CHAPTER TWO: GRANDCHILDREN – PART 1
How the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, dealt with his grandchildren
Introduction:
The genuine love and warmth that surrounds a family enables it to lead a happy and successful life and helps to bring out a righteous generation, raised on the best manners and the noblest character. The grandchildren of the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, lived in such a beautiful atmosphere of love and cordiality. They basked in the benevolence of their beloved, the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, who nurtured them with his goodness and influenced their characters by his words and deeds. History recorded the effect of this noble influence in golden letters, which was manifested in their lofty status, noble manners and unique actions. There is little wonder in that, for they were the people who were brought up in the household of love, generosity, kindness and etiquette.
The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, had seven grandchildren, just as he had seven children. They were:
1. Al-Hasan ibn ‘Ali: He was the closest in resemblance to the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and the first son of ‘Ali ibn Abu Taalib and Faatimah. He was born in the third year after the Hijrah, and he died in the year 49 A.H. (This refers to the Islamic calendar (which is a lunar calendar). The first year was the Islamic year beginning in 622 CE (Christian Era) during which Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, migrated from Makkah to Madinah (known as the Hijrah). Each numbered year is designated A.H. (i.e. after the year of the Hijrah).) He was seven years old at the time of the death of the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.
2. Al-Husayn ibn ‘Ali: The second son of ‘Ali and Fatimah, he was born in the fourth year after the Hijrah and he died in the year 61 A.H.
3. Umm Kulthoom bint ‘Ali ibn Abu Taalib: She was born before the death of the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab married her, and she was the mother of Zayd ibn ‘Umar and Ruqayyah. She and her son Zayd both died in the year 75 A.H.
4. Zaynab bint ‘Ali ibn Abu Taalib: She was born in the lifetime of the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. She married her cousin Abdullaah ibn Ja’far and she had children with him, and died while married to him. There are many existing descendants of Zaynab and Abdullaah ibn Ja’far.
5. ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Uthmaan ibn ‘Affaan: He was the son of Ruqayyah the daughter of the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, he was born in Habashah (Ethiopia) and died when he was six years old.
6. Umaamah bint Al-’Aas: She was the daughter of Zaynab (the daughter of the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). ‘Ali married her after the death of Faatimah but she did not have any children with him. When ‘Ali passed away she married Al-Mugheerah ibn Nawfal, and she had no children with him either until her death.
7. ‘Ali ibn Al-’Aas: He was the brother of Umaamah bint Zaynab, and he died before the age of puberty in the lifetime of the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.
Therefore, the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, has no descendants except from his daughter Faatimah and his descendants all return to his two grandsons, Al-Hasan and Al-Husayn only. The descendants of Al-Hasan are ascribed as Al-Hasani, and the descendants of Al-Husayn are known as Al-Husayni.
The Prophet’s manner of dealing with his grandchildren was filled with compassion and mercy, for the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was an exceptional example of a noble father and grandfather.
There are many manifestations of his beautiful and merciful nature in the way he cared for his children.
He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to do Tahneek for them:
‘Aa’ishah, the wife of the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, narrated: “Children used to be brought to him, so he, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, would ask Allah to bless them, and then do Tahneek.” (Reported by Muslim (2316).)
An-Nawawi said: “Tahneek, which means to chew on a date or something similar, then to wipe it on the palate of the child. If it is done without dates it is fine, but to use a date is better, for its sweetness is very beneficial to the baby.” (The explanation of An-Nawawi on the book of Muslim (124/14).)
Modern science has confirmed the medical benefits of doing Tahneek for the growth and development of the child. Narrations regarding Tahneek show that it should be done with dates or something sweet, and it is the first thing that should enter his body. That is because a newborn child could suddenly die if one of two things happens: either a drop in his blood sugar or a sudden decrease in his body temperature if the surrounding weather is cold. The blood sugar (glucose) level in the newborn baby is often low, which could lead to dangerous results, such as the baby refusing to breastfeed, or limpness in his muscles, or difficulty breathing, or causing a blue tinge to the skin. It could also lead to complications such as stunted growth or mental retardation.
The cure to this is simple and that is to administer glucose dissolved in water, either in his mouth or by way of injection, and this is what happens when doing Tahneek with a date. Studies have proven that doing Tahneek also strengthens the muscles in the mouth and tongue, preparing the newborn to breastfeed easily.A translation of a summary taken from an article taken from islamweb.net (source)
He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, chose beautiful names for them:
This was the practice of the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, in everyone he named, and he even used to change names with bad meanings to good ones. Thus, a Muslim should stay away from suggestive names, and names that are strange sounding or have a bad meaning.
By Muhammad Saalih Al-Munajjid
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