CONDITION OF JOKES IN ISLAM Imam Al-Nawawi(may Allah have mercy on Him) said:"The kind of joking which is forbidden is that which is excessive and persistent for it leads to too much laughter and hardening of heart and it distracts from remembrance of Allah.But who ever is safe from such dangers then that which the messenger of Allah used to do is permissible for him". Sa'ad Ibn Abi waqqas said: " set a limit to your jokes,the amount of joking should be like the amount of salt in one's food." The prophet (s.A.w) said"Do not laugh too much for laughing too much deadens the heart".(saheeh al-jaani 7312). A man said to safyan ibn Uyaynah (may Allah be pleased with him)"Joking is not right,it is to be denounced." He replied (sufyan) "Rather it is sunnah".But only for those who know how to do it and do it at the appropriate time".