Efforts towards shaping humanity
By Mahrin & Maryam

Dedication

This work is dedicated to the mother who spent her life, her youth,her wealth, her happiness and everything that was with her to give the World better human beings thus sharing the mission of our beloved Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم

Acknowledgments

We feel fully indebted to our Ustazah Dr. Farhat Hashmi for making us develop a bond with the Quran and find the love in our Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم

We also acknowledge the efforts of our teacher and guide Madam Yasmin Khakwani who motivated us to write this essay.

Contributions

We are extremely thankful to Sister Nausheen Tabassum, Sister Tanjila Naz and Sister Farah Baig who have sharing their work and helped shape this essay.

Objectives for writing this Essay

This essay provides a learning experience for all those who wish to shape the future, through the life and teachings of Prophet Mohammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم , by making our children become better human beings. It also gives tips on inculcating the love for our Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم in the hearts of our youth.

Abstract

لقد کان لکم فی رسول اللہ اسوۃ حسنۃ
“Indeed in the messenger of Allah there is the best of examples”

So there is the best of example for us to learn from our Prophets صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم mercy towards children in particular.
We start by placing ourselves in Prophets صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم place when he was a child and move on to how particular incidents in his life affected his personality. The next section describes his treatment with children a brief guide towards the personality building of children. We also record comments from the children of today to prove that our beloved Prophets صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم mercy for children did not end after him, rather it continues for all ages to come and children can still feel that love and affection in their tender hearts. Lastly we include personal experiences from
Muslim families and their efforts toward bringing their children closer to Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم

Prophet Mohammad : A Mercy for Children
What a Childhood!

We all remember chunks from our childhood and our memories are always very fond ones. We treasure the moments of the care free life and the fun filled time with friends. Today we’ll place ourselves in the midst of a desert into the life of someone whom we hear about so often and for most of us he’s most important and most loved person in the whole world.

Who was my father?

Imagine you’re a child and you’ve never seen your father. Don’t know who he was, what he looked like or what he liked. There are just a few descriptions about him that you can hold on to without any personal experiences. He was very handsome, caring, obedient and loving in nature; a perfect family man. Wouldn’t you just long to meet him and think about your father whom you never knew.

Time spent with mother

For the first time you’ve gone with your mother to a new city. It’s been a whole lot of fun. Getting a chance to swim and play with your cousins, enjoying the greenery and pleasant atmosphere. It’s just like a dream. Your beautiful mother is at your side. Her name is Aminah – meaning the carrier of peace and her personality depicts that. When she is at your side and her smile is filling up the world with happiness. You’ll definitely want that this moment may never end. But it’s time to go home dear child, we can’t stay here much longer.

Never to see that beautiful face again

Traveling through the endless track of desert, the coaching heat and sand filled wind. It’s harsh for some yet adventurous for others. The memories of the Oasis city are still coming back. Oh, what is this? Mother is severely ill and you’re still far from home. You’re only six years old and there are no relatives on whom you can depend. Just
how would you feel? Just when you might be thinking of what to do; your loving caring mother passes away, leaving you with her maid to take you back home. Just how would you feel? Do you think you’ll ever be able to forget this journey full of sorrow?

A wise noble man

Upon returning home, your grandfather whom you admire and adore, starts taking care of you. Although you might miss your mother and her beautiful smile, yet your grandfather is always there for you now. You enjoy sitting with him near the house of God and listening to his words of wisdom. When he speaks you just sit quietly and want him
to go on for ever. He is the leader, a noble man and everyone respects him dearly. You love his company and all that he is teaching you. But after only two short years, when you’re only eight your grandfather and best friend departs forever. How would you feel being alone again?

A new family

Now you have to live with your uncle who has six children. You’re taken in with an open heart and loved by all the members of the family. But this new family is poor and you become an earning member at such an early age to share the burdens of your loved ones.

A unique childhood

This was the childhood of Mohammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم , who grew up to be the most kindhearted and merciful man in the world. He was known for his trustworthiness and truthfulness. He cared for his family and friends and was always eager to help his people. His greatest concern was the wellbeing or everyone living in the society. How often we see children who are misbehaving and we say, “He’s like that ever since he lost his father”. How often teenagers who are irresponsible and spoilt, we blame the circumstances by saying “It’s because they lost their mother at an early age” But this man was to become the greatest leader ever to come and a savior of humanity.

