Points to remember

• Is this time right time to joke?

• Is this an appropriate person to joke with?

• Is this an appropriate topic to joke about?

• Is this the right place?

Also remember these points while joking:

• Never criticize while joking.

• Do not impose jokes if they do not come naturally.

• Beware of excessive joking with certain individuals.

• Show respect to the person you are joking with, as the Prophet Muhammad did when he told a man he was joking with, “In the eyes of Allah you are great.”

• Monitor yourself when you are feeling humorous.

• Maintain good behaviour with people who make a mistake when joking with you. Do not answer harshly or stare back.

• It is better not to joke with someone when you meet for the first time.

We must be careful to maintain a Muslim code of behaviour and never harm another Muslim through humiliation or insensitivity. While joking we should implement all the above-mentioned points and maintain a good Muslim personality.