Frightening a Muslim for Fun

Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Laylaa said: “The companions of the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) told us that they were traveling with the Messenger of Allah. A man among them fell asleep and some of them went and took his arrows. When the man woke up, he got alarmed (because his arrows were missing) and the people laughed. The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “What are you laughing at?” They said, “Nothing, except that we took the arrows and he got alarmed.” The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “It is not permissible for a Muslim to frighten another Muslim.” [Abu Dawud]

How many times do we play such practical ‘jokes’ on people? What do Muslims do, particularly on 1st April, but the very things forbidden by the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam); lying to and frightening people in the name of having fun. How far we are from having the characteristics pleasing to Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) and His Messenger!