1340 – Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) related that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “You will never be able to satisfy all people with your wealth; instead, let them be satisfied by your cheerful countenance and your good character.” Narrated by Abu Yaʿlā, and al-Ḥākim authenticated it. ⦗1⦘

Hadith grading:
• The hadith is ḥasan (fair).
• Its transmitters are trustworthy.
Zayn al-Din al-ʿIraqi stated in his verification of the Iḥyāʾ: it was recorded by al-Bazzār, Abu Yaʿlā, and al-Ṭabarani in al-Makārim al-Akhlāq from Abu Hurayrah, and some of al-Bazzār’s chains have reliable narrators.
Both al-ʿAlāʾī and al-Suyuti in al-Jāmiʿ al-Ṣaghīr graded it ḥasan.

Vocabulary:
• basṭ al-wajh: literally “spreading the face,” meaning a bright, welcoming expression, cheerfulness, and gentle demeanour.
• ḥusn al-khuluq: good character—that is, dealing with people and living among them in a wholesome manner founded on love, sincerity, goodwill, assisting them in their needs, and giving them their due rights.

Points derived from the two hadiths:

1. These two noble narrations highlight two momentous matters: reverent God-consciousness (taqwā) of Allah and good character.
2. Good character is an inner, praiseworthy quality of the heart whose effects appear in one’s words