Islamic Law

Prohibition of Swearing in Islam – The Foul Language

Every Muslim should possess a good manner, know how to behave decently, and treat others with kindness. Wherever he goes and whoever he meets, a Muslim should show his politeness, which become the identity of Islam itself. Muslims should cause no harm in any form, especially to his fellow Muslim brother.

Like Allah SWT said in the Holy Quran,

“And those who annoy believing men and women undeservedly, bear (on themselves) a calumny and a glaring sin.”  (Al Ahzaab: 58)

Talking about politeness and talking with a good manners, it means that Allah SWT doesn’t allow Muslim to say something harmful to other Muslim. Then in this case, swearing is include in one of those “harmful” categories.

We often heard here and there people are swearing, especially when they’re in dispute with others. All the bad words coming out uncontrolled from their mouth. As Islam prohibited swearing, let’s take a deeper look at the foundation of prohibition in Islam.

  • Swearing is Humiliation to Other Muslim

Allah SWT orders Muslim to only do good deeds in their lives and stay away from the evil acts. As the Prophet (SAW) is our guidance in life, he never once in his life humiliated others by swearing. He never cursed or saying any bad things either

  • Islam Protects the Purity of a Muslim

A Muslim should have a pure heart so they can do good deeds to please Allah and not committing sins that could harm them later in life as well as in the Hereafter. A Muslim should protect his purity by concealing all the evil acts and other impurity. As swearing is equal with insulting and cursing others, it’s indeed not showing any purity of Muslim and Islam.

Also read: Prohibition of Drugs in Islam

  • It’s Prohibited by the Prophet (SAW)

In one Hadith, the Prophet (SAW) said,

“A believer is never a person who scoffs at others, calls them names, or utters vulgar and obscene phrases.” – Tirmidhi

From the Hadith above it’s clear that the Prophet (SAW) prohibited any act of slandering others, belittling other people, as well all cursing them. It shows no decent manner of a believer and swearing is definitely not a polite way of talking.

Also read: Prohibition of Sleep After Fajr Prayer

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  • Swearing is Not a Solution to Problem

Swearing and cursing often become the result when two people or more are having dispute to other. It’s an act that stimulate by anger, while a good Muslim should know how to control his anger. Swearing is not a solution to a dispute. Neither should speak ill words that reviling the other. The act would only make the dispute more complex and even harder to solve.

Reviling other Muslim shows the immorality of a person, as the Prophet mentioned it,

“Reviling a Muslim is an act of outrage (moral depravity) and fighting against him is an act of disbelief (Kufr).” – Bukhari & Muslim

Also read: Prohibition of Fasting on Friday

  • Swearing is a Big Sin

There is one good reason why swearing is prohibited in Islam: it considered as a big sins. When a Muslim caused harm to other, he is the one who bears the sin even when the others retaliate. It’s the same with swearing or cursing, whoever start to curse first, they bear the sins of both. This was validated by a Hadith, as the Prophet (SAW) 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

Also read: Prohibition of Raising Dogs in Islam

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  • Swearing is the Deed of Shaytaan

No bad and evil acts is not coming from the biggest source: Shaytaan. As Shaytaan has sworn to mislead the offspring of Prophet Adam (AS) until the End of the Day (Qiyamah). Humiliating others, cursing, and swearing is for sure the doing of the Shaytaan.

As reported by Abu Hurairah,

“A man drank alcohol so he was brought before the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam who said: “Beat him (according to the rules set by Allah).” Abu Hurayrah, said: Some of us beat him with our hands, others with their sandals and still others with pieces of cloth. When the man went away, some said: May Allaah humiliate you! Whereupon, the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said: “Do not say that. Do not support Shaytaan against your fellow brother.” – Bukhari

Also read: Prohibitions for Pregnant Women in Islam

Other Hadith on Prohibition of Swearing in Islam

Swearing or cursing prohibition in Islam has a solid foundation, based on many of the Hadith by the Prophet (SAW). He considered swearing equals with humiliating others and causing harm to people. Here are more of Hadith on Prohibition of Swearing in Islam:

  • Abu Hurairah (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said,

“A true believer is never used to cursing others.” – Muslim

  • Abu Ad Dardaa’ (RA) also report that the Prophet (SAW) said,

“People who curse others will never be witnesses or intercessors on the Day of Judgment.” – Muslim

  • Cursing will enraged Allah SWT as the Prophet (SAW) said,

“Do not curse each other and do not summon the wrath of Allaah or His Hell on each other.” – Abu Dawood & Tirmidhi

  • Swearing is equal with killing people, as Thaabit Ibn Al Dahhaak, has also reported that the Prophet 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

So those are all the prohibition of swearing in Islam. There is always good reasons of why something is prohibited in Islam. As swearing and cursing may harm others, while in Islam, tying the kinship among Muslims is an obligation. May all of us always staying away from evil deeds damage ourselves.

Indah Ariviani

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