Prayer Times"Prank" refers to joking with the intention of deceiving someone or putting them in an awkward or inappropriate situation. The person who organizes or carries out such jokes is called a "pranker" (joker).
Most pranks involve scaring or surprising others. Such actions can harm a person's health, as well as family, friendship, and kinship relationships. Therefore, in Islam, it is not permitted to frighten another person.
One hadith describes the following incident: While the companions were traveling with the Prophet (ﷺ), one of them fell asleep. Another companion, wanting to joke, hid his arrow. When the sleeping companion woke up and couldn't find his arrow, he became very frightened. The others around him laughed. When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) heard about this, he said: "A Muslim should not frighten another Muslim," (Abu Dawood).
Imam Zarkashi (may Allah have mercy on him) explained this issue: "Taking someone else's property as a joke is haram. Even if you intend to return it, it is forbidden to take it as a joke without the owner's permission. This act is considered real, because your Muslim brother may think he has lost his property, which frightens him," (Tuhfat al-Muhtaj, 10/287).
Moreover, a lie remains a lie, even if it is told as a joke. One should not lie, even in jest.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Woe to the one who lies to make people laugh! Woe to him! Woe to him!" (Abu Dawood).
In another hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: "Indeed, the gates of Paradise will be opened to those who mock others, and it will be said to one of them: 'Come here.' When he approaches the gate in hope, it will be closed. Then another gate will be opened and he will be called: 'Come quickly here.' When he approaches, it will be closed again. This will continue until he stops responding to the call to the open gate," (Ibn Abu Dunya).
Excessive laughter and inappropriate joking also distract from the remembrance of Allah and religious concerns, harden the heart, lead to harm and enmity, and diminish a person's dignity.
Prepared by Hasan AMANKUL
"Munara" newspaper, No.4, 2022
This content was drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by an editor.