Page 26 - The Evil Called Mockery

24 THE EVIL CALLED MOCKERY

defects of another as often as possible. Even if there is no obvious
defect, she will try to make others believe that any characteristic at
all is a type of blemish. Her own envy may drive her to any kind of
slander or mockery.
In the Qur'an Allah defines making others feel uncomfortable
and harassing them as low morality. In another verse, Allah tells us
how ugly it is to set people against each other and pry into their se-
cret aspects:
O you who believe! Avoid most suspicion, for some suspi-
cion is a crime. Do not spy and do not backbite each other.
Would any of you like to eat his dead brother's flesh? No,
you would hate it. Fear [and respect] Allah, for He is Ever-
Returning, Most Merciful. (Surat al-Hujurat, 12)
In another verse, Allah draws attention to mockery via insult-
ing words or looks:
Woe to every fault-finding backbiter. (Surat al-Humaza, 1)
Clearly, people have to refrain from such behavior. People will
definitely receive a return for their mockery whether it be in looks or
mimicry or words. In this verse, Allah warns people who do not live
by the Qur'an's morality and who never think about the Day of
Judgment.
Mockery is a moral defect characterized by people in societies
that are far from religion. Among the believers, such behavior is not
permitted, for they know that Allah bestows all human characteris-
tics (e.g., beauty, intelligence, wealth, and talent) as He wills. They
take great pleasure in other people's good characteristics. Since they
conform not to their own selfish desires but to Allah's will, they do
not feel pride, envy, and other negative emotions that people who
live in societies far removed from religion harbor inside themselves.