Prophet Muhammad playing with children

God Almighty says in the Quran:"Verily in the example of (the life and actions) of the Prophet is there a beautiful example for anyone whose hopes are in Allah and the last day, and who remember Allah regularly"[Surah al-Azhab 33: 21]

Amongst the many things the Prophet was, he was also a human being, with young relatives. Throughout his life he would show his love towards such relatives including the children of his family and friends with whom he would play with from time to time. The incidents below reflect again the balanced nature by which the Prophet lived his life and bring additional light on the wisdom behind following his example.

Anas said that he never saw anyone more affectionate towards the children than the Prophet.

Abdullah ibn Harith said that the Prophet used to make Abdullah, Ubaidullah and Kather ibn Abbas stand in a row then say to them, 'Whoever comes to me first will get such and such'. The narrator says that the children would run towards him and some of them would fall on his back and some on his chest, and he would hug them. [Ahmad and al-Haithami, Vol IX, p 17]

Abdullah ibn Jafar said that whenever the Prophet returned from a journey he used to meet the children of his family. Once when he returned from a journey Abdullh ibn Jafar who was playing with some children on the outskirtso f the city, went to him. The Prophet then seated him in front of him. Then one of the sons of Fatima was brought to him (either Hasan or Husain) and he would be seated behind him. Thus, the three of them entered the city of Medina riding on his mule together.[Ibn Asakir]

Umar ibn al Khattab said that he saw Hasan and Hussain sitting on the shoulders of the Prophet. Seeing them he said, 'You are riding the best horse'. Thereupon the Prophet said, 'And they are the best riders!' [Abu Yala, al Kanz, Vol III p 106]

Jabir said that he went to see the Prophet and saw him walking on his hands and feet with Hassan and Hussein sitting on his back. He said, 'The best camel is yours and you are the best burden'[Tabrani, al-Haithmi, Vol IX, p 182]

Jabir says that all of them had been invited to a feast and they accompanied the Prophet. On the way they say Hassan and Hussein playing with other children. The Prophet moved ahead swiftly and extended his hands towards Hussain, to try to catch him. Hussein ran here and there and the Prophet chased him, eventually catching him. The Prophet then put one hand under his chin and one on his head, hugged him and then kissed him. He then said, 'Hussain is from me and I am from him. Allah loves him who loves Hussain. Hassan and Hussain are the two grandsons out of the grandsons'.[Tabrani, al-Kanz, Vol II, p 107]

Salman says that the people were sitting around the Prophet when Umm Aiman came to them saying 'O Messenger of God! I cannt find Hassan or Hussein!'. The Prophet said to the people, 'Come out and search for my grandchildren'. Everyone went out looking for them. The Prophet reached a rock near a mountain and then saw Hasan and Hussain hugging one another as a snake stood infront of them on its tail (as it it was abot to attack). When the Prophet ran towards them, the snake moved away towards the rocks nearby. The Prophet reached them, seperated them, wiped away the tears from their face and then said to them, 'May my parents be sacrificed for both of you, how noble you are in the sight of Allah! (for standing upto and being strong against the snake)'. He then put one of them on his shoulder and the other on his left. Salman then said to the children, 'Glad tidings to both of you, as yours is the best mount'. At this the Prophet replied, 'These two are the best riders, and their father is better than these two'[Tabrani, al-Haithmi, Vol IX, p 182; al-Kanz, Vol Viii, p 107]

May God Almighty have mercy and guide us all, ameen.