Authored by: Dr. Muhammad Zia-ur-Rahman Azmi (Rahimahullah)
Chapter Title: Showing Mercy and Affection Towards Children
Arabic Title: باب تقبيل الأولاد والرحمة بهم
Sayyiduna Abu Qatadah al-Ansari (RA) narrated:
"The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) would perform prayer while carrying Umamah, the daughter of Zainab (the daughter of the Messenger of Allah) and Abu al-As ibn al-Rabi’ ibn Abd Shams. When he prostrated, he would put her down, and when he stood, he would pick her up."
(Agreed Upon: Malik in Jami’ al-Salah 87, Bukhari 516, Muslim 543:41)
❀ Kissing Children as an Act of Mercy
Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated:
"The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) kissed Hasan ibn Ali while al-Aqra ibn Habis al-Tamimi was sitting with him. Al-Aqra said: 'I have ten children, and I have never kissed any of them.' The Prophet (PBUH) looked at him and said: 'Whoever does not show mercy will not be shown mercy.'"
(Agreed Upon: Bukhari 5997, Muslim 2318)
❀ Bedouins’ Perspective on Kissing Children
Sayyidah Aisha (RA) narrated:
"Some Bedouins came to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and asked: 'Do you kiss your children?' They replied, 'Yes.' The Bedouins said: 'But by Allah, we do not kiss them.' The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: 'What can I do if Allah has removed mercy from your hearts?'"
(Agreed Upon: Bukhari 5998, Muslim 2317)
"The Prophet (PBUH) once took a child in his lap to perform Tahnik (rubbing a date on the child’s palate). The child urinated on him, and the Prophet (PBUH) called for water and poured it over the affected area."
(Agreed Upon: Bukhari 6002, Muslim 286)
"The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) would take me and seat me on one of his thighs, and seat Hasan on the other. Then he would embrace us and say: 'O Allah, have mercy on them, for I have mercy on them.'”
(Sahih: Bukhari 6003)
Chapter Title: Showing Mercy and Affection Towards Children
Arabic Title: باب تقبيل الأولاد والرحمة بهم
Prophet’s Compassionate Actions Towards Children
❀ Carrying His Granddaughter During PrayerSayyiduna Abu Qatadah al-Ansari (RA) narrated:
"The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) would perform prayer while carrying Umamah, the daughter of Zainab (the daughter of the Messenger of Allah) and Abu al-As ibn al-Rabi’ ibn Abd Shams. When he prostrated, he would put her down, and when he stood, he would pick her up."
(Agreed Upon: Malik in Jami’ al-Salah 87, Bukhari 516, Muslim 543:41)
❀ Kissing Children as an Act of Mercy
Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated:
"The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) kissed Hasan ibn Ali while al-Aqra ibn Habis al-Tamimi was sitting with him. Al-Aqra said: 'I have ten children, and I have never kissed any of them.' The Prophet (PBUH) looked at him and said: 'Whoever does not show mercy will not be shown mercy.'"
(Agreed Upon: Bukhari 5997, Muslim 2318)
❀ Bedouins’ Perspective on Kissing Children
Sayyidah Aisha (RA) narrated:
"Some Bedouins came to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and asked: 'Do you kiss your children?' They replied, 'Yes.' The Bedouins said: 'But by Allah, we do not kiss them.' The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: 'What can I do if Allah has removed mercy from your hearts?'"
(Agreed Upon: Bukhari 5998, Muslim 2317)
Prophet’s Tolerance and Cleanliness While Handling Children
❀ Sayyidah Aisha (RA) narrated:"The Prophet (PBUH) once took a child in his lap to perform Tahnik (rubbing a date on the child’s palate). The child urinated on him, and the Prophet (PBUH) called for water and poured it over the affected area."
(Agreed Upon: Bukhari 6002, Muslim 286)
Expressions of Love and Affection
❀ Sayyiduna Usama ibn Zaid (RA) narrated:"The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) would take me and seat me on one of his thighs, and seat Hasan on the other. Then he would embrace us and say: 'O Allah, have mercy on them, for I have mercy on them.'”
(Sahih: Bukhari 6003)
Key Lessons from These Narrations
- Compassionate Interaction with Children: The Prophet (PBUH) actively demonstrated love, such as carrying his granddaughter during prayer and kissing his grandchildren.
- Rebuking Harshness: The Prophet (PBUH) condemned those who showed a lack of affection towards children, emphasizing that mercy is a key trait of a believer.
- Tolerance in Handling Children’s Behavior: The Prophet (PBUH) responded with patience and kindness, even when inconvenienced by a child’s actions, such as urination.
- Encouragement to Express Love: By praying for and physically embracing children, the Prophet (PBUH) set an example of nurturing relationships.
- Mercy as a Divine Attribute: Those who do not show mercy to children are deprived of Allah’s mercy, highlighting the importance of compassion in Islamic teachings.