Abu Hurayrah reported
Abu Hurayrah reported: “The Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, kissed Hasan ibn ‘Ali (the Prophet’s grandson) while Al-Aqra’ ibn Haabis (a Companion) was sitting near him. Al-Aqra’ said: ‘I have ten children, and I have never kissed any of them!’ The Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, looked at him and said: ‘Whoever does not have mercy will not be shown mercy.’”1
Reported by Al-Bukhaari (5997) and Muslim (2318)
Aa’ishah reported
“Some Bedouins came to see the Messenger of Allah sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and said: ‘Do you kiss your children?’ He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, replied: “Yes.” Thereupon they said: ‘By Allah, we never do.’ At this, the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “What can I say if mercy has been lifted from your hearts?”2
Reported by Al-Bukhaari (5998) and Muslim (2317)
Bedouins were known at the time of the Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, for being rough and harsh in their speech and attitude. However, the Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, did not take offence at their roughness of speech. In fact, he, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was extremely tolerant toward the people around him. He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, knew when someone was sensitive or vulnerable, and he approached mistakes with utmost gentleness. He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, reminded his Companions that they were sent to make things easy on people, not difficult. So deep was the empathy the Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, had for his people that he did everything possible to make things easy for them. He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, removed every obstacle that stood between the people and Allah’s forgiveness, and he, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, searched out solutions to each individual’s unique circumstances.