IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE BENEVOLENT, THE MERCIFUL
[Shamim A Siddiqi, New York]
Rasulullah (S) was the Prophet of Allah and at the same time a human being. In both of his capacity, he (S) demonstrated especial care and concern for the poor, the needy, the oppressed, the week, the orphans, the destitute, the wayfarers, the womenfolk, the deprived, the have-nots and the suffering humanity at large. In this category, small kids and youngsters were for his especial consideration. The following instances will confirm his (S) extreme care and consideration that he (S) had with the kids and youngsters, serving as a model for all of us to follow in our day-to-day life.
1. Zaid bin Harith (RA) was a lad when he came under the care of Rasulullah (S). When Zaid’s father and his uncle came to Rasulullah (S) to take him back to his home and were prepared to give any amount in exchange that Rasulullah (S) would have demanded. Rasulullah (S) called for Zaid and when he (S) asked him: do you recognize who they are? When Zaid pinpointedly said that he is my father and he is my uncle, Rasulullah (S) declared: I give free choice to Zaid, if he wants to go with you, I will set him free right away without any charge but if he does not want to go with you, I will not depart him at all. When Zaid categorically declared afterward that he preferred to stay with Rasulullah (S) than his father and uncle, Rasulullah (SD) took Zaid to Haram and declared that from today onward Zaid will be known as “Zaid b Muhammad”. His father and uncle were extremely satisfied with this extraordinary gesture of Rasulullah (S) and when they saw that his son is preferring freedom over the service of Muhammad (S), they left Makkah happily and contented. It was the love and care of Rasulullah (S) for Zaid that he preferred him (S) to his parents and freedom. Zaid remained with Rasulullah (S) for the whole of his life as his (S) most beloved companion
Later on Zaid’s son Usama was also the
favorite of Rasulullah (S) the way he (S) liked Hassan and Hussain [RA], the
two grandsons from his (S) daughter Fatima (RA). Rasulullah (S) used to play with these kids by putting them on
his sacred thighs and lap. He was very much fond of them. May Allah bless them!
2. Anas
b Malik (RA): When he was just a kid of about ten years, his mother, Umme
Sulaim (RA) presented him to Rasulullah (S) with all devotion for attending his
(S) personal services. Rasulullah (S) praised her sincerity and accepted him
with love and affection for the kid.
Anas ® remained in the service of Rasulullah (S) for about ten years
till he (S) breathed his last. It is narrated by Anas ® that during this long
period he (S) never showed any temper to him nor ever used any accusative
language and never enquired: why you did it and why you did it not. [Bukhari]
Imam Baihaqi quotes as narrated by Anas ® saying, “ Rasulullah (S) never condemned me even if I caused some damage and used to advise his (S) family members to let it go. It was destined for him (S), so it happened. No one should blame him [Anas] for the loss. [From Shubatul Iman]
Once Anas ® was playing with other kids, Rasulullah (S) came and send him for some work. He waited for Anas at the spot till he returned and as such Anas ® returned to his home quite late. When his mother, Umme Sulaim (RA) asked him about the reason and the work for which he (S) sent him, Anas ® said that Rasulullah (S) asked him not to tell to anyone. Hearing this, his mother told him to hold this secret of Rasulullah (S) for good. As a result of it, he never told it to anyone and carried with him to his grave. This was the amount of devotion and faithfulness both of the mother and son with Rasulullah (S). Sometimes Rasulullah (S) used to kid around with Anas. Once he (S) addressed Anas ® saying, “Ya Zul-Uznain” O! who has two ears.
It is also narrated by Anas ® saying, “ When Rasulullah (S) used to pass through children, he (S) used to salute them [saying Salam to them]. It was his (S) habit”. [Bukhari]
Here
I would to share with our readers some other Ahadith of Rasulullah (S) that
throw further light on the topic.
* Loving the Children:
Aisha Siddiqa ® narrates that a Bedouin came to Rasulullah (S) [and he (S) was
kissing and caring a child].
The Bedouin said, “ You love
your children and we don’t”.
Rasulullah (S), then, said, “ What can I do, if
Allah has deprived your heart from the feelings of love and kindness” [Bukhari
and Muslim]
*Kidding with children: Anas b Malik ®
reports: Rasulullah (S) lived with us
very intimately [without any reservation]. I had a little brother whose name
was Omair. He had a bird. He was
playing with her. That bird died. Rasulullah (S) used to ask him in the way of
kidding, “ Omair what happened to your bird?” [Bukhari and
Muslim]
*Kissing the children: A baby was brought to Rasulullah (S). He
(S) kissed him and said, “ Children make the people miser and coward and they are
the fragrance or the flowers of Allah”.
[From
Mishkat]
*Qurrah b Eyas ® reports that whenever Rasulullah (S) had a sitting, some
of his companions used to sit around him. Amongst them, there was a person who
had a little kid. This baby kid used to come to Rasulullah (S) from behind but
he (S) used to make him sit in his (S) front. The child died and the father,
out of sorrow, did not come to the sittings of Rasulullah (S) for a few days.
Rasulullah (S) asked, “ What’s the matter? That person is not coming”.
People said, “ His small child whom you had seen had died. Perhaps he is
not coming for this reason”.
Rasulullah (S) went to see him and inquired about the child. When he
reported about the death of his child, Rasulullah (S) consoled him and said. “
Tell me, what you like? Would you like that the child be alive or he should go
ahead of you and opens the door of heaven for you. When you reach there, he
welcomes you”.
That person said, “ O Prophet of Allah! I like it that he should go first
in Jannah and open the door for me”.
Rasulullah (S) said, “ This child has died in your life time and he will
open the door of Jannah for you”.
[Al-Targheeb wa Al-Tarheeb: Nisa’i]