Sometimes we get so bogged down in the rites of prayer (wudhoo, dhikr, etc) that we forget WHY we are praying. So how do we teach this amazing philosophy of prayer that we have? When children are young – and especially if they are reluctant, rather than ‘making’ them pray, why not make them do a sajdah and encourage them to TALK to Allah. Is that not what Salaath is all about anyway? A conversation with Him? Another idea is to remind them to link Salaah to shukr. As someone commented: “…starting from, thanking Allah because of sooooooooo many blessings He has given us (try counting with them all the blessings and then give up saying “I can’t, there are just too many, uncountable”)” Here again, modelling is essential. Do we only pray out 5 Farz salaah? Why not fall into sajdah when something good happens, and encourage our children to do the same? When we need something, why not recite a two-rakaat salah for hajaat and let the children know you are doing this so they realize it has so many purposes? As they get older, we can try and explain the deeper meanings of remembering Him, being aware of His presence and explaining the philosophy of the different parts of salaaH…