Nafsiya Reflections: Can't Take a Joke!

Today in most cases it seems we are living in one society. As if someone is intentionally trying to unite our morals, our direction, our compass; to move together in the same direction towards the same mundane goals. Strive for the same achievements. Worldly goals. Meaningless achievements, to Allah (swt).

We have discussed time and time again, nothing is wrong with gaining worldly gain, if and only if, we are striving for the pleasure of Allah (swt) in all we do. But, if one looks from the lens of social media today, it seems we see the same filters, the same photos, the same dress code, the same poses, the same “celebrations”, as if we are turning into one international society. However, this is far from the truth. We as Muslims are still commenting on pictures or videos we see as “haram” or unfitting for us as believers in Allah (swt). We still share and post posts that reflect our core beliefs as Muslims.

What do we do when we see such conflicting thoughts? Right, because behind each post is a mind, intellect. This person believes what they post. An example away from social media is we may meet or know someone who loves their Deen, loves Islam, Allah (swt) and our beloved Muhammad (saw), but is still carrying obvious “western” or “international” ideas. Such conflicting thoughts. This is what we are facing today. Allah (swt) can never be ripped out from our hearts, Alhamdulilah, no matter what. We may have very conflicting attitudes. As an example, we see in society today an individual who loves Islam, Allah (swt) and Muhammad (saw), may not lie, they could tell someone it is haram to lie, yet jokes around all day or may lie to their child. Inner conflict!

In almost any concept we see today, especially on social media, we see a western fingerprint. Feminists, women’s rights, are obvious ones, the hijab, working or non-working mothers, obedient wives (it does seem like we are the target, doesn’t it?) or the definition of masculinity, the beard, and so on. One such concept are jokes or pranks. A universal concept, even back in the day. Today it is even celebrated, such as “April fools”, a whole month worth of jokes and laughter, it seems. But is it that innocent?

Today, you open your phone and there they are. A Muslim man holding a black bag, throwing it and running. Or the hot water prank, where people actually boiled water and poured it on each other’s heads. It was for the sake of laughs! It is obviously extreme, of course to the ones who fell into that trap, apparently it wasn’t. Yes, it could look funny for some. But have you seen that western fingerprint yet?

There is such a thing as a joke in Islam. The Prophet Muhammad (saw) would joke but only when speaking the truth. To bring joy into the hearts of the Companions (ra). He also taught us that there are limits in the way we joke or laugh with others.

« وَيْلٌ لِلَّذِي يُحَدِّثُ, فَيَكْذِبُ ; لِيَضْحَكَ بِهِ اَلْقَوْمُ, وَيْلٌ لَهُ, ثُمَّ وَيْلٌ لَهُ »

“Woe to him who lies in his talk to make the people laugh, Woe to him! Woe to him!” He (saw), repeated woe to him three times! Al-Qurtubi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: The meaning (of the word wayl) is humiliation, punishment and doom. Or when he saw said,

«" وَمَا أَرَدْتِ أَنْ تُعْطِيهِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَتْ أُعْطِيهِ تَمْرًا ‏.‏ فَقَالَ لَهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ أَمَا إِنَّكِ لَوْ لَمْ تُعْطِيهِ شَيْئًا كُتِبَتْ عَلَيْكِ كِذْبَةٌ »

My mother called me one day when the Messenger of Allah (saw) was sitting in our house. She said: Come here and I shall give you something. The Messenger of Allah (saw) asked her: What did you intend to give him? She replied: I intended to give him some dates. The Messenger of Allah (saw) said: If you were not to give him anything, a lie would be recorded against you.

We don’t realize that when we lie to our children or siblings today, we are conditioning them to do the same, with us and others. We are teaching them such values. If we are going to be pulled by insignificant things like lying to our children to get them to sleep, or to simply get them to be quiet, or by watching, encouraging or creating such content on social media we are losing both in the Dunya and akhirah. We are cutting off the trust between our children, siblings, acquaintances and ourselves in the Dunya, and are being recorded as liars by Allah (swt). For what? To get a few laughs!

As Muslims we have the highest of values and manners. We are strong, confident, unshakable, persistent. We are an example for humanity. Allah (swt) chose us amongst the billions of other people on this earth, HE (swt) chose us to carry His (swt) Deen, He sees something in us. And the Prophet (saw), entrusted us with his message. The question is are we going to carry it?

May we take that step so that Allah (swt) may help us to be exactly the way HE (swt) wants us to be.

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