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Fatwa CenterLaughing at unusual or surprising matters although decreed by Allaah
Question
As-salaamu 3laikum, I would like to know if it is allowed to laugh/make jokes about everyday things that Allah decrees to happen to us. For example, if there is an extremely strong wind and someone laughs about the fact that every time he tried to walk in one direction, the wind turned him around and he had to go in the other direction, then later he told people about that and they laughed. Or people laughing at strange things that young children say or do while they are still learning. Or people laughing about a pregnant woman feeling nauseous when she smells what used to be her favourite food before. In these cases, the people are not denying the wisdom behind these things happening or the fact that Allah decreed them to happen to us, but sometimes the result is unusual or surprising or amusing and so the people laugh about it together. I would like to know if that is allowed or not. Jazaakum Allahu khair
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.
Laughter in the situations you mentioned does not consist in mocking or ridiculing religion or the actions of Allaah. The object of laughter here are the words or actions of some people. If one could not help laughing at the words or actions of others (i.e. it was genuinely beyond one's control), he bears no sin for that as long as it does not imply mocking them or looking down on them.
It was reported on the authority of Muhammad ibn Sa‘d from his father 
that "Once ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab 
asked permission to see the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, while there were some Qurayshi women in his presence asking him many questions and raising their voices. When ‘Umar was given permission to enter, the women hurried to veil themselves from him. ‘Umar came in while the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was laughing. ‘Umar said, 'May Allaah keep you laughing always, O Messenger of Allaah! My father and mother be sacrified for you! (What made you laugh?)' The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, replied, 'I am astonished at these (women) who were in my presence; as soon as they heard your voice, they hastened to veil themselves." [Al-Bukhari]
It is better, though, to try not to laugh at people for fear that it might sadden a fellow Muslim or cause him to think that he is being ridiculed.
Allaah Knows best.
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