Playful acts in a gathering

A: It is not permissible to break wind deliberately or to laugh at it, because it is an act that goes against respect and good manners. It is not like belching, as this usually happens by accident and none laughs at it. However, if someone breaks wind naturally, without doing it deliberately, there is no blame in this, but it is not permissible to laugh at it, as it is authentically reported on the authority of `Abdullah ibn Zam`ah, who said, “The Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade that a man should laugh at passed out wind.” (Related by Al-Bukhari) (Part No. 26; Page No. 112) It is also related on the authority of ‘Abdullah ibn Zam‘ah that “He heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) giving a Khutbah (sermon) talking about the She-Camel (of Prophet Salih) and the person who had killed it. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said (interpretively), When the most wicked man among them went forth (to kill the she-camel). There went after it a powerful vicious man, who enjoyed the protection of his people, like Abu Zam‘ah. Then he mentioned women and admonished (disapprovingly), saying, ‘One of you may go flog his wife as a slave is flogged, and perhaps he may have intercourse with her at the end of the day!’ Then he (peace be upon him) admonished them against laughing at breaking wind.” May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.