Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) kissed Al-Hasan bin `Ali while Al-Aqra' bin H`Abis at-Tamim was sitting beside him. Al-Aqra said, "I have ten children and I have never kissed anyone of them," Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) cast a look at him and said, "Whoever is not merciful to others will not be treated mercifully."
Hadith Text
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) kissed Al-Hasan bin `Ali while Al-Aqra' bin H`Abis at-Tamim was sitting beside him. Al-Aqra said, "I have ten children and I have never kissed anyone of them," Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) cast a look at him and said, "Whoever is not merciful to others will not be treated mercifully."
Source Reference
Good Manners and Form (Al-Adab)
Sahih al-Bukhari 5997
Scholarly Commentary
This hadith demonstrates the importance of showing affection and mercy, particularly toward children. The Prophet's action of kissing his grandson Al-Hasan establishes the sunnah of expressing parental love physically.
Al-Aqra' bin H`Abis represented a pre-Islamic Arab custom where men considered showing affection to children as a sign of weakness. The Prophet's response contains a profound spiritual principle: divine mercy is connected to human mercy. As articulated by Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani in Fath al-Bari, this hadith establishes that mercy is not merely an emotion but must manifest in actions.
The statement "Whoever is not merciful to others will not be treated mercifully" applies universally but has special significance regarding children. Scholars note that this encompasses both withholding mercy from deserving creatures and failing to cultivate mercy in one's character. Al-Qurtubi explains that this principle operates in both worldly and spiritual realms - those who show no mercy often receive none from others, and ultimately risk being deprived of Allah's mercy.
Legal and Ethical Implications
This hadith establishes that showing affection to children is not only permissible but commendable. It counteracts cultural practices that discourage emotional expression.
The principle extends beyond family to all creation. As Imam Nawawi states in his commentary on Sahih Muslim, the mercy mentioned includes kindness to animals, orphans, and all vulnerable beings.
The hadith serves as a warning that harshness and lack of compassion may result in similar treatment from Allah in the hereafter. This creates a direct connection between human conduct and divine response.