328. Tārikh Dimashq, narrating from Wāthilah ibn al-Asqa‘ who said: “The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) went to ‘Uthmān ibn Maz‘un who had a small child with him that he kissed, and the Prophet (s.a.w.) said to him: “‘Uthmān, do you love him?”
He answered: “By Allah, yes I do love him, O Messenger of Allah.”
He (s.a.w.) said: “Do you want me to increase your love for him?”
‘Uthmān said: “Yes. May my parents be your ransom!”
He (s.a.w.) said: “Indeed he who makes a child from his generation pleased so that he becomes happy, Allah will make him pleased on Judgment Day until he becomes happy.”1
329. Hilyah al-Awliyā', narrating from 'Anas who said: “A woman went to visit ‘A'ishah along with her two children and ‘A'ishah gave three dates to her and she gave each of her children one date. They ate their own date and then started looking at their mother. She took the [remaining] date and cut it in half and gave half to one child and the second half to the other. The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) arrived and ‘A'ishah informed him of the event, and the Prophet (s.a.w.) said: “Why are you surprised from this action? Verily Allah will shower His mercy upon her for the sake of her mercy upon her two children.”2
330. Imām al-Sādiq (a.s.) said: “Allah will be merciful to His servant for his intense love for his child.”3
331. Imām al-Sādiq (a.s.) said: “Musā ibn ‘Imrān4 (a.s.) said: “O Lord! Which act do You consider to be the best?”
Allah Almighty said: “The love for children, for I have created them with their conviction in My Unity, and if I make them die, I will admit them into Paradise with My mercy.”5
1.. Tārikh Dimashq, vol. ۵۲, p. ۳۶۳, h. ۱۱۰۷۰. Kanz al-‘Ummāl, vol. ۱۶, p. ۵۸۵, h. ۴۵۹۵۸.
2.. Hilyah al-Awliyā', vol. ۲, p. ۲۳۱. al-Adab al-Mufrad, p. ۴۰, h. ۸۹.
3.. al-Kāfi, vol. ۶, p. ۵۰, h. ۵, narrating from Ibn Abu ‘Umair from someone who narrated it. Kitāb Man lā Yahdarhu al-Faqih, vol. ۳, p. ۴۸۲, h. ۴۶۹۵.
4.. Prophet Moses.
5.. al-Mahāsin, vol. ۱, p. ۴۵۷, h. ۱۰۵۷. Makārim al-Akhlāq, vol. ۱, p. ۵۰۵, h. ۱۷۵۱. Both narrating from al-Masāwir. Bihār al-Anwār, vol. ۱۰۴, p. ۹۷, h. ۵۷.