Smile Spiritually

Smiling is a life style; it’s a part of our life. Muslim believers should smile, as it is recommended in the Islamic faith, The Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him) made it a Sunnah (way of life) 'Aisha: Narrates that the Prophet always used to smile.[i] When a Muslim smiles he is doing a Virtue by following the Sunnah of Prophet (peace be upon him). The following are reports of smiling, laughing, and jesting of the Prophet:

`Abd Allah b. al-Hârith said: “I have never seen anyone more in the habit of smiling than Allah’s Messenger.” [Sunan al-Tirmidhî (3574)] (217) Hadith 2

Jarîr ibn Abdullah narrates, “ Since the time I accepted Islam, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) never once failed to notice me. Whenever he saw me, he would smile at me.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (2809 & 5625) and Sahîh Muslim (4523)]

Ali said that the Prophet was basam which means smiling a lot.

Abdullah ibn Haarith relates, “The laugh of the messenger of Allah peace be upon him was but a smile.”

Jabir ibn Abdullah says, “After I accepted Islam, The prophet (peace be upon him) never prohibited me from attending his assemblies. Whenever he saw me he laughed.” In the second narration it is stated that he smiled. (220-221) Hadith 5 & 6

Abdullah bin Harith reports, “ The prophet (peace be upon him) was very normal. When it’s funny, he laughs; if not, he doesn’t need to laugh but his laughing was smiling.”

“The Companions asked, O Messenger of Allah, you joke with us? The Messenger of Allah replied, “Yes, but only in truth.” (Shama’il al-Tirmidhi)

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Your smile for your brother is charity.” [ii]

A smile is charity that you give to humanity. It is charity for others for the happiness and comfort that it brings them. The Messenger of Allah smiled. This smile is to show happiness, as to meet one cheerfully makes one feel at ease. It’s been said to Omar that were the companions smiling. He said yes and their faith was more firm than the mountains. Did you know that even Allah the all mighty smiles! In a Narration of the Prophet (peace be upon him) smiled because Allah smiles and the person who narrated the hadith smiled. 219) Hadith 4

An example we can see the humor of the Prophet (peace be upon him) when an old woman came to the Prophet of Allah and made a request, “O Messenger of Allah, make du‟a (prayer) that Allah grants me entrance into paradise.‟ The Messenger of Allah replied, “O Mother, an old woman cannot enter paradise.‟ The woman began crying and started to leave. The Messenger of Allah said, “Say to the woman that one will not enter in a state of old age, but Allah will make all women of paradise young and playful.” (Shama’il al-Tirmidhi230 Hadith 6 )

Prophet Muhamad’s face was always full of smile. He used to talk very politely with others. He also was a firm and serious leader who led his people in battles, but in his everyday life, he was known to be a very gentle person. besides being naturally worried, smiled and appeared cheerful so that the companions might feel at ease and comfortable. This is the pinnacle of humbleness and good character.

When Muslims try to spread the message of Islam, Smiling can allows the people accept the idea. It contribute to the art of Persuasion, sale tactic, and the feeling of a welcome. the simplest form of dawa (Islamic missionary work) in the west is to represent yourself as a Muslim and smile, with today depression epidemic you will be surprised how many people will ask what is it that makes you smile? it brings people to study our faith.

There are several narrations of Prophet (peace be upon him) advising us to control our anger and meeting others with a Cheerful face. The real brave person is that you controls his anger and learns to smile. Smiling is something we want to be contagious. We want it to spread amity and friendship among the people. We want it to make people think better of one another, to trust each other, and learn to get along, whatever their other differences might be. Smiling, it can be hoped, will help to establish the value of good conduct among all human beings.

When we walk in the busy market places, finding a smiles these days are rare. So smile for the sake of Allah as you will be rewarded for. May Allah help us in following the beautiful Sunnah of our Prophet (peace be upon him) of Smiling.

قال رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - ( أنكم لن تسعوا الناس بأموالكم فليسعهم منكم بسط الوجه وحسن الخلق) رواه مسلم

وقال – صلى الله عليه وسلم ( لا تحقرن من المعروف شيئاً ولو أن تلقى أخاك بوجه طليق) رواه الحاكم والبيهقي في شعب الإيمان

[i] Bukhari Volume 8, Book 73, Number 114

[ii] This is an authentic hadîth. It is related in Sunan al-Tirmidhî (1879) and al-Tirmidhî declared it to be good. It is also related in Sahîh Ibn Hibbân (475 & 530) and Musnad al-Bazzâr.