The Laughter of Allaah is true, and we affirm what our Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) has said about it without Tahreef (distorting or misinterpreting its meaning), or Ta’teel (denying the Attribute), or Tashbeeh or Tamtheel (likening Him or His Attributes to His creation). Rather, we affirm the Attributes to Him, and negate deficiencies, defects, and any resemblance to the creation from Him. Whoever resembles Allaah with His creation has disbelieved, and whoever denies what Allaah has attributed His Noble Self with has disbelieved. There is no resemblance in what Allaah has attributed Himself with or in what the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) has attributed Him with, for the Mushabbih (one who resembles Allaah with His creation) worships an idol, and the Mu’attil (one who denies Allaah’s Attributes) worships nothing.
The monotheist worships one God Who is As-Samad [Perfect in His Attributes, the Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, (He neither eats nor drinks)].
لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْءٌ ۖ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ
“Nothing is like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearer, All-Seer.” [Surat ash-Shura (42:11)]
In this verse there is a great secret and a magnificent teaching from the Rabbil-‘Alameen (Lord of the Worlds). [Al-Kaafiyah Ash-Shaafiyah]
“Speech about the Attributes of Allaah is like the speech about the Essence (of Allaah). Just as we affirm that Allaah has an Essence which does not resemble other beings, we similarly say that His Attributes do not resemble other attributes. There is nothing like unto Him, either in His Essence or in His Attributes and Actions. We do not resemble the Attributes of Allaah with that of the creation. We do not remove any of His Attributes from Him because of what the liars call Him or because of what those who are enraged, outrage about Him.” [Al-Kaafiyah Ash-Shaafiyah]
It is known that the attributes of the creation befit them. The laughter that seizes people when they are amused or joyful is a guffaw, i.e. a loud burst of laughter. Contrary to that, the Lord laughs as He wills, in a way which befits His Majesty, with a description we do not know about. [Al-Irshad Sharh Lam’at Al-‘Itiqad]
“Allaah is Truth, and this entails perfection in His Essence, Attributes, and Names. His Actions occur in a perfect way. Whoever denies any of this has not attributed Allaah with being the Absolute Truth in all aspects and respects.” [Bad’ie Al-Fawaa’id by Ibn Al-Qayyim]
The following Ahadeeth affirm the Attribute of Laughter to Allaah:
1 – Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ’anhu) narrated that a man came to the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) sent a messenger to his wives (to bring something for that man to eat), but they said that they had nothing except water. Then Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Who will take this (person), or entertain him as a guest?” A man from the Ansaar said: “I.” So he took him to his wife and said to her: “Entertain the guest of Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) generously.” She said: “We have nothing except the meals of our children.” He said: “Prepare your meal, light your lamp, and let your children sleep if they ask for supper.” So she prepared her meal, lit her lamp, made her children sleep, and then stood up pretending to mend her lamp, but instead she turned it off. Then both of them (the husband and wife) pretended to be eating, but they really went to bed hungry. In the morning, the Ansaari went to Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) who said: “Tonight Allaah laughed, or wondered at your action.” Then Allaah revealed: “…And give them (emigrants) preference over themselves, even though they were in need of that. And whosoever is saved from his own covetousness, such are they who will be successful.“ [Surat al-Hashr (59:9)] [Al-Bukhaari, no. 3798]
2 – A man from the tribe of Ghifaar narrated that he heard the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) say: “Verily, Allaah originates the clouds, and He speaks in the most beautiful voice, and laughs in the most beautiful manner.” [Reported by Ahmad and authenticated by Al-Albaani in As-Saheeha, no. 1665]
3 – Abu Musa al-Ash’ari (Radia-Allaahu ’anhu) narrated that Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Allaah will gather all the nations on one land on the Day of Judgment…..then our Lord will come to us while we are on a high place and say: ‘Who are you?’ And we will say: ‘We are the Muslims.’ He will say: ‘What do you wait for?’ They will say: ‘We are waiting for our Lord.’ He will say: ‘Will you know Him if you see Him?’ They will reply: ‘Yes.’ He will say: ‘How will you know Him and (when) you have never seen Him?’ They will say: ‘Yes, indeed. There is nothing like unto Him.’ So, He will appear to us while laughing.” [Reported by Ahmad and authenticated by Al-Albaani in As-Saheeha, no. 755]
