The Innocence of Childhood

"And where did you go Marcus?" I asked as I bent almost halfway forward so we were at eye-level.

Marcus raised his eyebrows at me and took a deep breath. His answers were usually long-winded. A few teachers have taken a liking to Marcus.

Who wouldn't? A 9-year-old who has the gift of gab and spoke with a lisp, and whose expressive face couldn't hide his feelings.

"Umm... I went to the toilet and then... and then... when I came back the classroom was empty," he stopped and gasped, expressing the surprise he felt looking at the vacant room.

"so.. so.. I ran to the office to ask where the class go... and then Mister Adrian asked me to check the computer lab..."

"Ok, ok..." I interjected as I patted his head. "Go find your seat."

Living in a world where honesty is such a rare commodity, communicating with children has been one of my most potent cures. Without fear or favour, children tend to say what naturally comes to mind, and rarely do they pass judgement upon others. It is a fountain of youth, a time travel contraption which transports us back to the time of our own childhood. A time of innocence. A time when everything was simple and life was joyful.


Rasulullah took Comfort in Children

Rasulullah saw often took time to be in the company of children. In his jokes, Rasulullah never lied, he loved to use a play of words which may either carry several meanings or make his sentences rhyme.

From Anas bin Malik ra:

The Prophet was the best of all the people in character. I had a brother called Abu 'Umar, who, I think, had been newly weaned. Whenever he (that child) was brought to the Prophet the Prophet used to say, "O Abu 'Umar! What did Al-Nughair (do)?" It (Al-Nughair) was a nightingale with which he used to play with.
[ Hadith Narrated by Imam Bukhari ]

Rasulullah saw was affectionate towards children.

From Abu Hurairah ra:

Allah's Apostle kissed Al-Hasan bin Ali while Al-Aqra' bin Habis At-Tamim was sitting beside him. Al-Aqra said, "I have ten children and I have never kissed anyone of them," Allah's Apostle cast a look at him and said, "Whoever is not merciful to others will not be treated mercifully."
[ Hadith Narrated by Imam Bukhari ]

Rasulullah saw was especially sympathetic towards orphans because he too was an orphan. Adults, teachers and caregivers are sometimes too busy to provide empathy and understanding that, in today's society, many troubled kids are from broken homes and abusive parents.

From Abu Hurairah ra:

A man once came to the Messenger of Allah saw and complained that he feels hardness in his heart. The Messenger of Allah said, "Would you like that your heart becomes soft and that you acquire what you need? Be merciful with the orphan, caress his head and feed him from what you eat. This will soften your heart, and enable you to get what you need." [ Hadith Narrated by Imam at-Tabarani and authenticated by Imam Albani in As-Silsilah as-Sahihah ]

La Tahzan

Don't be sad and depressed. Smile. For a smile is charity. If you ever feel down, take time out from the complicated world of adults. Step into a simple world filled with innocence and laughter.

Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be...