Children are a Source of Peace

Jubair ibn Nufair said: We sat with Al-Miqdaad ibn Al-Aswad one day. A man passed by and said, "How wonderful for these eyes which saw Allah's Messenger (sas). By Allah! I wish that I had seen what they have seen and witnessed what they witnessed." [Al-Miqdaad] was angered by this remark and this amazed me (i.e., Jubair) as it seemed to me that he had said nothing but a good thing.

He (Al-Miqdaad) approached him and said to him, "What would possess a man to wish for a time/place which Allah has kept from him? He doesn't know how he would have been had he been among those who witnessed it. By Allah! People attended and were present with Allah's Messenger (sas) who Allah cast on their noses in the Hell-fire - they neither obeyed him nor believed in him. Should you not thank Allah, Mighty and Great, that He brought you forth not knowing anything but your Lord, believing in that which was brought by His Messenger (sas)? Other than yourselves have taken on the trials in your stead. By Allah! The Prophet (sas) was sent in a more severe situation than any other prophet - in a time no message or messenger and great ignorance. They could not see that any religion is better than the worshipping of idols! Then he (sas) came with the Criterion which separated truth from falsehood. And, it separated between a father and his child such that a man would see his father, his son or his brother a disbeliever after Allah had removed the locks from his own heart with faith. KNOWING, that if this one dies they will enter the fire. He could find little peace or pleasure knowing that his beloved is headed for the fire. This is the very thing about which Allah said:

{And those who say, "Our Lord! Give us in our wives and our descendents peace of mind and make us leaders for the people of piety."} Al-Furqan:74

Toobaa li... (translated above as "how wonderful for") derives from the root taaba for "good".  In the hadith: "Toobaa is a tree in Paradise whose width is 100 years travel. The clothing of the people of Paradise grows from its pods." (Hadith hassan li ghairihi).

1. Leaving the knowledge of the unseen to Allah. One should not wish for something not decreed for them by Allah in light of the fact that one cannot know how they would have been in that situation.
2. Gratitude to Allah for the blessing of Islam and belief in Him Most High.
3. Not all division is blameworthy and not all unity is praiseworthy.
4. Asking Allah for "pleasure" from one's wives and descendents means for them to be believers and in obedience to Allah. Al-Hassan was asked abou this verse and he said, "For Allah to show a believer obedience to Allah in his wife, brother, children and dear friend. No, by Allah, there is nothing which gives greater pleasure to a Muslim than seeing his son, grandson, brother or friend in obedience to Allah."
5. The love and reverence of the Tabi'een for the Companions.
6. Al-Miqdaad ibn Al-Aswad was among the scholars (fuquhaa) of the Companions.
7. The teacher can and should condemn the approach of a learner - even if well-intentioned - if that is what it takes to make the truth clear.
8. Among the du'a of the believers is to ask for piety - as a source of peace and pleasure - in his family and descendents.

From Anas, who said: I was with the Prophet (sas) on day. There was no one present but myself, my mother and Umm Haraam, my maternal aunt. The Prophet (sas) entered the room and said to us, "Should I not pray with you?". This was not the time of any of the five prayers. A man asked, "Where did he have Anas stand in relation to himself (sas)?" He said, He placed Anas at this right side and then he prayed with us. Then he made du'a for us - all the people of the household - and asked for us every good of this life and the hereafter. Then my mother said, "O Messenger of Allah! Your little servant, ask Allah for him." So, he (sas) made du'a for me the end of which was, "O Allah, increase his wealth and his children and bless him."

Anas said about this, "My daughter informed me that I had over 90 children and there was no one among the Ansar wealthier than I. Then, he said to Thabit (his friend of 40 years), "O Thabit, I now possess no gold nor silver except this ring." Another narration suggests that his children may have been over 120.

1. Making du'a for wealth and children is legitimate.
2. Children and wealth are among the bounties of Allah and something good - as long as Allah is obeyed therein.
3. The reality of Allah's response to the Prophet's (sas) du'a for Anas.
4. When there are only two males in a congregational prayer, the second one stands at the right side of the imam.
5. Making du'a for one to be blessed with wealth and children does not contradict the true good of the hereafter.
6. The imam should visit the citizens.
7. A parent prefers his/her children over themself.
8. Being polite and humble in asking.
9. Speaking of the generosity of Allah and the miracles of the Prophet (sas).