The Kindest Smile

It was bedtime. Zaki was tucked in, warm and snug like a bug.

"Mummy," said Zaki, "tell me about the man we love."

Mummy smiled and stroked his hair. "Prophet Muhammad ﷺ?"

"Yes! Him!"

"Well," said Mummy softly, "Allah sent him as a mercy — a great big kindness — for everyone. And he smiled more than anyone. He had the kindest smile in the whole world.

"When he walked past children, he said, 'Assalamu alaikum!'"

"That's kind!" said Zaki.

"When he came home from a journey, the children in his family came out to meet him. One time, he lifted one up in front of him. He sat another one behind him. And they rode into Madinah together — three on one animal!"

"That's kind!" said Zaki.

"He was kind to animals — to little birds and big camels. He told everyone: look after animals."

"Tweet-tweet! That's kind!" said Zaki.

"If someone was sad, he noticed, and he spoke to them gently. At home, he helped his family. He never said rude words. Never ever."

"That's kind!" said Zaki.

"So who had the kindest smile in the whole world?"

"He did!" whispered Zaki.

"That's right," said Mummy. "Do you know something wonderful? He made dua for his Ummah. That's everyone who follows him, even people born long, long after him. That's you, Zaki. He loved you before you were even born."

Zaki's heart felt big and warm, like a little sun.

"I love him, Mummy."

"And he loved you too, my darling. When we love him, we try to be like him. Can you show me his way?"

Zaki smiled his kindest smile.

"Perfect," whispered Mummy. "Now let's ask Allah to bless him."

So they whispered their salawat, soft and slow.

Shh… shh…

And Zaki fell asleep, still smiling.