Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Dear Burhan Bhai, Assalamualaikum;

Prophet (SAW) had 11 wives and 7 children.  As you have said in your previous email, most of the hadith were narrated by his wives.  However,so far I have not heard any hadith narrated by his children.  May be because his children passed away at young age or there are no hadiths narrated by his children?  Could you please tell me any two or three hadiths related by his children to show how he treated his children and how he fulfilled his obligations towards his children as a father.

Regards,

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Hadiths by Prophet’s children

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His  forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 33 Surah Ahzab verse 21:There is indeed the best example for you to follow, in the Messenger of Allah, for every such person looks forward to Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah much.

The Messenger of Allah (saws) was to be an example for the believers in all aspects of life; whether it be public or private, as a father or as a husband, as a soldier and as a general, etc.

Your Question: However, so far I have not heard any hadith narrated by his children.  May be because his children passed away at young age or there are no hadiths narrated by his children?

The three sons of the Messenger of Allah (saws) died at a very young age and in the lifetime of the Prophet (saws). Three of the Prophet’s (saws) four daughters also died in his lifetime, and only Hadrat Fatima (r.a.) lived after the death of the Prophet (saws), and that too for a short period of six months.

The need for hadith rose only after the death of the Messenger of Allah (saws), as during his life time, the believers used to directly ask him if there were any questions in following the deen. During the six months of Hadrat Fatima (r.a.) after the death of the Prophet (saws), almost all the prominent and noble companions, and the wives of the Messenger of Allah (saws) were alive, who had spent a great portion of their time in the company of the Messenger of Allah (saws), and they were well trained in the Sunnah of the Prophet (saws).

There are several hadiths which describe the conversation between the Prophet (saws) and his beloved daughter Hadrat Fatima (r.a.), but they are narrated by other companions like Hadrat Ali (r.a.), Hadrat Aisha (r.a.), Hadrat Anas (r.a.), etc.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 8.301 Narrated by Aisha, Mother of the Believers

We, the wives of the Prophet were all sitting with the Prophet (saws) and none of us had left when Fatima came walking, and by Allah, her gait was very similar to that of the Messenger of Allah (saws). When he (saws) saw her, he welcomed her, saying, "Welcome, O my daughter!" Then he (saws) made her sit on his right or his left, confided something to her, whereupon she wept bitterly. When he (saws) noticed her sorrow, he confided something else to her for the second time, and she started laughing. Only I from among the Prophet's wives said to her, "(O Fatima), the Messenger of Allah (saws) selected you from among us for the secret talk and still you weep?" When the Messenger of Allah (saws) got up (and went away), I asked her, "What did he confide to you?" She said, "I wouldn't disclose the secrets of Allah's Messenger (saws)." But when he (saws) died I asked her, "I beseech you earnestly by what right I have on you, to tell me (that secret talk which the Prophet (saws) had with you)." She said, "As you ask me now, yes, (I will tell you)." She informed me, saying, "When he talked to me secretly the first time, he said that Gabriel used to review the Qur'an with him once every year. But this year he reviewed it with me twice, and therefore I think that my time of death has approached. So, be afraid of Allah, and be patient, for I am the best predecessor for you (in the Hereafter).' " Fatima added, "So I wept as you ('Aisha) witnessed. And when the Prophet saw me in this sorrowful state, he confided the second secret to me saying, 'O Fatima! Will you not be pleased that you will be chief of all the believing women (in Paradise). "

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 5.53 Narrated by Abu Hazim

A man came to Sahl bin Sad and said, "This is so-and-so," meaning the Governor of Medina, "He is calling 'Ali bad names near the pulpit." Sahl asked, "What is he saying?" He (i.e. the man) replied, "He calls him (i.e. 'Ali) Abu Turab." Sahl laughed and said, "By Allah, none but the Prophet (saws) called him by this name and no name was dearer to 'Ali than this." So I asked Sahl to tell me more, saying, "O Abu 'Abbas! How (was this name given to 'Ali)?" Sahl said, "'Ali went to Fatima and then came out and slept in the mosque. The Prophet (saws) asked Fatima, "Where is your cousin?" She said, "In the mosque." The Prophet (saws) went to him and found that his (i.e. Ali's) covering sheet had slipped off his back and dust had soiled his back. The Prophet (saws) started wiping the dust off his back, and said twice, "Get up! O Abu Turab (i.e. O man with the dust)."

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 5.739 Narrated by Anas

When the ailment of the Prophet (saws) got aggravated, he became unconscious whereupon Fatima said, "Oh, how distressed my father is!" He (saws) said, "Your father will have no more distress after today." When he (saws) expired, she said, "O Father! Who has responded to the call of the Lord Who has invited him! O Father, whose dwelling place is the Garden of Paradise (i.e. Al-Firdaus)! O Father! We convey this news (of your death) to Gabriel."

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 8.330 Narrated by Ali ibn Abi Taalib

Fatima complained about the blisters on her hand because of using a millstone. She went to ask the Prophet (saws) for a servant, but she did not find him (at home) and had to inform 'Aisha of her need. When he (saws) came, 'Aisha informed him about it. Ali added: The Prophet (saws) came to us when we had gone to our beds. When I was going to get up, he said, "Stay in your places," and sat between us, till I felt the coolness of the feet on my chest. The Prophet (saws) then said, "Shall I not tell you of a thing which is better for you than a servant? When you (both) go to your beds, say 'Allahu Akbar' thirty-four times, and 'Subhan Allah' thirty-three times, 'Alhamdu 'illah' thirty-three times, for that is better for you than a servant."

