A Muslim home is not devoid of jokes and good cheer even though it is a house of constant and serious religious efforts. The Prophet, , is our example in this, for he was always cheerful and smiling. Abu 'Umaamah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet, , was the most cheerful of people and the kindest at heart. [At-Tabaraani]
Cheerfulness in the Muslim house does not compromise modesty, or bother neighbors; and it does not kill the heart [as it is not excessive]; it contains no sarcasm, backbiting or criticism, but rather it re-energizes the family members and it is a change from routine and boredom. The Prophet, said: "Refresh the hearts hour after hour."[AbuDaawood]
It was the practice of the Messenger, , to play with his family and joke with them, therefore his homes were filled with good cheer and happiness. ‘Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, reported that she was with the Messenger of Allah, , on a journey, and she said, "I ran a race with him, and I won; then [later] when I put on weight, I raced him and he won, and he said to me: 'This for that!'" [Abu Daawood]
She also reported, "I saw the Messenger of Allah screen me with his gown, as I watched the Abyssinians playing [displaying their skill with spears] in the Masjid, until I was the one to become weary (bored); so you may deduce from this incident how a girl who is eager to enjoy amusement should be treated in this respect." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
The Prophet, , used to play and joke with the youngsters of his family and make them laugh. ‘Abd Allah ibn Al-Haarith, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that, "The Messenger of Allah used to line-up ‘Abd Allah, ‘Ubayd Allah and many of the children of Banu Al-‘Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with them, then he would say: 'The one who races to me [reaching me first], will get so and so.' He (The narrator) said, "So they would race to him and fall upon his back and chest and he would kiss them and stay with them." [Ahmad]
Jaabir, may Allah be pleased with him, reported, "We were with the Messenger of Allah and we received an invitation to a meal; then [on our way to the invitation we found] Al-Husayn, may Allah be pleased with him, was playing on the road with [other] children, and the Prophet rushed in front of the people and he spread out his hands, and Al-Husayn would run here and there, and the Messenger of Allah would make him laugh until he caught him and he put one of his hands on his chin, and the other hand between his head and ears and he hugged and kissed him." [At-Tabaraani]
Means of Entertainment in the Muslim Home:
Television is considered one of the most dangerous means of entertainment in the modern media. It is a double-edged weapon, for it can be employed to nurture principles and ethical values, or it might be a destructive tool that destroys ethical values and erodes morals. Therefore, the role of the media is no less serious than the role of the family and the role of the school, especially in the case of impressionable children and youth.
Some people label the media as the "the third parent" to indicate its enormous impact on the knowledge, sentiments and conduct of children; therefore, it is important to be cautious of what television has to offer. This does not mean rejecting television itself, but rather using it in what is beneficial and pleases Allah The Exalted in a way that establishes morals and calls for virtue, and in that way it becomes a means of education and learning, rather than a tool that breaks down the values that the child receives from his home and school.
For these reasons, it is an obligation not to watch programs that are of no benefit, and to convince children in a gentle way that the majority of what is conveyed through television causes more harm than benefit. The members of a family should avoid staying up late at night watching television, as this is a waste of time and results in missing the Fajr (dawn) prayer or waking up late, in addition to laziness and lethargy as a result of not getting enough sleep or from oversleeping.
Video recorders and tapes, CDs and DVDs are other common means of entertainment at home, and what is viewed on them requires monitoring and control from parents, so that it is used in a correct manner to view programs of benefit, and that work to aid in raising, guiding and educating children. These include films that have been produced to deal with important family issues.
A Muslim family should enrich their home-library with educational and Islamic video tapes, CDs and DVDs, in order to give children a satisfying and Islamically-acceptable alternative to mainstream entertainment, and children should be monitored to ensure that they are not influenced into watching unsavory films at the behest of corrupt friends.