Allah (God) states in the Quran that He is the one who causes both laughter and weeping. This signifies that crying, like laughter, is a natural human emotion and experience ultimately ordained by Him. The Quran does not explicitly forbid crying, but the reasons and context behind it are important in Islam.
Understanding Crying in Islam
It's important to distinguish between different types of crying:
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Crying out of Fear and Awe of Allah: This is considered a virtuous act, showing humility and recognition of Allah's greatness.
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Crying out of Grief and Regret: This is a natural human response to loss and hardship. Islam allows for expressing grief within reasonable bounds, without excessive wailing or despair that questions Allah's plan.
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Crying due to worldly reasons that lead to despair or questioning Allah’s wisdom: This is generally discouraged. Islam emphasizes patience (sabr) and reliance on Allah during difficulties.
Quranic Verse
The key verse addressing the source of laughter and weeping is:
- Surah An-Najm (53:43): "And that it is He who makes [one] laugh and weep."
This verse emphasizes that both emotions originate from Allah.
Examples of Crying in Islamic Tradition
While the Quran doesn't explicitly detail specific instances of crying, the lives of the Prophets (peace be upon them) provide examples:
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The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is known to have cried during prayer, out of fear and reverence for Allah. He also wept at the death of his son, Ibrahim.
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Other prophets, such as Prophet Yaqub (Jacob), are mentioned in the Quran as weeping due to grief over the loss of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph).
Permissible and Discouraged Forms of Crying
| Aspect | Permissible | Discouraged |
|---|---|---|
| Reason | Fear of Allah, grief over loss, empathy, remorse for sins | Despair, questioning Allah's will, excessive wailing, self-harm |
| Manner | Moderate expression of grief, tears | Loud wailing, tearing clothes, expressing disbelief or anger at Allah |
| Context | Seeking solace in Allah, turning to prayer and remembrance | Neglecting religious obligations, isolating oneself from community |
Conclusion
Allah acknowledges crying as a natural human emotion that He allows. The permissibility of crying in Islam depends on its motivation and how it is expressed. Crying out of reverence for Allah, grief, or remorse is acceptable, while crying that leads to despair or questioning Allah's wisdom is discouraged.
