Have You Kissed Your Child Every Day? The Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad that Brings Mercy

Dream - Kissing a child is a sign of a parent's love for their beloved child. Whether it's the mother or father, they definitely want to pour out their best affection to their child. One simple way is by kissing.

There is a feeling of fondness mixed with love that parents bestow upon their child when kissing them. Whether at home or before leaving for work. In fact, a parent's kiss to their child can have a positive impact on the child, especially from a psychological perspective. Where the child can have a tender heart and grow with love.

Even Prophet Muhammad saw did this to his own child. This is what he recommended to parents to always kiss their child. So, what is the reason behind this sunnah?

Here is the explanation as summarized by Dream from various sources.

Kissing a Child Brings Mercy

One day, Prophet Muhammad saw asked a Bedouin:

"Do you kiss your children every day?""

The Bedouin replied, "I have ten children and I have never kissed any of them."

Prophet Muhammad saw said:

"What have you done? Surely Allah has withdrawn mercy from your heart."" (Narrated by Muslim and At-Tirmidhi)

In a narration from Ummu Salamah, she said:

"One day, the Prophet Muhammad saw was at my house. At that time, the servant said that Ali and Fatimah were in his room. At that time, the Prophet Muhammad saw said to me, 'Wake up, please call my family members.'"

After hearing the words of Prophet Muhammad saw, Ali and Fatimah came with their two children, Al-Hasan and Al-Hussein, who were still toddlers. Prophet Muhammad saw immediately carried the two children and put them on his lap, then he kissed them.

After that, Prophet Muhammad saw hugged Ali with one hand and Fatimah with the other hand. Then, he also gave them a piece of black cloth and he prayed."

"O Allah, I ask You to keep me and my family away from the Hellfire." I (Ummu Salamah) said, "What about me, O Messenger of Allah?" He replied, "You too."" (Narrated by Ahmad)

Body Parts of a Child That Parents Should Kiss

There are several body parts of a child that parents are advised to kiss every day, as follows:

The Crown of the Head

By kissing the crown of the child's head, it shows the pride of parents in their child while praying that the child becomes pious.

The Forehead

By kissing the child's forehead, it shows that the parents are content with the presence of their child. Even Prophet Muhammad saw kissed his daughter, Fatimah, on her forehead.

The Cheeks

By kissing the child's cheeks while saying "masha Allah," it is a sign of the parents' affection and longing for their child.

The Hands

By kissing the child's hands while saying "barokallah," it is a sign of mawaddah wa hub or love and affection. This is what Prophet Muhammad saw did when he kissed the hands of his beloved daughter, Fatimah.