Is It Haram to Jokingly Accuse Someone of Fornication?
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
If I jokingly accuse someone of fornication is that haram and is it the same as seriously accusing someone of fornication?
Answer
I pray you are well. Thank you for your question.
Although, it is not seriously accusing someone of fornication, however, the action is deemed the most sinful, the above statement will be highly offensive, and one should repent, seek forgiveness and most importantly apologize to the person for joking in this way.
We find many sayings and examples of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) joking with others.
The Prophet’s (Allah bless him and give him peace) Joking with Children
Anas ibn Malik reported, The Messenger of Allah, (Allah bless him and give him peace) was the best of people in character. I had a brother who was called Abu ‘Umayr. When the Prophet would come and see him, he said, “What has the little sparrow (Nugayr) done?” And he would play with him. [Bukhari; Muslim]
The condition for permissible joking is that it does not contain a lie, nor entail frightening someone. It must also be free of offensive ridicule or mimicking of another; backbiting; slander; insult; and cursing. All of these are unlawful. [Nahlawi, al-Durar al-Mubaha]
Please check this answer:
Lying When Joking – SeekersGuidance
I pray this helps you with your question.
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel is a traditionally-trained scholar who has studied within UK, India, Pakistan, Syria, Jordan and Turkey.
He started his early education in UK. He went onto complete hifz of Qur’an in India, then enrolled into an Islamic seminary in UK where he studied the secular and Alimiyyah sciences. He then travelled to Karachi, Pakistan.
He has been an Imam in Rep of Ireland for a number of years. He has taught hifz of the Qur’an, Tajwid, Fiqh and many other Islamic sciences to both children and adults onsite and online extensively in UK and Ireland. He was teaching at a local Islamic seminary for 12 years in the UK where he was a librarian and a teacher of Islamic sciences.
He currently resides in UK with his wife. His personal interest is love of books and gardening.
