Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta issued a statement clarifying the ruling on jokes involving hiding others’ possessions or playing pranks. The authority confirmed that joking is allowed if it brings joy without harming anyone, citing the Prophet ﷺ who joked with his family, companions, and children, as narrated by Anas ibn Malik: “O the one with the two ears”, reflecting the Prophet’s kind humor.
However, prohibited joking includes any act that frightens or harms others, such as taking or hiding possessions for amusement. Dar al-Ifta referenced the Prophet ﷺ in Musnad Ahmad: “It is not permissible for a Muslim to frighten another Muslim” and “None of you should take another’s belongings, whether joking or seriously”, emphasizing that taking others’ possessions even in jest is forbidden.
Scholars confirmed this ruling: Imam Ibn Hajar al-Haytami in Tuhfat al-Muhtaj stated that taking others’ belongings as a joke is forbidden as it causes fear. Imam Al-Shawkani in Nayl al-Awtar stressed that jokes frightening a Muslim are impermissible, even with good intentions. Imam Al-Manawi in Fayd al-Qadir added that causing fear or distress in a believer’s heart is prohibited, as a true Muslim ensures safety from his tongue and hand.
