He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, would play with children and stroke
their heads with his hand which would make them feel his compassion
and tenderness.
Anas ibn Maalik narrated:
“The Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to visit the Ansaar [the original residence of Madinah]. Whenever he reached their homes, children would go to him, surround him and run around him. He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, would greet them with Salaam, stroke their heads and supplicate Allah for them.”1
‘Abdullaah ibn Hishaam (a Companion) narrated:
“My mother, Zaynab bint Humayd, took me to the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, take the pledge of allegiance from him.’ He, sal- lallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “He is still young” then stroked my head and supplicated Allah for me.”2
He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, would pass his hand over their cheeks tenderly:
Jaabir ibn Samurah (a Companion) narrated:
“One day I prayed the dawn prayer with the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. After the prayer, he went out to visit some of his relatives and I accompanied him. As he was walking, he came across some young children and started holding both their cheeks with his hands and wiped over them one by one. He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, also wiped my cheeks and I felt coolness (and a nice smell) from his hands as if he had just taken them out of perfume container (which the perfume seller uses to mix oil perfumes in).”3
An-Nawawi said: “Wiping their cheeks reflects his noble manners and his compassion and tenderness towards children.”4