At just 10 years old and already in the eighth grade, Zafar Nuri — who proudly goes by his nickname Abu Bakr — has authored three books and is an international speaker. In this heartwarming episode of The Deen Show, this remarkable young Muslim demonstrates that when parents invest in their children’s Islamic upbringing, the results can be extraordinary.
Three Books by Age 10
- “Things Every Kid Should Know: Strangers” — teaching children how to protect themselves from dangerous people
- “Things Every Kid Should Know: Fire” — educating kids about fire safety
- “Things Every Kid Should Know: Reduce, Reuse, Recycling” — his newest book encouraging children to go green and care for the environment
Young Zafar chose his nickname Abu Bakr after the Prophet’s closest companion, saying: “He was the Prophet’s best friend, he was with the Prophet in the cave, and he used his money to help a lot of people. He is my favorite companion.” This kind of deep connection to Islamic role models at such a young age reflects the quality of his upbringing.
“Knowledge is very important for each of us to acquire. Allah says: ‘Are those who have understanding and those who don’t have understanding alike? Only men of understanding.'”
Teaching Parents Through the Prophetic Example
As an international speaker, Zafar addresses parents about treating children with the gentleness and patience of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). He shares the hadith of Anas ibn Malik: when the young Anas was sent on an errand but stopped to play with other children instead, the Prophet simply smiled and gently asked if he had completed the task — no anger, no harshness. This is the prophetic model of parenting that produces confident, knowledgeable, and righteous children.
“Instead of wasting their time listening to gangster rap, kids can spend time reading, empowering their minds, and being open-minded about learning the truth.”
Zafar’s story is a powerful call to every Muslim parent: invest in your children’s education, connect them with the Quran, surround them with positive influences, and nurture their talents. A righteous child who supplicates for you is one of the few investments that continues to benefit you even after death.