Stories from his childhood

We describe to you a few stories from the childhood of our beloved Prophet that would make us realize how this greatest of leaders was being brought up and what experiences he was having.
It is reported that during Amina’s (Prophet Muhammad’s mother) pregnancy, she felt no pain or discomfort. She had always heard women complaining about the hardships of pregnancy, but she felt very well. During these months Amina had many dreams. One night in a dream she saw a light coming out of her. The light was shining on castles of Syria. Source: Tabaqat Ibn Sa’d, 1/63.

Just before the baby was born Amina had a dream in which she was told that her child would be the leader of the people and that she should name him ‘Muhammad’, meaning ‘the praised one’. Although it was an unusual name among the Arabs, but when the baby was born in 570, he was named Muhammad.

Amina was not surprised when Haleema, the child’s foster mother, told her about something strange that happened when she was looking after young Muhammad ( صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم).

Muhammad ( صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ) and the son of Haleema had been out in the fields with the sheep, when two men dressed in white took Muhammad ( صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) a little distance away and laid him down and opened his chest.

Haleema’s son quickly ran back to tell his parents what was happening. What were those two men doing?
When Haleema and her husband ran to him they found Muhammad( صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ) very pale but standing. They could see no trace of the men, and there was no sign of any hurt or wound on young Muhammad, but neither boy would change a word of his story. The only mark on Muhammad’s body was a small mark on his back between his shoulders. But that had been there since his birth.

Later in his life the Blessed Prophet described what had happened on that day more fully. He said that the two men in white carried with them a gold basin of snow. They opened his chest and removed his heart. They also opened his heart and removed a black clot. Then they cleansed and purified his heart and his breast with the snow.

Abdul Muttalib (Prophet Muhammad’s grandfather) was more passionate with his grandson (young Muhammad) than with his own children. He never left the boy a prey to loneliness, but always preferred him to his own kids. Ibn Hisham reported: A mattress was put in the shade of Al-Ka’bah for Abdul Muttalib. His children used to sit around that mattress in honor to their father, but Muhammad used to sit on it. His uncles would take him back, but if Abdul
Muttalib was present, he would say: “Leave my grandson. I swear by Allah that this boy will hold a significant position.” He used to seat the boy on his mattress, pat his back and was always pleased with what the boy did. Source: Ibn Hihsam, 1/168.

After his grandfather’s death, when Muhammad was taken into the household of his father’s brother, Abu Talib, sometimes, Abu Talib would take Muhammad with him on his travels with merchant caravans. On one such journey they stopped at a place named Bostra, on the way to Syria.

At Bostra there lived a Christian monk named Bahira. He lived there alone, studying old books and manuscripts which had been passed down to him from generations of monks who had lived there before him, all of whom were scholars of the scriptures.

In the books, there was one which predicted the coming of a prophet among the Arabs. Bahira believed that the prophet would come in his lifetime.

As the caravan from Makkah came to a halt near the monk’s abode, he noticed something very strange. A small cloud seemed to move slowly above the heads of a couple of the travelers, shielding them
from the heat of the sun. What could this mean?

When the group of travelers took shelter beneath a tree, the cloud came to rest above them, and the branches of the tree itself were lowered over them to provide more shade.

Bahira was intrigued, and wanted to know more, so prepared a dinner for the entire caravan. It was no ordinary person who had caused the strange happenings which Bahira had witnessed. Perhaps the expected prophet was with the caravan.

When his guests arrived for dinner, he saw nothing unusual about any of them, so he asked if everyone had not come. Sure enough, the youngest member of the caravan, Muhammad ( صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم), had been left at the camp.

The monk’s requested that Muhammad ( صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) be brought.

Bahira watched the young boy carefully, and noted his behaviour. He knew at once that this was the person for whom the shade had been provided.
After a little while, Bahira took Abu Talib and his nephew aside, and said, “This is the Last Prophet.”

When Abu Talib asked him how he knew this, the monk replied, “the signs of the last Prophet are written in our books, and the clouds only cast shade over a Prophet. When you were approaching, I saw a cloud overshadowing your caravan, and I had no doubt that the last Prophet foreseen in our holy books was with you. For this reason I
invited you, in order that I might meet him.”
Bahira asked the boy many questions, all of which were answered to his satisfaction.

