By Mawlana Junayd Makda Sahib

Memorise and practice a Hadeeth every week

from the collection of 40 Ahadeeth by Shaykhul Hadeeth Mawlana Muhammad Saleem Dhorat sahib Hafizahullah.

Hadeeth Nineteen

 Do Not Laugh Excessively

لَا تُكْثِرِ الضَّحِكَ فَإِنَّ كَثْرَةَ الضَّحِكِ تُمِيتُ الْقَلْبَ

Our Beloved Nabi ﷺ said, 

“Do not laugh excessively, for indeed excessive laughter kills the heart.”

At-Tirmidhi

Explanation

Islam allows a person to be happy, to smile, and occasionally share a joke and laugh. Our beloved Nabi ﷺ himself joked with his Companions and smiled regularly.

However, Islam discourages doing things excessively when they make us forget Allah Ta’ala and affect our preparation for the life of the Hereafter.

From this Hadeeth, we learn that excessive laughter should be avoided, as it “kills the heart.” This means the heart becomes weak, careless, and forgetful of Allah Ta’ala, and stops taking good advice seriously.

What we learn from this Hadeeth:

1) Although laughing is permissible, a person should not spend all his time laughing.

2) A believer adopts balance in everything. While he has moments of enjoyment, he also has moments of seriousness in which he reflects and prepares for his Akhirah.

3) Even permissible actions can sometimes affect our preparation for the Akhirah. We should therefore be mindful of our relationship with Allah Ta’ala and decide whether an action is beneficial for us.

4) While excessive laughter has been discouraged, smiling and meeting others with a smile has been encouraged.

5) Every action affects the heart, some strengthen it, while others weaken it, and this impacts our relationship with Allah Ta’ala.

6) If excessive laughter affects the heart and weakens its good qualities, then we can understand how harmful sins must be for the heart.

7) A believer is mindful of his behaviour and values dignity and good character. Excessive laughter affects this, so he should refrain from it.

8) A heart that remains engaged in the remembrance of Allah Ta’ala stays alive and strong, while a heart that frequently forgets Allah Ta’ala becomes weak and spiritually dead.

Ways we can act upon this Hadeeth:

1) Avoid laughing excessively or making jokes all the time. There is a time and place for everything.

2) Maintain balance, enjoy occasions of happiness, but give priority to fulfilling one’s duty to Allah Ta’ala.

3) Remembering Allah Ta’ala and the Hereafter helps us maintain the correct balance in life.

4) Reflect whenever possible on the Hereafter, our purpose in life, and what we are doing to prepare for it.

5) Keep good company, especially those who remind us of Allah Ta’ala and do not distract us from Him.

6) Smile, be kind, and occasionally share a joke, but never forget Allah Ta’ala or the Hereafter.

7) Make du’a that Allah Ta’ala keeps our hearts soft, connected to Him, and alive, and saves us from actions that weaken or kill the heart.

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Nabi Yahya عليه السلام

Nabi Yahya عليه السلام (known as John by Christians) was a noble Prophet of Allah Ta’ala sent to guide the Banu Israeel. He was the son of Nabi Zakariyya عليه السلام and cousin of Nabi ‘Eesaa عليه السلام.

Allah Ta’ala granted him prophethood at a very young age and gave him a very special character. Allah Ta’ala also made him gentle in nature, and completely devoted to worship and truth.

One Ayah – One Lesson

Allah Ta’ala says in the Qur’an:

O Yahya, hold firmly to the Book. And We gave him wisdom while he was still a child. (Surah Maryam 19:12)

Lesson

True wisdom and guidance come from Allah Ta’ala alone. Age is not a barrier when the heart is pure, sincere, and connected to Him.

Some of His Beautiful Qualities Allah Ta’ala Praised

After mentioning his wisdom, Allah Ta‘ala describes Nabi Yahya’s عليه السلام exceptional qualities in verses 13–15 of Surah Maryam:

– Gentle and Compassionate
He had a kind heart, did not get angry easily, and showed mercy to everyone, even animals.

– Pure and Upright
He stayed away from sin and loved what Allah Ta’ala loves.

– Deeply Allah-Fearing (Taqwa)
He lived with constant awareness of Allah Ta’ala and was careful never to displease Him.

– Kind and Dutiful to His Parents
He cared for his parents, showed them great respect, and was always obedient to them.

– Humble and Obedient to Allah Ta’ala
He stayed far away from arrogance and was never rebellious or disobedient towards Allah Ta’ala.

