Give a Smile Instead of Chocolate

Ibn Jaz said: “I have not seen anyone who smiled more than the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam).” (Hasan) [Chapters on Al-Manaqib: Jami At-Tirmidhi]

What do you gain when you smile? When you smile, the actual movement triggers the brain’s pleasure points. Smiling causes endorphins, which are known as the body’s natural painkillers, to be released. Not surprisingly, endorphins are also released when laughing, exercising, eating chocolate, getting massaged, meditating, to just about anything that leaves a smile on your face. A smile makes a person feel as good as eating 2000 bars of chocolate. 

Research shows that after being shown pictures of smiling people, the brain and heart activity of participants is equal to that when given 2,000 chocolate bars. So the next time you think of giving someone chocolate, give a smile instead – it will do 2,000 times better.

Research has also shown that women who showed an intense happiness in their smiles indicated a happier future. When we smile our voices project a warmer tone. So if you smile while speaking you are likely to have a better conversation. Smiling is also a ticket to better health. Numerous medical and psychological studies have found that through the triggering of certain hormones, a smile promotes good overall health. This leads to lower heart rates, steady breathing and the ability to smile through stressful situations.

Smiling has been found to boost levels of the neurotransmitter, serotonin. It is a vital part of regulating our moods, sleep, sexuality and appetite. Thus, serotonin helps to keep us healthy and happy which in turn produces more smiles. The physical act of smiling can use as little as 5 muscles or well over 16 and just like any muscle the more you use it, the stronger it is. Body builders shape their physique so their muscles are defined without even flexing. Similarly, maintaining a healthy smile will define an expressive, happy face. Smiling is contagious; when you smile it makes others smile, so you spread the happiness and well being around!

Jarir ibn Abdullah said: “I did not see the Prophet, since I embraced Islam, without a smile on his face. I saw him smiling when he could not see me and he would smile in my presence.” [Sahih Bukhari]

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ahmed's White Palace

“Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) addressed the people asking three times, ‘Yaum al-khalas, and what is yaum al-khalas. Yaum al-khalas, and what is yaum al-khalas.’ Somebody asked, ‘What is this yaum al-khalas?’ The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, ‘Dajjal will come and climb Mount Uhud. Then he will say to his friends, ‘Do you see that white palace (qasre abyad)? That is Ahmed’s masjid.’ Then he will come towards Madina Munawwara but on every path he takes he will encounter an angel with an unsheathed sword. Then he will go towards Sabghatul Jarf and will strike his camp and Madina Munawwara will be jolted thrice as a result of which every munafiq (hypocrite) man and woman and fasiq (habitually sinning) man and woman will leave Madina and go with him. In this way Madina will be purified of sinners and this is yaum al-khalas (the day of relief).’” [Hakim in Mustadrak] This hadith is Sahih on the conditions of Imam Muslim. Imam Dhahabi has corrobora
Read more

Ridiculing Allah’s Commands

Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “It was said to the children of Israel, ‘Enter the gate (of the town), prostrate (in humility) and say: Hittatun (repentance) i.e., O Allah! Forgive our sins.’ But they entered by dragging themselves on their buttocks, so they did something different (from what they had been ordered to do) and said, ‘Hittatun,’ but added, ‘A grain in a hair.’” [Sahih Bukhari] The Bani Israil have distinguished themselves in history as the most disobedient and rebellious of people. They have, however, already met with the consequences of their behaviour. So then why are their stories narrated to us in the Quran and hadith in such a large number? This is because Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) knew that we, the last nation, would insist on following in their footsteps. Thus, He made clear to us with their examples which actions earn Allah’s wrath and punishment and which actions are worth emulating. This incident is
Read more

Up to a Third

In the year of Hajjatul-Wada, Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) paid a Sahabah a visit while he was suffering from an ailment that had brought him to the verge of death. He said, “O Allah's Apostle! My sickness has reduced me to the (bad) state that you see, and I am a rich man, but have no heirs except one daughter. Shall I give 2/3 of my property in charity?” The Prophet replied, “No.” The Sahabah said, “Then 1/2 of it?” The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “Even 1/3 is too much, for, to leave your inheritors wealthy is better than to leave them in poverty, begging from people. And (know that) whatever you spend in Allah's Cause, you will get reward for it, even for the morsel of food which you put in your wife's mouth.” [Bukhari] From this hadith we learn that we may will away a maximum of a third of our wealth. The other two thirds must be distributed according to the rules of inheritance laid down by Allah (subhana wa ta’ala). Another thing we learn
Read more