Sometimes she would talk to them with a painful heart...

Sometimes she would talk to them with a painful heart, saying: “Where has your grandfather who loved you so dearly gone? The grandfather who showered you with love and affection and carried you on his shoulders. Where has your grandfather who was the kindest to you, gone? He wouldn’t even allow you to walk on the ground and would carry you in his arms.

Alas, I’ll never see you all on his shoulders again!” (3) Play & Activity Although Islam emerged from an ignorant society, lacking in civilized culture, however the Message of the Prophet (PBUH&HP) and his Traditions that were forwarded through him and the Infallibles (PBUH) are suitable for the people of all cultures and civilizations, at any period of time, since Islam deals directly with the common innate nature of man.

Play and activity for children had a very special and important place in the methods of child-upbringing of Fatima (PBUH). Physical and mental activity and stimulation are so important for the healthy overall growth of a child that even adults should involve themselves wholeheartedly in these activities, in order to enthuse and encourage the child. During childhood, play is the best way in which a child relates with his environment and leads to the surfacing of the latent aptitudes of the child.

At the same time, it has very positive effects on the physical development of the child. Keeping these factors in mind, play and activity should never be neglected by parents or by the child. It has been recorded that the Prophet (PBUH&HP) often involved himself wholeheartedly in play with his grandchildren. This shows that one of the very important tools of good parenting and positive upbringing of children is play and activity.

Imam Ali (PBUH) and Lady Fatima (PBUH) gave great attention to this childhood need and this was one of the secrets of the health and freshness of their children. It has also been found that in homes where children do not have an environment where they can play and express themselves, the effects of such an environment are very negative on the children.

Hazrat Fatima (PBUH) involved herself actively in play with her children, always attentive and alert to the fact that her words and actions would play a very determining role on the development of the characters and personalities of her children. This teaches us the importance of using healthy language and expressions in dealing with children.