All work and no fun? Work-life balance in the Prophetic period

When we think about the companions of the blessed Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم, many of us might conjure up an image of a group of men, young and old, with beards, sombre and quiet, always serious and deeply reflective. But is this truly an accurate portrayal of their daily lives? Not entirely.

The Blessed Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم taught his companions to lead balanced lives. While they were profoundly devout and committed to their Islam, they also understood the importance of moderation. When the situation called for it, they were serious, but when the moment allowed, they engaged in innocent fun. Their lives were a harmonious blend of worship, responsibility, and light-heartedness.

An interesting narration demonstrates this beautifully. Bakr b. Abdullah reported:

كَانَ أَصْحَابُ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَتَبَادَحُونَ بِالْبِطِّيخِ فَإِذَا كَانَتِ الْحَقَائِقُ كَانُوا هُمُ الرِّجَالَ

The companions of the Prophet would throw melons at each other for fun, but when matters became serious, they would be real men. — al-Bukhari #266

This simple yet profound account reflects their ability to balance the different dimensions of life. They understood that being overly serious all the time was neither sustainable nor healthy. Rather, they embraced moments of joy and camaraderie, but they never lost sight of their responsibilities or compromised on their principles.

Maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle is essential for both our physical and mental well-being. Without moments of levity and relaxation, we risk driving ourselves—and those around us—to exhaustion. However, our enjoyment should always align with the teachings of the blessed Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم. Fun should never come at the expense of our principles, nor should it involve anything impermissible or harmful. For example, engaging in activities like paintballing or playing sports is a wonderful way to enjoy ourselves, but harassing someone "for fun" crosses the line and contradicts the values we must uphold.

May our lives be filled with innocent joys and laughter, and may our Hereafter be a place of eternal happiness and delight. Let us take inspiration from the companions of the blessed Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم, finding the balance between work and play, seriousness and cheerfulness, and always striving to please Allah عزوجل in all that we do.

And Allah عزوجل and His Messenger صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم know best.