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It is disbelief to mock Islam, even in jest

Question

What is the ruling of a person who mocks Islam out of joking?

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

Mocking Islam or one of its rulings, whether it is done seriously or in jest, is an act of disbelief that renders the person who does this outside the fold of Islam. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And if you ask them, they will surely say, "We were only conversing and playing." Say, "Is it Allaah and His verses and His Messenger that you were mocking?" Make no excuse; you have disbelieved after your belief.} [Quran 9:65-66] Ibn Al-'Arabi, a Maaliki scholar may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him concluded from this verse that scholars have unanimously considered such mocking as an act of disbelief, regardless of whether the person was serious or joking.

Thus, if a person willingly and consciously mocks Allaah The Almighty, the Messenger  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) or Islam, he will be a disbeliever and would have committed apostasy. Therefore, he must sincerely repent to Allaah The Almighty, for if the person sincerely repents and returns to Allaah The Almighty, He will accept his repentance. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):

  • {Say, "O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allaah. Indeed, Allaah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful."} [Quran 39:53]
  • {And those who do not invoke with Allaah another deity or kill the soul which Allaah has forbidden [to be killed], except by right, and do not commit unlawful sexual intercourse. And whoever should do that will meet a penalty. Multiplied for him is the punishment on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein humiliated - Except for those who repent, believe and do righteous work. For them Allaah will replace their evil deeds with good. And ever is Allaah Forgiving and Merciful.} [Quran 25:68-70]

Allaah knows best.

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