Understanding The Prophet's Life
From Issue: 477 [Read full issue]
Carrying Children in Prayer
If a very small child walks or craws in front of a praying person, it is not a problem. The small child should not be pushed away or treated harshly.
It is established in the authentic Sunnah that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to treat small children in a special manner even while he was praying.
Narrated by Abu Qatadah al-Ansari that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to pray carrying his grand-daughter Umamah bint Abi al-As, who was the daughter of his daughter Zaynab, and used to carry her upon his neck. When he prostrated, he put her down. When he stood up, he lifted her up again. [Sahih al-Bukhari (494), Sahih Muslim (543)]
It is also related that while he was praying, when he went into prostration, his grandchildren al-Hasan and al-Husayn would jump onto his back. When the people tried to stop them, he signaled to them to leave the children alone. When he finished his prayer, he said: “Whoever loves me should love those two.” [Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah (887)]
Source:
“IslamToday.com” – Abd al-Wahhab al-Turayri