There are some historic moments in the life of the Prophet ﷺ that we, as parents, can derive many valuable lessons from. Here are 7 parenting lessons from the Prophet’s ﷺ childhood:
1. Learning from the elders
The Prophet’s Grandfather, Abdul Muttalib, used to sit on a mattress near the Ka’bah. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was always with him observing all the conversations between the elders of Quraysh. Abdul Muttalib would always say that his grandchild Muhammad is going to be a very significant person one day.
We should have intellectual conversations with our children and make them feel that we are proud of them.
2. Language and Fitness
Customs in Quraysh entailed that newborns be sent to the desert to learn the proper Arabic language as well as to gain physical strength from a young age. The Prophet ﷺ was sent with Halima As-Sa’diyya (his milk mother) to Banu Sa’d (the tribe of Sa’d) where he gained his eloquence and strength.
We should all strive to teach our kids the language of the Quran and take care of their physicality.
3. Having a Pure Heart
It was narrated by Anas ibn Maalik that Jibreel came to the Prophet ﷺ when he was playing with the other boys. He took hold of him and threw him to the ground, then he opened his chest and took out his heart, from which he took a clot of blood and said: “This was the Shaytaan’s share of you.” Then he washed it in a vessel of gold that was filled with Zamzam. Then he put it back together and returned it to its place. The boys went running to his mother – meaning his nurse – and said: Muhammad has been killed! They went to him and his colour had changed. Anas said: I used to see the mark of that stitching on his chest.
(Muslim)
Ibn Katheer said in Tafseer Al-Quran Il-‘Azeem:
Allah says “Have We not opened your breast for you (O Muhammad)?” meaning, did We not open your heart for you, i.e., We illuminated it etc. This is like the verse in which Allah says : “And whomsoever Allah wills to guide, He opens his heart to Islam.”
(Soorah al-An’aam, 6:125)
The incident of the Angel Jibreel (Gabriel) washing the heart of the Prophet can be taken as a lesson. We should perfect our children’s faith by letting them emulate Prophet’s ﷺ pure character.
4. Staying Active
Sports is essential for our children’s development.
The Prophet ﷺ has told us to practice archery and horseback riding
(At-Tirmidhi).
It is also reported that the Prophet learned how to swim at a young age while on a trip to Yathrib (Al-Madinah today) with his mother.
5. Keeping Ties of Kinship
When the Prophet ﷺ was about 6 years old, his mother Aminah took him with her to Yathrib (Al-Madinah) to visit his maternal uncles. This created a bond between the Prophetﷺ and Al-Madinah which became his home later.
Teach your kids the importance of family from a young age.
6. The Importance of Mothers
On the way back from that same trip to Madinah, the Prophet’s mother Aminah passed away on the borders of Makkah when he was only 6 years old.
Fifty years later, as the Prophet ﷺ was making his way to the opening of Makkah (Fath Makkah), he visited the grave of his mother and he wept and moved others around him to tears.
(Muslim)
Teach your kids to love their mothers like our Prophet ﷺ loved his mother.
7. The Reliance on Allah Alone
At the age of 8, the Prophet’s grandfather Abdul Muttalib passed away leaving the Prophet ﷺ an orphan with no guardian. Despite that, the Prophetﷺ lived to be the greatest of mankind because his reliance was on Allah alone.
Our children should believe that Allah is the most merciful and loving towards them and that they can rely on Him alone for all matters.
May the Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon Muhammad, the best of creation.