What does the noble Quran teach about showing love and mercy to children?

Rahmah (mercy), a divine quality that is highly valued in the noble Quran, is supposed to be mirrored in our interactions with one another, particularly with children. Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Israa (17), Verse 24: ‘And spread over them (your) auspices with humility and mercy…’ This verse, though directed towards parents, also mirrors how mercy defines all righteous relationships. The holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ embodied this mercy so vividly that he kissed his grandchildren, allowed them to climb on his back during Salah, and addressed them with kindness. It is recorded in Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 710, that holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ stated: ‘Whenever I start the prayer, I intend to prolong it, but on hearing the cries of a child, I cut short the prayer because I know that the cries of the child will incite its mother’s passions.’ This Hadith Shareef indicates how even collective worship was modified to accommodate children’s emotional needs. It is Sunnah to show such tenderness; it is not discretionary. We embody prophetic parenting when we treat our kids with compassion and love.