Tirmidhi Chapter 36 Hadith 236

Jabir ibn Samurah radiyallahu anhu says, I attended the assemblies of Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam more than a hundred times, wherein the Sahaabah radiyallahu anhum recited poetry and related stories of the Jaahiliyyah (pre-Islamic era). Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam silently listened to them (and did not forbid them). At times he smiled with them.

Commentary
If a humorous incident was mentioned then Sayyidina Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam also smiled, from which we find that the silence was not due to displeasure, but because of ‘Baatini Tawajjuh’ (internal spiritual attention). Sayyidina Zaid ibn Thaabit radiyallahu anhu, a scribe of the Wahi (revelation) says, I was a neighbour of Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam. When the Wahi was revealed, he sent for me to write it down. When we discussed the world, Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam also discussed the world. When we discussed the hereafter, Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam also discussed the hereafter. When we talked about food, he also talked about it. Whatever subject the Sahaabah discussed, Sayyidina Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam because of his kindness and tenderness towards people, joined them and showed his affections to them. In all his assemblies Sayyidina Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam did not only speak of religion, but spoke of other matters too. Discussing different topics was a means of increasing the love for Sayyidina Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam. It only one subject is discussed all the time, then many a time one becomes frustrated, especially for a stranger, who mostly comes for one’s material needs. These discussions were a means to make strangers feel at ease.