That morning, sunlight gently streamed through the windows of the Islamic boarding school. The main hall had been transformed into a large discussion room. On the wall hung a poster with the theme of the day: 'Bringing the Sunnah to Life in Everyday Life.'
The students sat in a circle with their books on their laps, while Aira stood at the front as the moderator. Next to her, Ustadzah Hamidah smiled calmly, ready to oversee the scientific discussion, which was usually full of wisdom—and this time, full of hope that the atmosphere would not be too tense.
However, as expected, Zahra was once again the star. She sat casually in the middle row, her eyes sparkling with ideas. As soon as Aira opened the question and answer session, Zahra immediately raised her hand enthusiastically.
"Ustadzah," she said in a half-serious tone, "if someone has memorized the hadith about smiling as charity, but smiles to tease a fellow student, is that still considered a good deed or is it something else?"
The whole room burst into laughter, even Ustadzah Hamidah, who was known for being the most disciplined, couldn't help but smile. "Zahra," replied the ustadzah softly, "that's the importance of pure intentions. If your intentions are misguided, then your smile is not charity, but a test of patience for those around you."
Tariqah, who was sitting next to Nisa, covered her face and laughed softly. "Zahra always knows how to lighten the mood, but still get the point across," she whispered. Nisa nodded in agreement. That was Zahra for you; behind her jokes, there was always a message that stuck in your heart.
Lina then took the discussion in a more profound direction. She explained that the Sunnah is not just about memorization, but about understanding the context between law and benefit in modern life. "The Sunnah is not just a collection of memorized arguments, but also a guide for behavior that lives within us," she said.
Salsabila and Salsabi also actively shared their opinions. They talked about applying the Sunnah in their simple lives, in their manners when eating, speaking, and socializing. Their presence added a peaceful yet dynamic atmosphere to the forum.
When the atmosphere began to calm down, Zahra softly interjected, "So if I diligently give food alms to friends who often steal side dishes from the kitchen, am I following the Sunnah or just giving in to my hunger?" Laughter erupted again.
Ustadzah Hamidah shook her head in exasperation. "Zahra, you are indeed a gift. Even in humor, you still bring the sunnah to life."
The entire hall laughed in relief, and that morning became one of the most memorable discussions: full of knowledge, warmth, and fun. Among the rows of students studying seriously, Zahra's laughter echoed as a reminder that even in obedience, there is room for joy.
***
The discussion continued into the second session at noon. The atmosphere at the Islamic boarding school was a little cooler, but the energy in the hall was still warm. The students stared at the long table where the Sunnah books were open, while Aira rearranged the discussion so that the next topic would not only have scientific value, but also be able to touch on personal reflection.
Zahra sat leaning forward slightly, staring at the open pages of the book in front of her. A smile appeared on her face every time she found a unique passage or lighthearted story in the hadith, which in her view contained not only law but also the humanity of the Prophet.
"Look," she said to Tariqah, "even in the strict sunnah, there is always room for gentleness. The Prophet reprimanded, but with compassion. It's like when we were studying—Aira scolded us, but in the end, there was a hug too."
Aira, who heard the remark, immediately looked at her with a slightly amused expression. "Zahra, it seems that if the Prophet were still alive and saw the way you argue, he might appoint you as the cheerleader of the ummah," she replied softly.
Laughter filled the room again. However, behind all the jokes, Zahra was actually bringing up an important topic: how to convey the sunnah with a soothing approach, not a frightening one. Lina, who was well-versed in the field of da'wah, welcomed the idea.
"If we understand the essence, the sunnah is not just about law. It's about how the Prophet's behavior shaped a character that fostered love and beauty towards religion. Zahra may not realize it, but the way she uses humor can be a gentle method of da'wah," said Lina with a sincere smile.
The discussion then turned to how different ways of understanding hadith can lead to bias in religious practice. Salsabila, who is known for her gentle heart, recounted her experience of hearing heated debates outside the Islamic boarding school about sunnah that actually drove people away instead of bringing them closer.
"Sometimes people forget that knowledge must also come with the right approach," she said. "The sunnah contains light, not a sword."
