How to Joke
Like the Prophet ﷺ
The following is an excerpt from Tarāshe by Muftī Taqī ʿUthmānī,
illustrating the balanced approach to humor in Islam.
Humor is a beautiful and necessary part of the human experience, a divine gift that lightens hearts and strengthens the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood. In Islām, even humor has a noble purpose and a beautiful etiquette, exemplified perfectly by the best of creation, the Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ Despite the immense weight of his mission and the gravity of his responsibilities, his blessed character was never devoid of a gentle and joyful disposition. He taught us that one could be cheerful and light hearted without ever compromising truth, dignity, or respect. His humor was a reflection of his mercy, serving to comfort, teach, and bring happiness to those around him.
A famous and heartwarming anecdote from the sunnah illustrates the nature of his humor. An elderly woman once came to the Prophet ﷺ and requested that he pray to Allāh for her to be admitted into Paradise. With a gentle smile, the Prophet ﷺ replied, “O mother of so-and-so, no old woman will enter Paradise.” Hearing this, the woman became distraught and began to weep, thinking she was doomed. Seeing her distress, the Prophet ﷺ lovingly clarified his statement, explaining that her sorrow was misplaced. He told her that she would indeed enter Paradise, but not as an old woman. He explained that Allāh would resurrect the women of Paradise in a state of youthful perfection, reciting the verse from the Qurʾān: “Indeed, We have produced them a [new] production, and made them virgins, loving, and of equal age” (Sūrah al Wāqiʿah, 56:35-37). His playful words, rooted in truth, turned her tears of sadness into tears of joy.
Practical Applications:
Embrace Truthfulness in Humor: The foundational rule of Prophetic humor is that it must be entirely free of falsehood. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Woe to the one who speaks and lies to make people laugh; woe to him, woe to him.” True wit comes from cleverness and keen observation, not from fabricating stories or exaggerating reality.
Uplift, Never Belittle: Humor should never be at the expense of another person’s dignity. Joking about someone’s appearance, lineage, weaknesses, or misfortunes is strictly against the teachings of Islām. The Prophet’s ﷺ humor was always kind and inclusive, intended to build people up, not tear them down.
Practice Wisdom and Awareness: A key component of Prophetic character is ḥikmah (wisdom), which extends to knowing the appropriate time, place, and audience for a joke. Be sensitive to the context of the situation and the feelings of those around you. What is funny to one person may be hurtful to another.
Joke with a Good Intention: Use humor as a tool to achieve a good outcome. The Prophet ﷺ employed it to ease tension, bring joy to a companion’s heart, or impart a gentle lesson. When the intention is pure—to foster love, relieve stress, or teach a subtle truth—humor becomes an act of virtue.
Islamic Conclusion:
To joke like the Prophet ﷺ is to embody a humor that is pure, truthful, and full of mercy. It is a humor that brightens a room without casting a shadow on anyone’s heart, reflecting the beautiful and balanced character that Allāh perfected in His final Messenger.
May Allāh grant us the wisdom to emulate the beautiful character of His beloved Prophet ﷺ in all aspects of our lives and to use our words to bring joy and comfort to others. Āmīn.