Finally the monk asked if he might see his back. There, between the shoulders, was the mark Bahira had expected to see, just as it had been described in his book.

Bahira advised Abu Talib to take his nephew back to Makkah. He warned him to keep the boy away from the Jews, for if they saw in him what Bahira had seen, they would try to harm him. [7: 157]

He predicted that great things were in store for the son of Abu Talib’s brother. Between the shoulders of Muhammad , Bahira had seen what he knew was the seal of prophet hood. Ref [1]
From all these stories we can conclude that in addition to the miracles Allah bestowed upon our beloved Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم it was also the love of his mother whose name (Aminah) means peace, the trust and words of wisdom from His grandfather who was the leader of his tribe and the affection of his fathers brother that lead to such a complete and confident personality.

His Treatment with Children

Children are special people. They have their own identity. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad ( صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ) showed this through his behavior. He loved children and was always compassionate and merciful towards them. He showed his affection for them in many ways. He hugged them and patted them on the back. He touched their
heads, combing their hair with his fingers.

He liked to hold little children in his arms. He made funny faces (like pulling his tongue out) to please them. When lying down he seated them on his legs or chest.

The Prophet Muhammad ( صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) loved to play with children. He made them stand in a straight line, then he himself stood at a distance, spread his hands and told the children, “Come running to me. Whoever touches me first will get a prize,” they would all come, running and breathless. When they reached the Prophet ( صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم), they would fall all over him. He enjoyed this sport, gave prizes of dates and sweets to the winners and hugged and kissed the participants. Ref[2]

He used to kiss children and loved them very much. Once he was kissing children when a Bedouin came and said, “You love children very much. I have ten children and I have never kissed one of them.” Muhammad replied, “What can I do if God takes away love from you?”.

The Prophet Muhammad (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ) was always pleased to see parents loving and caressing their children. He once said, “When Allah blesses people with children, and they give their children love and meet their parental obligation, Allah keeps them safe from the fires of Hell.” Ref[2]

Jabir bin Samra, one of his companions, reported an incident of his childhood. “Once I offered the prayer with God’s Messenger. After the prayer, when he went towards his house, I went with him. We were joined by more boys, and he kissed them all and me too.” When Prophet Mohammad SAW was entering the town of Medinah, after emigrating from Makkah, some young girls of the Ansar were singing with joy in front of their houses. When he passed by, he said, “O girls! You love me.” All said, “Yes, O God’s Messenger.” Then he said, “I love you also.” Ref[3]

Yusuf bin Abdullah said that when he was born his parents took him to God’s Messenger for his blessing; he suggested the name, Yusuf, and put him in his lap. He patted him on the head and prayed for the
Blessings of God for him.’ Ref[3]

Whenever the Prophet Muhammad (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ) passed by children, he tried to be the first to greet them and say “Assalaamu Alaikum.” When riding he would let children sit on his camel or donkey.

When children saw him, they came running. He greeted them warmly, picked them up, hugged them and kissed them. He loved giving them dates, fruits and sweets to eat.

In some prayers, the Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ) read long Surahs. But if he heard a baby crying, he would read a short Surah and say a short prayer. This helped the mother to take care of her baby.

He used to get into the spirit of childish games in their company. He would have fun with the children who had come back from Abyssinia and tried to speak in Abyssinian with them. It was his practice to give lifts on his camel to children when he returned from journeys. Ref[4]

Among the instructions given before the conquest of Makkah, one of the important ones was not to harm any child. Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم was worried for their safety and wellbeing even at a state of war. This shows the compassion he had towards children no matter what the situation was.

Lessons from Seerah of Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم: Raising good Children

Today we are inundated with masses of statistics, books, researches, psychological studies, and ‘notice of caution’ in relation on how to raise successful, happy children, children with great self-esteem, most productive adults and the alike.

In recent times access to all this information is just a ‘click’ away. Needless to say each lesson taught us by The Prophet was a valuable one full of wisdom. He educated us so as not to overlook even the smallest of things, He taught us the beauty incumbent in the ability to love, how to melt away all adversity with a merciful touch, and amongst many of the most wonderful things that He has taught us is that loving your child comes for free and simple. We have described all that we could find on how to achieve outstanding results in raising good children now it is upon us to practice all that we have learnt and shape the humanity in the most beautiful way.

Express your love

Prophet Muhammad never held back his love for the children and always expressed his fondness to them. He would pick up children in his arms, play with them, and kiss them.

He played with them and took such keen interest in them. Narrated Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him),

Allah’s Messenger kissed Al-Hasan ibn `Ali while Al-Aqra` ibn Habis At-Tamim was sitting with him . Al-Aqra` said, “I have ten children and have never kissed one of them.” The Prophet cast a look at him and said, “Whoever is not merciful to others will not be treated mercifully.” (Al-Bukhari)

In one hadith Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:

I went along with Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) at a time during the day but he did not talk to me and I did not talk to him until he reached the market of Banu Qainuqa`. He came back to the tent of Fatimah and said, “Is the little chap (meaning Al-Hasan) there?” We were under the impression that his mother had detained him in order to bathe him and dress him and garland him with sweet garland. Not much time had passed that he (Al-Hasan) came running until both of them embraced each other, thereupon Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said,

“O Allah, I love him; love him and love one who loves him.” (Muslim)

Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him), the servant of the Prophet, had another recollection:

I never saw anyone who was more compassionate towards children than Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). His son Ibrahim was in the care of a wet nurse in the hills around Madinah. He would go there, and we would go with him, and he would enter the house, pick up his son and kiss him, then come back. (Muslim)

Give them importance

The above Ahadith also show how our Prophet used to give importance to children. This makes children realize their worth.
Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم also used to pay attention to children and their interests/hobbies so that they feel important

Anas bin Malik [ra] narrated: The Prophet used to mingle with us to the extent that he would say to the younger brother of mine,

“O father of Umair! What did An Nughair [your sparrow] do?” [Muslim]

Strengthen their relationship with Allah

On the authority of Abdullah bin Abbas, we said: One day I was behind the Prophet and he said to me:

“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, ask of Allah; if you seek help, seek help of Allah. Know that if that Nation were to gather together to benefit you with anything, it would benefit you only with something that Allah had already prescribed for you, and that if they gather together to harm you with anything, they would harm you only with something Allah had already prescribed for you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried”

Love all children above cast, creed or color

The Prophet’s love for children was not restricted to his children and grandchildren. The scope of his mercy and affection embraced all children, and he showed the same interest and gentleness to other children. Usamah ibn Zaid (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates:

Allah’s Messenger used to put me on (one of) his thighs and put Al-Hasan ibn `Ali on his other thigh, and then embrace us and say,

“O Allah! Please be merciful to them, as I am merciful to them.” (Bukhari)

Being Patient and not hurting their feelings

The Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم was always concerned about everyone’s thought and feeling. The following hadith narrated by Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) proves his thoughtful character:

The Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said,

“(It happens that) I start the prayer intending to prolong it, but on hearing the cries of a child, I shorten the prayer because I know that the cries of the child will incite its mother’s passions.” (Al-Bukhari)

The Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم was always patient and considerate with children and took great pain not to hurt their tender feelings.

Narrated Abu Qatadah:

“The Messenger of Allah came towards us while carrying Umamah the daughter of Abi Al-`As (Prophet’s granddaughter) over his shoulder. He prayed, and when he wanted to bow, he put her down, and when he stood up he lifted her up.” (Al-Bukhari)

In a another hadith, Narrated Umm Khalid:

I (the daughter of Khalid ibn Said) went to Allah’s Messenger with my father and I was wearing a yellow shirt. Allah’s Messenger said,

“Sanah, Sanah!” (`Abdullah, the narrator, said that sanah meant “good” in the Ethiopian language). I then started playing with the seal of prophethood (between the Prophet’s shoulders) and my father rebuked me harshly for that. Allah’s Messenger said, “Leave her.” The Prophet, then, invoked Allah to grant her a long life thrice. (Al-Bukhari)

A companion, recalling his childhood, said,

“In my childhood I used to fell dates by throwing stones at palm trees. Somebody took me to the Prophet who advised me to pick up the dates lying on the ground but not to fell them with stones. He then patted me and blessed me.” (Abu Dawud)

Making life fun for them also makes it worthwhile

Mahmood bin Rabi (RA) narrated: When I was a boy of five, I remember The Prophet took water from a bucket in his mouth and sprinkled it on my face.

