Does Laughing at a Meme with a Supposed Picture of Prophet ’Isa (Peace Be upon Him) Constitute Disbelief and Mockery?
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
I came across a meme (created by a Christian). They have created a sketch of Prophet Isa (peace be upon him). So the meme was “how I feel after responding politely to someone who insults me or talks badly to me,” and they had that picture of Prophet Isa (peace be upon him).
It meant they felt like Jesus (peace be upon him) in Christianity and were taught not to speak negatively. This meme made me laugh. Does this imply that I made fun of this religion? Does it mean kufr?
We know Christianity was a real religion. Can we say that it is a true religion? Although we are aware that Islam is the religion of Muslims. Can we say that Christianity is a true religion?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
I pray you are in good faith and health.
You did not mock the religion of Christianity; neither was it an act of disbelief. However, if you show a gesture of laughing, it can be seen as a sign of disrespect.
Insulting Other Religions May Lead to Other People Insulting Islam
Allah says in the Quran, “(O believers!) Do not insult what they invoke besides Allah or they will insult Allah spitefully out of ignorance.” [Quran, 6:108]
Qatada (Allah be pleased with him) said the Muslims used to revile the idols of the disbelievers, so the disbelievers would revile Allah Most High, wrongfully and without knowledge. So Allah revealed the above verse quoted.
Christianity
Those Jews, Christians, and Sabians who followed their religion in their pure forms before the advent of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) is the true religion. They went through a change and were tampered upon. They are now commanded to follow the final message and guidance of Islam, which is for all of humanity until the last day. See the links below for further details.
Related:
Confused about Christianity
Does the Quran Affirm the Validity of Practicing Judaism and Christianity?
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I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel is a traditionally-trained scholar who has studied in the UK, India, Pakistan, Syria, Jordan, and Turkey. He started his early education in the UK. He went on to complete the hifz of the Quran in India, then enrolled in an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied the secular and ‘Aalimiyya sciences. He then traveled to Karachi, Pakistan. He has been an Imam in Rep of Ireland for several years. He has taught hifz of the Quran, Tajwid, Fiqh, and many other Islamic sciences to children and adults onsite and online extensively in the UK and Ireland. He taught at a local Islamic seminary for 12 years in the UK, where he was a librarian and a teacher of Islamic sciences. He currently resides in the UK with his wife. His interest is a love of books and gardening.
