Ihsaan Magazine June 2018 Issue - Sunnah Revival | Page 20

Love for Children Written BY: Rochelle Flores “I have never seen a man who was more compassionate to his family members than Muhammad” [Sahih Muslim] The name of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) has been synonymous throughout the ages with Islam, as the Last Prophet, the one who led an entire nation out from darkness into the light, as the one who changed the face of the Arabian Peninsula in just a matter of 23 years. His name is also attributed by those who did not know who He truly was, and those who wish to tarnish his reputation and that of the religion of Islam, with negativity and false claims. However, to those who knew him best, he was much more than he is made out to be. In a time when societal ills ran rampant, where rights were taken away from the weak, the women and the less fortunate, where having a daughter was an abomination and burying them alive was almost the norm, Muhammad (SAW) was sent by Allah, bringing with him the tide of change. He was a Mercy to Mankind in every way, particularly to the children. 18 | Ihsaan | Issue 3 Many children grew up around Prophet Muhammad (SAW), interacting with him on a daily basis and being treated by him with love, compassion, mercy and respect. His love for children extended far beyond mere words which was shown in his actions and how he taught them about the religion of Islam. Muhammad (SAW) instilled the love of Islam, the love for Allah and his Messenger into the hearts of the young ones around him, which ensured the continuation and flourishing of Islam in the generations that followed. Prophet Muhammad was by nature a gentle, humble, caring man, who was loved by those who believed in him and his character was ever more present when he developed in children trust, affection, comfort and the ability to communicate emotions. Among the Arab Bedouins at the time, showing love and compassion to small children was not the norm. Hugging and kissing children was something not practiced, and when Muhammad (SAW) showed children this sort of love it was seen as strange, Allah’s Apostle kissed Al-Hasan bin `Ali while Al-