There was a moment of silence after that statement, then Zahra calmly replied, "That's right. If a sword is sharper than a smile, then we have failed to understand the wisdom of the Messenger."
That simple statement made Ustadzah Hamidah nod deeply. "You are right, Zahra. Sometimes, humor and smiles are the bridge between knowledge and the heart."
That afternoon, the discussion of the Book of Sunnah became a lesson that went far beyond legal texts. It transformed into a warm space, where Zahra, with all her intelligence and humor, reminded everyone that emulating the Messenger does not mean being rigid, but rather living with love and balance.
***
That night, the hall of the Islamic boarding school was still brightly lit. After a day filled with discussions and laughter, the students sat in a circle in a quieter atmosphere. Ustadzah Hamidah initiated a heartfelt reflection session, giving each student the opportunity to express what they understood from today's discussion of the Sunnah.
Zahra, who was usually the most talkative, sat quietly that night. Her face looked softer than usual, her eyes radiating warmth. When Aira pointed to her to speak, she bowed her head briefly before speaking in a tone that was different from usual.
"I often use humor to make people laugh," she said slowly. "But today I realized that laughter can also be a path to awareness. The Prophet himself always brought light with his gentle words. Maybe that's why his sunnah feels alive—because it comes from a calm heart."
Everyone present fell silent, listening to Zahra with rapt attention. The one who usually made jokes was now speaking with a depth that rarely appeared. "I want to learn to balance laughter and wisdom, so that my jokes not only entertain, but also improve the heart. Because in truth, sunnah is also about spreading love."
Nisa looked at Zahra with pride. "You have shown good character in a simple action. Honest humor and pure intentions are also part of the Prophet's example."
Lina replied reflectively, "And that is how we should live the sunnah—not just memorize it, but feel it in our daily lives. Sometimes, the deepest lessons come from simple laughter."
Tariqah smiled, her eyes slightly teary. "I used to think that humor and knowledge were two things that didn't go together. But now I understand that the two can go together if the intention is right."
The atmosphere became warm. Even Salsabila and Salsabi, who were usually fixated on texts and serious discussions, smiled with relief. "Today we learned the sunnah not only from books," Salsabi whispered softly to her sister, "but from Zahra herself."
Ustadzah Hamidah closed the evening with a soft but meaningful sentence. "Zahra has taught something without lecturing. That reviving the sunnah is not always done with speeches, but by bringing light to the face and kindness to the heart."
The evening ended with a beautiful tranquility. The students returned to their rooms with warm hearts and clear minds. Among them, Zahra walked slowly under the night sky, gazing at the stars with a small smile. In silence, she whispered to herself, "Perhaps this is my way of emulating the Prophet—with laughter that brings peace."
***
The next morning, the Islamic boarding school was once again bustling with renewed energy. The discussion of the Sunnah book from the night before, which had left a deep impression, was now the topic of conversation in every corner. The students shared their views and quotes from the hadith, some even imitating Zahra's style of speech when she gave funny but meaningful examples.
Zahra walked across the boarding school courtyard with light steps, carrying her infectious smile. She never expected that her jokes and reflections the night before would touch so many people. Under the shady mango tree, Nisa was waiting for her with Tariqah and Salsabi, each carrying a cup of hot tea.
"Zahra," Nisa began, "I admit, last night's session was extraordinary. But what's even more amazing is that you've changed without losing yourself."
Zahra chuckled softly. "Changed? I just found a new reason to laugh with better intentions."
Tariqah replied softly, "I think laughter that comes from a pure heart is like an unconscious prayer. It is contagious and brings peace."
Salsabi looked at Zahra with sincere admiration. "It's funny, I used to think you were just a lighthearted person who liked to joke around. But it turns out you have something deep behind all those jokes."
Zahra shook her head slowly, looking up at the sky. "I just learned from you guys. From Aira who is firm, Nisa who is careful, Lina who is gentle, and Tariqah who is strong. I just added a little laughter so that this journey wouldn't feel so heavy."
As they were chatting, Aira and Lina came with handwritten notes. "Zahra," said Aira with a big smile, "after seeing the impact of your humor and delivery last night, Ustadzah Hamidah and I have agreed—you will be the closing speaker for the next weekly sunnah discussion session."
There was a moment of silence. Then Zahra spontaneously patted her chest. "Me? In front of all the students? Oh dear, this is a big test. But okay, as long as I can insert laughter in between my interpretations."
Lina smiled. "That's what we expect from you. Knowledge wrapped in generosity, not rigid but still civilized."
The day ended warmly. Zahra returned to her room and wrote something in her personal notebook: 'Knowledge without laughter can be dry, but laughter without knowledge can be empty. If possible, I want to be in the middle—to be a conveyor of truth with a smiling heart.'
And night fell slowly, enveloping the Islamic boarding school in peace. Zahra stared at the mirror for a moment, smiling at her reflection. "Maybe this is how I preach—through honest and lighthearted laughter, but one that makes people think."
Outside, the recitation of verses from the students' rooms echoed. The boarding school slept in tranquility, while in Zahra's heart, a new spirit began to grow: a laughter that was no longer just entertainment, but a form of worship.
***
The long-awaited day had finally arrived. The boarding school hall was filled with students who were ready to listen to the closing session of the weekly Sunnah Book discussion. However, this time there was something different—Zahra stood in front of them as the main speaker. It was not Lina, not Aira, not even Ustadzah Hamidah, but the energetic girl who always brought laughter to every corner of the boarding school.
When Zahra stepped onto the podium with light steps, all eyes were on her. Her smile was calming, her demeanor graceful, yet she still radiated her characteristic aura of cheerfulness. She took a slow breath, then said,
"Friends, today I don't want to teach or give a lecture. I just want us to learn to laugh while understanding. Because didn't the Prophet also smile in almost all of his advice?"
Some students immediately smiled, while Nisa and Tariqah exchanged glances, feeling both proud and amazed. Zahra continued calmly, occasionally adding small jokes that made the hall echo with laughter.
"Sometimes we are too busy thinking about the rules that we forget the wisdom. Prayer, for example—it's not just about bowing and prostrating, but also about calming the heart. So if the heart is still noisy, maybe it's not the prayer that's wrong… but us who haven't quieted ourselves within it."
Soft laughter spread, but this time accompanied by murmurs of understanding. Zahra knew when to be lighthearted and when to be serious. Every sentence flowed between laughter, sincerity, and wisdom.
When the question and answer session began, a new student raised her hand, "Sister Zahra, if we want to follow the sunnah of the Prophet, but often fail to be consistent, does it still count as a good deed?"
Zahra smiled softly. "Failure is not the end of a good deed, but part of the process. If the intention is still there and the heart continues to try, then we are still on the path of the sunnah. Even the Prophet taught patience to oneself before teaching it to others."
The hall fell silent. Zahra's words felt like a gentle breeze that cooled the heart. Aira, who was sitting in the corner, smiled with relief—Zahra was not just a girl who was good at joking, but also a bearer of light with words that were light yet inspiring.
Ustadzah Hamidah closed the event with a short but meaningful sentence. "Today, you have learned from the book and from the heart. Thank you, Zahra, for proving that knowledge does not have to be rigid, and that sunnah can be brought to life in meaningful laughter."
After the event, the students gathered to express their gratitude. Salsabila and Salsabi, who were standing in the back row, approached her and gave her a warm hug. "Sister Zahra, the way you speak... makes knowledge feel alive. Thank you."
Zahra smiled with her soft, sparkling eyes. "Continue to learn with your heart. Sometimes, Allah whispers through the laughter of others so that we remember that this religion is beautiful."
That night, after the hall was empty, Zahra sat alone on the stairs in the corridor. She stared at the stars and whispered softly, "It turns out that every smile can be worship if it comes from a sincere intention."
And from afar, the soft voice of Ustadzah Hamidah echoed in her mind, "The light you bring through humor, Zahra, will continue to guide them—and yourself—toward the true peace of the Sunnah."