Noor Garden“Mercy and Respect” – Hadith for Kids
Mercy and respect · Ages 5–11
This hadith teaches children two beautiful manners: be gentle and caring with those younger than you, and respect those older than you. The Prophet ﷺ said that people who do not show this mercy and respect are not following our way. Kindness to little ones and honour for elders keep families and communities happy.
The hadith
لَيْسَ مِنَّا مَنْ لَمْ يَرْحَمْ صَغِيرَنَا وَيَعْرِفْ شَرَفَ كَبِيرِنَا
He is not one of us who does not show mercy to our young ones and respect to our elders.
Narrated by: Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-As (may Allah be pleased with them)
Source: Jami' at-Tirmidhi 1920
Grade: Hasan Sahih (at-Tirmidhi); Sahih (al-Albani)
What it teaches
Muslims are gentle with younger children and show respect to older people.
A little story to help understand it
This is an illustrative example we wrote to explain the meaning. It is not part of the hadith.
At a family gathering, Zayd was playing a game when his grandfather walked in slowly with his cane. Zayd jumped up, gave his comfortable chair to his grandfather and brought him a glass of water. A little later, his small cousin Musa cried because he couldn't reach the toys. Zayd knelt down, gently helped him and let him play too. His aunt said, "You know the hadith about mercy and respect!" Zayd smiled. Helping both the youngest and the oldest made him feel like a real helper.
Try it today
Be gentle with a younger child, and do something kind for a grandparent or an older person.
Mini quiz
How should we treat younger children and older people?
- Be kind to the young and respect elders
- Ignore both
- Only be nice to friends
Show the answer
Answer: Be kind to the young and respect elders (A)
Questions parents ask
Is this hadith authentic?
Yes. It is recorded in Jami' at-Tirmidhi 1920. Grade: Hasan Sahih (at-Tirmidhi); Sahih (al-Albani). It was narrated by Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-As (may Allah be pleased with them).
How can kids practice it?
Be gentle with a younger child, and do something kind for a grandparent or an older person. Give your seat, carry a bag, or pour water for an older person, and read or play gently with a younger child.
Who are "our young ones" and "our elders"?
Young ones are babies and children younger than you; elders are parents, grandparents, teachers and older people. Mercy for the young and respect for the old is the way of the Muslims.
More hadith to learn
Last reviewed: 2026-10-09 · Sources & Method