There’s nothing funny about bullying
How many of us have been bullied in the past under the guise of sharing an innocent laugh with friends? Most people don’t realise that there is a fine line between having a friendly laugh with someone and bullying them. While it’s perfectly fine to share a laugh with someone, it’s a completely different story when you begin to laugh at them. This is even more so relevant, when the person you are laughing at is a complete stranger, as you don’t know how they will interpret your innocent ‘jokes’. It’s an unfortunate reality that many of us have fallen into – whether we be the subject of the jokes – or we be the ones saying them to others. We need to be very careful that the innocent laughter we have with those around us, doesn’t lead to others develop feelings of sadness and embarrassment. Allah, the exalted, speaks of this topic explicitly in the Quran when He states: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. Quran 49:11It is also narrated on the authority of A’isha, may Allah be pleased with her that she said:
“I said to the Prophet ﷺ ‘It is enough for you that Safiyyah is such-and-such (meaning that she was short).’ The Prophet ﷺ replied:‘You have said a word that could pollute the water of the sea if it were mixed with it.’” She also said, “I once imitated a man before him and he (the Messenger) replied: I would never like to imitate anyone, even if I were to get such-and-such (a reward for it).’” Abu Dawud and Al-TirmidhiMay Allah protect us from all forms of bullying that not only harm our fellow brothers and sisters but also severely diminish our good deeds.