– Allah honoured him with a special blessing of peace:
Allah Ta’ala says: Peace be upon him the day he was born, the day he dies, and the day he is raised alive. (Surah Maryam 19:15)

This is an honour Allah Ta’ala grants only to very special servants.

🌍 What Lessons Can We Take from Nabi Yahya عليه السلام?

From the life of Nabi Yahya عليه السلام, we learn that:

1) We should always try to do the right thing, even when it feels difficult.

2) Allah Ta’ala loves good qualities like humility more than showing off or having status.

3) Purity of heart and actions brings a person closer to Allah Ta’ala.

4) Respecting and treating parents well is a sign of righteousness.

5) Wisdom and closeness to Allah Ta’ala are not linked to age; they come through sincerity and obedience.

🌱 Small Steps to Try This Week

✅ Be extra kind and respectful to your parents.

✅ Listen to and obey your parents without hesitation.

✅ Stay away from three habits you know Allah Ta’ala dislikes.

✅ Speak gently and truthfully, even when it is hard.

✅ Remind yourself at least once daily that Allah Ta’ala is watching every action and knows even what you are thinking.

Small sincere steps bring big changes over time, insha’allah.

🌙 Final Reflection

Nabi Yahya عليه السلام teaches us that greatness is not about being loud or showing off. True greatness is found in humility, sincerity, obedience to Allah Ta’ala, kindness to parents, purity, and a heart connected to Allah Ta’ala.

When a person lives for Allah Ta’ala, fulfilling His commands and duties sincerely, Allah Ta’ala surrounds them with peace in this life and in the life after death, insha’allah.

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12 Months, 12 New Actions

Download

Small, Meaningful Changes over 12 months

The start of a new year is naturally a time for us to pause, reflect, and think about how we ate doing and where we can improve in our habits, actions, and above all our connection with Allah Ta’ala.

Rather than trying to change everything at once, this activity will Insha’allah help us towards a slow and meaningful approach.

We will make one small change each month, across six important areas of life! Sound good?

Activity

In this activity, you will:

● Make a list of changes you would like to work on

● Choose one to focus on each month for each area

● Give yourself time to build habits gradually and sustainably

●  By the end of the year, insha’allah, these small monthly steps will help lead to real and lasting improvement!

Take your time, be honest with yourself, and remember, every small step matters.

MORE ACTIVITIES & CRAFTS

About Sayyiduna Easa alayhis salam

Download

Test your knowledge on Sayyiduna Eesaa alayhis salam.

How much do we know about him as a special Nabi and messenger of Allah Ta’ala? Let’s complete the activity sheet to find out!

Activity

1) Click on the download button and download the Activity Sheet.

2) Complete each section very carefully.

3) Check our Eesaa alayhis salam activity book. Click here

Activity Book

4) Once completed, send us an image, get it checked by an adult and then display it on your wall at home!

MORE ACTIVITIES & CRAFTS

Make A Poster Activity

(10 Facts of Sayyiduna Easa عليه السلام)

Let’s learn 10 facts about Sayyiduna Eesa alayhis salam and make a poster! Use the bold text for your poster. The text in brackets is to explain the bold text. Remember to learn, get creative and have fun too!

10 FACTS ABOUT SAYYIDUNA EESA ALAYHIS SALAM

1. Prophet of Allah Ta’ala
(He was a Prophet of Allah Ta‘ala, sent to guide people to the truth.)

2. Given the Injeel. We believe in original
(Allah Ta‘ala revealed the Injeel (Bible) to him. As Muslims we believe in the original Injeel)

3. Called to one Allah
(He called people to Tawheed and said he was the servant and Messenger of Allah.)

4. Born without a father
(He was born to Maryam رضي الله عنها without a father. This was Allah’s miracle.)

5. Spoke as a baby
(As a newborn, he spoke and declared his prophethood.)

6. Given great miracles
(Allah gave him miracles, such as healing the blind and lepers and bringing the dead to life, all by Allah’s permission.)

7. Not crucified. He was lifted to Heavens
(He was not killed or crucified; Allah raised him to the heavens.)

8. A human, not God or Son of God
(He is human, not God or the son of God. Allah is One and has no partners or children)

9. Will return before Qiyāmah
(He is alive in the heavens and will return before Qiyāmah and will then die a natural death)

10. Will return as a Follower of Nabi ﷺ
(He will return as a follower of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Not as a prophet himself. He will be a great leader and will bring justice and peace to the world.)

Other Activities