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Is one who laughs at another person for their baldness, in a mocking way, sinful? And will the one who laughs be afflicted with something similar to what they mocked? What is the difference between one who laughs and one who gloats? And does the same ruling apply to one who laughs at a video clip, not out of mockery?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

Mocking a Muslim is forbidden by Islamic law, and it is not permissible to listen to it or laugh at it, because it is an affirmation and approval of it, and it may be schadenfreude. However, if laughter overcomes a person involuntarily, he is not held accountable. Laughter in such a case is neither desirable nor permissible unless it is involuntary. As for intentional laughter, it involves schadenfreude towards a Muslim and breaking his heart. The punishment for one who gloats may also afflict the one who laughs if his laughter is forbidden. Punishment does not necessarily befall everyone who commits a sin, as it may be averted due to the presence of impediments such as sincere repentance, expiating good deeds, trials, intercession, and Allah's mercy.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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