Kindness to children

Abu Hurayrah narrated: "Oncethe Prophet and I went out during the day.
While on the journey, he did not talk to meand I did not talk to him.
When we reached the market of Bani Qaynuqaa', he sat in the front-yard
of Faatimah's house and asked: ' Is Luka' home? (i.e., 'the small boy'
- his grandson Al-Hasan)' But Faatimah kept the boy inside for a
while. I thought she was either changing his clothes or giving him a
bath. After a while, the boy came out running and the Prophet embraced
him and kissed him on the mouth; then he said: 'O Allaah! Love him,
and love whoever loves him.'" [Al-Bukhaari& Muslim] In other
narrations of this incident, Al-Hasan came out walking quickly and
jumped into the lap of the Prophet who had his arms extended towards
him, and who then hugged and kissed him.
Abu Hurayrah said: "After I heard the Prophet saying this,there was
nobody that I loved more than Al-Hasan." He also said: "It is never
that I saw Al-Hasan after having heard this, except that I cried."
The saying of Abu Hurayrah : "…He did not talk to me…" was probably
due to the Prophet being busy thinking about something, or being
inspired, or receiving revelation at the time.
As for his saying: "…and I did not talk to him…" is due to him
glorifying and honouring the Prophet ; this was the practice of the
Companions whenever they would see the Prophet silent.
This narration is a reflection of how great the Prophet was, due to
his coming to visit this child, which illustrated the love and mercy
that he had for him. This was despite the great responsibilities he
had as a leader of the entire Nation and the fact that he was busy
being a guardian over their affairs, the custodian of their treasury,
or Bayt Al-Maal, the dispatcher of the Muslim armies and the teacher
and preacher to all the Muslims. Moreover, he was also receiving
revelation from his Lord and contemplating over what happened to the
previous nations who disobeyed Him.
Despite all this, he did not forget in the midst of all these tasks
and responsibilities to check on his grandchild and try to bring joy
to him, as well as checking on his daughter and son-in-law. He sat in
front of the house waiting for his grandchild to come out, and
extended his arms towards him when he did so; he hugged and kissed
him, and this love wasreflected and reciprocated by the reaction of
the child who walked quickly and jumped into the lap of the Prophet .
Another narration that reflects the kindness that the Prophet had for
children is that which is narrated by Anas Ibn Maalik who said: "I
never saw anyone kinder and more merciful with children than the
Prophet . His son, Ibraaheem, would breastfeed from a woman in the
'Awaali area of Madeenah; he used to go and visit him and we would
accompany him. He used to enter the house in which Ibraaheem was and
find him with some splashes of the milk that he had drunk, on his
face; he would pick him up and kiss him." 'Amr who was one of the
Companions accompanying the Prophet in his visits, said: "After the
death of Ibraaheem, the Prophet said: 'Ibraaheem is my son and he died
whilst in the age of breastfeeding; he will have two women
breastfeeding him in Paradise until he concludes the age of
breastfeeding.' " [Muslim]
This narration reflects the noble manners of the Prophet and his
kindness to children. It also highlights the virtue of being merciful
with children and kissing them.
Ibraaheem died when he wassixteen or seventeen months old,which is why
the Prophet saidthat he died whilst at the age of breastfeeding,
because the complete breastfeeding term is usually two full years, as
mentioned in the Quran.
Many of those who are busy with worldly affairs or matters related to
the religion are thereby deprived of other matters; they are busy
teaching or leading others, or attaining wealth, and are thereby
deprived from kissingtheir children, playing with them,and cultivating
them properly. Nomatter how busy a person claimsto be, it is
impossible that he is busier than the Prophet was, who had time for
this despite his numerous and great responsibilities. The propagators
of Islaam, and others in general, have a duty towards their families
and kinsfolk which they must fulfil, despite their responsibilities.
A child has a very special position in the Islamic community, and
heshould get the required attentionand care which will make him grow
up balanced and well mannered.
Unlike what some may believe, possessing manhood, dignity andhonour
does not contradict caring for and playing with children. This is
reflected in the narration of Abu Hurayrah who said: "The Prophet
kissed Al-Hasan once while Al-Aqra' Ibn Haabis was sitting with him,
so Al-Aqra' said, `I haveten children; never did I kiss any of them.`
The Prophet therefore looked at him and said: 'Allaah will not be
merciful with the one who is not merciful to others. ' " [Al-Bukhaari]
A person who works as a preacher in a prison in a western country said
that an imprisoned drug addict once informed him that he would always
stub out his cigarette on his child's body, until he killed the child.
This is truly an ugly face of the west thatis reflected by this story;
what kind of civilisation do they have? What benefit did they gain
from their technology when their communities are overwhelmed with
immorality, lack of faith, and children who are murdered and tortured
like animals? This has become such a widespread phenomenon that there
are now designated telephone numbers for children to call and seek
help and protection if their parents harm or torture them.
But who are these children seeking protection from? It is from their
own parents, who torture them in such a barbaric manner that it
shatters the feelings of those who only get to hear about it.
A true believer should take lessons from the Names of Allaah; one of
His Names is the All-Merciful, so a believer should strive to be
merciful. Another of His Names is the Compassionate, so a believer
should work hard tobe compassionate and kind to others, especially his
children.
The father's love for his children should not be buried under his load
of work, or his numerous tasks; on the contrary, he should express his
love and kindness to them and strive to cultivate them