Humor In Islam

Generally speaking, Islam is taken to be a very humorless religion where it is strictly prohibited to laugh and enjoy the benefits of this mortal world. There is no scope of humor and witty writings. Now the Muslims are known in the West for suicide bombers who hate the joys of life. In their wisdom Islam is a religion, which promotes terrorism.

This concept is far from reality and due to the rude behavior of Mullahs (so called Islamic Scholars) who exert all their energies to frighten others from hell and damnation. I don’t want to say that they should not frighten people from hell and damnation but it is not enough to highlight the true image of Islam. Indeed Islam in itself is a complete code, which covers all spheres of life. Indeed Allah and Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) encourage the human beings to enjoy benefits and delights of this world which are bestowed to the human beings. There is no concept of monkery in Islam.

The humorous and witty literature is concerned, generally, it is presumed that there is no room for such literature and force is derived from the following Hadith (saying of Prophet Muhammad [Peace be upon Him]):-

The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The man who narrates something to make other laugh will be hurled to hell.”

However, such respected scholars of the religion forget this hadith which states:

“One who tells a lie to make others laugh will be hurled to hell.”

The combined reading of the above two ahadith (sayings of Prophet) makes it abundantly clear that though the humor is not prohibited in Islam, however, making false statement for the purpose of making others laugh is prohibited. While discussing the disposition of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), his companions (may Allah please with them) say that his light discussion used to adorn worried faces with pleasant smiles and His delightful discussion makes the atmosphere of the congregations pleasant and charming. There are many instances of his enchanting disposition, some of which are as under:

Hadith 1.

Once the blind attended the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and said” O! Prophet of Allah, may Allah forgive me on the day of judgment and allow me to enter the Paradise?” The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said, “No blind could enter the heaven.” The blind got worried. Then the Holy Prophet (SAW) gave a blossom smile and said, “O my brother! All blinds’ eyesight will be restored with the grace and God before their entry to Paradise, hence no blind will be entered in the state of a blindness in heaven”. This makes the blind jubilant and other companions as well, who were present at that occasion.

Hadith 2.

An elderly woman came to the Holy Prophet (SAW) and said, “May I be entitled for heaven? (in another narrative it is stated that the lady requested the Holy Prophet (SAW) for prayer of his absolution.) The Holy Prophet (SAW) replied, “No old folk could enter the heaven.” On hearing this the old lady misconceived that since she is also old, hence there would be no room for her in Paradise. The old lady started crying. The Holy Prophet (SAW) then explained, “Old woman will enter the heaven but after their youth is relapsed.” On this the old lady got delighted’.”

The above two examples show that humor can be created without telling a lie or making false statement. The life of Holy Prophet (PBUH) (which was one of the toughest lives a human has ever lived on earth) is full of such examples.