How the Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, dealt with his children

Introduction:

The Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was the best of people to his family and the best at maintaining ties of kinship. This is clearly seen in the way he dealt with his children and cared for and provided for them in the best possible way. The relationships of the Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, with the children around him were based on compassion and care. He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, raised his own children, stepchildren and grandchildren on Islamic principles and continued to look out for them even after their marriages. He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, not only took care of some of their material needs, but was also there for
their spiritual needs. He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, did not differentiate between his own children and his stepchildren or other Muslim children in the community, but treated them all with the same love and compassion, and drew their attention to whatever was necessary for their education.

The Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, shared all the worries and joys of his children, not only in his role as the Messenger of Allah but also as their loving and concerned father. He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was fond of children and showed an interest in their activities. He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, played and joked with them, patted their heads affectionately if he passed them on the streets and gave them lifts on his riding animal.

Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, never held back his love for children and was always demonstrative about his affection. He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was always patient and considerate with children and took great pains not to hurt their tender feelings. Some people, fresh from the pre-Islamic era of ignorance, wondered why the Prophetof Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, played and joked with children and took such a keen interest in them. To them, the Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Whoever is not merciful to others will not be treated mercifully.”

Today, child psychologists and educators affirm the efficacy of the Prophet’s methodology in dealing with children. This proves that the principles he, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, followed are timeless and have lost none of their significance over centuries. The example of the Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is the best model for dealing with the youngest members of society, which ensures a brighter future for the entire society.

He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was blessed with a number of children:

He had three sons: Al-Qaasim, ‘Abdullaah, and Ibraaheem. As for At-Tayyib and At-Taahir, the correct opinion is that they are two nicknames for his son ‘Abdullaah, not two other sons. All these children died when they were young.

Al-Qaasim died in Makkah when he was two years and some months old, thereafter the Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was given the nickname of Abu Al-Qaasim (the father of Al-Qaasim) in reference to him. His mother was Khadeejah bint Khuwaylid.

‘Abdullaah was also born to Khadeejah but after the beginning of the prophethood of the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, he passed away in Makkah.

As for Ibraaheem, his mother was Maariya Al-Qibtiyyah. He was born in Madeenah in the month of Thul-Hijjah (the 12th month in the lunar calendar) in the eighth year of the Hijrah (migration) and died in year ten of the Hijrah, when he was only 17 or 18 months old.

He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was also blessed with four daughters: Zaynab, Ruqayyah, Faatimah and Umm Kulthoom, and all were born to Khadeejah.

His first daughter was Zaynab and she married Abu Al-’Aas ibn Ar-Rabee’. As for Ruqayyah, she was his second daughter and she married ‘Uthmaan ibn ‘Affaan.

Umm Kulthoom was his third daughter. ‘Uthmaan ibn ‘Affaan married her after the death of her sister Ruqayyah, and she also passed away while she was married to him. As for Faatimah, she was his fourth and final daughter, as well as the most beloved to him. She was born when the Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was 41 years old, and passed away only six months after his death. She was married to ‘Ali Ibn Abu Taalib.

These were the children of the Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam.