Author: Mohajer Azizi
Personable Muslim (9th part)
The place of humor in Islam and its consequences on the Muslim personality
Humor is institutionalized as an important phenomenon in human nature, and all healthy human beings, without exception, have a special inclination toward this phenomenon. Islam, because it is the religion of nature, pays much attention to the natural inclinations of human beings, and it is unimaginable to deprive humans of innate tendencies such as “laughing and expansion”; Rather, Islam welcomes everything that man needs and makes human life happy and pure, and always wants the character of a Muslim to be optimistic and cheerful. Islam hates a human being who has a closed and pessimistic personality, and always looks at human beings with a negative and pessimistic view.
Humor is a special feature of religious, righteous and virtuous people. When the morality of the Messenger of Allah is mentioned, they count openness, softness and good manners as his attributes. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to joke with his friends with the intention of making them happy, so that with joy and happiness; Reduce the fatigue and pressures of life for them.
Therefore, a healthy joke in which there is no ridicule, humiliation, defamation, absence, etc., and still do not become permanent and does not refrain from performing duties, dear Islam accepts it by observing the principles. If a joke causes humiliation and mockery, it is strictly forbidden; As Allah Almighty says: «یَاأَیُّهَا الَّذِینَ آمَنُوا لَا یَسْخَرْ قَوْمٌ مِنْ قَوْمٍ عَسَى أَنْ یَکُونُوا خَیْرًا مِنْهُمْ وَلَا نِسَاءٌ مِنْ نِسَاءٍ عَسَى أَنْ یَکُنَّ خَیْرًا مِنْهُنَّ» (O you who believe, do not make fun of one group of people, another group; perhaps the mocked group is better in the sight of Allah. And also, a group of women should not mock other women. [Because this issue is more prevalent among women] perhaps women who have been mocked should be better than them).
Abdullah bin Massoud had such a weak, thin and slender leg that the companions laughed at him. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH), asked: What are you laughing at? They replied: Due to the thinness and weakness of Abdullah’s feet. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Know that the foot of Abdullah bin Massoud is heavier than the mountain of Uhud in the sight of Allah.”
Therefore, the “Muslim with personality” pays attention to these things, and sometimes he jokes with his Muslim brothers in terms of its circumstances, and when he meets him, he is open-minded and cheerful; He always thinks that he will increase the happiness and joy of his Muslim friends and brothers and reduce the pressure of the times, their tiredness and sorrows, and he will never mock and ridicule them instead of being happy. A Muslim is personable, good-natured and tasteful, and does not take things too seriously; Because no one likes to be too serious or bored with people. All human beings enjoy connecting with people who make them laugh and be happy. So do not take things too seriously.
