Boundaries in Joking

Narrated by Abu Hurairah: "O Messenger of Allah, you joke with us." The Messenger of Allah ﷺ replied: "(Yes), but I only speak the truth, even when joking."

Volume 3: Chapter 56: Number 1990

At-Tirmidzi. (2008). Sunan Al-Tirmithi. Translated by Haytham Kreidly.

Have you ever felt uncomfortable with someone's joke, but they said "Ah, it's just a joke"? Or perhaps you yourself have joked too far and offended someone? Joking is indeed fun and can strengthen relationships, but there are boundaries in making a joke.

Don't Lie Woe to the one who speaks and lies just to make people laugh. Woe to him, woe to him.

Don't Take Others' Belongings None of you should take his brother's belongings, whether jokingly or seriously.

Don't Scare Others It is not permissible for a Muslim to frighten another Muslim.

Don't Mock and Insult"O believers! Do not let some ˹men˺ ridicule others, they may be better than them, nor let ˹some˺ women ridicule other women, they may be better than them.Do not defame one another, nor call each other by offensive nicknames. How evil it is to act rebelliously after having faith! And whoever does not repent, it is they who are the ˹true˺ wrongdoers."