Humane beauty in smiling, cheerfulness of the face and kind words
Sunday, 02 January 2011
Written by Dr. Ragheb Elsergany
Introduction
The
Islamic civilization introduced some behavioral and moral ethics that were
unprecedented in any other legislation, such as good manners, compliance, and
kind words. In this respect, smiling is considered Sadaqah (charity) in
Islam; a reward from Allah in good treatment, and a degree of Ihsan
(perfection of faith) as well as deserving Allah's love in suppressing one's
anger and forgiving those who wronged us.
This is the magnificence of the beauty of the humane morals, which in fact lies in the beauty of good conduct, beauty of speech, beauty of human rights with regard to treatment of the other, and the beauty of relationships with others.
Smiling is a universal human language, a type of sublime beauty, and a behavior that reflects acceptance, serenity, ease, friendliness.
Smiling, according to linguists, is a principle of laughter. It is stretching of the face and appearance of teeth out of joyfulness. It reflects rejoicing, as in Allah's Saying: "Some faces that Day will be beaming, laughing, rejoicing." [`Abasa (He Frowned) 80:38-39]. Smiling is specific for human beings, and not found in animals.[1] Smiling is thus a kind of the fine human morals and behavior.
Smiling of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)
The
Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to smile all the day long and all
over his life. The Prophet (peace be upon him) was the most smiling man, and
used to exchange jokes with his Companions and treat them gently, but he said
nothing but truth. `Abdullah Ibn al-Harith (may Allah be pleased with him)
said: "I never came across a person who smiled as much as the Prophet
(peace be upon him)."[2]
Jarir Ibn `Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "The Prophet
did not screen himself from me (had never prevented me from entering upon him)
since I embraced Islam, and whenever he saw me, he would receive me with a
smile."[3]
Most of the Prophet's (peace be upon him) laughter was smiling. The Prophet (peace be upon him) was known to smile and he would show his teeth a bit like they were hailstones.[4]
Imam Ibn al-Qayyim described the Prophet's (peace be upon him) laughter, saying: "Almost, or even all of his laughter was smiling. His molars used to appear by the end of his laughter. He used to laugh at what aroused laughter. And this is a bit strange. Then, he describes the Prophet's (peace be upon him) guidance or philosophy of laughter, saying: "Laugh has many reasons, and this is one of them. Second is the laughter of joy
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