Inappropriate and hurtful joking can lead to sin. If a joke causes discomfort to others, it should be avoided.
In the Holy Quran and Islamic teachings, joking and laughing are not trivial matters; however, they should come with specific conditions. For instance, in Surah Al-Mujadila, Allah says, 'O you who have believed, when you are told, 'Space yourselves,' in assemblies, then make space; Allah will make space for you' (58:11), which can refer to jokes that promote empathy and love among people. On the other hand, it has been emphasized that a person should avoid making statements that could hurt others. For example, in Surah Al-Hujurat, verse 12, it is stated, 'O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin.' This prohibits any kind of unkind judgments or hurtful comments. Therefore, if a joke causes discomfort, humiliation, or insult to others, it is not only wrong but can also lead to sin. In Islamic teachings, individuals are encouraged to behave with kindness and gentleness towards each other and avoiding any behavior that may upset others due to inappropriate jokes is an obligation. Based on these principles, inappropriate and hurtful joking can not only create conflicts among individuals but is also considered displeasing in the eyes of Allah.
O you who have believed, when you are told, 'Make space in assemblies,' then make space; Allah will make space for you.
O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin.
One day, a man was joking among his friends. He was so caught up in wanting to entertain others with his humor that he failed to realize his words might hurt some of them. One friend calmly said, 'Be careful with your jokes; not every joke is tolerable at all costs.' This was a big lesson for him, and he realized the importance of respecting others' feelings.