In spite of his being a Prophet, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was a very pleasant light-hearted person. Despite all the severity and seriousness of his function, his company was neither dull nor uninteresting, but was full of pleasant and sincere humor. With his pleasant ways and moderate joking, the Prophet showed us that religion does not have to make us dull and disagreeable.
In this regard, Sheikh Zoubir Bouchikhi, Imam of the Islamic Society of Greater Houston’s Southeast Mosque, states: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to make jokes but he was sincere in them. One day he told an old lady that no old man and no old woman will enter Jannah, and she was shocked, then he clarified to her that he meant when we go to Jannah we enter as Young people.
Elaborating on this issue, the eminent Muslim scholar, Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, adds: Despite his enormous responsibilities, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) always had time for jokes; however, he never lied when joking. On many occasions the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) shared in the good cheer of his Companions; he’d joke with them and have fun. But as he shared in their joy, he shared in their sorrow.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon) found time to share good feelings with his wives, and was not carried away with the burdens of Prophethood to the extent that he neglected showing affection to his family. The famous hadith of Umm Zar` found in Sahih al- Bukhari is evidence in this respect.
In another hadith narrated by At-Tirmidhi, an old woman pleaded to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to ask Allah to let her enter Paradise. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) told her that there is no place in Paradise for old women. She burst into tears without understanding the deeper meaning of the Prophet’s words. He pacified her by saying that she would not enter Paradise as an old woman; rather, she would enter as a young woman full of vitality. Then he recited to her Allah’s words: (Lo! We have created them a (new) creation. And made them virgins. Lovers, friends.) (Al-Waqi`ah: 35-37)
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) loved to instill joy and happiness in people’s hearts especially in happy occasions like feasts or marriage ceremonies. For instance, when Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) tried to stop two young girls from singing in the Prophet’s house, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) told him: “Let it be, for we are now in the feast.’ Another version reads: ‘…to let the Jews know that in our religion there is time for merriment.’“