Q: Why does Allah allows bad things to happen?
A: Introducing Surat Al-Hadid (57:22-23), Adam learns to trust that Allah knows what he does not. "No disaster strikes upon the earth or among yourselves except that it is in a register before We bring it into being – indeed that, for Allah, is easy. In order that you not despair over what has eluded you and not exult [in pride] over what He has given you. And Allah does not like everyone self-deluded and boastful."
Q: Does trusting Allah means we remain passive and do nothing?
A: Adam learns to trust that Allah knows what he does not, and accepts that his horse ran away. His friends and family help him, and they do farm chores without his horse's help.
Q: What are the different parts of the apple called?
A: Learn the different names of the apple when apple picking with Adam! (stem, peel, flesh, seeds, core)
Adam Learns Tawakkul: A children’s story book about trusting Allah
Table of Contents
A tawakkul book for kids…
When life doesn’t go the way our kids expect, their first instinct is often to complain, freeze, or look for someone to blame. Adam Learns Tawakkul is written to rewire their mindset toward something better: take action, try a solution, ask for help, and trust Allah with what you cannot control.
In this story, Adam faces the kind of “big feelings” children actually relate to:
- Adam has been eagerly waiting to spend summer vacation at his grandpa’s farm and ride his grandpa’s horse. But the animal suddenly leaves the farm.
- Adam and his friends are stuck doing chores on the farm—so he has to work through frustration and the feeling that life is unfair.
- He learns to stand back up, think clearly, and try again—instead of sitting down in defeat.
This is a purpose-built story (not a quick entertainment read). It’s structured as a full-length, deliberately paced children’s book with an intentionally higher page count (see the book details on this page), so kids have enough “story space” to feel the problem, wrestle with it, and internalize the lesson—without being preached at.
Why this approach works for kids
Young children learn values best through concrete situations, repetition, and back-and-forth conversation with a parent—not long explanations. That “serve-and-return” style interaction (your child reacts; you respond; they respond again) is a foundational driver of language, self-regulation, and higher-level thinking skills.
That’s why this book is designed to create natural moments for:
“What do you think Adam should do now?”
“What can he try first?”
“What can he do even if he feels upset?”
What is tawakkul? (Meaning in English)
Tawakkul (تَوَكُّل) is often explained as placing your trust in Allah after taking the steps you are able to take—it is not passive waiting or giving up.
In other words, tawakkul is not “do nothing and hope.” It is:
Do your part (effort, planning, problem-solving), then
Trust Allah with the outcome you cannot control.
This is the meaning children need—because it protects them from both extremes:
anxiety and over-control (“I must handle everything myself”), and
helplessness (“Nothing I do matters, so why try?”)
A famous Prophetic teaching captures this balance directly: “Tie your camel and then rely upon Allah.”
Tawakkul in Islam: trust in Allah while still taking action
In the Qur’an, Allah reminds us:
“And whoever puts their trust in Allah, then He alone is sufficient for them…” (Surah At-Talaq 65:3)
This is the heart of what Adam practices in the story: he doesn’t pretend the problem isn’t hard, and he doesn’t collapse into complaining. He learns to move forward with effort, while remembering that Allah is the One who brings ease and outcomes.
If you want a deeper adult-level explanation of tawakkul that still aligns with this “effort + trust” framing, these references are helpful and broadly used:
- Islamic Relief’s overview of tawakkul
- Yaqeen Institute’s discussion on relying on God while taking the means
Tawakkul in Arabic (تَوَكُّل)
Including the Arabic word (and hearing it used naturally in context) helps children connect Islamic concepts to real life—not just “religious class vocabulary.”
Arabic: تَوَكُّل
Transliteration: tawakkul
Simple child-friendly meaning: “I try my best, and I trust Allah.”
(If your child is older, this is also a great moment to explain that tawakkul is about calm effort—not panic effort.)
The Montessori connection: practical life, responsibility, and problem-solving
One reason the farm setting works so well is that chores are not random obstacles—they are meaningful “real life work.” Montessori education calls this Practical Life): children build independence, concentration, coordination, and responsibility through purposeful tasks that care for themselves and their environment.
That aligns perfectly with the emotional lesson in this story:
Adam doesn’t grow by being entertained.
He grows by being trusted with responsibility—and learning what to do when he’d rather be doing something fun.
This is also supported by child development research linking age-appropriate chores with autonomy and aspects of executive functioning (planning, self-management, mental flexibility). (Executive functions and household chores study)
So in a very Montessori way, your child practices:
“I can contribute.”
“I can try a next step.”
“I can handle frustration.”
And in an Islamic way, they add:
“I trust Allah while I do my part.”
A simple way to read this book for maximum impact
Try pausing at the “stuck” moments and asking one question:
“What’s one helpful thing Adam can do next?”
That single prompt trains the habit you want in real life: solution-first thinking. Over time, you will hear your child start to narrate their own tawakkul:
“I’ll try again.”
“I’ll ask for help.”
“I’ll do what I can… and trust Allah.”
Teach Tawakkul the way kids actually understand it
Not “sit and wait”… and not “control everything.” These three short reads show you how to teach effort + trust in everyday family life:
- Tawakkul Doesn’t Mean Sitting Around — what tawakkul really is (action, then surrender)
https://mayous.org/blog/islamic-parenting/tawakkul-doesnt-mean-sitting-around/ - Salah, Chaos, and Tawakkul — a simple 3-step framework you can explain to your children
https://mayous.org/blog/islamic-parenting/salah-chaos-and-tawakkul-a-muslim-parents-everyday-struggles/ - Moderate Muslim Parenting — habits that build a balanced, emotionally intelligent Muslim home
https://mayous.org/blog/islamic-parenting/moderate-muslim-parenting/
Q: Why does Allah allows bad things to happen?
A: Introducing Surat Al-Hadid (57:22-23), Adam learns to trust that Allah knows what he does not. "No disaster strikes upon the earth or among yourselves except that it is in a register before We bring it into being – indeed that, for Allah, is easy. In order that you not despair over what has eluded you and not exult [in pride] over what He has given you. And Allah does not like everyone self-deluded and boastful."
Q: Does trusting Allah means we remain passive and do nothing?
A: Adam learns to trust that Allah knows what he does not, and accepts that his horse ran away. His friends and family help him, and they do farm chores without his horse's help.
Q: What are the different parts of the apple called?
A: Learn the different names of the apple when apple picking with Adam! (stem, peel, flesh, seeds, core)
You can explore our catalog of fully illustrated storybooks here:
👉 Muslim Kids Storybook Catalog
Or you can access our free digital library and find your next favourite bedtime story here:
👉 Read islamic stories for free
What is tawakkul?
Tawakkul is trusting Allah with the outcome after you take the right steps. It means you put in sincere effort, make du‘a, and then rely on Allah’s wisdom—whether the result is what you hoped for or something better.
What does tawakkul mean in Islam?
In Islam, tawakkul means relying on Allah while still using the means He has provided. It is not passive. A person with tawakkul plans, works, and tries—then leaves the result to Allah, knowing He is the best of planners and the most merciful.
How do you explain tawakkul to a child?
A simple way to explain tawakkul to a child is: “Do your best, ask Allah for help, and then trust Allah with what happens.”
You can give everyday examples like studying for a test, trying out for a team, or making a new friend—children learn tawakkul when they see that effort and trust go together.
Is tawakkul “do nothing and wait,” or “do your best and trust Allah”?
Tawakkul is “do your best and trust Allah,” not “do nothing and wait.” Islam teaches action with reliance—work hard, take responsible steps, and then place your heart with Allah instead of becoming anxious or controlling. That balance is the heart of tawakkul.