WIT AND HUMOUR OF RASULULLAH (صلى الله عايه وسالم)

Abu Hurairah Radiallahu Anhu narrates that the Sahabah once said to Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم): ‘0 messenger of Allah, you joke with us too.’ Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) replied, ‘[Even in jest] I only utter that which is true.’ —Tirmizi, Vol. 2, Page 20

A Sahabi’s light-hearted moment with Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم)

Suhayb Radiallahu Anhu narrates that he came to Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) whilst dates and bread were placed before him. Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) offered him to partake. He began eating dates. Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) asked him: Are you eating dates when you are suffering from sore eyes?’ He replied: ‘I am chewing on the side of the eye which is not sore.’ Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم)smiled at this remark. —Ibn Majah, Page 246*

Lightheartedness with little children

Anas Radiallahu Anhu narrates: ‘Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) used to visit us occasionally. I had a younger brother whose agnomen was Abu Umayr. Abu Umayr had a parrot which he used to play with. Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) would say to him: ‘O Abu ‘Umayr, what has happened to Nughayr? — Sahih Bukhari, Vol 2, Page 90s

Note: The parrot died one day and Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) found the little boy grieving. Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) would say the above rhyming phrase whenever he met him thereafter. —Khasa’il, Page 177

Abdullah Ibn Busr Radiallahu Anhu narrates that his mother sent him with a bunch of grapes to Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) [Since he was a child], he ate the grapes on his way. When his mother enquired from (صلى الله عايه وسالم) if he had received the grapes he informed her that he had not received anything. Whenever Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) saw Abdullah after that he would playfully say: ‘Ghadar, Ghadar,’which means ‘cheat.’ —Majma, Vol. 4, Page 150

Anas Radiallahu Anhu narrates that Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) playfully addressed him thus: ‘O two-eared one.’ —Shamail, Page 15

Jesting with grown-ups

Anas Radiallahu Anhu narrates that a man once asked Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) for a conveyance. Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) said: ‘I will give you a camel’s baby.’ He said: ‘Of what use is a baby camel?’ Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) replied: ‘Every camel is the baby of its mother [no matter how old it currently is].’—Shamail, Page 16

Jesting with an old woman

Hasan Radiallahu Anhu narrates that an old woman came to Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) and said: ‘Pray to Allah to admit me into paradise.’ Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) said: ‘Old women will not enter paradise.’The woman turned around and began to cry. Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) sent someone to tell her that old woman will not enter paradise means that they will not enter paradise as old women. Instead, they will enter in the prime of youth. —Shamail, Page 16

Ummu Ayman Radiallahu Anha narrates that she came to Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) and told him that her husband was calling him. Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) asked ‘Who is calling? Is it the one who has some whiteness in his eye?’ She said:’0 messenger of Allah, by the oath of Allah he has no whiteness in his eyes’ Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) said:’No, he does have some whiteness in his eyes.’ She said: ‘No, by the oath of Allah.’ Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) then said: ‘Is there anyone who does not have whiteness in his eye?’ —Sirat, Vol 7

Forbidden jesting

Abdullah Ibn Saa’ib narrates that Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) said: ‘None of you should take the possessions of another in jest or in earnest.’ —Sunan Abu Dawud, Vol. 2, Page 335

Note: Amusing oneself at the cost of another or mocking at others is wrong.

Source: The Sublime Conduct of Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم)