Smiling is a Sunnah

Smiling is a Sunnah In one hadith, it is mentioned that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was neither harsh in nature nor used to speak harshly. Instead, he would meet every person with a smile and would mingle with people, living among them just like ordinary people, not isolating himself from them. Just as in earlier times, disbelievers used to object that the one whom the Quran has been revealed to (they said):

ّ مال ھذا الرسول یاکل الطعام ویمشی فی الاسواق)

“Why does this messenger eat food and walk about in the markets?”

They had this objection because they had seen that their kings neither mingled with people nor dealt with them with good manners. Instead, if they ever came to the market, they would do so with full protocol. So, they thought that prophethood, being a higher status than kingship, should require even more exclusivity.

However, the Quran refuted this false notion and clarified that prophets are sent to reform people. If they don’t mingle with people and don’t visit the markets, how will people know how to conduct trade, manage affairs, and interact with others?

Therefore, we should also adopt the Prophet’s character if we want to improve our community. We should meet everyone with a smile, following the example of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).