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View Full Version : Scare cam: Laughing at the expense of others



Khalid Saifullah
05-11-2016, 09:47 AM
Pranking others and having a good laugh is bad enough, but pranking others for the sake of the camera and then posting the video online so the entire world can laugh, is taking this depravity to the next level. I honestly do not know what to blame here: the misuse of the camera so that it can capture unnatural or unnerving moments, or mankind’s insensitive and brutal nature to laugh at the expense of others. Both are equally bad.

Scare cam videos can be very entertaining and can keep one engrossed for hours at a time. These can range from scaring anther using giant artificial spiders dropping from the ceiling, or ghosts suddenly appearing in the passageway due to some lighting effect. But it seems that this is just not enough not exploit the full use of the camera. And this is what the Jalals did. Taking advantage of the western media’s foolish fetish with Islamic terrorism, a series of videos appeared online wherein three Melbourne brothers, calling themselves “The Jalals”, dressed as Muslims, go about throwing a black backpack at people, and then running away in panic. The expression of horror and the mad dash of people, running for their dear lives from this fake bomb, is then captured on camera for the entire world to see! Within two days, there were over 3 million views worldwide. Although many people called the video insensitive, the Jalals have promised a second installment of the drama!

On a lighter note on this already light note, it’s better seeing fake bombs from fake terrorists than the sickening carnage of real bombs by the real western terrorists upon innocents in Palestine, Syria, Afghanistan, Yemen and Iraq. Maybe the Jalals should next fly a bomber and drop artificial chemical gasses upon the people of New York in order to capture their final moments of a fake death. I’m sure, within a few hours, we would have over 30 million views and that would certainly even the score!

Coming back to the topic, Islam is not against joking, entertainment and fun. But as in everything, there are limits. So this leads us to the next question: What are the conditions for joking to be permissible? Please take not of the following points:

1.It not should not involve any element of making fun of any belief or practice of Islam.

Muslims do not make fun of Allah, the Ka’bah or any of the Prophets or the Sahabah, of Masjids, of the Qur’an, of any sunnah practice, or any of the laws of Islam which many idiots nowadays see to be outdated, no matter how insignificant it is. Many comedians nowadays poke fun at Islamic practices in order to justify the price of the ticket of their audience. This is not fun, its blasphemy, and leads to kufr (disbelief) i.e it nullifies a person’s Islam. The proof of this is the following verse of the Qur’an:

Allah says “If you ask them (about this), they declare: ‘We were only talking idly and joking.’ Say: ‘Was it at Allaah, and His Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and His Messenger that you were mocking?’ Make no excuse; you disbelieved after you had believed” [al-Tawbah 9:65-66]

Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Uthaymeen said in al-Majmoo’ al-Thameen, 1/63:
“The matters of Divine Lordship, Prophethood, Revelation and religion are sacred matters which are to be venerated. It is not permissible for anyone to show disrespect towards them, whether by mocking them to make others laugh or to poke fun at them. If anyone does that, he is a disbeliever, because this is indicative of his disrespect towards Allah and His Messengers, Books and Laws. Whoever does that has to repent to Allah for what he has done, because that is a kind of hypocrisy. So he has to repent to Allah, seek His forgiveness, mend his ways and develop fear of Allah, veneration towards Him and love for Him in his heart. And Allah is the Source of strength.


2. The jokes should only be truthful.

Our most noble Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Woe to the one who tells lies to make people laugh, woe to him.” (Narrated by Abu Dawood).

Thus, our favourite pastime of making people laugh endlessly at a whole stream of jokes, instead of speaking about the greatness of Allah, and our Muslim comedians who have made it a profession to earn a living by making others laugh, should take heed of this hadith.

Every word is being recorded by angels, and one does not know which words will cause his destruction. “A man may say something to make his companions laugh, and he will fall into Hell as far as the Pleiades because of it,” narrated our most noble Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).


3. Not scaring people

Some people know that their friend may be scared of lizards or the dark, and they thus prey upon their weakness and prank them. This is done, expecting the victim to “be a sport and play along,” but in reality, it hurts his feelings and depresses him. The prankster needs to ask forgiveness from the victim.

