The unparalleled relationship of the Prophet (ﷺ) with his family

The noble Prophet, the Mercy to the Worlds (ﷺ), embodies mercy and compassion. He was sent as the Mercy to the Worlds, making him a source of mercy for everything. When the extent of His mercy and compassion became so vast and general, one can imagine how kind and merciful He (ﷺ) must have been towards His family and household.

Those who study the blessed biography would have come across various incidents showcasing His compassion and love. How was the behavior of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) with His own family, His uncles, and their children, and even towards slaves, all illustrate His exemplary and merciful conduct, which is well documented in the pages of history. In this brief article, we will particularly mention the unparalleled kindness and love He (ﷺ) showed towards His household, especially towards His most beloved daughter, Lady Fatimah az-Zahra (رضي الله عنها) and His grandchildren.

Lady Fatimah (رضي الله عنها), the piece of the Prophet’s heart, was His youngest and most beloved daughter, born a few years before the prophecy. Her status and rank can be understood from the fact that esteemed companions have narrated that she was declared the leader of the women of Paradise. It is found in a narration that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was heard saying on the pulpit that Fatimah is a part of my body, whoever causes her pain, causes me pain; whoever annoys her, annoys me. This indicates the invisible bond of love and emotional connection between the Prophet (ﷺ) and Fatimah (رضي الله عنها). She resembled her noble father, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), to a great extent. Aisha (رضي الله عنها) said, ‘When I saw Fatimah walking, her walking was remarkably similar to that of the Prophet (ﷺ).’ According to Aisha (رضي الله عنها), in the manner of speaking and conversation, she never saw anyone more similar to the Prophet (ﷺ) than Fatimah. The love of the Prophet (ﷺ) for her can also be gauged from the narration where it is stated by Abdullah bin Umar (رضي الله عنه) that when the Prophet (ﷺ) was about to leave for a journey, the last thing He did was to visit Fatimah (رضي الله عنها).

Another evidence of the profound connection between the Prophet (ﷺ) and Fatimah (رضي الله عنها) is that she passed away only six months after the demise of the Prophet (ﷺ) and quickly joined her affectionate father. According to the narration, the Prophet (ﷺ) had reassured her that she would be the first to join him in the hereafter, also asking her if she would be pleased to be the leader of the women of Paradise.

The special love of the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) for Hazrat Fatimah (رضي الله عنها) is also exemplified by his choice of a person like Hazrat Ali (رضي الله عنه) for her marriage. It is narrated that addressing Hazrat Fatimah (رضي الله عنها), he said, ‘I have married you to the best of my household.’

The Master of the Universe (ﷺ) also had immense love for his grandsons, Hazrat Hasan and Hazrat Husain (رضي الله عنهما), as they were the offspring of his most beloved daughter and through whom his lineage would continue in the world. The Holy Prophet (ﷺ) used to lengthen his prostrations during prayers for these beloved grandsons.

These innocent, dear children would climb onto their grandfather’s back while he was engaged in prayer and had gone into prostration, he, out of concern that these innocent children might get hurt, would not raise his head from prostration for a long time. Hazrat Hasan (رضي الله عنه) is the elder son of Hazrat Fatimah (رضي الله عنها). It is narrated that Hazrat Hasan (رضي الله عنه) was closer and more similar to the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) than all other creatures of God. It is also narrated that when these children were small, the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) used to kiss their cheeks and lips, sometimes suck their tongues, feed them in his lap, seat them on his chest and stomach, and sometimes lift them onto the pulpit with him. According to an authentic narration, Hazrat Hasan (رضي الله عنه) resembled his grandfather from the chest upwards, and Hazrat Husain (رضي الله عنه) resembled the pure body of his grandfather. Hazrat Hasan (رضي الله عنه) was of few words, and he would keep away from people’s quarrels and disputes for the sake of Allah, but if someone turned to him regarding an issue, he would explain his point with evidence. Regarding Hazrat Hasan and Husain (رضي الله عنهما), it is also narrated that they would be the leaders of the youths in Paradise. The words of the Hadith that have been transmitted are: ‘Al-Hasan and Al-Husain are the leaders of the youths of the people of Paradise.’ It is narrated from Hazrat Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنه) that once the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was carrying his grandsons on his blessed shoulders and a person said, ‘What an excellent ride they have!’ The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) replied, ‘And the riders are also excellent.’ Hazrat Fatimah Zahra’s (رضي الله عنها) other son, Hazrat Husain (رضي الله عنه), was born in the year four Hijri. The Noble Messenger (ﷺ) applied honey on his lips and moistened the newborn’s mouth with his blessed tongue, showered him with prayers, and named him Husain. According to a narration from Hazrat Ayyub Ansari (رضي الله عنه), ‘One day I was in the service of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), and Hasan and Husain (رضي الله عنهما) were playing on his blessed chest. I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, do you love them so much?’ He replied, ‘Why should I not love them? They are the flowers of this world for me.’

It is narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, ‘Hasan and Husain are the leaders of the young men of Paradise.’ Another narration mentions that once the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) heard the cry of Husain (رضي الله عنه) and said to his mother, ‘Do you not know that his crying makes me sad?

Just as the matter of love and compassion was with the leader of the prophets (ﷺ) towards his family, similarly, the family’s relation and concern for the comfort of the Prophet (ﷺ) is found. It is narrated that one day, there was a scarcity of food in the house of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). When Hazrat Ali (رضي الله عنه) came to know about this, he went out to look for some work so that he could fulfill the needs of the Prophet (ﷺ) as much as possible. In this search, he reached the garden of a Jew and took upon himself the task of watering the garden. The wage for drawing one bucket of water was one date. Hazrat Ali (رضي الله عنه) drew seventeen buckets and the Jew allowed him to take whatever kind of dates he wanted. According to the agreed wage, Hazrat Ali (رضي الله عنه) took seventeen Ajwa dates and presented them to the service of the Prophet (ﷺ). Seeing the dates, the Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Where did you bring these from?” Hazrat Ali (رضي الله عنه) replied, “O Messenger of Allah, I found out that there was a scarcity at your place today, so I went out in search of some work so that I could arrange some food.” The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “It was the love of Allah and His Messenger that inspired you to do this.

Hazrat Ali (رضي الله عنه) addressed, ‘Yes, O Messenger of Allah (ﷺ).’ Thus, this was the connection between each other, from the compassion of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), he used to call Hazrat Ali (رضي الله عنه) Abu Turab. It is narrated by Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (رضي الله عنه), the Prophet (ﷺ) went towards the chamber of Fatimah (رضي الله عنها) and upon not finding Hazrat Ali (رضي الله عنه) there, asked Fatimah (رضي الله عنها), ‘Where is Ali?’ She replied, ‘He is in the mosque.’ When you, O Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), arrived at the mosque, you saw that Hazrat Ali (رضي الله عنه) was lying down, his cloak had slipped off his back, and his back was covered in dust. You (ﷺ) cleaned the dust off his back and twice said, ‘Sit up, O Abu Turab. Sit, O Abu Turab.’ The translation of Abu Turab is ‘father of dust.’ Essentially, the relation of care, love, and respect that the Chief of Prophets, Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (ﷺ), had with his family.

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