The
Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him): His Affection For Children
09 April 2011
Islamic Perspectives - Muslim
Journals
Arab News & Information - By Adil Salahi
A cursory look at the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad
(peace be upon him) reveals how far removed from
reality the stereotype of a devout Muslim is these
days.
The Prophet (pbuh) treated everyone with utmost
kindness. He did not subscribe to the pre-Islamic
macho notion that expressing tenderness to children or
showing kindness to women was a sign of weakness. On
the contrary, he publicly expressed his affection for
children.
According to an authentic Hadith narrated in the
Saheeh Al-Bukhari, Allah's Messenger kissed Al-Hasan
ibn Ali while Al-Aqra bin Habis Al-Tamim was sitting
with him. Al-Aqra said, "I have 10 children and have
never kissed one of them." The Prophet cast a look at
him and said, "Whoever is not merciful to others will
not be treated mercifully."
In another incident, Mother of Believers Ayesha (may
Allah be pleased with her) narrated that a Bedouin
visited the Prophet (pbuh) and said, "You kiss the
boys. We don't kiss them." The Prophet (pbuh) said, "I
cannot put mercy in your heart after Allah has taken
it away from it." (Saheeh Al-Bukhari).
One of the Prophet's closest young companions, Anas
ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him), said: "I
never saw anyone who was more compassionate toward
children than Allah's Messenger. His son Ibrahim was
in the care of a wet nurse in the hills around Al-Madinah.
He would go there, and we would go with him, and he
would enter the house, pick up his son and kiss him,
then come back." (Muslim)
The Prophet's (pbuh) affection was not limited to his
immediate family circle. For instance, he used to play
with Usama bin Zayd, a child of Abyssinian origin, and
his grandson Hasan, holding them together.
"The Messenger of Allah used to put me on one of his
thighs and put Al-Hasan ibn Ali on his other thigh,
and then embrace us and say, 'O Allah please be
merciful to them, as I am merciful to them."' (Al-Bukhari)
The Prophet's (pbuh) treatment of baby girls was also
a benchmark in the ancient times when a girl was
viewed with scorn. The "real men" in those days would
rather kill a baby girl than allow her to grow up in
their homes. However, the Prophet (pbuh) challenged
this inhuman attitude and used to play with them in
the same way he would with male children.
Abu Qatadah Al-Sulami reports: "The Prophet (peace be
upon him) prayed carrying Umama bint Zainab, a
granddaughter: When he was standing he carried her,
but when he prostrated himself, he put her on the
floor." (Al-Bukhari)
According to another report, "When he bowed in ruku he
put her on the floor, and when he arose from
prostration he carried her." (Muslim)
The Prophet (pbuh) said, "I start the prayer intending
to prolong it, but on hearing the cries of a child, I
shorten the prayer because I know that the cries of
the child will incite the mother's passion." (Al-Bukhari)
Another incident reported by Ayesha (may Allah be
pleased with her) demonstrated how tender the Prophet
(pbuh) was with babies. A child once urinated on the
Prophet (pbuh) but he neither complained nor made a
fuss. He simply cleaned his clothes by pouring some
water over the soiled place. (Al-Bukhari)
The Prophet (pbuh) would have fun with the children
who had come back from Abyssinia and tried to speak in
Abyssinian with them. It was his practice to give
lifts on his camel to children when he returned from
journeys.
The Prophet (pbuh) also used to pay attention to
children and their hobbies.
Anas bin Malik narrated: "The Prophet (pbuh) used to
mingle with us to the extent that he would say to the
younger brother of mine, Father of Umair what did you
do with Al-Nughair (a pet bird)." (Muslim)
The Prophet's (pbuh) audience included kings, warriors
and wise men. Yet he found time to cuddle babies and
have fun with children. This is how a true Muslim
should be because the Prophet (pbuh) is the role model
and he made the lives of children he interacted with
pleasant.
Add Comments