From the aesthetics of the Prophetic biography (Seerah).
Playing with young children.
Playing with children and showing them affection is a form of gentle humor.
It provides solace for both you and them.
It breaks the rigidity that might otherwise distance role models and elders from the reality of people's lives.
Therefore, the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, broke that convention and that perception.
He established a form of beauty and humility in his relationship with young boys.
Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, says:
The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, was the best of people in character.
I had a younger brother called Abu 'Umayr who had just been weaned.
He said: Whenever the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, came and saw him, he would say:
"Abu 'Umayr, what happened to the nughayr (the little bird)?"
He said: He used to play with it.
Herein lies a marvelous gentleness and a humility that descends to the level of children.
It shows sharing in their concerns and their games.
Even when the bird that little 'Umayr used to play with died,
The Prophet, peace be upon him, saw 'Umayr looking sad.
He would visit him and ask him, "What happened to the nughayr?"
The hadith demonstrates the accessibility of role models.
It shows the permissibility of giving kunya (nicknames) to children and those who have no offspring.
It shows that this is not considered lying.
It shows the permissibility of joking in matters that do not involve sin.
It shows the permissibility of using diminutive forms for certain names.
It shows the permissibility of a child playing with a bird and keeping it.
It shows the permissibility of a guardian allowing a child to do so.
It shows the permissibility of using rhymed prose in good speech without affectation.
It shows the importance of showing affection to children and putting them at ease.
It highlights the excellent character the Prophet, peace be upon him, possessed.
It highlights the nobility of his Prophetic characteristics (Shama'il) and his humility.
And Allah is the Grantor of success.
From the aesthetics of the Prophetic biography (Seerah).