah 31. Luqman - Wisdom of Luqman al-Ḥakīm (“Luqman the Wise”). However, herein under we share a passage of verses 12-19 of the surah which presents the core of the surah and gives a complete model of parental moral and spiritual education.
The Passage
This selected a passage consists of verses 12 to 21. Some of the verses we have already explained separately for which links are given under the respective verses. The remaining are mentioned with small brief - their detailed explanation will be published separately in time.
Surah Luqmān generally and the passage 12-21 is especially valuable for children because it contains a remarkably complete model of parental moral and spiritual education. Luqmān does not merely give rules; he teaches faith, gratitude, prayer, character, humility and social conduct with affection: يَا بُنَيَّ — “O my dear son.” The most reflective verses for children are therefore mainly 31:12–21.
1. Luqmān 31:12 — Learn gratitude
- أَنِ اشْكُرْ لِلَّهِ “Be grateful to Allah.”
- Luqmān is first described as a man of wisdom, and the first expression of that wisdom is gratitude. Children should learn that intelligence, health, parents, food, education and opportunities are not merely possessions; they are blessings entrusted by Allah.
- Lesson for a child: Learn to say Alhamdulillah, but more importantly, live gratefully.
2. Luqmān 31:13 — Protect Tawḥīd
- يَا بُنَيَّ لَا تُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّ الشِّرْكَ لَظُلْمٌ عَظِيمٌ “O my dear son, do not associate anything with Allah. Surely shirk is a tremendous wrong.”
- This is perhaps the most foundational lesson Luqmān gives his son. Before teaching social manners or worldly success, he establishes the child's relationship with the Creator.
- Lesson: Love, worship, fear, hope and ultimate dependence belong to Allah alone.
3. Luqmān 31:14 — Honour your parents
- أَنِ اشْكُرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيْكَ “Be grateful to Me and to your parents.
- Allah places gratitude toward parents immediately after gratitude toward Himself and reminds the child especially of the mother's hardship in carrying and nursing them.
- Lesson: Respecting parents is not merely good manners; it is part of one's moral responsibility before Allah.
Please refer to the explanation of the verse 13 from our already published post: Islam enjoins Man to care for his parents as an act of worship next to worship of Allah
4. Luqmān 31:15 — Obedience has limits
- This verse is exceptionally important for older children. Even if parents pressure a person toward shirk, they must not be obeyed in that matter—yet Allah still says to accompany them courteously in this world.
- It teaches a beautiful balance: Conviction without disrespect, disagreement without cruelty, and faith without arrogance.
5. Luqmān 31:16 — Nothing is hidden from Allah
- إِن تَكُ مِثْقَالَ حَبَّةٍ مِّنْ خَرْدَلٍ... يَأْتِ بِهَا اللَّهُ “Even if something were the weight of a mustard seed... Allah will bring it forth.”
- This may be one of the deepest verses to teach a child. Luqmān tells his son that even the smallest deed, hidden inside a rock or somewhere in the heavens or earth, is known to Allah.
- Lesson: Be good even when nobody is watching. Character is what we do when only Allah knows.
6. Luqmān 31:17 — Establish prayer and stand for what is right
- يَا بُنَيَّ أَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ وَأْمُرْ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَانْهَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَاصْبِرْ “O my dear son, establish prayer, encourage what is right, forbid what is wrong, and patiently endure whatever befalls you.”
- This one verse gives a child almost an entire programme for life: ṣalāh, moral courage, responsibility and patience.
- Notice that Luqmān says establish prayer, not merely “perform it.” Prayer is meant to become an organizing force in one's life.
Please refer to the explanation of the verse 17 from our already published post: How to cope with consequences of challenging moral inconsistences
7. Luqmān 31:18 — Never become arrogant
- وَلَا تُصَعِّرْ خَدَّكَ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَمْشِ فِي الْأَرْضِ مَرَحًا “Do not turn your cheek away from people in contempt, nor walk proudly upon the earth.”
- Children need this verse especially in an age of comparison, status, wealth, appearance, social media and achievement.
- Lesson: Being talented, wealthy, educated or popular never gives us the right to look down upon another human being.
8. Luqmān 31:19 — Walk modestly and speak gently
- وَاقْصِدْ فِي مَشْيِكَ وَاغْضُضْ مِن صَوْتِكَ “Be moderate in your walking and lower your voice.”
- The Qur'an even educates a child in body language and tone of voice. Good character is reflected not only in what we believe but in the way we walk, speak and interact with others.
- Luqmān then gives the memorable comparison: إِنَّ أَنكَرَ الْأَصْوَاتِ لَصَوْتُ الْحَمِيرِ “Indeed, the harshest of voices is the braying of donkeys.”
- The lesson is not that children must always speak quietly, but that shouting, arrogance and harshness are not signs of strength.
Please refer to the explanation of the verses 19-21 from our already published post: Do not exhibit Arrogance and Vanity
The most important passage to teach children
If one passage of Surah Luqmān were selected as a mini curriculum for raising children, I would choose 31:12–21. It teaches, in a remarkably logical sequence:
Know Allah → honour parents → remember accountability → establish prayer → promote goodness → endure difficulties → reject arrogance → speak and behave gently.
What is equally important is how Luqmān teaches. He repeatedly says: يَا بُنَيَّ — “O my dear son.”
The Qur'an therefore teaches parents not only what to teach, but how to teach it—with affection, reasoning and conversation rather than humiliation and constant reprimand.
Perhaps the single verse I would want every child to carry into adulthood is 31:16: even a deed as tiny as a mustard seed, hidden where nobody can see it, is known to Allah. A child who truly understands that develops something more enduring than fear of parents or teachers: an inner conscience rooted in awareness of Allah.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
You may refer to more Selected Verses from Sürah 31. Luqman - Wisdom of Luqman al-Ḥakīm (“Luqman the Wise”) already published.
You may also refer to our exclusive reference pages:
- Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.
- Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects
- Selected Verses from the Qur'an.
You may also refer to our Reference Pages and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.
In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.
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