Noor Garden“The Truly Strong” – Hadith for Kids
Self-control · Ages 5–11
This hadith teaches children that being strong is not about winning fights or having big muscles. The truly strong person is the one who can stop and control himself when he feels angry. Staying calm, keeping your hands to yourself and choosing kind words is a special kind of strength that Allah loves.
The hadith
لَيْسَ الشَّدِيدُ بِالصُّرَعَةِ، إِنَّمَا الشَّدِيدُ الَّذِي يَمْلِكُ نَفْسَهُ عِنْدَ الْغَضَبِ
The strong person is not the one who wins at wrestling. The strong person is the one who controls himself when he is angry.
Narrated by: Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him)
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 6114; Sahih Muslim 2609
Grade: Sahih (agreed upon)
What it teaches
Real strength is inside you. Staying calm when you are angry is braver than fighting.
A little story to help understand it
This is an illustrative example we wrote to explain the meaning. It is not part of the hadith.
Omar was building a tall tower of blocks when his little brother knocked it down. Omar felt hot and angry, and he wanted to shout and push. Then he remembered the hadith about the truly strong. He closed his eyes, took three slow breaths and said, "A'udhu billah." His anger became smaller. Then he said, "It's okay, let's build a new one together." His little brother hugged him. Later his mother whispered, "Today you were really strong, stronger than any wrestler."
Try it today
If you feel angry today, stop, take three deep breaths and stay calm.
Mini quiz
Who is truly strong?
- The one who wins every fight
- The one with the biggest muscles
- The one who controls himself when angry
Show the answer
Answer: The one who controls himself when angry (C)
Questions parents ask
Is this hadith authentic?
Yes. It is recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari 6114; Sahih Muslim 2609. Grade: Sahih (agreed upon). It was narrated by Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him).
How can kids practice it?
If you feel angry today, stop, take three deep breaths and stay calm. Agree on a family "calm-down signal", like three deep breaths, that anyone can use when they start to feel angry.
Is it wrong to feel angry?
Feeling angry sometimes is normal for everyone. The hadith praises the person who controls himself when anger comes, so what matters is what we do next: stay calm instead of hurting others.
More hadith to learn
Last reviewed: 2026-10-09 · Sources & Method