THE PROPHET AND CHILDREN

The Prophet of Islaam was the example of how children could be loved and shown affection. He regarded children as great blessings of Allaah that should be covetously guarded, loved and cared for. He showed love and compassion for them and regarded whoever does not do so as heartless and merciless. He would hold his children, grandchildren and children of his companions in his lap and kiss them.

His houseboy, Anas ibn Maalik said: I never saw anyone who was more compassionate towards children than Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). His son Ibrahim was in the care of a wet nurse in the hills around 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)

Another companion of his, Usaamah ibn Zayd said: Allah’s Messenger 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-Bukhaaree)

Another glittering example of his compassion for children is what he did whenever he performed the prayer which is the greatest act of worship in Islaam. He said: “(It happens that) 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 its mother’s passions.” (Al-Bukhaaree)

And he commanded his followers to treat their children equally, irrespective of their sex or age. He said: “Fear Allah and treat your children [small or grown] fairly (with equal justice).” (Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim)