...The Prophetic Guidance on Happiness....

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!"

Additionally, the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to be delighted at hearing words that implied supporting and backing for the religion of Allaah The Almighty. For example, he, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, felt extremely delighted when his Companions, may Allaah be pleased with them, said to him in the Battle of Badr, "We will not say to you like the people of Moosa (Moses, may Allaah exalt his mention) said to him: {Go, you and your Lord, and fight. Indeed, we are remaining right here} [Quran 5:24], rather, we will fight at your right and your left, and in front of you and behind you."

His, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, happiness never made him forget to thank the favors of Allaah The Almighty upon him, for whenever he received pleasing news, he, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, would prostrate to show his gratitude to Allaah The Almighty and thankfulness for His favors.

Such was the Prophetic delight that did not overlook human needs and the psychological feelings, yet, at the same time, taught the hearts to rely on Allaah The Almighty alone, and to always be in a state of servitude and worship to Him. Therefore, let us be happy and express our happiness in accordance with his manners and follow his Sunnah (Prophetic tradition).

Whenever we remember the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, we cannot restrain ourselves from invoking the peace and blessings of Allaah upon him, for he was the one whose face was radiant and when he felt happy, he beamed with joy like the moon. His happiness was not out of arrogance or vanity; rather, he was happy when he saw the truth prevail, and when he saw falsehood vanquished. His happiness made those around him happy, and still makes those who hear about him happy; and the happiness continues forever and ever. This Prophetic guidance teaches us how to be happy, and the things and manner for which we should express happiness.

Let us bring up this wonderful incident and contemplate the joy of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, in it. He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, once entered upon his wife ‘Aa'ishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, and his face was lit up. This was when the truth was revealed to the people after they were in doubt about the lineage of Usaamah ibn Zayd, may Allaah be pleased with him. This happened when Mujazziz Al-Mudliji, who was a genealogist, confirmed that Usaamah was the real son of Zayd, may Allaah be pleased with them both. ‘Aa'ishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, narrated this incident by saying, “Once the Messenger of Allaah entered upon me and he was in a very happy mood, with his features glittering with joy, and [he] said: ‘O ‘Aa'ishah! Don't you know that Mujazziz Al-Mudliji entered and saw Usaamah and Zayd with velvet covering on them and their heads were covered while their feet were uncovered? He said, 'These feet belong to each other.’’”

Here is another image of the happiness of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, which we need to contemplate. He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, rejoiced after the truth was revealed when Allaah The Almighty sent down the acquittal of his pure wife ‘Aa'ishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, from what the scandalmongers and hypocrites had accused her of.

Then he, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, also rejoiced when ‘Aa'ishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, chose him after the verse of giving the choice (i.e., Quran 33:28, 29) was sent down. When this verse was revealed, he, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, called ‘Aa'ishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, and said to her: "I am going to tell you about something and you do not have to hasten to respond until you consult your parents." "Concerning what do I need to consult my parents?" she replied, "I choose Allaah and His Messenger and the Home of the Hereafter." In another narration, she, may Allaah be pleased with her, said, "O Messenger of Allaah, do I have to consult my parents about you! I choose Allaah, His Messenger and the Hereafter."

This was the happiness of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. It was in Allaah The Almighty and by Him, and in truth and by truth. Thus, we should follow his example and rejoice as he, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to.


from (Islamweb)