Al-Ash’ath ibn Qays reported: I approached the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, during the delegation of Kindah. The Prophet said to me, “Do you have any children?” I said, “A boy was born to me as I was coming out to you, from a daughter of Jamd. I wish in his place I could provide food for my impoverished people instead.” The Prophet said, “Do not say this, for they are the delight of your eyes and you will be rewarded if they pass away. If you say this, they will surely turn you into a coward and be a source of grief, they will surely turn you into a coward and be a source of grief.”
Source: Musnad Aḥmad 21840
Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Al-Arna’ut
عن الْأَشْعَث بْن قَيْسٍ قَالَ قَدِمْتُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فِي وَفْدِ كِنْدَةَ فَقَالَ لِي هَلْ لَكَ مِنْ وَلَدٍ قُلْتُ غُلَامٌ وُلِدَ لِي فِي مَخْرَجِي إِلَيْكَ مِنَ ابْنَةِ جَمْدٍ وَلَوَدِدْتُ أَنَّ مَكَانَهُ شَبِعَ الْقَوْمُ قَالَ لَا تَقُولَنَّ ذَلِكَ فَإِنَّ فِيهِمْ قُرَّةَ عَيْنٍ وَأَجْرًا إِذَا قُبِضُوا ثُمَّ لَئِنْ قُلْتَ ذَاكَ إِنَّهُمْ لَمَجْبَنَةٌ مَحْزَنَةٌ إِنَّهُمْ لَمَجْبَنَةٌ مَحْزَنَةٌ
21840 مسند أحمد
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