4 – Nu’aim ibn Hammaar (Radia-Allaahu ’anhu) narrated that a man asked the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam): “Who is the best among the martyrs?” The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Those who if they are put in the row of battle do not turn their faces until they are killed. Those will be proceeding to the high mansions in Paradise and their Lord will laugh at them. And if your Lord laughed at a slave in this world, there will be no account on him (on the Day of Resurrection).” [Reported by Ahmad and authenticated by Al-Albaani in Saheeh Al-Jamie’ no. 1107]
5 – Abu Ad-Dardaa’ (Radia-Allaahu ’anhu) narrated that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Allaah loves three persons; He laughs at them and they make Him happy. The first is one who fights by himself for the Sake of Allaah behind a group which was defeated; either he is killed or Allaah gives him victory and suffices him. Allaah will say: “Look at my slave, how he showed patience for My Sake!” The second is a person who has a beautiful wife and a soft comfortable bed. He gets up at night, leaving his desire; he remembers Me and calls Me secretly, and if he wished, he would sleep. The third is one who travels with a group of companions and stays till late night, then sleeps. He gets up before dawn (at Sahar time) establishing the night prayer, and this is his state in prosperity and adversity.” [Reported by Al-Baihaqi and authenticated by Al-Albaani in As-Saheeha, no. 3478]
6 – Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ’anhu) narrated that Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Allaah welcomes two men with a smile; one of whom kills the other, and both of them enter Paradise. One fights in Allaah’s Cause and gets killed. Later on, Allaah forgives the killer (who embraces Islam) and also gets martyred (in Allaah’s Cause).” [Al-Bukhaari, no. 2826]
7 – In a long narration, the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) mentioned the last person to enter Paradise, who says to Allaah: “O my Lord! Do not make me the most wretched amongst Your creatures.” So Allaah will laugh and allow him to enter Paradise and will ask him to request as much as he likes… [Al-Bukhaari, no. 806]
8 – It is reported on the authority of Abu Az-Zubair, that he heard from Jabir ibn ‘Abdullaah, who was asked about the arrival (of people on the Day of Resurrection). He said we would come on the Day of Resurrection from such-and-such- look – that is, above the people.[1] He (the narrator) said: “The nations will be called with their idols and what they used to worship, one after another. Then our Lord will come to us after that and will say: “Who are you waiting for?” They will say: “We are waiting for our Lord.” He will say: “I am your Lord.” They will say: “Not until we look upon you.” He will manifest Himself to them, laughing. Then He will set off with them, and they will follow Him, and each of them – hypocrite or believer – will be a given a light, then they will follow Him on a bridge over Hell….” [Muslim, no. 191a]
9 – Abu Razin (Radia-Allaahu ’anhu) narrated that Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Allaah laughs at the despair of His slaves, although He soon changes it.” I (Abu Razin) said: “O Messenger of Allaah, does the Lord laugh?” He (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Yes.” I said: “We shall never be deprived of good by a Lord Who laughs.” [Authenticated by Al-Albaani in Saheeh Ibn Maajah and graded Hasan]
The mindful bedouin, by his sound natural instinct (Fitrah), considered Allaah’s laugh as proof and evidence for His Benevolence and Beneficence. This indicates that this Attribute is connected with praiseworthy Ihsaan (Beneficence) and that it is one of the Perfect Attributes. If he did not understand this meaning as being from the laughter of Allaah, he would not have said what he said.
And if our human laughter entails something deficient in us, then know that Allaah is sanctified and free of that. His laughter befits His Majesty, which entails no deficiency.
This Hadeeth also indicates that the Companions knew and understood the meaning of the texts of Attributes (i.e. the Qur’an and the Sunnah), just as how Abu Razin (Radia-Allaahu ’anhu) understood and the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) approved of him.
The laughter of Al-Baari (i.e. Allaah) indicates His utmost generosity and the diversity of His kindness.
It is a must for the slave to be certain that whatever opposes this great Attribute and other noble Attributes is falsehood. Shaikh as-Sa’dee (Rahimahullaah) said in his interpretation of [3:60]: “One must have a solid conviction that anything that tries to oppose it is nothing but falsehood, and any objection that is raised regarding it is definitely wrong. This is whether or not one can explain the doubts cast on it. Not giving an appropriate explanation to an objection does not mean that the proven act or belief is wrong. Everything in opposition to the truth can only be falsehood. In Surat Yunus (10:32), Allaah (Ta’ala) says:
فَمَاذَا بَعْدَ الْحَقِّ إِلَّا الضَّلَالُ ۖ”
“Apart from truth, what else can there be except falsehood?”
