That he heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) saying, "While a lady was nursing her child, a rider passed by and she
said, 'O Allah! Don't let my child die till he becomes like this (rider).' The child said, 'O Allah! Don't
make me like him,' and then returned to her breast (sucking it). (After a while) they passed by a lady
who was being pulled and teased (by the people). The child's mother said, 'O Allah! Do not make my
child like her.' The child said, 'O Allah! Make me like her.' Then he said, 'As for the rider, he is an
infidel, while the lady is accused of illegal sexual intercourse (falsely) and she says: Allah is sufficient
for me (He knows the truth).
Narrated by Narrated Abu Huraira:
Context
In this hadith, a mother is nursing her child when a rider passes by, prompting her to pray for her child to grow up like him. The child, however, prays to be unlike the rider. Later, they encounter a woman being mocked, and the child prays to be like her. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) explains the implications of these prayers, highlighting the moral and spiritual states of the individuals involved.
Modern Application
This hadith illustrates the importance of role models and the values we instill in our children. In today's world, parents should be mindful of the influences their children are exposed to and encourage them to aspire to positive qualities and behaviors, rather than superficial or negative traits.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Prophetic Warning and Breastfeeding because it conveys a moral lesson about the influences of role models and the nurturing relationship between a mother and her child.
Mothers may breastfeed their children two complete years for whoever wishes to complete the nursing [period]. Upon the father is the mothers' provision and their clothing according to what is acceptable. No person is charged with more than his capacity. No mother should be harmed through her child, and no father through his child. And upon the [father's] heir is [a duty] like that [of the father]. And if they both desire weaning through mutual consent from both of them and consultation, there is no blame upon either of them. And if you wish to have your children nursed by a substitute, there is no blame upon you as long as you give payment according to what is acceptable. And fear Allah and know that Allah is Seeing of what you do.
And [remember] when the Prophet confided to one of his wives a statement; and when she informed [another] of it and Allah showed it to him, he made known part of it and ignored a part. And when he informed her about it, she said, "Who told you this?" He said, "I was informed by the Knowing, the Acquainted."
O Prophet, when the believing women come to you pledging to you that they will not associate anything with Allah, nor will they steal, nor will they commit unlawful sexual intercourse, nor will they kill their children, nor will they bring forth a slander they have invented between their arms and legs, nor will they disobey you in what is right - then accept their pledge and ask forgiveness for them of Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
But when she delivered her, she said, "My Lord, I have delivered a female." And Allah was most knowing of what she delivered, "And the male is not like the female. And I have named her Mary, and I seek refuge for her in You and [for] her descendants from Satan, the expelled [from the mercy of Allah]."