The Prophet's Kindness to Children

The Prophet's tenderness toward children was remarkable in a society where showing affection to children was sometimes considered a weakness. He would frequently kiss and carry his grandsons al-Hasan and al-Husayn, sometimes even during the prayer, setting them down and continuing. Al-Aqra' ibn Habis saw this and said: 'I have ten children and have never kissed any of them.' The Prophet replied: 'Whoever does not show mercy will not be shown mercy.' He would shorten the congregational prayer when he heard a child crying so that the mother would not be distressed. He would play with children, race with them, and greet them in the streets. He carried his granddaughter Umamah bint Zaynab during prayer, setting her down for prostration and picking her up again when he stood. He visited the young boy Anas ibn Malik's pet bird and consoled him when it died, saying gently: 'O Abu Umayr, what happened to the little bird (nughayr)?' He would let children ride on his back and shoulders. This behavior established the prophetic standard for the treatment of children in Islamic civilization.