What is permissible jesting that does not contradict Islamic law, and what are its regulations?
Lying is entirely forbidden by the consensus of Muslims. Humor, on the other hand, takes several forms:
First: Humor that contains no lies is permissible, as long as it is not excessive or distracts from the remembrance of Allah.
Second: Lying humor is forbidden, and its perpetrator is disobedient [to Allah].
Third: Humor that involves narrating stories whose veracity is not certain is permissible, as long as their falsity is not known and they are not forbidden.
Fourth: Fictional anecdotes are permissible if they serve a benefit or a lesson, and are not attributed to a specific person.
Fifth: Humorous sarcastic speech with a tone of voice that conveys the opposite of the apparent meaning: This form is ambiguous, but the closer opinion is that it is permissible if the listener understands the true meaning.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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