Manners of Joking in Islam

Life in Islam is not as some incorrectly believe; that it must not have any entertainment whatsoever. A companion of the Prophet (s.a.w.) named Handalah al-Usaidi said:

“Abu Bakr met me and asked: ‘How are you O Handalah?’ He replied, ‘Handalah has become a hypocrite!’ He replied, ‘Far removed is Allah from every imperfection! What are you saying?’ Handalah said: ‘When we are with the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.), he reminds us about the Hellfire and Paradise as if it is before our eyes, but when we leave the company of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.), we become involved with our wives, children and property and we forget much.’ Abu Bakr said: ‘By Allah, indeed the same happens to me.’ So Abu Bakr and I left until we entered upon the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.). I said, ‘Handalah has become a hypocrite O Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.)!’ The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) replied, ‘And how is that?’ I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.), when we are with you, you remind us about the Hellfire and Paradise as if it is before our eyes, but when we leave your company, we become involved with our wives, children and property and forget much.’ To that, the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) commented: ‘By Him in Whose Hand is my soul, if you stay in that state you are when you are with me, the angels would [descend and] shake your hands in your beds and when you walk, but rather, O Handalah, there is a time for this and a time for that (and he said this three times).’ ” [Muslim]

Here the Prophet explained that permissible enjoyment and self-refreshment is something desirable so that man would regain his activity and liveliness. The Prophet (s.a.w.) taught his companions the manners of joking when they asked him:

“O Messenger of Allah (), you joke with us?” He said: “Yes, but I do not speak except that which is correct and true.” [at-Tirmidhi]

One may joke with his actions as well as with his speech. Anas bin Malik () reported that a Bedouin called Zaahir used to bring presents from the desert to the Prophet (), and the Prophet (s.a.w.) used to supply him with provisions upon leaving. The Prophet (s.a.w.) said: “Indeed Zaahir is our ‘desert’ and we are his ‘city’.” One day, the Prophet (s.a.w.) came to him (unsuspectingly) while he was selling his goods and grasped him from behind. Zaahir exclaimed: ‘Release me!’ Then he looked behind him and recognized the Prophet (), so he pressed his back against his chest. The Prophet (s.a.w.) called out: “Who will purchase this slave?” Zaahir said: “O Messenger of Allah, you will find me worthless!” The Prophet (s.a.w.) answered: “But to Allah, you are not worthless (or he said) Rather you are valuable in Allah’s estimation.” [Ibn Hibbaan]

One should not joke in a way to harm or ill-treat another Muslim. The Prophet (s.a.w.) said:

“It is not permissible for a Muslim to scare another Muslim.” [Abu Dawood]

He () also said:

“Let not anyone take his brother’s things (to anger him) seriously or jokingly.” [Abu Dawood & at-Tirmidhi]

A person should never lie while joking. The Prophet (s.a.w.) said:

“Woe to the one who lies in his speech to make people laugh. Woe to him! Woe to him!” [Ahmad & AbuDawood]