Parents’ Corner
The Prophet’s Compassion towards Girls
Asif Jahanzayb Attari Madani
The Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم was sent as a mercy and a teacher to teach mankind how to live with honour and civility. He legislated rights for daughters in a society where infant girls were buried alive. Leading by example, he lived the very principles of love and care towards daughters which he preached. Here are some examples of the Prophet’s compassion:
Eyes becoming teary after hearing a story of cruelty: A man visited the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم and said: “Dear Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم ! During the Age of Ignorance, we were idolaters and would murder our children. I had a daughter who would rejoice when I called her. One day, I called her, so she followed me happily. As we reached a well, I took her by the hand and plunged her into it! ˹The girl cried˺, ‘Father! Father!’ She continued crying for help ˹as I walked away˺.” The Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم began to cry.[1]
Care for his granddaughter: The Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم was praying while carrying Sayyidatunā Umāma, his granddaughter through his daughter Sayyidatunā Zaynab. When he prostrated, he put her down, and when he stood, he picked her up ˹on his neck˺.[2]
Expressing love for the children of Madina: When the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم passed by an area of Madina, he saw some young girls ecstatically singing at his arrival:
نَحْنُ جَوَارٍ مِّنْ بَنِی النَّجَّارٖ یَاحَبَّذا مُحَمَّدٌ مِّنْ جَارٖ
“We are girls from Banu Najjār. What an excellent neighbour is Muhammad.”
The Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said: “Allah knows that you are dear to me.”[3]
Calling with affection: When Sayyidatunā Umm Salama رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْهَا married the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم , she would suckle her daughter Zaynab. Whenever the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم entered his home, he would lovingly ask, “Where is Zunāb? Where is Zunāb?”[4]
Love for his daughter, Sayyidatunā Fāṭima: When ignorance in society was at its peak, and people would bury their innocent daughters alive, the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم granted daughters honour, protection, and love. It is reported that whenever Sayyidatunā Fāṭima رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْهَا came to visit the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم , he would stand to welcome her, kiss her hand, and seat her in his place.[5]
May Allah Almighty grant every society the ability to love and show compassion to their daughters.
اٰمِیْن بِجَاہِ النَّبِیِّ الْاَمِیْن صَلَّی اللہ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلہٖ وَسَلَّم
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