Friday Guidelines - Jumma Blog -

Jameel Aahmed 

1. Never joke about 
Allah,His Ayaat, His Rasool, the Sunnah, or any aspect of Islaam. This is Kufr al-Akbar, and the joker becomes a kaafir in doing so.

Allah, 'Azza wa Jall, Says in Surah at-Tawbah:

"If you ask them (about this), they declare: 'We were only talking idly and joking.' Say: 'Was it Allah, and His Ayaat, and His Messenger that you were mocking? Make no excuse; you disbelieved after you had believed."

2. Do not lie when joking just to make others laugh.

Rasoolullah said:

"Woe to the one who tells lies to make people laugh, woe to him." (Abu Dawood)

3. Do not belittle others nor insult them.

Allah, 'Azza wa Jall, Says in Surah al-Hujuraat:

"O you who believe! Let not a group scoff at another group, it may be that the latter are better than the former. Nor defame one another, nor insult one another by nicknames. How bad is it to insult one's brother after having Faith."

4. Do not be excessive.

Some people joke so much that it becomes a habit for them. Joking is only a rest from striving and seriousness, it is relaxation for the soul. Excessive in joking only hardens the heart.

5. Acknowledge people's status.

Do not mock parents, elders, or others who are older and deserving of respect. Only joke with those you know will accept it and within boundaries.

Rasoolullah said:

"Do not laugh too much, for laughing too much deadens the heart." (Saheeh al-Jaami')

'Umar ibn 'Abd ul-'Azeez said:

"Fear joking, for it undermines chivalry and manliness."

Umar ibn al-Khattaab said:

"Whoever laughs too much or jokes too much loses respect, and whoever persists in doing something will be known for it."

6. It should not involve backbiting.

Rasoolullah said:

"(Backbiting is) your mentioning about your brother something that he dislikes." (Saheeh Muslim) . The matter being true or false is irrelevant, it is still backbiting.

7. Choose appropriate times for joking.

There are times, such as a Jenaazah for example, where there should be no useless talk, especially joking. It is a time for seriousness and contemplation.

Joking in the correct manner is a Sunnah. However, it must be within its boundaries.

Bilaal ibn Sa'ad said:

"I saw them (the Sahaabah) jokingly pretending to fight over some goods, and lauging with one another, but when night came they were like monks."

Bakr bin 'Abdullah said:

"The Sahaabah of Rasoolullah used to throw melons at one another (in jest). In times of real trials, they were (serious) men.
"

pl do comment, i will be happy to receive one from you! Jazakkallah!
Also Read Ten Tips on How To Be A Successful Husband.