Is it Sinful to Laugh about Disbelief?
Shafi'i Fiqh
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
Is it kufr to laugh at a joke that is kufr? and Is it kufr for me to joke to my Christian friend like this when he eats and drinks in Ramadan “hey man, the sun isn’t down why are you eating.”
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to that which is pleasing to Him. Amin.
It is not necessarily disbelief, especially if done involuntarily. However, disbelief is a heinous crime, and to make light of it on purpose is sinful, with the risk of disbelief, and Allah knows best. [Ibn Hajar, al-Kaba’ir]
This is not disbelief and could potentially lead to a dawah opportunity if you explain what you meant thereby to your friend. Allah knows best.
I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar, Shaykh Taha Karaan.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.
