“Narrated Mu’awiya ibn Jaydah al-Qushayri: The Apostle of Allah (Peace Be upon Him) said: Woe to him who tells things, speaking falsely, to make people laugh thereby. Woe to him! Woe to him!” (Sunan Abu Dawood)
On April 1st every year all across the world, especially the West, All Fools’ Day is celebrated. People adopt a variety of ways to make fun of their acquaintances and to laugh out loud on their innocence or stupidity when they take it real or too serious, and quite easily some people become a prey to planned practical jokes. On the fool’s errand practices, such as playing pranks, creating fabricated situations and letting the particular person believe in them, are adopted. Though all such hoaxes aim to fool around yet several times the end receiver has to pay a heavy price and the cheers burst into tears.
The most authentic of all stories being associated with the origin of this tradition traces back to the 16th century in France, when the Julian Calendar (with the new year beginning in April) was replaced with the Gregorian Calendar (where the new year was decided to begin in January). Since the majority of the people were unaware of this change or not ready to accept it, they became a prey to April 1st jokes. Besides, sometimes All Fools’ Day or April Fool is linked with Hilaria, the Roman festival and the Medieval Feast of Fools, celebrated with much zeal and excitement in various Spanish speaking countries. There is another tradition being circulated about its inception, the European invasion of Muslim Spain. However, facts and figures deny this story and prove that it is totally illogical; baseless and propagation of hatred between Muslims and Christians.
It is not on the dubious grounds of the above cited illogical story but on the perfect grounds of humanity that demands Muslims to stay far away from April foolery. Lie is, in fact, a lie, no matter how much you fancy it. This is the same when it comes to April Fool. This logic is applicable on this “April Fool” theme which has now taken the shape of an international event. According to the Islamic perspective, the kind of entertainment made at the expense of someone’s physical or emotional loss is not allowed at all. This clearly reflects that Islam is strictly against the idea of April fool. Also, the observance of this event by Muslims as a token of inspiration from non Muslims reflects that they are following them instead of the glorious teachings of the Holy Quran and Sunnah.
Let us see in the light of Islamic teachings why Muslims should not indulge in this activity. Allah Almighty says,
“O ye who believe! Let not some men among you laugh at others: It may be that the (latter) are better than the (former): Nor let some women laugh at others: It may be that the (latter are better than the (former): Nor defame nor be sarcastic to each other, nor call each other by (offensive) nicknames” ( Surat Al-Hujraat 49:11)
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: ‘It is not permissible for a Muslim to frighten another Muslim.’” (Sunan Abu Dawood).
Allah Almighty has invoked His curse on those who lie and there is not a tinge of lying allowed to us even in jokes. It doesn’t mean that Islam commands Muslims to be serious and stern all the time, it directs them to stay in limits while cracking jokes i.e., not a teasing or harming one. Our beloved Holy Prophet (PBUH) also advised us the same and His (PBUH)’s life history accounts various incidents where He (PBUH) used to bring smiles and cheers on the faces of companions.
A man came to the Prophet (SAW) and said: “Give me an animal to ride on” the Prophet (SAW) replied: “I will give you the son of a female camel”. The man said with astonishment: “What could I do with the son of a female camel?” (Thinking that he would be given a camel too small to ride). Thereupon, the Messenger of Allah (SAW) replied: “What do female camels deliver except camels?”. (Sunan Abu Dawood, Jamia Tirmidhi).
Too much of everything is bad, and it implies to laughing too.
‘Hazrat Umar ibn al-Khattaab (Radi Allahu Anho) said: “Whoever laughs too much or jokes too much loses respect.”
Let’s ponder and reflect how Islam draws a line between a joke and a tease. We should say no to April fool since it is the tradition of the ignorant and an imprudent way of behaving in the society. Let your friends know this message and “Don’t Fool on April Fool.”
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