Muhammad The Great Exemplar — Page 16
Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad 16 was amazed at this sight. He said: ‘O Prophet of God sa , you teach us patience, yet today it is your eyes which swell with tears. ’ The Holy Prophet sa looked at him and replied: ‘Perhaps your heart does not possess mercy, but God has made my heart merciful. ’ What a wonderful lesson the Holy Prophet sa gave through these words; that to love one’s progeny and feel their suffering is among the highest human virtues. How then is it possible for a prophet of God to be free of such sentiments? Thus he was an example to others in the sphere of human emotions, just as he was in the sphere of higher morals. Of the Holy Prophet’s sa children, only Hazrat Fatima ra survived until his final days. Whenever she would enter his company he would stand up and kiss her and seat her next to himself. When his [grandchildren] would run and play around him, he would hoist them on his lap, show them tenderness and exhort them in accordance with their age and give them lessons in high morals. In this feature of humanity, the Holy Prophet sa established the highest example for us. Yet he would always instruct and act on the principle that love for a child ought not to be so excessive it makes people unmindful of their other obligations to God, nor should it lead them to forget their true responsibilities towards their progeny; that is, to provide them with the best upbringing, high moral training, education and guidance.