❀ Harmless Humor Based on Truth Is Permissible ❀
This fatwa is taken from the book “500 Questions and Answers for Women,” based on the rulings of the scholars of the Ḥaramayn and translated by Ḥāfiẓ ʿAbdullāh Salīm.
What is the ruling on humor? Does it fall under Lahw al-Ḥadīth (idle talk)? It should be clarified that our question pertains to humor that does not mock religion.
If the humor is based on truth, then there is no harm in it—especially if it is done in moderation. The Prophet ﷺ himself used to engage in pleasant humor, yet he never spoke anything contrary to reality.
As for humor that involves falsehood, it is not permissible. This is due to the saying of the Prophet ﷺ:
«ويل للذي يُحدِّث فيكذب ليُضحك به القوم، ويلٌ له ثم ويلٌ له»
[Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Sunan al-Tirmidhī, Sunan al-Nasāʾī]
"Woe to the one who tells lies to make people laugh. Woe to him! Then again, woe to him!"
(Shaykh Ibn Bāz رحمه الله)
This fatwa is taken from the book “500 Questions and Answers for Women,” based on the rulings of the scholars of the Ḥaramayn and translated by Ḥāfiẓ ʿAbdullāh Salīm.
❖ Question:
What is the ruling on humor? Does it fall under Lahw al-Ḥadīth (idle talk)? It should be clarified that our question pertains to humor that does not mock religion.
❖ Answer:
If the humor is based on truth, then there is no harm in it—especially if it is done in moderation. The Prophet ﷺ himself used to engage in pleasant humor, yet he never spoke anything contrary to reality.
As for humor that involves falsehood, it is not permissible. This is due to the saying of the Prophet ﷺ:
«ويل للذي يُحدِّث فيكذب ليُضحك به القوم، ويلٌ له ثم ويلٌ له»
[Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Sunan al-Tirmidhī, Sunan al-Nasāʾī]
"Woe to the one who tells lies to make people laugh. Woe to him! Then again, woe to him!"
(Shaykh Ibn Bāz رحمه الله)
