that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ rose, the hem of his garment trailing, embraced Zayd and kissed him—for Zayd, may Allah be pleased with him, had just returned from a journey. When the occasion is a traveller’s home-coming, such a kiss is unobjectionable; what the Messenger ﷺ forbade is for someone to kiss you every single time he meets you.

The Prophet ﷺ likewise counselled that one must never look down on any act of kindness. Benevolence and doing good to people should never be belittled or dismissed as insignificant, even if all you give is a pen or some item of trifling material worth. Do not underrate it, for a person will remember it, even after a long while, and say, “So-and-so gave me such-and-such in that year.” Whatever brings affection and love among people is not to be scorned. Hence the Messenger ﷺ said, “Do not disdain any good deed, even if it is meeting your brother with a cheerful face.”

Meeting your brother with a cheerful face—that is, free of any frown—counts as much. At times, however, we may find ourselves unable to extend such warmth for one reason or another; hidden factors may be weighing on a person unbeknownst to others, so he cannot always greet people with a radiant face. Your duty, nonetheless, is to strive to meet them with an open, cheerful countenance, for this is an act of kindness and a means to nurture affection and love. Islam is a religion of love, loyalty, and brotherhood, as He says