Marwiyyat al-Mizah wa al-Duaba an al-Nabi - صلى الله عليه وسلم - wa al-Sahaba
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- Editions
- Dar Balansiyyah
Marwiyyat al-Mizah wa al-Duaba an al-Nabi - صلى الله عليه وسلم - wa al-Sahaba (Narrations of Jesting and Humor from the Prophet ﷺ and the Companions) is a treatise by Abu Anas Fahd bin Muqad al-Utaybi on the Islamic legal and behavioral guidelines surrounding humor and jesting. The book compiles hadiths and historical reports (athar) illustrating how the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and early Muslim figures engaged in lighthearted interactions, while outlining the boundaries between permissible and impermissible humor.
Composition and Reception
The book was written by Abu Anas Fahd bin Mu'qad bin Hasin al-Nufay'i al-'Utaybi, who finished its compilation on 20 Ramadan 1417 AH (January 1997 CE) in the city of Afif. The author remarked that he composed the text while away from his homeland and his library.
Published by Dar Balansiyyah, the work features introductory commendations (taqdim) from two contemporary scholars: Dr. Basim Faysal al-Jawabirah, a professor in the Sunnah Department at the College of Usul al-Din in Riyadh (dated 4 Sha'ban 1420 AH / November 1999 CE), and Shaykh Abd al-Muhsin bin Nasir al-Ubaykan, both of whom praised its compilation of narrations and scholarly utility.
Purpose and Method
Al-'Utaybi composed the book to clarify prophetic practice regarding pleasantry and jesting (mizah and mubasatah), observing that people often oscillate between two extremes: some abandon humor entirely out of excessive severity, while others indulge excessively in unlawful speech, falsehood, or ridicule under the pretext of entertaining others. The author aimed to provide a balanced account by gathering narrations on the topic, prioritizing authentic reports as much as possible and assessing or clarifying the status of others.
Structure and Contents
The work is organized into an introduction, seven thematic chapters, and a conclusion:
- Chapter One: Explores the linguistic definitions and morphological derivations of mizah (jesting) and du'aba (humor), citing classic Arabic lexicographers such as Ibn Durayd and Ibn Manzur.
- Chapter Two: Reviews reports from the early generations (salaf) regarding the unconditional censure of joking.
- Chapter Three: Presents the arguments of those who held that jesting is entirely prohibited, followed by refutations of their positions.
- Chapter Four: Discusses the legal concession (rukhsah) permitting certain forms of jesting under specific conditions, citing scholars such as Ibn Hibban on distinguishing between praiseworthy and blameworthy humor.
- Chapter Five: Details the jesting of the Prophet ﷺ and his manners, divided into three subsections: his humor with his household, his humor with his companions, and his humor with children.
- Chapter Six: Gathers anecdotes and narrations concerning the humor and lightheartedness of the Companions and early scholars.
- Chapter Seven: Details the prohibited boundaries of jesting, emphasizing that humor must not touch upon religious doctrines or sacred rites, and citing fatwas from scholars such as Muhammad ibn Salih al-Uthaymin regarding the severity of mocking religion.
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