by Dr. Ali Al-Halawani
Did you know that smiling has become a science and an art form required for the improvement of relationships both social and economic? It’s also necessary for diplomatic relations between individuals, communities, and countries respectively.
At the beginning of the 20th century, laughter was officially acknowledged as a science it was called “The Psychology of Laughter.”
Gérard Jugnot, the French actor, once said, “Laughter is like a windshield wiper, it doesn’t stop the rain but allows us to keep going.”
Smiling in their words
Stressing the significance of smiling, Voltaire said, “Smile melts ice, installs confidence and heals wounds; it’s the key of sincere human relations.”
In a similar vein, the great playwright and poet, William Shakespeare said, “It’s easier to get what you want with a smile than with the tip of the sword.”
Notably, a famous Chinese proverb runs as follows, “A man without a smiling face must never open a shop
Why? Because such a man will never be able to attract others’ attention, conquer their hearts, or make them buy more!
Smiling in the Prophetic Sunnah
Prophet Muhammad was always cheerful and bright-faced. According to historians he always kept smiling in the face of his Companions to the extent that Abdullah ibn Al-Harith ibn Hazm said, “I have never seen anyone who smiles more than the Prophet does.” (At-Tirmidhi)
Jarir ibn Abdullah said: “Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) never refused me permission to see him since I embraced Islam and never looked at me but with a smile” (Sahih Muslim).
Moreover, Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah said: “You cannot satisfy people with your wealth, but satisfy them with your cheerful faces and good morals” (Abu Ya`la and Al-Hakim; Authentic hadith).
Abu Dhar narrated from the Prophet that he said, “Do not disdain a good deed, (no matter how small it may seem) even if it is your meeting with your brother with a cheerful face” (Sahih Muslim).
☺️And, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Smiling in your brother’s face is an act of charity” (At-Tirmidhi; Declared Authentic by Al-Albani).
☺️Amazingly, smiling is equal to spending in the cause of Allah, without having to pay even a penny. This is, indeed, a Prophetic solution to those who desire to give charity but cannot afford it.
☺️This is an endless wellspring, if we just know how to use it. If we use smiling, wisely and sensibly, we can win over hearts. They will be more open and prepared to listen to what we share about our beautiful faith.
A smile, a cure-all
Allah the Almighty says in His Ever-Glorious Qur’an what means,
{Until, when they came upon the valley of the ants, an ant said, “O ants, enter your dwellings that you not be crushed by Solomon and his soldiers while they perceive not.”
So [Solomon] smiled, amused at her speech, and said, “My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to do righteousness of which You approve. And admit me by Your mercy into [the ranks of] Your righteous servants”} (An-Naml 18-19).
How great is a smile when it comes from someone strong and is offered to someone weak? Or when an older person smiles at someone young? And how powerful is that smile when it’s offered from the ruler to the ruled?
How amazing is a smile when it comes in a time of disaster, crisis, or panicking?
That was the smile of Prophet Suleiman. His smile was filled with tenderness, passion, and admiration of what the little ant said and did. It was a smile that alleviated the tension of the situation. It restored safety, security, tranquility and peacefulness to everyone.
Keep smiling
So, All we have to do is keep a beautiful smile on our face at all times.
However, a senseless mechanical smile is not meant here; a fake smile cannot deceive anyone.
What is meant here, is the genuine smile that stems from the depth of one’s heart.
The smile which penetrates the walls of others’ hearts and settles there as a crowned king.
The smile that indicates and shows one’s good character.
Abdullah ibn Al-Mubarak once explained regarding good character, “It is a smiling face, doing one’s best in good, and refraining from harm” (Jami` at-Tirmidhi). - aboutislam.net
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