It is well known that the Prophet loved children very much, for he was sent as a mercy for humankind (Anbiya, 21:107), and it is evident that love of children is one of the signs of the feeling of compassion that Allah (swt) has bestowed on human beings. Our Prophet showed his love for children at times by praying for them (B5884, Bukhari, Libas, 60; M6256, Muslim, Fadha’il al-Sahaba, 56), at times by embracing and kissing them (B2122, Bukhari, Buyu’, 49), and sometimes by letting the children sit on his lap (B223, Bukhari, Wudu’, 59; 8 M5616, Muslim, Adab, 25). As a matter of fact, Usama b. Zayd (saw) said that the Messenger of Allah (saw) used to put him on (one of) his thighs and put al-Hasan b. ‘Ali on his other thigh, and then embrace them and say, “O Allah! Please be Merciful to them, as I am merciful to them.” (B6003, Bukhari, Adab, 22) Sometimes he would show his care for children by sitting them on his mount (B5965, Bukhari, Libas, 99), carrying them on his shoulders (M6259, Muslim, Fadha’il al-Sahaba, 59; B5996, Bukhari, Adab, 18), and even joking with them (T1992, Tirmidhi, Birr, 57; 13 D5002, Abu Dawud, Adab, 84).
The Messenger of Allah (saw) sometimes showed love for children by caressing their cheeks. His touch made them proud and would be remembered fondly. Even in later years, they would share such memories with others. ‘Abd Allah b. Tha’laba (B4300, Bukhari, Maghazi, 54) and Jabir b. Samura (ra) were among these lucky children. Jabir described his happy memory as follows: “I prayed my first ritual prayer along with Allah’s Messenger. He then went to his family, and I went along with him when he met some children (on the way). He began to pat the cheeks of each one of them. He also patted my cheek, and I experienced coolness or a fragrance of his hand as if it had been brought out from the scent bag of a perfumer.” (M6052, Muslim, Fadha’il, 80; ŞN15/85, Nawawi, Sharh al-Sahih al-Muslim, XV, 85)
When the Noble Prophet was praying, sometimes children passed in front of him, sometimes they held his knees, but he completed his ritual prayer without disrupting them (N755, Nasa‘i, Qiblah, 7; HM3167, Ibn Hanbal, I, 341). When he heard a child crying during a prayer, he would shorten it (B709, Bukhari, Adhan, 65; M1055, Muslim, Salat, 191). When people brought the first fruit of the season, he would make a prayer of blessing, then call the youngest child, and give them the first fruit (M3335, Muslim, Hajj, 474).
The Messenger of Allah (saw) would not rebuke, condemn, or beat children when they misbehaved or made mistakes; instead, he would give them advice and guide them to righteous behavior. One day, Rafi’ b. ‘Amr (ra) (IM2299, Ibn Majah, Tijarah, 67) was caught throwing stones at date-palm trees of the Ansar. He was brought to the Prophet, who said, “O my son, why are you throwing stones at the date-palm trees?” He replied, “So I can eat.” The Prophet (saw) said to him, “Do not throw stones at the date-palm trees. Eat from what falls to the ground from them.” Then he patted him on the head and said: “O Allah, give him enough to eat.” (D2622, Abu Dawud, Jihad, 85)
The Prophet (saw) respected children’s individual personalities and paid them compliments. To this end, sometimes he would greet (M6378, Muslim, Fadha’il al-Sahaba, 145; D5202, D5203, Abu Dawud, Adab, 135, 136) children who were playing games, sometimes he praised their clothes (B3071, Bukhari, Jihad, 188), and sometimes he visited them when they were ill (B5657, Bukhari, Marda, 11).
The relationships that the Prophet (saw) established with children were full of love, compassion, and compliments. While he always showed respect to adults, his communications with the youth were much deeper and more impressive. Although young people, who are in their own state of mind, live and experience such feelings as desire, excitement, pride, and violence intensely, they are also inexperienced. Knowing this, the Prophet of Compassion adopted an honorable, reassuring, encouraging, rational, and moderate style toward the youth.
When the Prophet (saw) gave a task to young adults, he gave them confidence and encouraged them to come out of the timidity of inexperience. When ‘Ali (saw) was assigned to Yemen as judge at a young age, he was shy at first, citing the fact that he was young and inexperienced. At that point, the Messenger of Allah (saw) softly struck him on the chest with his hand and encouraged him with the following prayer: “O Allah, guide his heart and make his tongue steadfast.” Furthermore, he informed him how he should judge a case. Subsequently, ‘Ali said, “After that, I never hesitated in passing judgment between two people.” (IM2310, Ibn Majah, Ahkam, 1; D3582, Abu Dawud, Qada’ (Aqdiyya), 6)
Knowing very well that young people experience intense emotions at their age, the Messenger of Allah (saw) considered this when he dealt with them. He was extremely reasonable and moderate toward them. The young people who saw how tactful and understanding he was of them felt a stronger affection for him. Malik b. Huwayrith (ra) reported that he and a group of young men, after accepting Islam, went to Medina to visit the Prophet (saw). They stayed with him for about twenty days and started feeling homesick. The Messenger of Allah (saw) grasped their situation, accepted it naturally and without they need to say anything, he rather took the initiative by saying, “(It would be better) If you could return to your hometowns and teach them (what you have learned).” (B685, Bukhari, Adhan, 49; M1535, Muslim, Masajid, 292) After this conversation, he allowed them to return to their families.
The Prophet (saw), who was especially interested in the education of the youth, taught young companions, such as Abu Hurayra (ra), their religion in the Suffa, which was an arcade next to the Mosque of the Prophet. Notable companions such as ‘Abd Allah b. ‘Umar, ‘Abd Allah b. Mas’ud, ‘Abd Allah b. ‘Abbas, Mu’adh b. Jabal and Anas b. Malik (ra), who spent their youth with the Prophet, was an important figure in the building of Islamic culture and civilization. At every opportunity, these youth found the Messenger of Allah (saw) to have special recommendations for themselves. He gave the following advice to ‘Abd Allah b. ‘Abbas: “O young man, I shall teach you some words (of advice): Be mindful of Allah and Allah will protect you. Be mindful of Allah, and you will find Him in front of you. If you ask, then ask Allah (alone); and if you seek help, then seek help from Allah (alone). And know that if the nation were to gather together to benefit you with anything, they would not benefit you except with what Allah had already prescribed for you. And if they were to gather together to harm you with anything, they would not harm you except with what Allah had already prescribed against you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried.” (T2516, Tirmidhi, Sifat al-Qiyamah, 59; HM2669, Ibn Hanbal, I, 293)
In conclusion, we can say that the Messenger of Allah (saw), as part of the mission of prophethood, developed a sincere relationship with every member of society without distinction of gender and age. In this context, he developed a love for children and a sincere relationship with the youth. Considering that if a child is actually an adult of the future and a young person is the next recipient of the revelation, it is clear how precious they are for the future of society. The Prophet (saw) was sensitive to children and youth so that they would be able to bear the responsibility for the future; a child gratified with mercy and compassion, and a young person who was conscious of being the successor on earth. In brief, the Prophet (saw) tried to educate people to be the best of creatures.
