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Fatwa CenterHow to answer children's sensitive questions about the human body
Question
Assalaamu alaikum,
I have children, and I know that one day they will ask me where do babies come to or what are the names of thier private parts, I know they might be any age when they ask these questions, and in my own humble opinion, I always believe that it is best to be truthful and give them the exact names of the anatomy, I don't like making up names or calling them 'special places' as some mothers do, I will tell my children that babies come out of the vagina and that the name for thier awrah is penis and when I tell them, I will use these terms casually as I don't consider them in anyway to be bad. Also part of the reason why I will be truthful is that I feel that we shouldnt lie to our children under any circumstances including this situation. Of course I will teach my children about modesty but I do not associate being truthful as being immodest. Also what good can come from lying to children, I don't think children should be raised with 'special places' in my own humble opinion one day being banu adam as we all are they will want to know whats so special etc
Insha Allah you can answer this for me, correct me if I am wrong in my opinion.
Jazak Allah khair
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
First of all, we would like to clarify that such embarrassing questions which the children might ask should not be encountered by narrow mindedness and embarrassment or by repelling the children from asking such questions. There is no doubt that such questions should be encountered by saying the truth, but being truthful does not necessitate to be completely open and unreserved when answering them, and it does not necessarily mean that you are lying when giving a hint and using metaphors [or speaking about something indirectly]. Being open and unreserved may be contrary to being bashful and it may lead the child to be obscene and this is very serious.
Indeed, the Sharee’ah uses metaphors for matters that people are ashamed of. Ibn ‘Abbaas 
said: “The words Lams, Mass and Mubaasharah (which in Arabic literally mean touching): mean sexual intercourse, but Allaah uses a metaphor for whatever He wishes with whatever He wishes.” Indeed, these words are mentioned in the Quran.
Moreover, ‘Aa’ishah 
narrated that a woman asked the Prophet about performing Ghusl after menses. So, he ordered her how to perform Ghusl saying: “Take piece of cloth scented with musk and purify yourself with it. She asked: “How would I purify myself with it? The Prophet said: “Purify yourself with it.” She said: “How?” The Prophet said: “Subhaanah Allaah, purify yourself with it.” So, I [‘Aa’ishah] dragged her to my side and said (to her): “Follow the traces of blood with it.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
An-Nawawi 
said: “The Hadeeth is evidence that it is desirable to use metaphors when talking about the ‘Awrah [private parts].”
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