Chief of the Prophets

Chief of the Prophets — Page 122

Chapter Seven 122 his position could have chosen unmarried girls instead of marrying widows. Birth of Imām Ḥasan ra , Rama*ān, 3 A. H. In Ramaān of the 3 A. H. , ‘Alī bin Abī Ṭālib ra and Fāṭimah ra were blessed with a child who was named Ḥasan by Muḥammad sa. That was the same Ḥasan ra who afterwards received the appellation of Imām Ḥasan ra. Love for Children We find out from various Aḥādīth that Muḥammad sa very dearly loved children and would often say to his companions: Treat your children with respect. As discussed in the section about Fāṭimah ra , Muḥammad sa would stand up to greet her when she came to visit him at his house, and offer her his seat and pillow. Similarly we learn from Aḥādīth that Muḥammad sa had a special love for the children of Fāṭimah ra , and he used to pray, “O Allah! I love these children; do Thou also love them, and love the ones who love them. ” Many times it happened that Muḥammad sa was offering Ṣalāt , and Ḥasan ra would cling to him. He would be in prostration while offering Ṣalāt and Ḥasan ra would go through his legs making a path. It was Muḥammad’s habit that when he would go to Fāṭimah’s house he would say, “Bring my children!” When she would bring the boys, he would express his love towards them, and embrace them. In that age, showing affection to children was thought strange, and the elderly people, especially the chieftains thought it against their status and honour to show affection to children. The affection shown by Muḥammad sa for children would shock them. When one person saw Muḥammad sa showing such love for his grandson, he said, “O Messenger of Allah! I have 10 sons and I have never treated them with affection. ”