signs, symptoms and cures of the spiritual diseases of the heart
Derision is ridiculing people, making jest at their expense. Moses (peace be upon him) told his people that God had commanded them to sacrifice a cow. They replied, "Are you mocking us?" Moses (peace be upon him) then told them, "I seek refuge in God from being ignorant" (QUR'AN, 2:67). Hence, mocking people is a form of ignorance, whether it is lampooning, caricaturing, or name-calling. Humor and levity are important in human life. But levity as a way of life harms the spiritual heart. Furthermore, laughter and amusement at the expense of the dignity of others is wholly inappropriate, although it is the staple of the comedians of our day.
Imam Mawlu̅d says that the cure for the psychology and practice of mockery is similar to that of arrogance, since a person who mocks another most likely sees himself as superior to his victim. 'Alı̅ ibn Abı̅ Ṭa̅lib said, "Do not belittle anyone, for he may be a saint of God." Even if one sees a man inebriated and bellicose, vomiting in the street, one should not ridicule him, for one does not know what his future holds. Imam al-Qurṭubı̅ said, "When he was bowing down to idols in Mecca, 'Umar ibn al-Khaṭṭa̅b was still beloved to God." Only God knows the seal of people and their destinies.
God also commanded, "Do not revile those who call upon others apart from God, for they may then revile God out of ignorance" (QUR'AN, 6:108). This Qur'anic ethic guards against inciting people to do things that are sacrilegious and harmful to their own souls, for if people start to curse God, the Exalted, they invite the worse kind of harm. Even in the context of triumph, being boastful and exulting is ignoble. The Prophet ﷺ was never boastful when victorious. He was completely magnanimous and grateful to God, the Exalted. When he entered Mecca, his beloved, city, during the final conquest, he entered it with his head bowed and granted clemency to its inhabitants event though they had tortured, mocked, and reviled him. He exemplified complete beauty in character rooted in compassion and mercy.
Supplicating God against one's enemies is not forbidden; in fact, it is recommended that people ask for victory when being attacked or occupied.
People can be transformed. The opponents of the Prophet ﷺ were particularly vicious against Muslims. Hind actually bit into the liver of the Prophet's uncle, Ḥamzah, when he was martyred at the Battle of Uḥud. However, she later became Muslim, and hence became a Companion of the Prophet ﷺ, a member of that special generation of humanity. Repentance is a recourse that the Lord of the Worlds has given humanity.
Reflecting on the ethic that the Qur'an communicates to us in the aforementioned passages reveals that there is strength in dealing nobly with people. It is simply a better way to live. The treatment for derision is to realize that the essence of mockery is to humiliate people. Those who mock people in this life shall be mocked in the Hereafter, for it is a divine law that God recompenses people with the like of what they have done.
"Never mock any creature of God, for it might be beloved to He who created it" (a Moroccan proverb).
"O you who believe, do not let people mock another people; for it may be that these are better than them; nor should women mock other women, for ti may be that these are better than them. And do not taunt one another nor insult each other with nicknames" (QUR'AN, 49:11).