Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Sahihah

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), he says: We were performing the ‘Isha prayer with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), when suddenly Sayyiduna Hasan and Sayyiduna Husayn (may Allah be pleased with them both) climbed onto his back. When he would raise his blessed head, he would gently take them from behind and very affectionately place them on the ground. Then when he would go into prostration, they would climb on again. When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) finished the prayer, he would seat them on his thigh, that is, one (on one thigh) and the other (on the other thigh). Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) says: I came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and said: O Messenger of Allah! Should I not take both of them to their mother? The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “No.” Meanwhile, when lightning flashed, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Both of you go to your mother.” Then they walked in the light of the lightning until they reached their mother.