Attending Comedy Shows

Q: Is it Islamically acceptable to organise or attend comedy shows?

A: From the hadith we learn that comedy acts are not permissible. In one hadith it is mentioned: “Wretched is that person who utters false jokes to make people laugh”. (Tirmizhi) Another hadith states: “A man will say things in front of a gathering for no reason but to make the audience laugh; for that he shall be thrown down a pit that is wider than the expanse of the heavens and earth.” (Bayhaqi) These ahaadith quite clearly refer to comedy acts and utterances. It is, therefore, not permissible to organise such shows, or to attend them.