—busy yourself with your brother’s need, the more Allah will busy Himself with yours. Therefore, multiply your acts of kindness, increase your beneficence, and never underrate anything, even if it seems trivial. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Let not a neighbour look down on her neighbour’s gift, even if it is only a sheep’s hoof.” In other words, do not disdain even the smallest offering.

The Prophet ﷺ also said to Jābir ibn Sulaym, “To speak to your brother with a cheerful face is itself an act of kindness.” Having instructed, “Do not belittle any good deed,” he clarified that one of the simplest forms of goodness is to meet your brother with a pleasant, smiling face—neither frowning nor scowling, but open and welcoming—for this brings joy to him. Whatever gladdens your brother’s heart is a form of kindness and beneficence, and Allah loves the doers of good.

This is undoubtedly praiseworthy; nevertheless, on certain occasions it may be wiser not to greet someone with a cheerful face—such as when he has done something blameworthy. In that case, withholding your smile serves as a form of correction, encouraging him to refrain and to learn proper conduct. Every situation has its appropriate response.

The Prophet ﷺ then instructed him to raise his lower garment to mid-calf; if he could not, then at least to the ankles. This indicates that keeping the garment at mid-calf is superior, yet letting it fall to the ankles is permissible, for this matter belongs to the sphere of