You Can Take A Back Seat

Jabir bin Samrah (radi Allahu anhu) narrated: “I was present in over a hundred sittings with the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam). In these sittings the illustrious Companions used to recite verses and relate stories and anecdotes dating back to pagan times. The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) used to hear all this in silence and even joined in laughter himself at times.” [Tirmidhi]

The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) was not the principal speaker in every gathering that he attended. Jabir bin Samrah (radi Allahu anhu) informs us that the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) often took the back seat in the gatherings that he was a part of.

In over a hundred sittings that Jabir (radi Allahu anhu) witnessed of the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam), the Sahabah would recite poetry and stories of prior times and laugh.

We are not required to be serious all the time or talk of the Deen all the time. The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) is our example.