The Prophetic Guidance on Happiness




The faces of the old and young – and indeed even the trees and birds around us – rejoice when they come to know about the happiness of the beloved Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. This is because his happiness is happiness for those who love him, and guidance for those who follow him. So, let us learn the perfect etiquette and the wonderful guidance of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, in times of delight.

The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, felt delighted at hearing news that attested to something he had previously told others about. For instance, he, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, rejoiced when he listened to the story of Tameem Ad-Daari, may Allaah be pleased with him, with Ad-Dajjaal (the Antichrist), because it was a confirmation of what he had himself told his Companions, may Allaah be pleased with them, about the Dajjaal.

He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to be glad when he saw his Companions, may Allaah be pleased with them, competing with each other in good deeds and hastening to obey Allaah The Almighty and His Messenger. It is narrated that some poor people who were in a very miserable state came to the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, asking him for help. So he, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, stood up to speak to the people and urged them to give charity to those people. Consequently, they competed with each other in this until they collected a large amount. When the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, saw this, he rejoiced and his face beamed with joy as if it were a piece of gold.

The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to feel happy when something good happened to any of his Companions, such as his delight when Allaah The Almighty accepted the repentance of Ka’b ibn Maalik and his two companions, may Allaah be pleased with them. Besides, he, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, reportedly rejoiced at meeting whoever reminded him of someone he loved, as in the story of Haalah bint Khuwaylid, the sister of his wife Khadeejah, may Allaah be pleased with her, when she sought permission to enter upon him. He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, remembered Khadeejah's way of seeking permission, so he was pleased with this and said: "O Allaah, let it be Haalah! O Allaah, let it be Haalah!"