Smiling and Saying Salaam

[SageTree]

I believe they won't greet you with Salaam unless they consider you a Muslim.

Short length pants and sandals have nothing to do with Eastern Muslims, for it's not a feature that distinguishes them. Eastern Muslims wear as everybody else wear. For the beard, normally it's a Sunnah to grow a beard, but all Muslims have a beard. Concerning the hair, a Muslim doesn't have that long hair. The hair of a Muslim could grow to the shoulder. This is normally how the hair of a Muslim should look like:

Peace

Thanks Peace, Your first comment was pretty much what I'd assumed and hence confused and curious.

The pants thing was entirely the Bosnian man's opinion and sort of made me scratch my head as well.

I knew about the beard, but was unclear of me mustache, rather than shaved and how that was viewed and what the Sunnah said about it.

Is the long hair a 'must not have' or a 'regularly don't have' in you opinion?

Thanks Peace.


I'll just keep smiling and sharing kindness.
Whoever or whatever people think I am or am not...
As long as I'm wearing that smile! (well... maybe not one THAT big!)

... more like this

SageTree

 

[Peace]

I knew about the beard, but was unclear of me mustache, rather than shaved and how that was viewed and what the Sunnah said about it.

There is a Hadith that says that men should trim their mustache and grow their beards.

Is the long hair a 'must not have' or a 'regularly don't have' in you opinion?

I would say "regularly don't have". It is forbidden to let it grow that long if one's intention is to look like a woman. .

Thanks Peace.

You're welcome ST

I'll just keep smiling and sharing kindness.
Whoever or whatever people think I am or am not...
As long as I'm wearing that smile! (well... maybe not one THAT big!)
... more like this

Good for you and for those at whom you smile, and you will rewarded for that

 

[SageTree]

There is a Hadith that says that men should trim their mustache and grow their beards.

I would say "regularly don't have". It is forbidden to let it grow that long if one's intention is to look like a woman. .

I ask because I've seen more than a few Muslim men with mustaches, thanks for adding some clarity.

Well.... while I may be more 'in touch' with my feminine side you could say...

My intention for growing my hair and beard is to honour God and respect how I was created.
To accept what is given to me by God.
And as an austerity, living different from the world, engaging it in a spiritual manner.

I don't know how that measures up, but that is why I do it.

For,with and in Love,
SageTree

 

[beenie]

I adore the style that Peace answers questions about Islam, so respectful and inviting to all. May Allah reward you, Peace.

 

[SageTree]

^ +1 to that!

 

[Peace]

There are specific times around the year when you come to expect the world to conform and be jolly, like during Ramadan, and our feasts. Now, I enjoy observing humans around me and more often than once I end up frustrated and disappointed as I watch the world around me. They say frustration is the likely result of expectations and I couldn't possibly agree more; I have expectations of the world around me and they end up disappointing me almost every single time.

Why won't they enjoy? Why is it that every time I turn around I find people fighting, fidgeting around, staring into nothing, disgusted with life? Stressed out faces everywhere I look! The thing is, they're getting to me and I hate it!

Today on my way to work, giving the world around me a quick look, the same stressed out faces were staring right back at me, wondering what the hell I was smiling at. Others were fighting, while others were going about their business with this blank stare that I often see, like they're devoid of any kind of consciousness.
This never fails to get to me, it's like I want to stand up high and scream "What the hell is wrong with you people?!", but giving that scenario a minute's thought, I'm sure the blank stares would keep on looking at me, seeing through me like I don't even exist.

New Day, New Start…

I wake up in the morning hoping for a better day, looking up at the sky I wonder what Allah has in store for me today. I'm excited and keep hoping that the day would stretch just a bit more so I can do everything I want to do and have the time to enjoy it and just delve in the moment.

My eternal thought is, what would happen to the world if people went about their day along the same lines; hopeful, enthusiastic, and maybe, just maybe, a tad cheerful; would that be too much to ask, would that really kill them?

I mean, I totally understand that it's all cause they're are constantly considering the kind of life they're living and how they can make it better and all that, but again they've been sulking for so long, what has changed? NOTHING!

Then why the hell keeps the sour face? What good does it do anybody? Besides, following the famous saying that goes "Misery loves company", give yourself an hour and consider your company and you'll definitely get what I'm talking about!
On other hand, try to imagine the kind of company you'd have if you were all smiley and bubbly about life.

Compare looking at yourself in the mirror with a long face on and when you have a hint of a smile on; HUGE difference and I bet you whatever that that hint of a smile turns into one the minute you look away.

Going about life in a lively manner never meant that one doesn't have problems or isn't stressed out simply by the pace of life. It's rather an approach that the smart beings in this world have chosen to follow and "The Secret" confirms their utmost success.

Your negatively will never change Allah's will, on the contrary, it will make things worse simply by the fact of how concerned and obsessed you'll become with your problems and issues in life. I'm also not in any way insinuating that you take life lightly because that's not why we're created; we're created to contemplate about, think and reflect on things around us, but it all goes under the manner through which we contemplate, think and reflect.

Bringing it down a notch does not mean that you throw your worries out the window and live solely for the sake of the moment, but more like think but don't exaggerate like you're the only person in this wide world!

Besides, smiling is contagious; you look at your family, friends and neighbors with a broad smile and guess what, they're all smiling right back at you!
Pass on your smile, it's no wonder at all that our Prophet (PBUH) recommended that we smile because it's charity, so for God's sake, smile; it's Sunnah!

Hey! Are You Smiling Today? (IBlog) - IBlog - Culture & Entertainment - OnIslam.net

 

[Peace]

Why are you grilling me like that?

I didn’t do anything bad to you. Smile, It’s a charity and it’s free! But make sure you use the miswak or brush your teeth 3x a day, ha.

Anyhow, alot of Muslims often look at you like you stole something, so here is a Hadith we should all reflect on.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Charity is prescribed for each descendant of Adam every day the sun rises.” He was then asked: “From what 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, and supporting the feeble with the strength of one’s arms–all of these are charity prescribed for you.” He also said: “Your smile for your brother is charity.” – Fiqh-us-Sunnah, Volume 3, Number 98

Their are also health benefits to smiling (courtesy of about.com)

1. Smiling Makes us Attractive
We are drawn to people who smile. There is an attraction factor. We want to know a smiling person and figure out what is so good. Frowns, scowls and grimaces all push people away — but a smile draws them in.

2. Smiling Changes our Mood
Next time you are feeling down, try putting on a smile. There’s a good chance your mood will change for the better. Smiling can trick the body into helping you change your mood.

3. Smiling is contagious
When someone is smiling they lighten up the room, change the moods of others, and make things happier. A smiling person brings happiness with them. Smile lots and you will draw people to you.

4. Smiling Relieves Stress
Stress can really show up in our faces. Smiling helps to prevent us from looking tired, worn down, and overwhelmed. When you are stressed, take time to put on a smile. The stress should be reduced and you’ll be better able to take action.

5. Smiling Boosts Your Immune System.
Smiling helps the immune system to work better. When you smile, immune function improves possibly because you are more relaxed. Prevent the flu and colds by smiling.

I end with one last hadith, our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Do not abuse anyone…Do not look down upon any good work, and when you speak to your brother, show him a cheerful face.” (Sunan of Abu-Dawood, Hadith 1889)

Source

 

[Sahar]

This is a wonderful thread and reminder, Peace. Really beautiful. May Allah reward you my beloved sister.

Nothing is more beautiful than the smile and the well-mannered talk, even if you are not in your greatest mood, affected by an annoying issue, etc. Even if you are a little down inside yourself, don't frown at other people's faces...treat them well and with a generous smile....and even if they treated you badly.

I don't know...these days, people treat each other very badly, they are nervous, can't stand any word from others, no tolerance, no generosity and forgiveness, they just insult this and that...I don't know why is that!! A very saddening condition but I will not stop smiling, God willing.

May Allah increase our faith so that it may become manifested in our manners.

 

[Sahar]

Remember that time when someone you didn’t know was walking towards you with this enormous smile… and then continued to walk right past you as they enthusiastically greeted the person right behind you? Imagine if you had been greeted in that way… especially if you did not even know the person. And then, upon questioning if you knew the person, he or she replied, “You’re my brother/sister in Islam!” How would that make you feel? Welcomed? Special? Accepted? Imagine the reward of that person who would make you feel like you belong.

About that part specifically,
I greet people when I get up on a bus, in a class or passing by a sister while going to the mosque, etc. But there is one time that I can't forget and every time I remember it, I just smile. I was at the metro station and I was walking down the stairs, there was another girl who was going up, we were like the only ones in that place, while going up the stairs, her sight was focused on me accompanied with a wide smile on her face and I did the same to her and kept smiling along the way...until our paths met, we both said "assalamu alikum" to each other almost in the same moment. It was just great that we were thinking to do the same thing and indeed did it and in a warm personal way that wasn't just momentary, it lasted more than that and was implanted in my heart and mind.

