Hadith #9755

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

دَعِ المُزاحَ فَإنَّهُ لِقاحُ الضَّغينَةِ۔

This can be translated as,

Abandon [excessive] joking for indeed it is the conception of rancour.

In this Hadith, there are two important words that require our attention. The first word is (al-muzah) "المُزاح", which means joking or jesting. It refers to engaging in light-hearted banter or playful remarks. The second word is (adh-dhaghinah) "الضَّغينَةِ", which can be translated as rancour, animosity, or ill-feeling. It signifies the development of negative emotions towards others.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:11),

O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one's] faith. And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers.

This verse highlights the importance of refraining from ridicule, insults, and offensive nicknames. It teaches us to be mindful of our words and to avoid engaging in any form of speech that may hurt or demean others. Excessive joking can sometimes lead to mockery or belittlement, which can sow the seeds of rancour and ill-feeling in the hearts of others.

Furthermore, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us in Surah Al-Isra (17:53) that,

And tell My servants to say that which is best. Indeed, Satan induces [dissension] among them. Indeed Satan is ever, to mankind, a clear enemy.

This verse emphasizes the importance of speaking with kindness and choosing our words wisely. It warns us against falling into the trap of Satan, who seeks to create division and discord among people.

When we engage in excessive joking or jesting, we may unintentionally hurt the feelings of others or create an atmosphere of tension and animosity. Our words have the power to shape relationships and impact the emotional well-being of those around us. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to abandon excessive joking because it can lead to the conception of rancour, which can poison relationships and breed negativity.

Let us reflect on the consequences of our words and actions. By abandoning excessive joking and being mindful of our speech, we can foster an environment of love, respect, and harmony. We should strive to follow the example of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), who was known for his wisdom and knowledge. His teachings remind us to use our words to uplift others, to spread kindness, and to build strong and meaningful connections within the Muslim community.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us to speak with wisdom and compassion, and may He grant us the ability to abandon excessive joking and cultivate an atmosphere of love and unity among Muslims.