Holy Prophet As A Father

Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam........ ' O Muhammad! We have sent you to be a real blessing for the people of the world' (21:107) 'He brings them out of the depths of darkness into the light.' (2:257) This publication takes the liberty, by the grace of the Almighty to portray the unique and exemplary roles of the beloved Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam: As A Father A person's genuine moral conduct and demeanour is reflected within the privacy of his home, and his behaviour with his family members. One who appears to have maintained a lofty status of good characteristics cannot possibly uphold a mere pretence of honesty and good character from his immediate family. That is why, we see the example to mankind; Bearer of excellence; Illustrator of the ideal lifestyle : the Holy Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam has, by setting an example of the perfect father, introduced new dimensions into the human relationship, implementing a new philosophy of life and enriched his family with love, comfort, mercy and security. These priceless gifts he distributed during his role as a father enabled his children to gain spiritual excellence and benefit profusely from this unique relationship. The Holy Prophet's Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam relationship with his children was not based on mere physical and temporary emotions. However, it was the fruitful consequence of sound judgement, genuine concern and deep-rooted affection. His teachings for his forthcoming younger generation encompassed all fields and discipline, bequeathing everything from the eternal values of piety, aloofness from this world and faith to the social etiquette's of labour, livelihood and economic justice. He left behind him universal principles of education and guidance in order that they may attain success in both worlds and from the tender stages of infancy be able to distinguish right from wrong, evil from good. Common people prefer to leave hoards of gold and property as legacy for their issues, but the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam imparted by his uniquely effective way of teaching that no amount of material wealth could ever equal to piety and virtuous conduct. The Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said in a hadith narrated by Saeed Ibn Anas (R.A.), "No father has bestowed upon his child a gift more splendid than good manners." (Tirmizi). Undoubtedly, no human has practised on his own preachings more precisely than the beloved Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. The Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam had in total three sons and four daughters, born to Hadhrat Khadija (R.A.) with the exception of Ibrahim who was born to Hadhrat Maariah (R.A). Qaasim was born before Prophethood but unfortunately died at the tender age of two. The Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam was later recognised amongst his companions as "Abul Qaasim". Thereafter, Abdullah was born after Prophethood and hence was given the appellation" Tayyib" and "Taahir" meaning clean \ pure. Abdullah died in infancy. The Prophet's eldest daughter was called Hadhrat Zainab (R.A), born ten years preceding Prophethood. She was, under the influence of her father, a pillar of faith and patience. The second daughter was Hadhrat Ruqaiyyah (R.A) who died within the Holy Prophet's Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam lifetime. The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam was much grieved at her death, as was the case with his third daughter Hadhrat Umme Kulthum (R.A) , whose death also caused the eyes of the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam to weep unrestrainedly. Finally, was his youngest daughter Fatimah ( R.A.), and what can be said for the Holy Prophet's Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam unconditional love for Hadhrat Fatimah ( R.A.) ? He lavished her and her family with such adoration and warmth and taught her to run her household without any domestic help or large income. He also taught her the virtue of contentment and the art of a frugal living. Hadhrat Aa'ishah (R.A) reports "I have not seen any person who resembles the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam of Allah more accurately than Fatimah in manner of speech, sitting posture and dialect. Whenever she entered he would rise to greet her, kiss her and seat her in his position. Likewise, when ever the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam entered Hadhrat Fatimah's home, she would rise to greet him, kiss him and seat him in her place."( Part narration, Tirmizi \ Bukhari) All the Holy Prophet's Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam children were a mirrored reflection of the teachings of their father. He served as an ideal example for other parents and was a thorough combination of all the qualities of understanding and discipline expected from a father. It has been stated regarding Fatimah ( R.A.) that she herself accomplished all the household chores single-handed. This included making the food, baking the bread, sweeping the house and drawing water from the well. This hard work caused her hands to blister, her clothes to wear away and corns to form on her chest. Once she requested the aid of a servant from the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam to which he replied, "The orphans of the Battle of Badr are more needy than you," he then alternatively advised the recital of a numbered tasbih. Subhaanallah, this portrays that although the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam cared for his family dearly, never did he sacrifice integrity, nor did he wield excess leniency in exercising the law of Allah. His mission as a just ruler was not effected by his devotion to his children, although his companions would willingly give preference to the Holy Prophet's Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam household as a gesture of self sacrifice, devotion and respect. He behaved and lived like the average human being with his children and experienced all the emotional and physical strains and sufferings of a father, yet, accepted them with patience and preservance and never lost temper on any worldly account. According to Hadhrat Anas (R.A.) at the time of Hadhrat Ibrahim's death, tears began to fall gently from the Holy Prophet's Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam eyes. Hadhrat Abdur Rahman Ibn Auf (R.A) proclaimed, "You too, (are weeping) Oh, Messenger of Allah?" The Blessed Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam replied, "The eyes weep and the heart grieves, yet we only utter what pleases the Lord, and we are grieved by your separation, Oh Ibrahim !" He lived with his children, loved them, and played with them. He enjoyed with them moments of rejoicing and mourned at their pain and affliction, showing he was a man of flesh and blood and experienced bereavement at the loss of his dear ones. The Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam never hesitated in showing ardour and affection upon his children. Each child was singled out individually and treated with a unique manner of care and concern. He raised the status of all children, particularly female children in both worlds, by abolishing the inhuman custom of burying daughters alive due to fear of poverty and misfortune. He declared the innocence of infants and bequeathed ideal instructions and guidances towards the upbringing of children, from the day they enter the world till they attain the stage of maturity and beyond. Hadhrat Anas and Hadhrat Abdullah (R.A) have reported the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam to have declared, "Those dearest to Allah are the ones who treat their children kindly." (Bayhaqi) The Prophet's Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam high distinguishment as a Prophet and head of state did not restrict him from accomplishing everyday activities with children and household. This fact of his simplistic lifestyle has excelled him as an eternal example for all fathers and husbands. Hadhrat Buraidah (R.A) recalls an incident while the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam was addressing the people, Hadhrat Hasan and Hussain (R.A) came running along in red shirts, stumbling as they walked. Upon seeing them Allah's Messenger descended from his pulpit, and lifted them and commented, "Allah has spoken the truth in saying your property and children are just a temptation, when I glanced at these two I could not resist from interrupting my speech." Despite his multifarious duties as a Messenger of Allah, the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam still found time to spend and play with his children. He was never a distant or neglecting father. On another occasion Hasan or Hussain was standing on the Holy Prophet's Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam foot. The Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam asked him to remove it after which he playfully placed it on the Prophet's Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam blessed chest. The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam kissed him and remarked "Oh Allah I love him, you also love him." (Bukhari) The atmosphere of the Prophet's Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam home was full of piety, affection and concern for each others welfare. Through his love for his family he would not tolerate a temporary termination of bonds within close relationships. The following incident portrays this aspect beautifully : Whenever Hadhrat Ali and Fatimah ( R.A.) disagreed upon a matter, the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam would resolve the problem justly and ease the friction. Once the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam entered their home and settled their arguments and reunited them. He left the house in high spirits. When the people enquired the reason to his cheerfulness he proclaimed," I have just reconciled between two people I love dearly." Such an extensive example of the perfect lifestyle to mankind. The Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam successfully attempted with most equitable laws to build family relationships and to cement them with mutual love, kindness and discipline. He took into consideration the natural instincts of paternal love, at the same time reaching the child and guiding him towards the laws ordained by Allah. He laid down tremendous stress on not only their education but also for early formation of the child's character and conduct, according to the lines of faith. For this reason he is the greatest of those who advocated the cause of children, and this is where the greatness lies.