Humour and Smiling

One of the most beloved examples of his gentle humour involved an elderly woman from the Ansar who came to him and asked him to supplicate for her to enter Paradise. The Prophet said: "O mother of so-and-so, old women do not enter Paradise." The woman turned away weeping. The Prophet then called her back and explained: "They will not enter Paradise as old women. Allah says: 'Indeed, We will have created them into a new creation and made them virgins' (Quran 56:35-36)." She understood and was delighted. This incident shows how he used humour to introduce a lesson, always ensuring that no one was left hurt. He joked with children as well. He would greet the young Anas ibn Malik by calling him "O Abu Umayr, what happened to the nughayr?" — referring to a small bird the boy used to play with. He would say this each time he saw the boy, making Anas laugh. He played with his grandchildren and would carry Hasan and Husayn on his back, pretending to be their camel, saying: "What an excellent camel you have, and what excellent riders you are." With his Companions, his humour was warm and inclusive. A man named Zahir, who was from the Bedouin and not considered handsome, was once selling his wares in the marketplace. The Prophet came up behind him, put his arms around him and said playfully: "Who will buy this slave?" Zahir, recognizing the Prophet, pressed his back closer to the Prophet's chest and said: "You will find me unmarketable, O Messenger of Allah." The Prophet replied: "But in the sight of Allah, you are not unmarketable" — or he said: "But in the sight of Allah, you are precious." A moment of humour became a moment of affirming a man's dignity and worth. He engaged in light-hearted competition as well. He raced with Aisha, and he participated in the playful spirit of his Companions. When a man asked for a riding camel, the Prophet said: "I will give you the offspring of a she-camel to ride." The man said: "What will I do with the offspring of a she-camel?" The Prophet smiled and said: "Are not all camels the offspring of she-camels?" His wit was gentle, his laughter never at someone's expense, and his humour served to strengthen bonds, ease tensions, and bring joy to those around him.