Greeting Children – A Beautiful Sunnah
Anas (Radiyallahu Anhu) reported that he passed by some children and greeted them and said: “The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) use to do this.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
Meaning of this Hadith
Greeting children that have reach the age of understanding and older is from the pure Sunnah of our beloved Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam), but sadly it has become a common practice amongst people nowadays not to greet any children by means of disregarding them. This opposes and contradicts the teachings of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) as he would greet children and elderly alike.
Benefits derived from this Hadith
1) Keenness of the Sahaaba to follow the Sunnah in every matter. Allah Almighty says: “Indeed in the Messenger of Allah Almighty (Muhammad Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allah Almighty.” – [Surah 33 Verse 21]
2) It encourages humility and not giving us a reason to have pride by belittling those who are younger than us. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said: “And Allah Almighty increases His slave in honor when he forgives others. And no one humbles himself before Allah Almighty but Allah Almighty will raise him in status.” – [Muslim]
3) Instilling good character in children. When they see adults greeting them, they will inhabit this practice from a very young age of greeting others.
4) This act of greeting children brings love and affection in the heart of the child. The child loves it when a person greets him or her and becomes extremely pleased especially if it is from someone older. This sometimes results in them not forgetting it.
Therefore it is essential for us to greet children if we pass by children playing in the streets, malls or sitting and selling things etc. This will bring about many benefits and not to mention following a beautiful Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam).
And Allah Almighty knows best.
Compiled By: Sh Khalid Abduroaf
Fiqhul Hadith 