Kissing one’s children

Kissing one’s children is proven from Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam.

Abu Hurairah Radiallahu Anhu reports that Aqra’ bin Habis Radiallahu Anhu saw Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam kissing Hasan Radiallahu Anhu and said, “I have ten children, but I have never kissed any one of them.” Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam said, “He who does not show mercy will not be shown mercy.”

A Bedouin came to Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam and asked: Do you kiss your children as we do not kiss them? Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam replied, “What can I do if Allah has removed mercy from your hearts.”

The commentator of Bukhari Sharif Ibn Battal Rahimahullah states that kissing a small child on any of his body parts is permissible and the same is applicable to a little older child according to most scholars, with the proviso that it is not the child’s Awrah (private parts.)

Allama Shaami Rahimahullah has written that it is permissible to kiss one’s children, with the proviso that there is no fear of impermissible desire being created from either side. Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam would kiss Fatimah Radhiallahu Anha on her head, which is clear proof of kissing one’s child on the head. Similarly, Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said, “Whoever kisses the feet of his mother, it is as if he has kissed the threshold of Jannah.”

In conclusion, kissing one’s child on the forehead is proven from Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam. Similarly, the text of Shaami indicates that there is no harm if a child kisses the parent or any other Mahram on the forehead, with the proviso that there is no fear of Fitnah on either side.