It was narrated that Abu Layla said: “The companions of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said that they were travelling with the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and a man among them fell asleep. Some of them got a rope and tied him up, and he got scared. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘It is not permissible for a Muslim to frighten another Muslim.’” (Abu Dawood).


4. Mocking people by winking behind their backs or making snide remarks

Some mean people, those who like to make fun of others, wink or make snide remarks behind their backs, may find a person to be an object of fun for them and the butt of their jokes. They do this merely to impress others or to show off their popularity. For exactly such people, Allah has said:

“O you who believe! Let not a group scoff at another group, it may be that the latter are better than the former. Nor let (some) women scoff at other women, it may be that the latter are better than the former. Nor defame one another, nor insult one another by nicknames. How bad is it to insult one’s brother after having faith” [al-Hujuraat 49:11]

Some people make fun of a person’s appearance, manner of walking or talking, or even his dressing, home or vehicle. But there is the fear that Allah may requite the one who makes fun of others because of that. Look at these resounding words of our most noble Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “Do not express malicious joy towards your brother’s misfortune, for Allah may have mercy on him and you may be stricken by the thing you made fun of.” (al-Tirmidhi).
So remember the next time you make a funny face at someone, your face may just become permanently like that in the future !


5 .The jokes should not be excessive.

For some, joking has become a habit. This is the opposite of the serious nature which is the characteristic of the believers. Joking is a break, a rest from ongoing striving; it is a little relaxation for the soul. ‘Umar ibn ‘Abd al-‘Aziz said: “Fear joking, for it is folly and generates grudges.”

In this regard, the renowned Imaam al-Nawawi also said: “The kind of joking which is forbidden is that which is excessive and persistent, for it leads to much laughter and hardening of the heart. It distracts from remembrance of Allah, and it often leads to hurt feelings. It also generates hatred and causes people to lose respect and dignity.”


6. Acknowledging people’s status

Some people may joke with everyone indiscriminately, but scholars and the elderly have rights. Some people may be sensitive and some may even turn the tables and insult you badly in return! Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqaas said: “Set a limit to your jokes, for going to extremes makes you lose respect and incites the foolish against you.”

In addition, some people don’t choose an appropriate time to joke. This pastime is best done in a relaxed and calm atmosphere, maybe on a holiday, in order to generate friendship and instill happiness in the heart. Some people joke of death at a funeral or joke of parents in front of orphans! This is grossly insensitive. A man said to Sufyaan ibn ‘Uyaynah: “Joking is not right, it is to be denounced.” He replied, “Rather it is Sunnah, but only for those who know how to do it and do it at the appropriate time.”

Nowadays, although the ummah needs to increase the love between its individual members, it has gone overboard with regard to relaxation, laughter and jokes. This frivolous pastime now fills our gatherings and wastes our time. There is hardly a magazine or a newspaper without jokes and trivia. The Imam of Tauheed, our most noble Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “If you knew what I know, you would laugh little and weep much.”

Muslim men and women should choose righteous friends in their lives, who will help them to make good use of their time and strive for the sake of Allah with seriousness and steadfastness. Bilaal ibn Sa’d said: “I saw them [the Sahaabah] jokingly pretending to fight over some goods, and laughing with one another, but when night came they were like monks.”


May Allah Ta’la grant us all the ability of understanding the purpose of our life – Ameen.
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strivingobserver98
05-11-2016, 05:21 PM
:jz: for writing this.

format_quote Originally Posted by Khalid Saifullah
A man said to Sufyaan ibn ‘Uyaynah: “Joking is not right, it is to be denounced.” He replied, “Rather it is Sunnah, but only for those who know how to do it and do it at the appropriate time.”
Wow learnt something new! Didn't know it was Sunnah :O.
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BeTheChange
05-11-2016, 10:12 PM
Asalmaualykum,

How common is it for people to display these traits? & how 'abnormal' is it for one to 'stay quite unless one has good to say'?

Subhana Allah your absolutely right we have trivialised these traits and it is very commonplace.

It's been a long time since i read you're not allowed to scare people. Jazaka Allah for the excellent reminders.

I think social media and the rise of technology has instilled a need in people to 'entertain' people but at the expense of others.

Brother Khalid please post this article on facebook, twitter or any other social network. Am positive many will benefit insha Allah.
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