Humour in Islam refers to the act of doing things that are considered humorous under the guidelines set by the Quran and the Islamic prophet Muhammad.[1]
Laughter, fun, and joking are permissible in Islam provided guidelines from the Quran and hadith are followed. For humour to be in accordance with Islam, the joke should not be blasphemous and should be within the limits adab (manners).
1) Muhammad used to smile, rather than laugh. His wife Aisha said:
2) Muhammad's smile and his companions' laughing sessions.Jabir ibn Samurah narrated:
3) Aisha also narrated:
4) Muhammad encouraged to be jestful with your family.Ibn Mas'ud said that Muhammad said:
5) Abu Dharr al-Ghifari narrated that Muhammad said:
6) Muhammad discouraged laughing at inappropriate times.Al-Aswad ibn Yazid narrated:
7) Muhammad encouraged jokes about the truth.Abu Hurairah said:
8) Muhammad discouraged lying to make people laugh.
9) Muhammad discouraged frightening anyone as a joke.
10) Muhammad discouraged joking or laughing excessively.[2]
Muhammad said:Muhammad discouraged backbiting and inappropriate language:
Muhammad is reported by Tirmidhi to have said: "Why are there no old women in heaven? Because they become young girls when they get there."[3]
Other instances include a man who came up to Muhammad to ask him to give him a beast to ride. Muhammad jokingly told him, "I will give you the offspring of a she-camel to ride." He said, "O Messenger of Allah, what will I do with the offspring of a she-camel?" Muhammad said: "Are riding-camels born except from she-camels?" (Reported by Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Abu Dawud and al-Tirmidhi, as Sahih).[4]
The Muhammad's companions would limit jokes, joke at appropriate times, and be cautious of joking.
Umar ibn al-Khattab narrated that:
Sa`d ibn Abi Waqqas said:
Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz said:In al-Adab al-Mufrad, Bukhari reports from Bakr ibn 'Abdillah who said: "The Companions of the Prophet used to throw melon-rinds at one another, but when the matter was serious, they were the only true men."
Al Jihaz wrote a 'Treatise on seriousness and playfulness.' Ibn Qutaybah said that early Muslims did not dislike joking.
Since 9/11, there has been an increase in the number of Muslim comedians and humour festivals. Prominent Muslim comedians include Nabil Abdulrashid, Azhar Usman, Ahmed Ahmed, and Dean Obeidallah. Azhar Usman said the media misrepresent humour in Islam. "The fact is that within Muslim culture there is a strong tradition of storytelling, joking and laughing. The relationship between Islam and comedy goes to the roots of the religion." American comedian Mohammed Amer said that it is Muslims who have done a "terrible job" of communicating with the outside world.
In 2017, in response to the "Real Housewives of ISIS", a parody of "Real Housewives" broadcast by BBC2 show Revolting, provoked widespread outrage and hilarity on Facebook.[8]
Shia cleric Ruhollah Khomeini considered joking to be haram in Islam. In one of his sermons, he stated:
Allah did not create man so that he could have fun. The aim of creation was for mankind to be put to the test through hardship and prayer. An Islamic regime must be serious in every field. There are no jokes in Islam. There is no humour in Islam. There is no fun in Islam. There can be no fun and joy in whatever is serious. Islam does not allow swimming in the sea and is opposed to radio and television serials. Islam, however, allows marksmanship, horseback riding and competition...[9] [10]