We often read and hear about the touching incident where a great leader took the time to console a young child who had lost his beloved pet bird. This leader was none other than our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). He would stop by and gently ask the child, “O Abu ‘Umair, what happened to the Nughair (your sparrow)?” This simple yet profound act of compassion demonstrates the Prophet’s deep care for even the smallest concerns of a child.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) consistently rejected harshness towards children, recognising their psychological need for love and attention. Despite his busy schedule, he made it a priority to show affection to children, teaching us that caring for the young can and should be integrated into our daily lives, no matter how busy we are. This approach is encapsulated in the meaning of the Quranic verse: “And by the Mercy of God, you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude and harsh-hearted, they would have disbanded from about you” (Quran 3:159). This verse highlights the importance of kindness and leniency, especially towards those who are vulnerable, like children.
Guiding Children through a Sea of Information
In today’s world, where information is abundant and easily accessible, it is crucial to approach children thoughtfully and with understanding. Parents today face the challenge of guiding their children through a sea of information, much of which may be confusing or misleading. It is essential to teach children how to think critically and discern between reliable and unreliable sources, particularly when they ask questions about Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).
Ibn Abbas (may God be pleased with him) was once asked how he acquired his vast knowledge. He replied, “With a questioning tongue and an understanding heart”[1] This statement highlights the importance of combining two qualities: a tongue that actively seeks knowledge through questioning, which is an instinct in every child, and a heart that comprehends and retains what it learns. When these two qualities are present together, a person can attain a great deal of knowledge. However, if either quality is lacking, the praiseworthiness diminishes, and so does the individual’s level of knowledge in proportion to what is missing.
This statement by Ibn Abbas also serves as a rebuttal to certain philosophers and atheists who treat the act of questioning as an end in itself. They focus on raising numerous questions but do not put in the effort to seek answers. Even when answers are provided, they do not grasp the meaning; instead, they attempt to undermine the response by generating countless additional questions, ultimately diluting the strength and coherence of the original answer. The root cause of this behaviour is that their hearts lack the necessary understanding to allow knowledge to take root, and they possess no certainty to anchor that knowledge. As a result, their hearts are filled with doubt, confusion, restlessness, and contradiction.
Parents can seize these moments of curiosity and passion to knowledge and learning to help their children develop a deeper and more accurate understanding of the Prophet’s life and teachings. This involves encouraging them to ask thoughtful questions, explore different perspectives, and seek out credible information. The Prophet himself said, “The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it”.[2]
This hadith emphasises the importance of seeking knowledge and sharing it with others, a principle that can be applied to teaching children about the Prophet in the digital age. So, how can parents effectively introduce our beloved Prophet to children in this era of technology and information conflict?
The key lies in combining traditional teachings with modern tools. Parents should engage with their children by using technology wisely—whether through watching educational videos presented by authorised, trustworthy, specialised scholars, reading interactive e-books, or exploring apps designed to teach about the Prophet engagingly. At the same time, they should ensure that the information is accurate and rooted in authentic Islamic sources.
Parents, more importantly, should embody the Prophet’s character in their daily lives, as children learn best through example. By demonstrating qualities such as kindness, patience, and compassion, parents can instil in their children a love for the Prophet and a desire to follow his example.
Teaching Children by Following the Prophet’s Example
As children grow older, particularly around the age of 6 or 7, they begin to develop a clear understanding of right and wrong. It is during this critical stage that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) provides a timeless example for guiding children with gentleness and wisdom. Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-‘As narrated that the Prophet said: The Compassionate One [Allah] has mercy on those who are merciful. If you show mercy to those who are on the earth, He Who is in heaven will show mercy to you.”[3]
When the Prophet observed a child making a mistake, he would correct them with kindness and clarity, without resorting to harsh scolding or causing embarrassment. For instance, Umar ibn Abu Salamah reported: “I was a boy under the care of the Messenger of God, and as my hand used to wander around in the dish, he once said to me: ‘O son, mention God’s Name (i.e., say Bismillah), eat with your right hand, and eat from what is in front of you’”.[4] This simple correction not only guided the child but also instilled in him the values of mindfulness and etiquette, done in a way that preserved his dignity.
Reflecting on the Prophet’s loving and mild behaviour towards children teaches us to avoid actions that could displease God and harm our relationship with the young ones in our care. The Prophet’s tender affection for children is beautifully illustrated in many of his actions. For example, he once kissed his grandson, Al-Hasan ibn Ali, in the presence of Al-Aqra’ ibn Habis At-Tamim. Al-Aqra’ remarked, “I have ten children and have never kissed one of them.” The Prophet responded with a profound reminder: “Whoever is not merciful to others will not be treated mercifully”.[5] This Hadith echoes the Quranic principle that “Indeed, the mercy of God is near to the doers of good” (Quran 7:56), emphasising that mercy begets mercy.
The Prophet’s interaction with children also teaches us that showing love and care is a form of worship and adherence to Sunnah. It is a sunnah to show affection, to hold and cuddle your baby, and to kiss your son or daughter. The Prophet once said, “He is not of us who does not show mercy to our young ones and esteem to our elderly”.[6]
Children are a source of joy, a mercy, and a gift from God. They bring blessings to their families and soften even the hardest of hearts, as the Prophet demonstrated time and again.
Showing love to Children
Importantly, we must love our children because they best understand the language of love. The Prophet demonstrated this in many ways. For example, he would shorten his prayers if he heard a baby crying, not wanting to cause distress to the baby’s mother. On other occasions, he would pray with a child in his arms, lifting the child as he stood and placing the child down when he went into prostration. This tender behaviour reflects the deep love and care he had for children, consistent with the Quranic guidance to “be kind to parents and relatives, orphans and the needy” (Quran 2:83).
The Prophet was also incredibly tolerant and forgiving of the small mistakes children made. He would play with them, give them rides on his camel, and feed them dates. He understood that children are naturally curious and love to explore new things. In one instance, a baby played with the seal of Prophethood between his shoulders. When the baby’s father became annoyed, the Prophet gently intervened, telling the father to let the child be, not to scold her, and then blessed the child by praying for her to have a long life.
In every interaction, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) exemplified the importance of mercy, love, and patience with children. By following his example, we can teach our children about his noble character and ensure that they grow up with a deep sense of love, respect, and connection to their faith. The Quran reminds us, “Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah, you have a good example to follow for whoever hopes for Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah often” (Quran 33:21). Let us embody this example in our approach to nurturing the young, as we guide them with the same compassion and wisdom that the Prophet showed.
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[1] Reported by Imam Ahmad in Fadail Al-Sahabah, 2/970.
[2] Reported by Bukhari in his Sahih.
[3] Reported by Abo Dawud in his Sunnan.
[4] Agreed upon hadith, reported by Bukhari and Muslim.
[5] Reported by Al-Bukhari.
[6] Reported by At-Tirmidhi.
