GD/2 – Initiating the salām when passing by children

So clearly this writing every week isn’t working out how I thought ! Not giving up yet as still early days and so the second deed on the list is giving salām to children.

It is narrated: 

عن أنس رضي الله عنه أنه مر على صبيان، فسلم عليهم، وقال‏:‏ كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يفعله ‏(‏‏‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏

‘Anas (ra) passed by some children and gave them salām. He then said that the Prophet (saws) used to do the same’ (Agreed upon). 

I find this a very interesting ḥadīth and shows the pure humility of our beloved Prophet (Saws). The scholars mention how just in this act is the throwing away of the cloak of arrogance and treading a path of humbleness. It’s so easy for one to say to themself, these children should be greeting me first as I am older, but the way of Prophet (Saws) was different. He was the epitome of mercy to the young and for that reason he was loved so dearly.

Another side benefit from this is the understanding of the Saḥabah of the sunnah. Anas (ra) gave the salām and then explained why he did it – because the Prophet (saws) used to do it. The more we follow the sunnah (even in those things considered small), the more we will be following the blessed path.