As Muslim we are part of a community, a society and a brotherhood. Islam is such a complete religion that provides us with guidance as to how we should conduct ourselves when meeting, interacting and dealing with one another.  We have been granted a complete manual to live our lives. The highest form of human conduct has been outline for us in the life of the Prophet Muhammed (Peace be upon him)

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: “Charity is prescribed for each descendant of Adam every day the sun rises.”  He was then asked: “How do we give charity every day?” The Prophet answered: “The doors of goodness are many…enjoining good, forbidding evil, removing harm from the road, listening to the deaf, leading the blind, guiding one to the object of his need, hurrying with the strength of one’s legs to one in sorrow who is asking for help, supporting the feeble with the strength of one’s arms and your smile at your brother are acts of charity. {Tirmidhi}

The West tries to paint a picture of Islam as a hard, harsh rigid religion. They also try to raise all sorts of objections against the character and conduct of the  Prophet (Peace be upon him). He was the most humane, compassionate and loving human being ever to set foot in this world.

Ka’b bin Maalik (May Allah be pleased with him) said: “When the Prophet (Peace be upon him) was joyous, it use to show on his face: the entire area around use to look so bright, as thou a piece of the moon came down. “

Jarir bin Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: “The Prophet (Peace be upon him) never restricted me in any way from when I accepted Islam and every time I met him he always smiled at me. {Bukhari}

It may seem as thou – this was a specialty of Jarir  (May Allah be pleased with him) however the kindness and compassion of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) was shown to everyone. Abdullah bin Harith (May Allah be pleased with him) said: “I never seen anyone who smiled more the Prophet (Peace be upon him).” {Muslim}

Despite his lofty position by Almighty Allah,  he interacted with the companions and his honourable wives in a very casual manner. He smiled with them and even enjoyed lighter moments with them. One evening the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said to his wife Ayesha (May Allah be pleased with her) "You must not go to sleep until you do not carry out four actions; 1. Recite the entire Quraan; 2. Appoint all the Prophets as your intercessors; 3. Please all the Muslims; & 4. Perform one Haj and Umrah: Only then you must sleep."

Ayesha (May Allah be pleased with her) says, "Thereafter the Prophet (Peace be upon him) busied himself with Salaah while I lay on my bed wandering how to complete all these actions. When completed the Prophet (Peace be upon him) his Salaah , Ayesha (May Allah be pleased with her)   asked him in amazement: "O Messenger of Allah, May my parents be sacrificed for you! How is it possible to carry out these four actions in such a short period of time?"

Upon hearing this, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) smiled, and replied: "When you recite Surah Ikhlaas three times, then it is as though you have recited the entire Quraan;  when you confer  Blessings (Salawaat) upon me and the Prophets, then  on the day of Qiyamah all the Prophets will intercede for you;  when you seek forgiveness for all the Muslims, they will all be pleased with you;  and when you have recited 'Subhaanallahi wal hamduliltah wa la'ilaaha ilallahu wallahu akbar’  then it is like you  have performed one Haj and Umrah." (Tafseer Hanafi, with ref. to Durratun Nasiheen)

The lighter moments that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) shared with the companions ( May Allah be pleased with them)  was like  balms for their souls. They were deeply involved with the important activities of that time and these lighter moments would revitalise them; give new vigour and energy for the tasks they had to complete.

Nor withstanding the religious benefits,  we are naturally drawn to a person who smiles. The person’s face looks pleasant and attracts you. One is inclined to meet a person who is smiling and would be interested to learn more about the person. A saying goes: ‘How can I hate a person who smiles at my face.’

On the other hand if someone is frowning and has a grim look on his face – you feel distanced from the person.  You have no interest in getting to know that person.

Someone said: “If you ask me about one of my colleagues, whether he has teeth or not: I will be not being lying if I say – I don’t know.   He never smiles: He is always frowning and has a grim sulky look on his face.”( There are those people who walk around as thou they had a dozen lemons for breakfast.)

Not only do others benefit,  but by smiling, you will also benefit. It is said that a smile can change a person’s mood. Next time you are feeling down; try putting a smile on your face – there’s a good chance your mood will change for the better.

We have so many people complaining about domestic problems. Marriage – which was supposed to be a union that brings peace and comfort has brought so much pain and misery. This can be avoided with a simple smile.  When the husband enters the house after a long day at work he should greet and smile at his wife. She should also display the same behaviour. This will lighten up the atmosphere in the home – making it a much more pleasant place.  Smiling people brings happiness with them.

There are also medical benefits to a smile. Research has shown that when you smile, there is a measurable reduction in your blood pressure. They say that if you had to measure your blood pressure and after a few minutes, you happen to genuinely smile for something and then take another reading while you are still smiling – you will notice a difference.

Smiling helps the immune system to work better. When you smile, the function of the immune system improves, possibly, because you are more relaxed. This can also prevent the flus and colds.

Studies have shown that smiling releases endorphins, natural pain killers, and serotonin. Together these three, make us feel good, relives headaches. So smiling is a natural drug.

While these benefits are in place – we need to link our smile to the smile to smile of Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam.

Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said: “One of the things that make forgives compulsory – is making your fellow Muslim brother happy.”{Mutjarur Rabi’)

So smile, It’s a charity and it’s free – but obviously to the right people; and make sure you use a  Miswaak and  brush your teeth.