April Fool - A dishonest Tradition [As-Sunnah]

April Fool !!

A dishonest Tradition
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by Shawana A Aziz
As-Sunnah Islamic Newsletter

1st April - a day when people lie, play jokes and mock in the name of entertainment. This ugly practice of lying, which is considered to be merely a humor, is known to have caused great harm to many. Even trauma and deaths. Still this dishonest tradition is not only practiced among the common masses, but also newspapers and magazines parti te in it by publishing false news and untrue stories on the first day of April!

Much is said about the origin of this practice, however what concerns the most to the Muslims is that it is a tradition which directly contradicts the teachings and morals of Islam.

Lying is a characteristic of hypocrisy and Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) strictly forbade lying at all times. He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: Let he who truly believes in Allah and the Last Day speak good or be silent. [Saheeh al-Bukharee] Moreover, he (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) has specifically cursed the person who lies to make people laugh, he said: Woe be on one who speaks and lies in order to make people laugh, woe be on him. [Abu Dawood]

The above Ahaadeeth show the gravity of parti ting in the false tradition of April Fool, which the Western tradition appreciates and encourages claiming that it brings joy and amu t, whereas the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) forbade lying and deceiving even if the intention of the person is to amuse people.