Adab al-Mufrad

Benefits and Issues:
➊ From this, the virtue of Sayyiduna Hasan radi Allahu anhu is understood, that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam loved him so much. It is also understood that one should deal with children with compassion.

➋ Aqra’ bin Habis Tamimi radi Allahu anhu was a companion of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. He participated in the conquest of Makkah, the Battle of Hunayn, and the expedition of Ta’if. He continued to participate in later expeditions as well and was martyred during the caliphate of Sayyid Uthman radi Allahu anhu. He was a noble-natured person, but since he had not yet benefited from the company of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam for long, he described his ignorant way of life with pride, which the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam corrected, making it clear that not showing love to children is not something praiseworthy, but rather a cause of being deprived of Allah’s mercy.

➌ Showing mercy is not limited only to one’s own children, but one should also have a compassionate attitude towards the children of others. When any child would cry during prayer, the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam would shorten the prayer. Prohibiting the killing of women and children in war is also a manifestation of his merciful character. Furthermore, this mercy is not limited to children, but one should also show mercy to adults. Helping those in need, caring for the weak, and considering the pain of others as one’s own suffering—all these are required by the Shari’ah. If a person is devoid of these qualities, concerned only with his own self and lacking compassion for humanity, then he will remain deprived of Allah’s mercy. The distinction of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam was that, along with being extremely devoted in worship, he also cared for people and treated them with mercy and compassion.

➍ Not showing love and compassion to one’s children is hardness of the heart, which leads to distance from Allah. In one hadith, its remedy is mentioned as feeding the poor and placing a hand of compassion on the head of an orphan. (Sahih al-Targhib, Hadith: 2545)

➎ In order to maintain a proper environment at home and in society, it is necessary to adopt an attitude of love and affection towards children. Those children who do not receive love at home become deprived and seek affection outside the home, and as a result, they go astray. However, this love does not mean that every lawful and unlawful desire of theirs should be fulfilled. Keeping obscene and immodest literature and other musical instruments at home on the pretext that children go outside is sheer foolishness. The remedy for evil is never to adopt evil oneself; rather, as much as possible, children should be made averse to it and awareness of its harmfulness should be instilled in them.