The power of children's prayers: Insights from Prophet Muhammad's companions
The purity of someone's soul can be the reason for a prayer to be easily granted.
NURULFATIHA MUAH
At times, we hear people asking children to pray for them.
It may sound peculiar because, after all, if we can raise our own hands in prayer, why bother the little ones who don't yet comprehend much?
However, when there is a perspective suggesting that the prayers of children are easily accepted because they are pure and untouched by sins, our hearts start to soften.
Perhaps there is some reliable base to the idea. There is no harm in asking children to pray for us. Wouldn't it be wonderful if many did the same for ourselves?
Who knows, among the entrusted prayers sent may be one that Allah elevates?
It turns out, it's not just our community that asks small children for prayers.
Even the companions of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) have done so.
This was shared by the Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia Quran and Sunnah Studies Faculty Deputy Dean of Research and Innovation Associate Professor Dr Ahmad Sanusi Azmi through his Facebook post.
Among the companions mentioned were Saidina Umar (RA) and Abu Hurairah (RA).
Sanusi then quoted the words of Ibn Rajab: "Indeed, Saidina Umar (RA) once asked children to pray for forgiveness for him and said: Surely, you (pure souls) are still sinless."
Observing this expression, Sanusi stated that it clearly rationalised Saidina Umar's action.
"Similarly, a nearly identical action was taken by Abu Hurairah, in which Ibn Rajab said, Abu Hurairah once asked children to say the prayer 'O Allah, forgive Abu Hurairah's (sins).'
“As soon as the children recited this prayer, Abu Hurairah immediately said ‘amin’," he said.
Based on these two examples from the companions, the academic emphasised that perhaps the purity of someone's soul can be the reason for a prayer to be easily granted.
"That's why they ask innocent children to pray for them.
“Therefore, it is very reasonable for us to educate our innocent children to pray for us. Hopefully, with their prayers and Allah's permission, we will obtain forgiveness and have our matters ease," he added.