The Messenger of Allah (saws) loved children, and especially his grand-children Hadrat Hassan (r.a.) and Hadrat Hussain (r.a.). There are several authentic narrations of the Messenger of Allah (saws) which clearly depict the love he had for his beloved grand-children.

'Abdullah ibn Shidad relates that his father said: "The Messenger of Allah (saws) came to us either during the noon or afternoon prayers and he was carrying Hassan or Hussain. The Prophet (saws) proceeded to the front and put him down and made the takbir for the salah. During the salah, he made a long sajdah. I raised my head and saw the child on the back of the Messenger of Allah (saws) while he was in sajdah. I returned to my sajdah. When the Messenger of Allah (saws) finished the salah, the people said to him: 'O Messenger of Allah, you prostrated during your salah so long that we suspected you were thinking about some matter or you were receiving some revelation.' He said: 'None of that happened, but my (grand)son was resting and I hated to rush him until he had finished what he desired."'

(Narrated by Ahmad, an-Nasa'i, and al-Hakim.)

Abdullah ibn 'Abbas relates that "the Prophet (saws) used to seek protection for Al-Hasan and Al-Hussain (his grandsons) with the words: A'udhukuma bi kalamatillahi tamah min kulli shaitanin wa hamatin wa min kulli 'ainin lamatin 'I seek protection for you with Allah's perfect words from every satan and crawling creature and every evil eye.' He also added: 'Your father (Ibrahim) sought protection for Ismai'l and Ishaq with these same words'."

(Narrated by Bukhari)

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 7.772 Narrated by Abu Huraira

I was with the Messenger of Allah (saws) in one of the Markets of Medina. He left (the market) and so did I. Then he (saws) asked thrice, "Where is the small (child)?" Then he (saws) said, "Call Al-Hasan bin 'Ali." So Al-Hasan bin 'Ali got up and started walking with a necklace (of beads) around his neck. The Prophet (saws) stretched his hand out like this, and Al-Hasan did the same. The Prophet (saws) embraced him and said, "0 Allah! I love him, so please love him and love those who love him." Since the Messenger of Allah (saws) said that, nothing has been dearer to me than Al-Hasan.

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 1104 Narrated by Buraydah ibn al-Hasib

The Messenger of Allah (saws) delivered a speech to us; meanwhile al-Hasan and al-Husayn came upon there stumbling, wearing red shirts. He (saws) came down from the pulpit, took them and ascended it with them. He (saws) then said: Allah truly said: "Your property and your children are only trial" (Ixiv.15). I saw both of them, and I could not wait. Afterwards he resumed the speech.

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 6163 Narrated by Abdullah ibn Abbas

When Allah's Messenger (saws) was carrying al-Hasan ibn Ali on his shoulder, a man said, "You are mounted on a fine steed, boy." The Prophet (saws) said, "And he is a fine rider."

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 6161 Narrated by Ali ibn AbuTalib

Al-Hasan resembled Allah's Messenger from the breast to the head, and al-Husayn resembled the Prophet below that.

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 6158 Narrated by Anas ibn Malik

When Allah's Messenger (saws) was asked which member of his family was dearest to him, he replied, "Al-Hasan and al-Husayn." He used to say to Fatimah, "Call my two sons to me," and then would sniff and cuddle them.

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 6156 Narrated by Usamah ibn Zayd

I went to the Prophet (saws) one night about something I required and he came out with something (I did not know what) under his cloak. When I had finished telling him my business I asked him what he had under his cloak, and when he opened it I saw al-Hasan and al-Husayn on his hips. He then said, "These are my sons and my daughter's sons. O Allah, I love them, so I beseech Thee to love them, and those who love them."

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 6154 Narrated by Abu Sa'id

Allah's Messenger (saws) said, "Al-Hasan and al-Husayn will be the chief ones among the youths who go to Paradise."

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 8.32 Narrated by Usama bin Zaid

Allah's Messenger (saws) used to put me on (one of) his thighs and put Al-Hasan bin 'Ali on his other thigh, and then embrace us and say, "O Allah! Please be Merciful to them, as I am merciful to them."

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 8.26 Narrated by Abu Huraira

Allah's Messenger (saws) kissed Al-Hasan bin Ali while Al-Aqra' bin Habis At-Tamim was sitting beside him. Al-Aqra said, "I have ten children and I have never kissed anyone of them." Allah's Messenger (saws) cast a look at him and said, "Whoever is not merciful to others will not be treated mercifully."

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 8.23 Narrated by Ibn Abi Nam

I was present when a man asked Ibn 'Umar about the blood of mosquitoes. Ibn Umar said, "From where are you?" The man replied. "From Iraq." Ibn 'Umar said, "Look at that! he is asking me about the blood of Mosquitoes while they (the Iraqis ) have killed the (grand) son of the Prophet. I have heard the Prophet (saws) saying, "They (Hasan and Husain) are my two sweet-smelling flowers in this world."

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 5.92 Narrated by Al Bara

I saw the Prophet (saws) carrying Al-Hasan on his shoulder and saying, "O Allah! I love him, so please love him."

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 3.333 Narrated by Abu Huraira Ad Dausi

Once the Prophet (saws) went out during the day. Neither did he talk to me nor I to him till he reached the market of Bani Qainuqa and then he sat in the compound of Fatima's house and asked about the small boy (his grandson Al-Hasan) but Fatima kept the boy in for a while. I thought she was either changing his clothes or giving the boy a bath. After a while the boy came out running and the Prophet (saws) embraced and kissed him and then said, "O Allah! Love him, and love whoever loves him."

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan