Making False Jokes

Q. Is it permissible to make others laugh with jokes that are actually not true?

A. It is not permissible to make others laugh with “jokes” that are fictitious or untrue. Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said:

وَيْلٌ لِلَّذِي يُحَدِّثُ بِالحَدِيثِ لِيُضْحِكَ بِهِ القَوْمَ فَيَكْذِبُ، وَيْلٌ لَهُ وَيْلٌ لَهُ

“Woe to the one who talks about something to make the people laugh, in which he lies. Woe to him! Woe to him!” (Tirmidhi)

One may make others laugh or share a light hearted moment with others, provided that one does so whilst remaining within the confines of Shariah. Accordingly, it should not be done excessively, entail scoffing and jeering or exposing the flaws of others.

Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said:

لاَ تُكْثِرِ الضَّحِكَ، فَإِنَّ كَثْرَةَ الضَّحِكِ تُمِيتُ القَلْبَ

“Do not laugh excessively. For verily, excessive laughter kills the heart.” (Tirmidhi)

لاَ تُظْهِرِ الشَّمَاتَةَ لأَخِيكَ فَيَرْحَمَهُ اللَّهُ وَيَبْتَلِيكَ

“Do not express pleasure at the misfortune of a (Muslim) brother lest Allah should bestow mercy upon him and make you suffer from a misfortune.” (Tirmidhi)

لَا تَتَّبِعُوا عَوْرَاتِهِمْ، فَإِنَّهُ مَنِ اتَّبَعَ عَوْرَاتِهِمْ يَتَّبِعُ اللَّهُ عَوْرَتَهُ، وَمَنْ يَتَّبِعِ اللَّهُ عَوْرَتَهُ يَفْضَحْهُ فِي بَيْتِهِ

“Do not search for the faults of Muslims, for if anyone searches for their faults, Allah will search for his faults, and if Allah searches for the fault of anyone, He disgraces him in his own house.”  (Abu Dawood)

Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

Mufti Ismaeel Bassa

themufti.com