The Sunday Mail
Umari Stambuli Holy Qur’aan Speaks
THE Almighty forbids us from mocking people as He declares in the Holy Qur’aan, “O you who believe, let not a group of people ridicule another group of people; perhaps they may be better than them …” (Chapter 49:11)
This prohibition refers to all sorts of mockery hence, it is impermissible for one to mock another: either for being poor, or for a sin that he has committed, or for any other reason. Thus it is not befitting for any true believer in The Almighty, to ridicule others – for who knows they may be better than them.
In general, no one should dare to ridicule another person even if that person was shabby, handicapped or inarticulate, for that person may be more sincere or may have a purer heart than the one who is not shabby or handicapped or inarticulate. In this case, ridiculing such a person would be despising someone whom The Almighty has honoured.
There were several occasions of reported mockery among and between community members during the lifetime of Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him), whereby someone mocked another or even despised him.
Some examples were: when members of the Banu Tameem delegation came into Makkah and saw some of the poor companions of the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) they were mocking them because of their shabby clothes; when another companion of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) was being called the “Son of the Pharaoh of this nation” because of some previous wrong doing; when one companion ridiculed another because of his mother’s condition and so forth.
In each of these cases, the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) explained to the one who mocked or ridiculed that “we are all of the same human kind and we are all descendants of the same ‘father’ and ‘mother’ – Adam and Eve”.
He further highlighted that no one knows the internal condition and spiritual sate of the next person and that is what is acknowledged by The Almighty. Outward looks and appearances can be very deceiving and one must never belittle the next person.
Sarcasm and scorn (derision) are forms of mockery.
An example is when one derides another for being poor, handicapped or for committing a sin, by using sarcastic speech or using words that portray contempt. Moreover, calling people by offensive nicknames is another example of mockery.
We must remember that calling people by offensive nicknames means calling them by names or attributes that they hate. The Almighty commands us saying, “…And do not call out to each other with (offensive/derogatory) nicknames!” (Chapter 49:11)
While they fall into the same category of wrong-doing, there are some fine differences between the two. The first is that ridiculing can be done by deeds or words, whereas mocking is done only by deeds. So the scorner is the person who harms people by his tongue, using bad words and so forth. While the mocker is the one who winks with his eyes, points to others with his eyes, his head and his eyebrows.
The second difference is that ridiculing is usually preceded by an act that causes its doer to be the object of ridicule, while mocking is not preceded by such an act. Mocking is usually done by words that are uttered with a bad intention. It occurs when the person seems to be serious while he conceals his mockery and jest.
Allah Almighty declares in His Divine revelation, the Holy Qur’aan, that He will call out to those who mocked others, on the Day of Judgement, “But you took them in mockery to the point that they made you forget My remembrance, and you used to laugh at them. So today I have rewarded them with (an honourable status of) being declared the successful ones, because of their patience and forbearance.” (Chapter 23:110)
The Almighty also declares that on the Day of Judgement, He will announce, “Indeed, those who committed crimes (were wrongful in their behaviour) used to laugh at those who believed. And whenever they passed by them they would taunt them … So today those who had believed will laugh at the wrong doers (due to the final outcome of their misdeeds and their condition).” (Chapter 83:29–34)
Only those whose souls are impure because of arrogance and pride ridicule others.
They endeavour to hurt others because of the feeling of superiority that runs in their diseased veins. Satan ridiculed Adam (PBUH) and said, “I am better than him” and so he (Satan) became the loser.
Had he thought carefully of the characteristics of Adam (PBUH) he would have realised that Adam (peace be upon him) was indeed superior to him. Mockery is indeed a severe disease that should be avoided, especially at times of conflict and disputes.
It is one of the characteristics that lead to the disunity of the society. In fact, it is a blatant violation of the Commands of The Almighty, and it keeps one away from earning Divine blessings.
For further information on Islam or a free copy of the Holy Qur’aan, please contact:
Majlisul Ulama Zimbabwe, Council of Islamic Scholars
Publications Department
PO Box W93, Waterfalls, Harare
Tel: 04-614078/614004, Fax: 04-614003
e-mail: [email protected].