Unmatched Tolerance

The Prophet’s tolerance towards children was unmatched. It is clear from this Hadith:

Narrated `A’ishah (RA): The Prophet took a child in his lap … and then the child urinated on him, so he asked for water and poured it over the place of the urine. (Al-Bukhari)

If the child fails they must not feel a failure

Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم used to teach children that failure doesn’t exist. Narrated Anas (RA):

I served The Prophet for ten years, and he never said to me, “Uf” (a minor harsh word denoting impatience) and never blamed me by saying,

“Why did you do so or why didn’t you do so?” [Bukhari Kitab Al-Adab]

In a similar hadith Anas RA reported:

“I served him for nine years, but I do not know that he ever said to me about anything I did, why I did that, or about anything I had neglected, why I had not done that.” (Muslim)

We must also become a mentor and help the child believe in his or her ability to succeed no matter how long it takes!

Ignoring inappropriate behaviors

Many of the inappropriate behaviors of young children can simply be ignored or disregarded. The Prophet is our best example in this regard.

Anas bin Malik RA said: “The Messenger of Allah had the best disposition among people. One day he sent me on an errand and I said, ‘By Allah, I will not go,’ but it was in my mind that I would do as the Messenger of Allah had ordered me. I went until I came upon children playing in the street. Then the Messenger of Allah arrived and he caught me by the back of my neck from behind. As I looked at him, I found him smiling, and he said, `Unays
(nickname of Anas), did you go where I asked you to go’?’ I said, `O Messenger of Allah, yes, I am going.”‘

Treatment of equality

Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم made emphasized that Muslims should be conscious totreat their sons and daughters justly:

“Fear Allah and treat your children [small or grown] fairly (with equal justice).” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Listening to what they have to say

The Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم used to give them attention. Whenever they had something to say to them he used to listen intently and not turn his face away from them.

No compromise on personality building

The love and affection for children that was displayed by the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم was not restricted to gestures only. Rather he made efforts in grooming the children’s personalities and making them a responsible member of the society.

He used to take children to gatherings and let them sit with grown-ups to increase their understanding and wisdom. The followers of the prophet used to bring their children with them when they went and sat with the Prophet. One of the hadith that describe this was narrated by Mu’aawiyah ibn Qurrah from his father, who said:
“The Prophet used to sit with a group of his Companions. One man had his little son with him; the prophet would bring the child from behind and make him sit in front of him…”

He used to teach them good manners and etiquettes. In a hadeeth narrated by Abu Hurayrah, Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم has said :

“The young should greet the old, the passerby should greet one who is sitting, and the small group should greet the larger group.” (Al-Bukhaari, 5736).

He gave children the praise and respect they deserve in front of others. This is made clear by the following hadeeth:
Sahl ibn Sa’d said that the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم was brought a cup and he drank from it. There was a boy, the youngest of all the people, on his right and some elders on his left. He said,

“O young boy, will you allow me to give this to these elders?” The boy said, “I will not give away my share of your blessings to anyone, O Messenger of Allaah,” so he gave the cup to him. (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 2180)

He taught them sports
He always avoided humiliating them, especially in front of others, never belittling their ideas, and encouraging them to take part by Consulting them and asking for their opinions
Prophet gave them responsibilities in accordance with their age and abilities
Taught them to be brave as appropriate – including how to speak in public, made sure their clothes are modest and protecting them from inappropriate clothing, hairstyles, movements and ways of walking avoiding extravagance, luxury, laziness and idleness, avoiding wastes of time, because these go against strength, honor and seriousness.

Our Children and Prophet Mohammad

Children are innocent and describe their feelings with out any pretence. In an effort to find out the place of our beloved Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم in the hearts of our children today, we conducted a survey among children of various ages. We asked, questions about our Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم and children were to share with us whatever feelings were in their hearts about Prophet Mohammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم . The answers were incredible!

A teacher asked the students “Why do you think Allah loves our Prophet so much, and a five year old boy, Hanzala replied “because the Prophet used to obey everything that Allah used to say”.

