Ideal Muslim & Children [cont.]

In the name of God, compassionate & merciful بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ | Peace be with you السلام عليكم

A father compassionately demonstrates his love for his children

One of the Muslim father’s paternal duties is to demonstrate his affection and mercy towards his children so they will grow up confident, optimistic with high levels of self-esteem.

Compassion was of the prominent characteristics of Muhammad (saw), as Anas told us:

‘I never saw anyone who was more compassionate towards children than the Messenger of Allah (saw). His son Ibrahim was in the care of a wet-nurse in the hills around Makkah. He would travel there, and we would go with him, and he would enter the house, pick up his son, kiss him, and then come back.’ (Muslim)

The Prophet’s (pbuh) mercy and love towards the Muslim children included those who were playing. Anas said whenever the Prophet (pbuh) passed by a group of boys he would smile fondly and greet them.

An example of his enduring educational wisdom is the advice:

‘He is not one of us who does not show compassion to our little ones and recognise the rights of our elders.’ (Ahmad ahadith)

Abu Hurayra said:

‘The Prophet (saw) kissed Hasan (‘Ali’s son) and al-Aqra was watching and said: “I have ten children, and I have never kissed any of them.” The Prophet said, “he who does not show mercy, will not be shown mercy”.’ (Bukhari & Muslim ahadith)

The Prophet (saw), this great educator, always sought to instil the quality of mercy & compassion in ppl’s hearts – to awake their potential for love and affection, which are basic human characteristics Allah gave us all, but not all of us put to use.

One day a Bedouin (man of another tribe) came to RasoolAllah (saw) and asked,‘Do you kiss your children? We don’t.’ And the Prophet (saw) said, “What can I do for you is Allah has removed mercy from your heart?”

Read this very carefully, it contains many acts that we should follow…Muhammad’s (saw) wife Aisha reported:

‘Whenever Fatima came into the room, the Prophet would (1) stand up, (2) welcome her, (3) kiss her and (4) offer her his seat and whenever he (saw) came into the room, she would stand up, take his hand, welcome him, and offer him a seat. When she came to see him during his final illness, he welcomed her and kissed her forehead.’

As it’s evidently clear, showing fatherly love to one’s child has no end nor limit. Prophet Muhammad (saw) genuinely loved his children, and loved Fatima till his last breath. It is worshipping Allah to love His people, it’s a duty and a character building act to love your own children. Only a deeply grim and cowardly man would hesitate to say he loves his children and shows it through action. Even if its fashion to be reserved with family, break this trend and follow the Ideal Muslim Muhammad (saw). Follow the enlightenment and guidance of Islam which awakens the soul inside. Children are a part of us, as a famous poet Hittan al-Mualli said:

‘Our children are our hearts, walking among us on the face of the earth. / if even a little breeze brushes past them, we cannot sleep for worrying about them.’

Peace & respect ★