Loving Children (Hadith No. 1547)

Bismillah.

Volume 3, Book 27, Number 24:

Narrated Ibn Abbas (radiallaahu `anhu):

When the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) arrived at Mecca, some boys of the tribe of Bani ‘Abdul Muttalib went to receive him, and the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) made one of them ride in front of him and the other behind him.

1. Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) was accessible, even to children. A person of such noble status and rank would typically expect grand reception on his arrival, but the greatest man who ever lived got received by kids! And apparently he loved it.
2. I wonder what would have happened in between the reception and riding together.. Would he have hugged them, kissed them, or made conversation with them? What would he have talked about with them? Maybe something they were interested in..? He would’ve probably listened to their stories throughout the way. Children are usually chatterboxes, unable to stop talking once they start. :)
3. He made them ride with him – one in front of him, and one behind him. The gesture shows nothing but love and compassion. I feel envious (rashk, not hasad!) of those kids who got the chance to be so close to the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) in their lives. How special would they have felt about themselves when the Prophet would smile at them and talk to them, giving them his attention. True celebrity!

Here’s a booklet called “Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم: A Mercy for Children“. It talks about the way Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) used to treat children, and how he was a mercy for them as well. Nicely compiled mashaAllah. Do check it out!

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