Yahya also age five was asked “How do you feel about the Prophet ”. Before he could answer his eyes filled with tears and he said “I miss him” we were amazed at the answer as we were not expecting it. After a while when he could control his tears he said “I miss him cuz I like him very much and I feel like crying cuz I want to be with him. He used to say, drink milk and it makes you healthy ”

Talha age 5 said “I like to listen to poems about him”

Musa age 3 said “I love him because he could do swimming”

Yahya, age four and a half had something different to say. “Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم made a mosque with a young boy and I like that about him . Bad people made him leave Makkah his home ”

Feelings about Hazrat Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم

“I have heard a lot about Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم in school and at home. Whenever my mother tells me about him it’s always very interesting. I want to be a nice Muslim just like him. When I meet Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم I want to learn more about Islam from him, and the most, I want to see him. I really want to talk to him so I really hope I can see him in Jannah and that would only be possible if I follow his sunnah. “ Basma Sheikh age 9 years

“I’d love to meet the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم and when I do I would share my things with him, play with him, share my lunch with him and share my secrets with him. I’d like to learn how to obey and worship Allah from him, discuss his
Hadith with him, learn about Islam from him, and learn how to read Quran from him and listen to stories of the Quran from him. I’d also like to learn how to behave with our parents, teachers and elders and see how he treats
them. I would want to learn about the people of Arabia from him. I will hug him and love him. InshaAllah “ Nabiha age 10

“If I ever met Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم I’d like to play with him, tell him all my secrets and also share my lunch with him. I’ll read a story to him and share all my books with him.” Ayesha Ajmal age 9

“I want to do Hifz of Quran and then pray with Prophet .” Fayyaz age 11

“I really want to meet him and offer prayers behind him. I want to talk to him and know more about him self how he spent his life and want to live my life like him. I want to make him my friend and always follow his sunnah way.”
Noor Bakht age 11

“My feelings for Prophet Mohammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم are that I want to meet him, pray with him and hear Hadith from him. I’d love to play with him.

I will follow the way of his sunnah and be just like him. I want to be a noble Muslim just like him ” Ayman age 11

“I really want to meet him, see him and hear Hadith from him. want to send peace and blessings upon him always. Also would like to play with him and share my problems with him.” Eesha Zahid age 11 years

“I want to become just like Prophet by following his sunnah. I also want to meet the Prophet .” Mohammad Hammad Ather Irfan age 11

“I want to see him and meet him and go for a picnic with him ” Palwasha Ajmal age 11

“I would be so surprised to see him if I meet him. I’d say Salaam to him, talk to him and spend all my time with him. I will be so happy that I was able to meet with Allah’s messenger.” Abuzar age 11

Thing’s I want to do with Prophet Mohammad

“If I ever meet the Holy Prophet I will ask him to first tell me ‘What was the life before us?’ I will always act upon sunnahs of Prophet . I will ask him if he can play with me. I’ll pray with him. I’ll cook something special for him ask him to have dinner at my house. Sameen age 9 years

“I want to play with him and I know I’ll feel great when I do. I want to sit with him on the camel. I also want to pray with him in the mosque. I would like to go with him to Makkah and do Hajj with him. I’d like to read the Quran to him. I’d like to eat with him and do swimming with him. I’d like to share these feelings with him and in the end thank him for spending so much time with me.” M.A.Abdullah age 8 years

“I really want to play playstation and football with him . I’d like to ride a horse or a camel with him also. I wonder how Arabian food is, and I’d like to eat it with him.

I’d like to do Hajj with him , throw pebbles on the shaytan and see Madinah with him. “ Asfand 8 years

“I want to do dua for our Prophet . I want to ride a camel, pray and share Hadith with him” Name Unknown

“I want to visit Prophet . When I meet Prophet I’ll say Asalaam Alaikum to him and then play with him. But when we play I’ll also pray with him. After that we’ll read the Quran together, in the afternoon I’d like to sleep for a little while and when I wake I’d like to play with him till Asar Prayers. After that’ I’d again like to read the Quran and tell lots of Hadith that I have memorized. Then we’ll offer Maghrib prayers and after that I’ll thank him for letting me spend a whole day with him and them my mom would come to pick me up. So I’ll say Asalaam Alaikum and thank you.”
Arooj age 7 years

Bringing our children closer to Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم

We have incorporated some of the valuable experiences shared by our Sisters who have been striving to increase Prophets love in their families…

Seerah Quiz

Time and again we can hold at our home a Seerah quiz and give out prizes to winners to encourage them to learn more about our beloved Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم and knowing him more would increase his love.

