Yet many people have fallen into the habit of withholding the greeting of salam from children, looking down on them. This, however, runs counter to the Prophet’s guidance, for he would extend salam to young and old alike. Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) once passed by some boys, greeted them with salam and said, “The Prophet ﷺ used to do that,” meaning that he would greet children.

Offering salam to children yields several benefits:

1 – Following the Sunnah—the practice of the Prophet ﷺ. Allah the Exalted says, “Indeed in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example for whoever hopes for Allah and the Last Day” ⦗Qur’an 33:21⦘.

2 – Cultivating humility: a person guards himself against self-conceit, arrogance, and haughtiness by humbling himself and greeting children. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Allah only increases a servant who pardons in honor, and no one humbles himself for Allah except that He is raised in rank.”

3 – Training children in virtuous manners: when youngsters see someone pass by and extend salam to them, they grow accustomed to this noble and blessed Sunnah.

4 – It fosters affection in the child—that is, the child will love