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AS A GRANDFATHER
The Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam is truly the pride of humanity. Humanity has never witnessed and never will witness a person like him. We have but captured a glimpse of this remarkable Prophet's sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam extraordinary perfections as a father, we move now to learn of his unique role as a cherishing grandfather.
He loved all children. He loved Umaamah, his granddaughter, just as he loved Hasan and Hussain, his grandsons. He often went out with her on his shoulders. He even placed her on his back whilst praying. When he went to prostrate, he took her aside and when he had finished he got her on his back again. He showed this degree of love to Umaamah, so as teach how to treat girls to a society that used to bury their daughters alive only a decade previously. Among these people, the Messenger's sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam care for his granddaughter was novel and had never been seen before.
There is no discrimination between son and daughter in Islam. The Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam himself showed this. How can there be? One of them is the Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam, the other is Hadhrat Khadija (R.A.); one is Hadhrat Adam ( A.S.), the other is Hadhrat Hawwa ( A.S.); one is Hadhrat Ali ( R.A.), the other is Hadhrat Fatima ( R.A.). For every great man there is a great woman.
One day, when Hasan and Hussain ( R.A.) were on the Holy Prophet's Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam back, 'Umar ( R.A.) came into the Prophet's sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam house. When he saw them on such an honoured place he said, "What a beautiful mount you have !" The Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam added immediately, " What beautiful riders they are !" They may not even have been aware of the way the Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam had honoured them. This special compliment was because of their position as future leaders and family heads of the household of the Prophet. From them were to come the 'seeds' of honour and dignity. Hadhrat Anas (R.A.) reports that when the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhiwWasallam was asked which member of his family was dearest to him he replied, Hasan and Hussain." (Tirmizi). On numerous occasions he used to put them on his knee and embrace them and he was often reported as saying, "These are my sons and daughter's sons."
He was not only kind, caring and devoted only to his children and grandchildren but his treatment of the young children of others was also the most affectionate. Whenever he passed by any number of children he used to pass his hand over them with affection and sometimes he would join in their innocent plays. He never forgot to exchange with them most endearing and loving words. His love for his grandchildren, especially his grandchildren Hasan and Hussain ( R.A.) was beyond measure. The Holy Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam was reported to have said, "Bring my bouquets." And upon being brought to him he would embrace and kiss them.
The intensity of his love for his family can be reflected in many incidents however, his devotion for his children and grandchildren was most exemplary.
Once again, another incident in which he showed his love for his grandchildren was when he was observing prayers. One of the sons of Fatimah ( R.A.), Hasan or Hussain (R.A.) came and climbed on his blessed back. He prolonged in prostration and only lifted his head when the boy got down on his own. This showed how he placed their happiness and pleasure before his own. Anas (R.A.) reported that he had not seen anyone more kind to his children than Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam.
A gentle, affectionate and loving nature.....
The warm `qualities' of a truely `grand' personality 