Author: Mohajer Azizi
Personable Muslim (10th part)
Humor of the Prophet of Islam (PBUH)
The Prophet, PBUH, was a good-natured, smiling person who used to joke with his friends and family to bring happiness. As the companions of the Prophet said, “The Messenger of Allah excelled in telling jokes and jesting.” In a famous narration by Umm Zara, found in Sahih Bukhari, the Prophet joked with his wives, listened to their arguments, and shared stories with them.
Similarly, the companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) engaged in light-hearted humor and shared polite jokes to honor the rights of the body and soul in accordance with nature and creation. Ali bin Abi Talib said, “Souls get tired just like the body, so seek moments of joy and wisdom.” He also added, “Rejoice your heart hour by hour; whenever the heart is sad, it becomes blind.” Here are some examples of the Prophet’s jokes:
1. The Prophet, peace be upon him, once joked with an old woman from the Ashja tribe, saying, “Old women should not enter Paradise.” Bilal, who was Abyssinian and dark-skinned, saw the old woman upset and informed the Prophet. The Prophet then said, “Black people do not go to heaven.” This made both Bilal and the old woman sad. Abbas, the Prophet’s uncle, intervened, and the Prophet stated, “An old man will not enter heaven either.” Seeing their sorrow, the Prophet comforted them all, saying, “Allah will raise old women, old men, and black people in the best way, entering them into heaven youthful and enlightened.”
2. According to a narration in Tirmidhi, Abu Hurairah said to the Prophet, “You are joking with us.” The Prophet replied, “If I joke with you, I speak nothing but the truth.”
One day, a man asked the Prophet for a donkey; the Prophet said, “I will give you a baby camel.” The man misunderstood and asked, “What will I do with a baby camel? How can I ride it?” The Prophet clarified, “Does a camel give birth to anything but a baby camel? Every camel is considered a baby of another, even if it appears big and strong.”
Anas bin Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, continued to narrate that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, maintained a warm and friendly relationship with the companions, including children like his younger brother. It was a testament to his beautiful character and gentle demeanor. The Prophet, PBUH, would even engage in light-hearted banter and playful interactions with the youngsters around him, showing his affection and kindness towards them.
In the case of the incident with Abu Umair and the baby sparrow, it further highlights the compassionate nature of the Prophet, PBUH. By addressing the boy as “Abu Umayr” and inquiring about the well-being of the little bird, the Prophet not only consoled the child but also demonstrated the importance of empathy and consideration towards all living beings, no matter how small. This gentle gesture of the Prophet towards Abu Umair teaches us the significance of showing care and concern even in seemingly trivial matters.
The narration sheds light not only on the Prophet’s sense of humor and playfulness but also on his ability to connect with people of all ages and backgrounds. It exemplifies his teachings of kindness, compassion, and love, which serve as guiding principles for all believers to follow in their interactions with others.
