Muslim parents feel a deep responsibility to teach their children about Islam in a way that is both proper and respectful. In their effort to instill faith and discipline, they may unintentionally present the religion as overly rigid or strict. However, discussing Islam with one’s children does not always have to be a solemn affair. The life of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, was filled with moments of lighthearted humor. He understood that a good sense of humor can be a meaningful tool for bonding, educating, and bringing joy to those around him. While laughter plays an important role in strengthening relationships, parents must also guide their children in understanding what makes a joke appropriate according to Islamic teachings.
The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, was known for his kindness and cheerful disposition, but his humor was always rooted in truth and never caused harm. Parents should teach their children that jokes based on truth and sincerity are acceptable and can uplift those around them. However, jokes that involve lying, even in jest, are discouraged. Islam places great value on honesty, and children should understand that humor is never a justification for falsehood. Funny stories also follow these same principles. If a story is known to be true, there is no harm in sharing it. If it is known to be false, children should understand that spreading untrue stories is not permissible. When a story's authenticity is unknown, it may be shared, provided the storyteller clarifies its uncertainty. These are simple guidelines that children can grasp and follow with gentle and consistent parental guidance.
Sometimes, joking may be inappropriate; parents can also teach this to their children using the Sunnah as an example. Learning the boundaries of humor can help prevent children from developing harmful habits, leading to excessive mockery or bullying. The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
“I guarantee a palace on the outskirts of Paradise for one who refrains from arguing even if he is in the right, and a house in the middle of Paradise for one who refrains from lying even when he is joking, and a house in the highest part of Paradise for one who makes his attitude good.” (Abu Dawud, 4800)
Regarding the permissibility of joking, Imam An-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) explained:
“The scholars said: The joking that is not allowed is when one goes to extremes in joking and persists in that, for it provokes laughter, leads to hardheartedness, and distracts people from remembering Allah, may He be Exalted, and from focusing on their religious duties. In many cases, it also leads to causing offence and the development of grudges, and it undermines dignity and respect. As for joking, that is free of such elements, that is what is permissible, and that is what the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) used to do. He (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) only used to do that on rare occasions, when it served a purpose, or to comfort the one addressed and put him at ease. There is nothing wrong with that at all; rather it is Sunnah and is encouraged, if it is of this type." (Al-Adhkar, p. 377)
Abu Huraira reported: It was said, “O Messenger of Allah, do you joke with us?” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, replied, “Verily, I do not say anything but the truth.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhī 1990)
Here are three examples of how the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, used permissible humor with his companions:
1. A baby camel to ride
Anas ibn Malik said, "A man came to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, to ask him for a mount. He said, 'I will give you a she-camel's foal to ride.' He exclaimed, 'Messenger of Allah, what can I do with a she-camel's foal?' The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'Are camels born from anything other than she-camels?'" (Al-Adab al-Mufrad)
When the companion requested an animal to ride, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, jokingly offered him a baby camel. Technically, all camels are the babies of she-camels, which made this clever joke both humorous and truthful.
2. Old ladies do not go to Heaven
An elderly woman came to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and said, “O Messenger of Allah! Ask Allah to let me enter Paradise!” He replied (in jest), “O Umm Fulan! Old women will not enter Paradise!” She turned away crying, and then he said, “Tell her that she will not enter it as an old woman, for Allah says:
‘Indeed, We have perfectly created their mates. We made them into virgins, devoted and equal in age.’”
(Qur’an, 56:35–37; Mukhtaṣar al-Shama’il al-Muhammadiyyah, no. 205)
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, lovingly joked with the elderly woman by saying that old ladies do not enter Paradise, not to hurt her feelings, but to lift her spirits. He meant that she would be made young again in Paradise, as a reward from Allah, and he said it in a way that brought joy.
3. Who will buy this slave?
Anas ibn Malik narrated a story about one beloved companion, Zahir, with whom the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, joked. Anas said, “The Prophet came to him one day while he was selling his wares and embraced him from behind so that he could not see who it was. Zahir said, ‘Who is this? Let go of me!’ Then he turned around and recognized the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. Once he recognized him, he kept his back pressed to the Prophet's chest. The Prophet then said: ‘Who will buy this slave?’ Zahir replied, ‘O Messenger of Allah, by Allah, you will find me an unsellable commodity!’ The Prophet said, ‘But you are not an unsaleable commodity in the sight of Allah,’ or he said, ‘You are precious to Allah.’”
(Ash-Shama'il Al-Muhammadiyah, 238)
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, embraced Zahir from behind as a gesture of affection. He then playfully pretended to sell him off, calling him a slave, but not as a lie, because every believer is a slave to Allah. Upon hearing Zahir’s self-deprecating response, the Prophet took the opportunity to remind him of his true worth in the sight of Allah. This moment highlights how the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, used humor to strengthen bonds and uplift hearts.
The companions of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, also enjoyed moments of fun and humor amongst themselves. Children may be surprised to learn that some even had food fights. One companion, Bakr ibn Abdullah, reported:
“The companions of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, would throw melons at each other for fun, but when it came to the truth, they would be real men.” (Al-Adab al-Mufrad)
When the scholar Muhammad ibn Sirin, may Allah have mercy on him, was asked, “Did the companions have fun?” he responded, “They were not but people. Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, would have fun and compose songs of poetry.” (Ḥilyat al-Awliyā’ 2437)
Ibn Sirin meant that the companions were regular people who enjoyed a laugh every now and then. Sharing these stories from the life of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and his companions allows children to see the lighter, more personable side of the Seerah. By presenting their moments of humor and kindness, we help children develop a loving and relatable understanding of our religious figures.
All jokes aside, these examples demonstrate that Islam is not a religion devoid of joy or emotion. Instead, it is a faith that embraces balance, where reverence, compassion, and even laughter all have their place. Through such stories, children learn that living a life of faith means connecting our human experiences to our Divine purpose. Encouraging children to use humor with kindness, integrity, and consideration for others helps them develop good character rooted in the Prophetic model. They will then recognize laughter as a beautiful gift that becomes even more significant when guided by sincerity and compassion.
Bio: Wendy Díaz is a Puerto Rican Muslim writer, award-winning poet, translator, and mother of six (ages ranging from toddler to teen). She co-founded Hablamos Islam, a non-profit organization that produces educational resources about Islam in Spanish (hablamosislam.org). She has written, illustrated, and published over a dozen children’s books and lives with her family in Maryland. Follow Wendy Díaz on social media @authorwendydiaz and @hablamosislam.
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