A few days back, I encountered an incident which has brought new meaning and outlook in my life. It happened in the morning around eight o'clock. I was about to get into my car when I saw a woman, non-Muslim, walking on the other side of the road. Naturally, I smiled to her. And she smiled back. I continued to put my laptop bag into the car when I heard someone say "hello." I turned my head and saw the same woman now standing beside me. "Will you pass by the bus station?" she asked. I actually was not going to pass by it, but then I remembered something, the words of Allah Almighty and some hadiths: [Worship Allah and do not attribute partners to Him. Be good to your parents and relatives and to orphans and the very poor, and to neighbors who are related to you and neighbors who are not related to you] (An-Nisaa' 4:36) Ibn `Umar reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Jibreel continued to advise me to be good to my neighbor until I thought that he would have me make him an heir." (Al-Bukhari) Ibn Al-Munkadir reported that he heard Jabir saying, "The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was never asked for something to which he said 'no.'" (Al-Bukhari) "Yes," I answered. "May I get a lift from you?" "Sure, no problem. Hop in!" This is when something amazing happened. We got acquainted and she made a remark that sank my heart to the bottom of the sea. She said to me, "When you smiled to me across the street, I saw kindness in your smile. That is why I had the courage to come to you for help. Many people passed by me, but none of them smiled, so I didn't ask any of them." One line was enough. One line from her and I realized how true and wise the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) are. He showed us the manners and ways to the heart of people using the smallest and simplest way: smiling. The Prophet said, "Do not think little of any good deed even if it is just meeting yit our brother with a cheerful countenance." (Muslim) `Abdullah ibn Al-Harith said, "I never came across a person who smiled as much as the Prophet. The Prophet regarded smiling to a brother as an act of charity." (At-Tirmidhi) Suddenly, it struck me: If we cannot fallow the manner of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)in doing night prayers, for instance, can't we fallow him in smiling? Prophet (PBUH) loved to smile. By just smiling, we Muslims are being rewarded and are regarded as doing charity work. IS IT SO HARD TO SMILE?