With the help of this principle, numerous confusions that are raised by those who indulge in unnecessary debates or illogical discussions can be resolved. If someone can answer such objections, well and good; otherwise it is his duty to prove the truth with convincing and compelling arguments, and invite others to accept it.” [Tayseer Al-Kareem]
Bear in mind that the righteous predecessors, the best among the contemporary Scholars, the prominent Imaams, and the Scholars of the Ummah agreed in their statements, and their opinions conformed to (were consistent with) the belief in the Attribute of Laughter. They have affirmed it without subjecting it to any fashion (manner), or any limited intellectual description, any likening Him to His creation, or misinterpreting the meaning with figurative meanings which lead to Ta’teel. The Prophetic Sunnah is sufficient for them; they did not transgress to Bid’ah (innovation) which leads to destruction. Therefore, they attained a noble rank and high status.” [Al-Iqtisad fil I’tiqad]
Imaam Ibn Khuzaimah (Rahimahullaah) said in ‘Kitaab At-Tawheed’ in the chapter of Affirmation of Allaah’s Laughter: His Laughter does not resemble the laughter of the creatures, rather we believe that He laughs as the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) has informed; and we keep silent about the description of His Laughter. He (Ta’ala) has kept the knowledge about this Attribute and its description to Himself; He did not reveal it to us. We say that which the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, believe in that with our hearts, and keep silent as to what he did not show us of the knowledge Allaah has kept with His Noble Self.” [Kitaab At-Tawheed and Ithbaat Sifaat Ar-Rabb]
Imaam Al-Aajurri (Rahimahullaah) said in his “Book of Shar’iah” in the chapter of Belief that Allaah laughs): “You should know – may Allaah guide us all to the righteous statements and actions – that the people of truth attribute Allaah with what He has attributed His Noble Self with, and with what His Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) has attributed Him with, and with what the Companions have attributed Him with. This is the Madh-hab (methodology) of the Scholars who follow and do not innovate (in the Religion). And it is not allowed to ask, “How?”. Rather, one should submit, accept and believe that Allaah laughs, as it is quoted by the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and his Companions. No one denies this except one whose state is blameworthy with the people of truth.” [Ash-Shar’iah]
Then he (Al-Aajurri) mentioned the narrations that indicate the Attribute of Laughter, till he said: “We believe in all these Sunan and do not ask: ‘How?’. Those who transmitted these Sunan to us are the same ones who transmitted the Sunan that pertain to Tahaarah (purification), Salaat (prayer), Zakaat, Siyaam (fasting), Hajj, Jihaad, and the rest of the rulings of Halaal (lawful) and Haraam (unlawful); and the Scholars accepted all that from them with goodly acceptance. None reject these Sunan except one who has adopted the Madh-hab of the Mu’tazilah. Whoever opposes it, rejects it, or asks ‘how?’ is condemned.” [Ash-Shar’iah]
Whoever negates the Attribute of Laughter to Allaah has forged a lie against Allaah. Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat Ta-Ha [20:61]:
وَقَدْ خَابَ مَنِ افْتَرَىٰ
“And surely, he who invents a lie (against Allaah) will fail miserably.”
And Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat an-Nahl [16:116]:
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَفْتَرُونَ عَلَى اللَّهِ الْكَذِبَ لَا يُفْلِحُونَ
“Verily, those who invent lies against Allaah will never prosper.”
The Impact of Belief in Allaah’s Attribute of Laughter
1 – A believer accepts Allaah’s Attribute of Laughter, with pleasure and submission, so his heart is enlightened by it and his chest is broadened and filled with joy and love. He knows that this is a knowledge about His Lord which one knows through the tongue of His Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). He considers it a nourishment for his heart which his heart is in need of, and a healing which he is in dire need of. Therefore, he rejoices with it immensely and feels satisfaction with it; his knowledge is strengthened by it; his self feels at rest towards it and his heart becomes tranquil with it. [Al-Kaafiyah Ash-Shaafiyah]
2 – If one knows that Allaah laughs, then he hopes for every good from Him. Therefore, Abu Razin al-Uqaili (Radia-Allaahu ’anhu) said to the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam): “O Messenger of Allaah! Does our Lord laugh?” He (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Yes.” Then he said: “We will never be deprived of good from a Lord who laughs.”
When one knows that, the hope of every good is opened for him, he becomes greatly optimistic, and he receives the glad tidings of good.
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[1] They consider this sentence to be added by one of those transcribing the text, or one of the narrators. And that the meaning in place of such-and-such is a hill.
Source:
📚 Al-Asmaa’ al-Husna was-Sifaat Al-‘Ulaa by Shaikh ‘Abdul-Haadi ibn Hasan
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