Does the Hadith of Jaber ibn Samurah, which mentions the Companions' laughter when recalling matters of the pre-Islamic era and the Prophet's (peace be upon him) smile, not indicate that remorse is not an essential pillar of repentance?

The aforementioned Hadith (definition) does not indicate that the Companions were reminiscing about sins they committed during the pre-Islamic era (Jahiliyyah); rather, they were engaging in permissible conversation. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, would not have approved of impermissible talk. Some scholars hold the view that speaking at that time was disliked, but Al-Qurtubi believes that they were speaking permissible, non-prohibited words, and that while focusing on the remembrance of Allah at that time was better, the speech itself was not forbidden. Therefore, the Hadith does not contradict the fact that remorse is a great pillar of repentance.