341. The Prophet (s.a.w.) said: “There are five things that I will not leave doing until I die: eating food on the ground with the servants, riding on a donkey that has a packsaddle, milking a goat with my own hands, wearing woollen clothes, and greeting children so that it becomes a tradition (sunnah) after me.”1
342. Sahih ibn Habbān, narrating from 'Anas who said: “The Prophet of Allah used to visit the Ansār, greet their children and pat their heads.”2
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Warning against Disliking Children
343. Sahih Muslim, narrating from ‘A'ishah who said: “A group of Bedouins came to the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) and said: “Do you [Muslims] kiss your children?”
They [the Muslims] said: “Yes.”
Then the Bedouins said: “By Allah! We do not kiss them.”
The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) said: “What can I do if Allah has taken mercy away from your hearts?”3
344. al-Adab al-Mufrad, narrating from Abu Hurayrah who said: “At the time when al-Aqra‘ ibn Hābis al-Tamimi was sitting at the presence of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.), the Prophet kissed Hasan ibn ‘ Ali. al-Aqra‘ said: “I have ten children, none of whom I have ever kissed.”
The Prophet of Allah (s.a.w.) cast a glance at him and then said: “He who does not show compassion, will not see compassion.”4
1.. al-Khisāl, p. ۲۷۱, h. ۱۲, narrating from Ismā‘il ibn Ziyād. ‘Uyun Akhbār al-Ridā (a.s.), vol. ۲, p. ۸۱, h. ۱۴, narrating from al-‘Abbās ibn Hilāl from Imām al-Ridā (a.s.) fron his forefathers (a.s.).
2.. Sahih Ibn Habbān, vol. ۲, p. ۲۰۶, h. ۴۵۹. Mawārid al-Zam'ān, p. ۵۲۶, h. ۲۱۴۵.
3.. Sahih Muslim, vol. ۴, p. ۱۸۰۸, h. ۶۴. Sunan Ibn Mājah, vol. ۲, p. ۱۲۰۹, h. ۳۶۶۵.
4.. al-Adab al-Mufrad, p. ۴۱, h. ۹۱. Musnad Ibn Hanbal, vol. ۳, p. ۹۶, h. ۷۶۵۳.
