In the Noble Quran, Allah Ta’ala firmly commands us:
“So laugh a little, and cry a lot …” (Ch. 09; V. 82)
Excessive laughter causes the heart to die a spiritual death --- it becomes devoid of all spiritual life, impetus and inspiration. Our most beloved, Nabi (Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam), constantly expressed gratitude for Allah’s blessings (ni’mãhs) and was never unmindful about the perils of loud and ludicrous laughter. As our perfect example (“uswatun-hasanah …”), he (Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam) always displayed unbelievable respect to the mightiness of Allah Ta’ala. As a result, all emotions of joy and happiness were expressed only with a wonderful and pleasant smile (tabassum). What an example?
Hadhrat Jareer (RA) reports:
“From the day I embraced Islam, Nabi (Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam)
always permitted me to enter and whenever he saw me, Nabi
(Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam) was always smiling.” (Muslim Shareef)
Among the exalted character (makãrimul akhlãq) of our beloved Nabi (Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam), was of the habit of presenting a smiling and radiant face whenever he (Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam) met with someone. In order to secure the noble reward of meeting with a fellow brother (which is a sadaqa) he (Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam) always lit up and adorned his already “shining and blessed” face with an infectious smile.
Nabi (Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam) enjoyed a warm and loving companionship with his illustrious companions (RA)]. It was a unique relationship based upon abiding love and sincere brotherhood. The Sahaba (RA) noticed the admirable smile and warm expression at the outset, in fact, whenever they met with Nabi (Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam). They knew that was a candid expression of happiness and abiding love (muhabbat).
Alhamdulillah, they too then emulated this noble way.
A smile should not be misconstrued as a negation of the love and fear of Allah in the heart. Outwardly it might appear to someone that the smile could lead the heart away from the love and fear (muhabbat and khauf) of Allah Ta’ala. However, the Sahaba (RA) and the pious (saaliheen) of the Ummah displayed an excellent example of retaining the smile on their faces and rigidly maintaining the spirit of love and fear (muhabbat and khauf) of Allah Ta’ala.
Darul Ihsan Centre