From one of my comment in related with jokes: In Islam its fine when we smile or joke something about, however we should behave moderately in every aspects of life. Islam taught us to tell the truth even when we are joking and Prophet Muhammad s.a.w is one of them which he loved joking with the people around him due to his fitrah (nature),he always acted in moderation. His gentleness is also referred in the Holy Quran as: “It is part of the mercy of God that thou dost deal gently with them. Wert thou severe or harsh hearted, they would have broken away about thee” (Al-i Imran, 3/159). As related by Abu Hurairah, when some of his companions said to Prophet Muhammad: “O Prophet Muhammad, yet, you also joke with us!” He replied: “Yes, I do. But I only tell the truth.” This case reveals that the most important thing about a joke is that it should tell the truth and not be offensive. Like example there was a time he also joke with Female Sahabis like example, An old lady the Ansar (residents of Medina) came to the Prophet and told him: “Please make a dua (supplication) for me that I go to heaven.” The Prophet replied: “Did you not hear it? Old women cannot go to heaven.” The old lady became upset upon this. Then the Prophet said smiling: “Did not you read the verse: “Indeed, We have produced them (i.e., the women of Paradise) in a (new) creation. And made them virgins, Devoted (to their husbands) and of equal age.” (Surah Al-Waaqi’ah 56: 35-37). Then in a pleasant manner he explained to the old lady that old women would go to heaven as young girls and thus he cheered her. Another example is when once Prophet Muhammad told a lady that her husband has a white spot in his eyes. The woman came to the side of her husband being very sad and related what the Prophet had said. Her husband told her that the Prophet had joked with her and that he actually meant that everyone has a white spot in their eyes (En-Nuveyri, IV, 3; Ibn Kuteybe ,439; Krs. Koten, IV,466). The list goes on and on, on how Prophet Muhammad .s.w joke with his wives, grandchild and other Sahabis in a truthful manner. The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) explained that lying could cause one to end up in the Hell Fire, he (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: Avoid falsehood, for falsehood leads to wickedness, and wickedness to Hell; and if a man continues to speak falsehood and makes falsehood his object, he will be recorded in Allahs presence as a great liar. And adhere to the truth, for truth leads to good deeds, and good deeds lead to Paradise. If a man continues to speak the truth and makes truth his object, he will be recorded in Allahs presence as eminently truthful. [Abu Dawood (Sunan Abu Dawood vol. 3, no. 4971) Lying is a characteristic of hypocrisy, Abdullah Ibn Amr Ibn Amr al-Aas (radhi allahu anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: Whoever has the following four characteristics will be a pure hypocrite; and whoever has one of these four characteristics will have one characteristic of hypocrisy unless and until he gives it up; whenever he is entrusted he betrays, whenever he speaks he tells a lie, whenever he makes a covenant he proves treacherous, and whenever he quarrels he behaves in a very imprudent, evil and insulting manner. [Saheeh al-Bukharee] My point is, yes its fine when we are joking as long as with good intention and honesty while at the same time it is prohibited to lie even in jest. A true Muslim should try his or her best to be truthful in every words and actions at the same time, try not to offend anyone. Even when we think we are joking, there are Muslims out there who take it literally as we are a truthful people (A true practicing Muslims). That is why,Prophet Muhammad s.a.w taught us He who truly believes in God and the last day should speak good or remain silent Prophet Muhammads saying as reported in Bukhari and Muslim. What I type and share above is a reminder on myself too, as a human who realize are not perfect, who try her best to be a good Muslim sister as long as she lives insyaaAllah (God Willing). May Allah show us to the path that gain his mercy...:)
Posted on: Thu, 21 Nov 2013 00:08:25 +0000