The Shaykh—may Allah have mercy on him—said:

Sixth: Whoever mocks anything that belongs to the Messenger’s religion, peace and blessings be upon him, or belittles Allah’s reward or His punishment, has committed unbelief. The proof is the Almighty’s statement: “Say, ‘Was it Allah, His verses, and His Messenger that you were mocking? Do not make excuses; you have lapsed into disbelief after having believed.’” (al-Tawbah 9:65).

Mockery (istihzaʾ) means derision (1). Ridicule and scorn clearly betray contempt and hatred. Whatever is held in high esteem is praised, honored, exalted, and lauded, whereas mockery is reserved for what the scoffer regards as lowly. Thus the enemies of the messengers used to laugh at Allah’s prophets and at the believers: “Indeed, those who committed crimes used to laugh at those who believed” (al-Mutaffifin 83:29). The Almighty also says: “Messengers before you were likewise mocked” (al-Anʿam 6:10).

Today the same scene is being replayed: the tongues of hypocrites, in newspapers and on the airwaves, drip with both open and subtle ridicule of Allah’s religion—“and you will surely recognize them by the tone of their speech” (Muhammad 47:30). Such behavior is a branch of hypocrisy.

You may encounter a person who outwardly appears Muslim—he prays, fasts, gives charity, and performs the pilgrimage—yet in certain situations you find him ridiculing the prayer and those who pray, saying, “What kind of prayer is this? The one who is praying looks as though he is just playing!” The very word “playing” should never cross the lips of anyone who truly believes in Allah and His Messenger.