The Shallow Straits of the Mocking Mind

The words "Muslim" and "mocking" cannot even be thought of in proximity to each other. In other words, it is unthinkable for one to both be a Muslim and make fun of others. It is beyond belief for a Muslim to despise another person because of their physical, outward features that they had no say in or because of a defect in their body due to an illness or accident. Such a thing is unimaginable. A Muslim must not scorn others.

A question like “Do you want to be born?” is not directed at any of us. We are not presented with an optional list of physical features to choose from. We can't pick out our eye color, height, skin color, etc.

According to scientists, the genes we inherit from our parents and our mother’s nutrition during pregnancy are highly influential in shaping our bodies and the circumstances of our birth. Because of this genetic transmission, children resemble their parents. When we see a child and their mother or father side by side, we understand they are related. This is due to the similarity in their facial features. Genes inherited from parents also have an effect on a person's intelligence and abilities.

Man’s Creation Is Not in the Hands of Man

All this indicates that whatever features a person has when he was born, he has not earned it but only acquired it as ordained by Allah. In other words, the way we look in front of a mirror, our eye and hair color, our height, and even our skin color are not shaped by our efforts or preferences. Everything is by the grace of Allah. What we must do is to protect our body, which He gave life to as a blessing.

There are some of us born with bodily disabilities. This can be for various physical reasons or purely as a result of divine providence. Some of us will have more health problems than others and may carry hereditary diseases. Or, we could lose our wellness due to a sudden illness or accident. We might even be deprived of the use of our hands and feet.

We should be aware that if we find ourselves with no physical disability or serious illness, we have more blessings than most. However, even if we are in peak condition, someone we know is bound to suffer from a similar problem. So the situation we are describing is, more often than not, nearer than we think.

He Who Lives in a Glass House Should Not Throw Stones

For the time being, we may be in a better situation than most others we see in our day-to-day life or on various media platforms. But none of us know how the tables might turn in a month, a week, or even a day. With a sudden onset of pain, we could learn that we have an incurable disease. While walking absent-mindedly, an unexpected accident could turn our world upside down, leaving us crippled. It is only a matter of time before the blessing of health we boast about and which causes us to see ourselves as superior to others slips out of our hands.

Furthermore, within society, there are certain individuals who engage in the sordid behavior of mocking and belittling others based on their physical disabilities, height, or body shape. These people, looking at others’ physical disabilities, give them vile nicknames and call them out with vitriol. They hold disdain even in normal conversations with such people. It is only when the same affliction strikes closer to home that they realize what they have done.

There is perhaps no habit more deplorable than diminishing another person's worth or resorting to calling them derogatory nicknames due to characteristics they may have, such as cross-eyedness, hair loss, vitiligo, left-handedness, trembling limbs, lameness, difficulties in pronouncing certain letters, stuttering, burns on their skin, scars, or height.

Who among us would willingly desire to be overweight, cross-eyed, bald, or physically impaired? None of us wish these conditions upon ourselves or our loved ones. It is inconceivable to imagine a parent who would intentionally wish such circumstances upon their child. Therefore, why should we harbor any ill feelings towards individuals who find themselves in such predicaments?

When we do not know if we will reach tomorrow and when it is possible for one of our loved ones to encounter a similar situation at any moment, what is it we want from those people? Why do we humiliate them?

The words "Muslim" and "mocking" cannot even be thought of in proximity to each other. It is unthinkable for one to both be a Muslim and make fun of others.

It is imperative that we do not hold disdain for another individual based on their natural physical characteristics or due to physical defects they may have resulting from illnesses or accidents. Such a notion is beyond comprehension and should be firmly rejected.

A Muslim cannot scorn others. Such an attitude has dangerous implications such as being displeased with the way Allah has created the heavens and the Earth. It means rebelling against His creation by making fun of the state in which He created man. In such a situation, it is Allah's will that is scorned and slighted.

Not only do our actions carry a heavy responsibility in the sight of Allah, but it is impossible to measure the incurable wound such abhorrent behavior would open in the hearts of the people in front of us. Who would want such a dejecting situation for themselves or their children? If we ourselves do not wish for it, then why do we persist in demeaning these individuals and adding to the anguish they already endure due to their disadvantage?

The Warning in Ayahs and Hadiths

Those who belittle others must know that they are facing Allah's harsh warning. Allah Almighty 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 [i.e., mention] of disobedience after [one's] faith. And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers.” (Al-Hujurat, 11)

In addition, it should not be forgotten that being ridiculed was the primary oppression that all prophets were subjected to. Therefore, mocking is a characteristic of those who deny the messengers of Allah. This is not befitting for a Muslim. See what Allah says in this regard;

“And already were messengers ridiculed before you, but those who mocked them were enveloped by what they used to ridicule.” (Al-Anbiya, 41)

As the other prophets were mocked, The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and the Muslims around him were also ridiculed. The Holy Qur’an declares that it is hypocrites who engage in this disgraceful behavior. Therefore, insulting others is the habit of hypocrites as well as deniers.

“And when they meet those who believe, they say, "We believe"; but when they are alone with their evil ones, they say, "Indeed, we are with you; we were only mockers. (But) Allah mocks them and prolongs them in their transgression (while) they wander blindly.” (Al-Baqarah, 14-15)

Let us also remember that contempt was a characteristic of the pharaohs. (see Az-Zukhruf, 54)

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) states the following regarding those who make fun of the people in front of them and scorn and humiliate them.

“It is enough evil for a Muslim to hold his Muslim brother in contempt.” (Muslim) 

Anyone with a conscience who can understand these statements needs no further warning.  A person who ridicules others demonstrates arrogance and a condescending attitude, insulting people as a means to boast about themselves. Indeed, arrogance is a trait that will never gain Allah’s and His Messenger’s approval. May Allah protect us from descending to such appalling behavior and grant us the compassion to show support and solidarity for the disadvantaged people in our lives.

Ali Yurtgezen