Cursing is Prohibited in Islam

Cursing is Prohibited in Islam | Punishment for Cursing in Quran and Hadith

Islam is a religion of peace, love, and mercy. Allah Almighty and His Messenger Prophet Muhammad (SAW) teach us to be kind, loving and merciful with Muslim brothers and also with Non-Muslims. So we can say the religion that asks its members to greet one another with love, peace, mercy, and blessings, does not allow cursing one another not even jokingly.

Cursing is of two types: The first one is swearing, saying and meaning something bad to someone through vulgar language which is usually done in modes of losing temper, joking around or because someone has just become used to using such foul words in their speech. 

So, it is important for those to maintain their anger to the bare minimum and not be induced to swear for the sake of releasing their anger and offending someone else. Allah Almighty says in the Noble Quran: “Who spend (in the cause of Allah) during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people – and Allah loves the doers of good.” (Quran, 3:134)

The second one is an expressive wish against a person in hope that he/she undergoes some sort of misfortune. This can be related to the evil eye, black magic or just plain old hatred which imposes thoughts on one’s mind to do harm directly or indirectly upon someone else. Cursing in somehow is a sort of punishment, and we are strictly prohibited from carrying out any act of this sort. Allah (SWT) stated in the Noble Quran:

 “Not for you, [O Muhammad, but for Allah], is the decision whether He should [cut them down] or forgive them or punish them, for indeed, they are wrongdoers.” (Quran, 3:128)

Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) taught us to be kind with others just like He (SAW) was merciful even with His enemies. Abu Huraira (RA) reported: The Messenger of Allah Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), was told, “O Messenger of Allah, pray against the idolaters!”

So the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Verily, I was not sent to invoke curses, but rather I was only sent as a mercy.” (Muslim)

Muslims should neither curse each other as narrated Samurah Ibn Jundub (RA) that Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: “Do not curse one another, invoking the curse of Allah or Wrath of Allah or the fire of Hell” (Tirmidhi). The act of cursing is such that one who does it can himself become a recipient of it.

Allah Almighty says in the Noble Quran: “O you, who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them, nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one’s] faith. And whoever does not repent – then it is those who are the wrongdoers.” (Quran, 49:11)

Abu Huraira (RA) reported that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “A man utters a word pleasing to Allah without considering it of any significance for which Allah exalts his ranks (in Jannah); another one speaks a word displeasing to Allah without considering it of any importance, and for this reason he will sink down into Hell.” (Bukhari)

Those who curse others will not be granted the honor of interceding on the Day of Judgment. The Messenger of Allah Prophet (PBUH) said in one of His hadith: “Those who indulge in curses will not be intercessors or witnesses on the Day of Resurrection.” (Muslim)

Using foul language and cursing is a sin, even in joke and this is a characteristic of the people of Hellfire.

The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “The inmates of Hell are of five types….” And among them, he mentioned “…the miser, the liar and those who are in the habit of abusing people and using obscene and foul language.” (Muslim)

May Almighty Allah protect us from the Hellfire on the Day of Judgment! Ameen