COMEDY & CLOWNING
HAT DOES THE SHARIAH SAY ABOUT COMEDIES, STAND-UP COMEDY SHOWS, COMEDY BRAAIS/DINNERS & COMEDY NIGHTS?
IS IT PERMISSIBLE TO BE A CLOWN, COMEDIAN, BUFFOON, COMIC, JOKER, PRANKSTER, GAGMAN & THE LIKE?
Allah Ta’ala states: “And among people are those who purchase lahwal hadith in order to mislead (others) from the Path of Allah without any knowledge, and they take (and make) this (these events) a mockery (of the Deen). Indeed, for these people there will be a disgraceful punishment.” [Surah 31, Verse 6]
Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said: “Destruction upon the one who speaks and lies in order to make people laugh. Destruction upon him. Destruction upon him.” [Sunan Abu Dawood]
“Lahwal hadeeth” (futile stories/talks and the like) mentioned in the aforegoing Aayat, brings within its scope every kind of Shaytaani function which distracts from Allah’s Remembrance, from the Maqaasid of the Aakhirah, and embroils people in the perpetration of violations of the Shariah. The comedy shows of the devils qualify par excellence for coming within the purview of this Qur’aanic Aayat and within the scope of numerous other Aayaat and Ahaadith.
In the tafseer of this aayat it is explained that the term ‘lahwal hadeeth’ (futile talk) refers to anything which diverts a person from Allah Ta’ala and the goals of the Aakhirat. The following is mentioned in Roohul Ma’aani:
و { لَهْوَ الحديث } على ما روي عن الحسن كل ما شغلك عن عبادة الله تعالى وذكره من السمر والأضاحيك والخرافات والغناء ونحوها
Translation: “And ‘Lahwal Hadeeth’ according to what has been narrated from Hadhrat Hasan Rahmatullah Alayh is: Everything which distracts one from the Ibaadat of Allah and (makes one unmindful of) the remembrance of Allah such as futile talk at night, excessive or unnecessary laughter and joking, nonsensical activities, singing, etc.”
It brings within its scope play, sports, amusement, novels, merrymaking Jalsahs, and all types of gatherings, functions and activities which are inimical of ibaadat and the remembrance of Allah Ta’ala and the Aakhirat. And this Aayat clearly proves that all these comedy shows are Haraam!
Comedy has three vital ingredients:
- Lies and false stories.
- Jests and jokes to provoke laughter and entertainment.
- Ghaflat (Negligence of the Shariah and being unmindful of the Aakhirat) which is a consequence of such comedy programs.
LIES
Although the Aayat quoted from Surah Luqmaan is sufficient for people of intelligence to understand that comedy shows are Haraam, the Hadeeth quoted in the beginning also is applicable to all comedy shows without exception. Who does not know that it is Haraam to utter lies? But comedies comprise of the worst type of lies!
And regarding comedy-lies, Allamah Khaleel Ahmed Sahaaranpuri Rahimahullah states in Badhlul Majhood Fee Halli Sunan Abi Dawood:
وأما ليضحك الناس فلا ضرورة فيه للكذب، بل لا فائدة فيه، فهذا الكذب أشدّ حرمة في أنواعه، فاستحق الويل.
Translation: And lying to make people laugh, there is no need for lies in it (i.e. in order to make people laugh). But, in fact, there is no benefit in it. Therefore, this ‘lie’ is the most severe Haraam from amongst all the types of lying. Therefore, such people who speak such lies are deserving of ‘Wail’ (Jahannum / Destruction).
Now just ponder carefully: How can that program be permissible which contains fabricated stories, falsehood, untruths and lies in order just to make people laugh??? Hence, the curse of Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam on such liars. This is the reality of comedy! May Allah Ta’ala save us from destruction. Aameen
MAKING JOKES IN ISLAM – ARE THERE NO RULES?
Everyone knows that jokes are permissible in Islam. However, most people seem to be unaware of the fact that there are laws and restrictions in Islam pertaining to jokes. For example:
- There must be no lies involved. The Hadeeth is mentioned above. Comedy consists of much lies and fallacies. Tomfoolery and foolhardy are characteristics of a clown!
- It must be light-hearted. Once Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam observed the Sahaabah Radhiyallahu Anhum laughing loudly. Upon this, Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam informed the Sahaabah that if they remembered Maut, they would not be in such a state of loud laughter. Guffaw and boisterous laughter are not permissible in Islam. This shows that excessive jokes and excessive laughter is discouraged in the Shariah. How then can comedy ever be permissible???
- Rude jokes. It must not contain anything rude, shameless or promiscuous.
- One should not cause Takleef (inconvenience) to another. Hence, the Hadeeth states that one should not make a joke of his Muslim brother! So, what is comedy all about?
- Nothing of the Deen should be made a joke of! This is termed as Istikhfaaf. And in the Darul Ulooms they teach a book on Aqeedah (beliefs) in which it is mentioned that Istikhfaaf is Kufr! Treating any aspect of Deen lightly is Kufr. If you are not making Miswaak, rather make Taubah for not observing this Sunnah, but do not belittle and treat it lightly, otherwise that is Kufr! Belittling any aspect of Deen or any Sunnah is clear-cut Kufr which expels a person from the fold of Islam!
- It is Haraam to make a joke of Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam, the Ambiyaa Alayhimus Salaam, the Sahaabah Radhiyallahu Anhum, the Taabi’een, Tab-e Taabi’een, the Salafus Saaliheen (pious predecessors), the four Math-habs, the Mujtahideen, the Fuqaha, the Muhadditheen and the Ulama-e-Haq! In fact, this destroys one’s Imaan and most jokers or pranksters land up becoming Kaafirs/Murtads without even knowing! So beware!
BECOMING A COMEDIAN/CLOWN AS A PROFESSION
The occupation, profession or job of a clown, buffoon, comedian, joker, etc. is Haraam! Imaam Ghazaali has explicitly mentioned this. This is also mentioned in Fat-hul Baari of Allamah Ibn Hajar Asqalaani, Mirqaat of Mulla Ali Qaari and Allamah Teebi’s Sharah (commentary) on Mishkaat. This is mentioned in other Kitaabs too. One is not in need of brains to understand that it is Haraam to become a comedian or TV-actor or Movie-actor.
A GATHERING OF FUSSAAQ, FUJJAAR AND ZINDEEQS
There are even more reasons why these comedy shows are Haraam:
- The ‘muslim’ clowns/comedians are generally very evil. Their lifestyles, dressing, behaviour, etc. are generally just like the Kuffaar. They are from amongst the Fussaaq, Bid’atis and Zindeeqs. It is Haraam to show honour to such people.
- The comedy-clown gatherings generally entail photography, videoing, etc. Pictures, videos, etc. of animate objects are Haraam. There are no two opinions on this issue. Any other view on digital photos is the scrap view of Zindeeqs and Fussaaq!
- Intermingling of the sexes take place at these gatherings. Hijaab is violated. Then we want to cry of this problem and that problem, but we forget how we murder the Laws of Hijaab with all the Haraam weddings, parties, comedy shows, etc!
- Men can see women and women can see men. No wonder there is so much Zina in our Muslim communities! Zina of the eyes is the initial stepping-stone to immorality.
- One has to pay for such Haraam. This is what you call stupidity. Paying to go to Jahannam!!! This is called wasting money. Then, most of the times, even the food is Haraam at these Haraam shows! Thus, there is absolutely no room in Islam for these kuffaar-style Haraam braai or dinner parties and shaitaani fun and merrymaking functions where clowns, Fussaaq and Fujjaar perform for public entertainment. All participants are Fussaaq and Fujjaar.