When it comes to our spiritual growth and development, being good tempered is of significant importance, to the extent that out of all the different reasons that could have been what the prophet was sent for, this one has been mentioned at the top of the list; the prophet says: “I was made prophet in order to complete the characteristics of morality”.[1] Here, out of all the different things there are, the prophet touches on morality. One instance of morality is to have a cheerful face when encountering people. Different hadiths have referred to it in the following ways:

It (having a cheerful face) is a characteristic of the believer[2], a characteristic of the noble and the great, the first step to goodness, the extinguisher of the fire of animosity, link of friendship, a cause of fondness and fellowship, and that it is like inviting guests (which means that having a cheerful face has the rewards of inviting guests).[3]

Another characteristic that has been advised in Islamic teachings is for the believer to conceal his sorrows and tragedies and keep them to himself. Observing such a thing entails many good effects, namely: Imam Baqir says: Four things are precious treasures: keeping one’s needs concealed, concealing charity (that one gives), concealing illness, concealing problems and tragedies.”[4]

It is noteworthy that this topic, meaning informing one’s spouse of his sorrow and inner grief, depends on how their relationship is with each other; the more they share the same moral and religious views, the more knowing of each other’s problems will be beneficial to them, because they are each other’s partners, and can, with the help of each other, make up for each other’s shortcomings in life.

Informing one’s spouse who is committed and bound to her Islamic duties of one’s problems in life entails the strengthening of the family and its fruit is the satisfaction of the Lord and the entrance of heaven. We would like to draw your attention to a hadith in this regard: A man came to the prophet and said: “O Messenger of Allah! I have a spouse who when I come home, comes to my welcome, and when I leave, accompanies me [to the door], and when sees me upset, says: “Don’t be upset, if you are worried of sustenance, that is something Allah has guaranteed, and if you are worried of the hereafter, may Allah add to your sorrow [because fear of the hereafter is something praiseworthy].” The prophet (pbuh) said: “Give her glad tidings of heaven, and tell her that she is one of Allah’s agents and that everyday, she is rewarded the rewards of seventy martyrs.”[5]