Talk to our children about him

To make Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم a part of our lives we must talk to our children often about him, the happy moments, sad moments, different anecdotes and stories from the battles. We can also show how our beloved Prophet used to treat children. This is a very effective way of making our children come closer to him.

A week with Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم

Shared by Sister Farah Baig

“We all love our Prophet . Simple because he brought us Divine guidance and helped us a lot find our way to Truth. He is called the light, as Almighty Allah says:

Indeed, there has come to you from Allâh a light (Prophet Muhammad SAW and a plain Book (this Qur’ân). (Al-Ma’idah: 15)

It is then necessary to teach our children our Prophet’s love. We also should make sure that his love grows daily in our heart!

In order to promote such noble feelings inside our family and kids me and my husband decided to organize a week-long family activity around the life of the Prophet. Why not spend one day of the week on each of these activities, devoting the whole seven days to a different project. These were rather token present we could offer to our kids in showing acknowledgment to the great role the Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم), played in our life.

To have the daily family activity we decided to make a week long daily activity planner, which was something like this:

Monday/ TRAVELWITH THE PROPHET.
Tuesday / WAKE UP WITH THE PROPHET
Wednesday/ STORY TELLING NIGHT
Thursday /SLEEP LIKE PROPHET.
Friday / EAT LIKE PROPHET
Saturday /PRAY LIKE PROPHET
Sunday / PLAY LIKE PROPHET
Alhamdulillah, we all participated and leaned a lot with this and fun at the same time. I get to explain them how Prophet Mohammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم migrated from Makkah to Madeenah, and where is the Kabbah located. I also told everyone that the he used to do get up early in the morning before fajr and how important that time is for Allah’s zikr.
My daughter told us the story about the lady and how she used to throw trash on him ever single day and what was his attitude towards her and what a great patience he had.

My son shared what he had learned few months ago in the masjid that the Prophet used to sleep on his right side, with his right hand under his right cheek. He used to make Wudu before going to bed also. He used to recite one or two supplications before sleeping and recite a few short portions of the Qur’an.

Then it was my husband’s turn to discuss about the eating manners. He discussed something like Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم advised Muslims to eat in a way that stomach should be only one-third full. We also should wash our
hands before eating, recite “Bismillah”and other supplications before we begin, as well as eat only with our right hand. I even prepared Middle eastern food that day that every one loved.

Then came the fun part, Playing like a Prophet. The Prophet Mohammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم understood the importance of fun and games. He would race with his wife `A’isha RA who used to outpace him most of the time. He would swim and wrestle with his Companions. He would joke with them too. He played with and loved children. That’s what we
did together. We spent that day playing different games.

The kids had their nana and nanee jaan visiting, who also took a great part in the family activity week. Alhamdulillah our planned worked out very well. We learned lot about our beloved Mohammad and his activities. The main thing is that we enjoyed and learned at the same time!!! Alhamdulillahe Rabbil Aalameen.”

Conclusion

Our beloved Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم has provided for us clear guidelines through his own childhood and through his treatment with children that the concept of mercy is never complete without showing affection towards children. The fact that even during wars he gave strict orders not to harm any child shows the level of compassion he had. His Seerah is full of lessons for us all to learn from and practice in our daily life. The result of which would be a great nation brought up in the best of ways.

References

Ref[1] The Seal of the Prophethood
http://www.geocities.com/mutmainaa/kids/story/seal.html
Ref[2] The Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) Love for Children
http://inallhonesty.wordpress.com/2008/02/13/the-prophetmuhammads-
pbuh-love-for-children/
Ref[3] BEHAVIOUR TOWARDS CHILDRENS
http://www.ummah.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-12526.html
Ref[4] (Bukhari, Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 2 p.886).
Source: “Stories of the Sirah” : Young Sahaba of Rasulullah (s) by
Abid’ullah Ghazi, Tasneema K. Ghazi
http://thetruereligion.org/modules/wfsection/article.php?articleid=311
http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/prophet/prophetdescription.html#children
http://www.lutonmuslims.co.uk/moralsmannerProphet.htm
http://sebastianjoshua.tblog.com/archive/2007/01/