I thought then if she did anything bad to me, no matter what, I'd forgive her immediately, she became very dear to my heart although I didn't know her!
It was a great feeling. Thank God!

 

[danah]

It's really beautiful thread

Thank you

 

[Peace]

This is a wonderful thread and reminder, Peace. Really beautiful. May Allah reward you my beloved sister.

Nothing is more beautiful than the smile and the well-mannered talk, even if you are not in your greatest mood, affected by an annoying issue, etc. Even if you are a little down inside yourself, don't frown at other people's faces...treat them well and with a generous smile....and even if they treated you badly.

I don't know...these days, people treat each other very badly, they are nervous, can't stand any word from others, no tolerance, no generosity and forgiveness, they just insult this and that...I don't know why is that!! A very saddening condition but I will not stop smiling, God willing.

May Allah increase our faith so that it may become manifested in our manners.

Thank you Sahar for your input. Yes, people have forgotten the role and the positive good effects that smiling plays on the psyche of the person. Our beloved Prophet and teacher peace be upon him said that smiling it's a charity because he knew the positive effect of smiling on human being. So, let's keep on smiling

 

[Peace]

About that part specifically,
I greet people when I get up on a bus, in a class or passing by a sister while going to the mosque, etc. But there is one time that I can't forget and every time I remember it, I just smile. I was at the metro station and I was walking down the stairs, there was another girl who was going up, we were like the only ones in that place, while going up the stairs, her sight was focused on me accompanied with a wide smile on her face and I did the same to her and kept smiling along the way...until our paths met, we both said "assalamu alikum" to each other almost in the same moment. It was just great that we were thinking to do the same thing and indeed did it and in a warm personal way that wasn't just momentary, it lasted more than that and was implanted in my heart and mind.

I thought then if she did anything bad to me, no matter what, I'd forgive her immediately, she became very dear to my heart although I didn't know her!
It was a great feeling. Thank God!

Subhanallh that's a kind of telephathy Sahar See the effect that it has had on you and I believe on her too.

 

[Peace]

Abdullah ibn Haarith said, "I have never seen any one who smiled more than Allah's Messenger." (Jami Tirmidhi)

Jarir, radi Allahu 'anhu, reported: "Since I embraced Islam Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) never refused to see me and he did not see me but with a smile on his face." (Sahih Muslim)

Why don't we Smile?

Why do we save our smiles when our Ideal (S.A.W) used to smile the most? We see that people who are religious tend to have serious faces , they hardly smile. I've heard people relating the incidents of lives of "saints" who didn't smile their whole life. Let us change this concept. Ideal for us is the Life of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W). Islam does not stop us from smiling in fact it encourages. It gives us reasons to smile. So beautify your faces with a smile. The smallest distance between two people is smile.

What does it take to Smile?

We hardly have to move a muscle to smile but the effect a smile has is tremendous. It can win the hearts. It can take care of very tense situations. Smile begets smile. Smile, and the world will smile back at you. Smile at the nature and the nature will smile back at you. Smile is a good way to express your pleasure. Actions speak louder than words. How often you find it so hard to express your Love for some, your pleasure on some happening. A smile would do just the thing. Like a couplet in urdu says Aansu chalak paray to kuch laj raeh gae Azhaar e gham ka werna saleeka na tha mujhay
( Translation : Tears felt and hence saved my honour, otherwise I didn't knew how to express my sorrow )

Smile : An invitation to Truth

A smile is the light in your window that tells others that there is a caring, sharing person inside. Everyone loves a society full of Love and Peace. Islam teaches us to build societies bases on loved and sincerity but unfortunately we are not presenting the Islam the way it should be. Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) was so kind and loving. Anyone could come and speak up his heart in front of the prophet. Prophet's (S.A.W) smile would have a soothing effect on the hearts of the people. We have to base our society on the same principles of Love ,affection and sincerity and people will come it on their own. Let's start building that society by greeting others, giving gifts and exchanging smiles.

Even a Smile !

Prophet Muhammad S.A.W said, "Smiling in the face of your brother is charity (Sadaqa)"(Jami Tirmidhi).Hadrat Ibn 'Abbas (God be pleased with him) relates that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) observed: "The pious offspring who casts a single look of affection at his parents receives a reward from God equal to the reward of an accepted Hajj." (Sahih Muslim)

So why waste your time in frowns when Smile gives you a way to follow the Sunnah, win the hearts of others, earn good deeds and give charity.

Author : Muhammad Awais Tahir
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