Abusive languague, Curses and Insults

THE PROHIBITION OF ABUSIVE LANGUAGE, INSULTS AND CURSES

Thanks be to Allaah Who prohibited harming the Muslims in all cases and said in this regard which means: “And those who annoy believing men and women undeservedly bear (on themselves) a calumny and a glaring sin.” (Al-Ahzaab: 58)

Servants of Allaah! Cursing people as well as calling them names is a type of verbal abuse.

Abu Hurayrah, may Allaah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “A true believer is never used to cursing others”. (Muslim)

Abu Ad-Dardaa’, may Allaah be pleased with him, also reported that the Prophet (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “People who curse others will never be witnesses or intercessors on the Day of Judgment.” (Muslim)

Sahih Al-Bukhari Vol. 8 No. 73 Narrated by Thabit bin Ad Dahhak (raa): Allah’s Messenger (saws) said, “Whoever swears by a religion other than Islam (i.e. if somebody swears by saying that he is a non-Muslim e.g., a Jew or a Christian, etc.) in case he is telling a lie, he is really so if his oath is false, and a person is not bound to fulfill a vow about a thing which he does not possess. And if somebody commits suicide with anything in this world, he will be tortured with that very thing on the Day of Resurrection. And if somebody curses a believer, then his sin will be as if he murdered him. And whoever accuses a believer of Kufr (disbelief), then it is as if he killed him.”

Unfortunately, on the streets, in official organizations or popular gatherings, one may hear people reviling others, calling them names, or scoffing at them. All this happens despite the fact that the Prophet (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “A believer is never a person who scoffs at others, calls them names, or utters vulgar and obscene phrases.” (Tirmidhi)

This Hadeeth indicates that slandering people, belittling them and cursing them are all prohibited acts. A true believer is a decent person who uses polite phrases when he talks. The Holy Qur’aan taught us to use decent phrases as evidenced in its discussion of delicate acts, such as expressing the act of having marital relations with one’s spouse is described by the use of the term “touch” your wife.

The Prophet (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “The one who starts abusing his fellow Muslim and calling him names bears the sin of both, unless the abused person uses more vulgar phrases than the first”. (Muslim) Imaam Al-Nawawee explained this prophetic saying as thus: “This means that the person who starts insulting a Muslim or calling him names will bear the sin incurred by such an act for both of them, unless the second party uses more severe and vulgar phrases than the first”. Yet, sticking to patience and forgiving people is far better for the Muslim. Allaah said which means: “But indeed if any show patience and forgive, that would truly be an exercise of courageous will and resolution in the conduct of affairs.” (Al-Shooraa: 43)

Thaabit Ibn Al-Dahhaak, may Allaah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “If a person perjures himself by swearing by a religion other than Islam, then he is as he professed. Whoever kills himself with a tool, he will be punished with the very same tool on the Day of Judgment. A man should not make a vow regarding things that he does not possess. Cursing a believer is just like the act of killing him.” (Bukhari & Muslim)

Glory be to Allah. What a great religion our Islam! What a supreme law! Only the pious people will stick to this religion that gives us a full account of even minute details of this life. Are we going to stick to this religion? Yes, InshahAllah. We shall stick to the path of Allah and follow the example of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).