The Prophet Visits Zayd to Console Him for His Dead Bird

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was a man of deep compassion, whose love for children shone through even in the smallest moments of life. One of the most touching examples of this tenderness is his visit to a little boy whose bird had died.

Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) tells the story: There was a young boy named Abu Umayr who grew up under the care of the Prophet. The boy loved birds dearly and kept a small sparrow as his pet. One day, the bird died. Seeing the child’s sadness, the Prophet asked what had happened and learned of his grief.

The Messenger of Mercy then went to comfort him. He gently placed his blessed hand on the boy’s head, spoke kind words, and soothed his sorrow. Yet he did not stop there — he even visited Abu Umayr’s home and spent time with him, sharing in his sorrow and showing genuine care. It was a gesture that revealed how deeply he valued even the tender feelings of a child.

In some narrations, the boy’s name is mentioned as Zayd. He was only about three or five years old and had affectionately named his bird “Umayr.” The Prophet used to call him lovingly, “Abu Umayr.” When the bird died, the Prophet went to visit him. Seeing Zayd’s downcast face, his heart filled with compassion. He smiled, caressed the boy’s hair, kissed his cheek, and softly said:

“O Abu Umayr, what happened to the Nughayr?”

Hearing these gentle words, Zayd’s sadness lifted. A smile returned to his face.

This simple, tender moment captures the Prophet’s boundless empathy — his ability to touch hearts, to console even a child in his sorrow, and to remind the world that love and kindness are the truest forms of teaching.