On that day, there were no sessions for the birds, they were free to take a break. So, after carrying out their obligations, they sat together to have a small talk with each other, to unwind, for several days they had attended the session. One bird inquired another, "Is it haraam to enjoy a good joke, and laugh?" The other replied, "Well, it is human nature, to enjoy a good joke, and laugh. Islam does not prohibit this; it does not expect us to be strict and serious all the time. It allows laughter and humour. On many occasions, it has been reported that our Beloved (ﷺ), laughed so much, that his molars became visible, as in the following narration from Ummul Mu'minin, Aisha, radhiyallahu 'anha,قَدِمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مِنْ غَزْوَةِ تَبُوكَ أَوْ خَيْبَرَ وَفِي سَهْوَتِهَا سِتْرٌ فَهَبَّتْ رِيحٌ فَكَشَفَتْ نَاحِيَةَ السِّتْرِ عَنْ بَنَاتٍ لِعَائِشَةَ لُعَبٍ فَقَالَ " مَا هَذَا يَا عَائِشَةُ " . قَالَتْ بَنَاتِي . وَرَأَى بَيْنَهُنَّ فَرَسًا لَهُ جَنَاحَانِ مِنْ رِقَاعٍ فَقَالَ " مَا هَذَا الَّذِي أَرَى وَسْطَهُنَّ " . قَالَتْ فَرَسٌ . قَالَ " وَمَا هَذَا الَّذِي عَلَيْهِ " . قَالَتْ جَنَاحَانِ . قَالَ " فَرَسٌ لَهُ جَنَاحَانِ " . قَالَتْ أَمَا سَمِعْتَ أَنَّ لِسُلَيْمَانَ خَيْلاً لَهَا أَجْنِحَةٌ قَالَتْ فَضَحِكَ حَتَّى رَأَيْتُ نَوَاجِذَهُ'When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) arrived after the expedition to Tabuk or Khaybar (the narrator is doubtful), the draught raised an end of a curtain which was hung in front of her store-room, revealing some dolls which belonged to her.He (ﷺ) asked, 'What is this?' She replied, 'My dolls.' Among them, he (ﷺ) saw a horse with wings made of rags, and asked, 'What is this I see among them?' She replied, 'A horse.' He (ﷺ) asked, 'What is this that it has on it?' She replied, 'Two wings.' He asked, 'A horse with two wings?' She replied, 'Have you not heard that Solomon had horses with wings?' She said, thereupon the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) laughed so heartily that I could see his molar teeth.' [Sunan Abi Dawud; Sahih by Al-Albani]Another recalled, "However, there are limits. Our Beloved (ﷺ) has forbidden us from joking too much because it deadens the heart. Abu Hurayra, radhiyallahu 'anhu, reported that the Prophet (ﷺ), said,لاَ تُكْثِرُوا الضَّحِكَ، فَإِنَّ كَثْرَةَ الضَّحِكِ تُمِيتُ الْقَلْبَ"Do not laugh a lot. Much laughter kills the heart." [Al-Adab Al-Mufrad; Sahih by Al-Albani]Thus, moderation is required, even in humour. It is also vital to understand that, there is a time for laughter and humour, and a time for seriousness and sobriety. The reason for this prohibition is that, excessive laughter makes people take life less seriously, and they begin to see humour in everything. It also makes them so accustomed to humour that they are unable to sit through any serious speech. Such people find lectures boring and do not attend anything beneficial, simply because they do not find it funny. This is what is meant by excessive laughter killing the heart."Another emphasized, "Consequently, the current norm of watching too many comedies and sitcoms, is completely unacceptable. It is difficult to find a person who is accustomed to laughing all day, who still takes Islam seriously. Muslims should realise that, life is serious, and that there are some things they cannot joke about; there is a time for laughter and a time for seriousness."Other joined, "It should also be noted that, jokes that mock or degrade any demographic group or individual, are completely prohibited, as are fabricated stories that make people laugh, unless the audience knows that they are fictions. Of course, the best jokes are the ones based on true, daily-life anecdotes. There is no harm in narrating such incidents to others to share a laugh."Another suggested, "The worst type of joke, is one about Allah, Subhanahu wa Ta'ala, and His messenger (ﷺ), or anything related to Islam. Such jokes, take a person out of the fold of Islam and are regarded as kufr."Other pointed out, "Certain practices that are rife among some Muslims—such as mocking the hijab, the beard or polygamy, among other things—amount to an extremely unacceptable sin and are considered equal to kufr. It is a sign of hypocrisy; a person claims verbally to be a Muslim, but inwardly hates Islam or certain aspects of it.""And how about music?" another query. The other gave his view, "This particular issue, deserves a lengthy explanation since it has become a topic that is often debated in the Muslim community today. It is important, however, to take an unbiased look at the various views on this issue and accept