Caught up in daily life activities, we do not pay much attention to our facial expressions. A  facial expression gives insight into a person’s feelings and emotions.  It is like a window into our hearts and minds. 

When we make facial expressions, we’re essentially transmitting a packet of information that can be received, read and interpreted by others.

There is nothing that beautifies the face more than a genuine smile. We are naturally drawn to the person who smiles often. It makes a person appear likeable and friendly, especially when greeting someone. 

Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, our perfect role model, had a smiling countenance. He smiled often. When he smiled, he lit up the entire atmosphere around.  Today I would like to share  5 Ahadith with regards to smiling: 

Hadith Number 1 

Sayyidina Abu Dharr Radiyallahu Anhum reports that Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said: 

لا تَحقِرَنَّ مِنَ المَعْرُوف شَيْئًا، وَلَو أنْ تَلقَى أخَاكَ بوجهٍ طليقٍ رواه مسلم.

“Do not belittle any good deed, even meeting your brother (Muslim) with a cheerful face” [Muslim]

Hadith Number 2 

Sayyidina Abu Dharr Radiyallahu Anhum reports that Nabi Sallahu Alaihi Wasallam also said: 

تَبَسُّمُكَ فِي وَجْهِ أَخِيك صَدَقَة

‍“Smiling in your brother’s face is an act of charity” [Tirmidhi]

Hadith Number 3 

Sayyidina Jareer bin Abdullah Al-Bajali  Radiyallahu Anhu said:

عَنْ جَرِيرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الْبَجَلِيِّ، قَالَ مَا حَجَبَنِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ مُنْذُ أَسْلَمْتُ وَلاَ رَآنِي إِلاَّ تَبَسَّمَ فِي وَجْهِي

 “Nabi Sallahu Alaihi Wasallam never refused to see , from the time I  embraced Islam, and whenever he saw me he received me with a smile.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

Hadith Number 4 

Sayyidina Abu Hurairah Radiyallahu Anhu reports that Nabi Sallallahu Alahi Wasallam said: 

إِنَّكُمْ لَا تَسَعُونَ اَلنَّاسَ بِأَمْوَالِكُمْ, وَلَكِنْ لِيَسَعْهُمْ بَسْطُ اَلْوَجْهِ, وَحُسْنُ اَلْخُلُقِ } أَخْرَجَهُ أَبُو يَعْلَى, وَصَحَّحَهُ اَلْحَاكِمُ

“You cannot satisfy people with your wealth, but satisfy them with your cheerful faces and good morals.” Related by Abu Ya’la and Al-Hakim graded it as Sahih.

Hadith Number 5 

Sayyidina Anas bin Malik Radiyallahu Anhu reports that Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said; 

مَن لَقيَ أخاهُ المُسلِمَ بِما يُحِبّ لِيَسُرَّهُ بِذلك، سَرّهُ اللّهُ عزّ وجَلّ يومَ القِيامةِ  – رواه الطبراني 

“Whoever meets his Muslim brother in a way that make him happy, Almighty Allah will make him happy on the day of Qiyama.” [Tabrani] 

It takes 17 muscles to smile and 43 to frown.  

Smiling is easier than you think

Click the link to listen to the full lecture by Mufti Yusuf Moosagie