Question
Is this Hadith authentic?
Laughter which enrages Allah is that of a man whilst speaking about (even) the Haqq and about batil doing so to evoke laughter. He will be cast into Jahannam to tumble [into its depths] for seventy years.
Answer
This is probably understood from the following Hadith recorded in Musnad Bazzar:
Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reported that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “A person may utter a word which displeases Allah which he does not see any harm in just to make people laugh. He will be cast into Jahannam [to tumble into its depths] for seventy [years].”
(Musnad Bazzar, Hadith: 8557)
Imams Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah (rahimahumallah) have recorded the following narration:
In Sunan Tirmidhi, the Hadith appears under the chapter “One Who Says Something to Make People Laugh”:
Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reported that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Indeed a man may utter a statement that he does not see any harm in, but for which he will fall seventy [years] in the Fire.
(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 2314, Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith: 3970)
Imam Tirmidhi (rahimahullah) has declared the Hadith sound (hasanun gharib).
Also see: Targhib, vol. 3 pg. 536-537
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar