Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim Ḥadīth [2626] – Meet your brother with a cheerful face…

The author, the great scholar of ḥadīth, an-Nawawī – may Allāh shower blessings on him – said: “Chapter on excellence of good words and meeting others cheerfully”: That is, when the individual meets his brother (in faith), it should be delightfully, with cheerful countenance and pleasant words because this is from the character of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him). This should not be regarded as degrading; rather, it is elevation for him and his reward is with Allāh – the Mighty and Sublime. It also constitutes following the lines of conduct of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him); he was always happy and frequently smiling – may Allāh’s peace and blessings be upon him.

So, it is incumbent that the individual meets his brother with cheerful countenance and good words in order to earn rewards, love and friendship and to avoid priding and exalting oneself above Allāh’s servants. Thereafter, the author mentioned āyāt including Allāh’s saying: “And lower your wings for the believers (be courteous to the fellow believers).” [Sūrah al-Ḥijr 15: 88]

Meaning that, be humble and gentle towards the believers because the believer has the right to be related with humbly. On the other hand, regarding the non-Muslims, Allāh – the Exalted – says: “O Prophet! Strive hard against the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and be harsh against them, their abode is Hell and worst indeed is that destination.” [Sūrah at-Tawbah 9: 73]

The individual who must be met with cheerful face is the believer. As for the disbeliever, if it is hoped that he may accept Islām if we relate with him keeping cheerful looks and giving good words, then we should hoping that he embraces Islām and benefit from such meets. But such humility and cheerful facial expressions only worsen his pomposity and arrogance towards the Muslims, then he should not be treated as described.

Keeping cheerful looks delights your companion since it certainly will differentiate between the individual who meets your frowning and the one who meets you cheerfully. As such, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) told Abū Dharr: “Do not underrate any good deed even if it is meeting your brother keeping a cheerful face.” This is from the aspects of good deeds because it will delight your brother and cheer him up.

Then when that is joined with pleasant words, two benefits are attained: Cheerful face and pleasant words. Concerning good words, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said: “Beware of the Fire, even if with a chip of date”; meaning that, place a barrier between yourselves and the Fire, “Even if with a chip of date.” That is to say, if you hand out charity with just a half of a date, it will serve protection for you against the Fire if Allāh – the Mighty and Sublime – accepts it.

“But if you find not that, then employ pleasant words”: Good words; like saying, ‘How are you?’, ‘How is your condition?’, ‘How are your brothers?’, ‘How is your family?’, and such other expressions because they are among good words that will delight your companion. Every good word is charity for you with Allāh along with reward and recompense. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said: “Goodness is a pleasant character.” [Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (2553)]

He (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) also said: “The most perfect of the believers in faith are the best of them in character.” [Sunan Abī Dāwūd (4682); and Sunan at-Tirmidhī (1162)]

Allāh alone grants success.

• Reference: [695 (4/77-79), Riyāḍuṣ Ṣāliḥīn, Dārussalām (Eng)]

We learn from this ḥadīth that meeting somebody cheerfully is also a virtue for two reasons, Firstly, it is a sign of good manners. Secondly, it creates affection and friendship among the Muslims which is a meritorious act.

• Reference: [121 (1/135), Riyāḍuṣ Ṣāliḥīn, Dārussalām (Eng)]

Every deed approved by the sharī’ah is considered good and rewarding. Howsoever seemingly small people may consider it, it must not be looked at from a highbrow angle. Even to meet people cheerfully is one of the Islāmic virtues, though it may appear quite insignificant to some people.

• Reference: [695 (1/592-593), Riyāḍuṣ Ṣāliḥīn, Dārussalām (Eng)]

• Mukhtaṣar Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (1782 (1/474))
• Sunan at-Tirmidhī (1833)
• Musnad Aḥmad (21519 (35/408)) ^{[Shu’ayb al-Arna’ūṭ]}
• Musnad Aḥmad (21411 (16/7)) ^{[Aḥmad Shākir]}
• Musnad al-Bazzār (3962 (9/380))
• Ṣaḥīḥ ibn Ḥibbān (468 (2/214) & 523 (2/282-283))
• Sharḥ as-Sunnah (1689 (6/197))
• Bulūgh al-Marām (1261 (1/516))
• Riyāḍuṣ Ṣāliḥīn (121, 695 & 892)
• Ṣaḥīḥ al-Jāmi’ (7245 (2/1213))

Grade: Ṣaḥīḥ (Authentic)