that there is a difference of opinion regarding the prohibition of musical instruments.The safest opinion is to follow the majority of scholars and abstain from music which involves stringed and wind instruments. At the same time, one should remember, that there is a difference of opinion on this issue, so, it would not be fair to label those who sincerely believe in the permissibility of musical instruments, as deviant or as disbelievers. Remember, they are our Muslim brothers and sisters as well. Right?"Another mentioned, "Imam Shawkaani also states, '... so that it becomes clear that this is not an issue where one can claim that the followers of a certain opinion, are misguided. Rather, how can those who claim that, there is no difference of opinion, regarding the issue of music, be guided to the path of justice?!'Allah knows best which opinion is correct."Others ask a slightly different question, "What does concerto mean?" Another responded, "Concerto, plural concerti or concertos, since about 1750, a musical composition for instruments in which a solo instrument is set off against an orchestral ensemble. The soloist and ensemble are related to each other by alternation, competition, and combination."Another went on, " Where does the word concerto come from?" Another claimed, "The Italian word concerto, meaning accord or gathering, derives from the Latin verb concertare, which indicates a competition or battle."Another wanted to know, "What is the difference between Sonata and concerto?" Another informed, "Concerto is a musical composition in three sections, while sonata is a musical composition for one or more solo instruments. Moreover, a concerto has three movements, whereas a sonata usually has more than three movements."Another asked further, "What was the first concerto?" Another echoed, "The earliest known solo concertos are nos. 6 and 12 of Giuseppe Torelli Op. 6 of 1698."Other prolonged, "Who plays for a concerto?" Another solved, "In today's musical lingo, though, a concerto is a piece of music in which one player—the “soloist”—sits or stands at the front of the stage, playing the melody, while the rest of the orchestra, accompanies her. The concerto soloist, is the hero or heroine, the lead of the play, the prima donna."
The other, realized, asking, "Why did you ask such questions?" The first to ask, recalled, "Remember when your excellency, Parrot, invited all the high-ranking official birds of Kampong Bayan to his court?" Others brought to mind, "Yea... Yea... although Your-excellency kept up his dignity, would sometimes, relax into familiar converse with his humble collegues."The first to ask, narrated, "And, on that time, he chose to have a concerto, performed by his most favoured birds. When several of them had strained their throats for his amusement, he put him in such high glee and good humour that he must needs attempt a song himself; and he began his, more politely, far from falsetto or head voice, at which his auditors clapt their wings in applause.When the noise had ceased, the first official bird, extolled, "It's really very true!" The second, flattering, "We salute and pay my respects!" The third one, "That's what a leader is!" The fourth, not much to say, "We are fully in support!" The fifth , commented, "We really appreciate it, that's what cooperating with each other is for!" The sixth, "Your majesty must have studied with scholars at top universities!"The last one, a sycophant-bird, well known as a profound flatterer, and a mimicking satirist, came forward, and bluntly said, “Honestly, we have heard worse singers than your excellency!" At this, the Parrot looked grave, and all the feathered company, turned up their eyes with astonishment.'But, yes,' continued he, the artful flatterer, 'We have enjoyed, the Nightingale!' This premeditated subtile speech of sycophancy, highly delighted the deceived Parrot, and abashed the dull assembly, by his art. The highest degree of flattery, consists in a certain artful way of conveying praise, in an indirect manner. "
'However!' The first to ask, asserted, 'I didn't find it as concerto!' In harmony, others expressed, "So, what then?" In a flat voice, the first to ask, shaking his head, noticed, "It wasn't a concerto, but Chaplin!"Those who heard, some chuckled, some laughed, some fell under the table. The fowls accrosed the table, reprimanded, "Hey, do not over excessive!"And Allah knows best.
Citations & References:
- Abu Muawiyah Ismail Kamdar, Having Fun with the Halal Way, Entertainment in Islam, IIPH
- James Northcote, RA, One Hundred Fables, Originals and Selected, J. Johnson
