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Beware of Coarseness and Indecency | Sheikh Muhammad al-Khudayrî|

When dealing with others, a Muslim invariably confronts situations where he is verbally abused or derided. If he is living among non-Muslims, he might sometimes be confronted by a situation where a non-Muslim abuses his honor, that of other Muslims, or even the honor of Islam, with foul and unsavory language. The question arises as to whether it is suitable for a Muslim to reply back in a similar fashion to defend Islam and the Muslims. Would he be sinning if he were to use similar foul language against the non-Muslims?

It is not fitting for those who should be calling others to Allah to use unsightly and foul language. This is impropriate behavior for a Muslim to stoop to, regardless of who starts it, even if the one who initiates it is a non-Muslim. Our good example in this and in all matters is our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

The Prophet (peace be upon him) was the best of those who ever called people to Allah. We must emulate his conduct in the way we deal with non-Muslims. He had been tormented and abused by the unbelievers. They scorned him and made him an object of ridicule. Ultimately, they expelled him from his homeland. Nonetheless, he remained in his conduct a blessing for all living things.

A Jewish man once greeted the Prophet (peace be upon him) by saying: “Death be upon you.” He used the Arabic word ‘sâm’, meaning ‘death’, in a parody of the Islamic greeting for peace which is the word ‘salâm’.

Though the Prophet (peace be upon him) knew exactly what the man had said, he paid it no heed and gently replied: “And upon you.” He did so without repeating the misused word “sâm” and behaved as if he had not noticed it.

However, `Âishah, who had also heard what the man really said, immediately retorted: “And death be upon you and a curse as well!”

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Take it easy, `Â’ishah. Allah loves kindness in everything.” In another narration of the story, it is related that he also said: “Beware of coarseness and indecency.”

`Âishah complained to the Prophet (peace be upon him) saying: “Didn’t you hear what they said?”

The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied: “Did you not hear my reply? I responded to their offensive supplication. My supplication will be answered by Allah while their supplication against me will not be answered.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî and Sahîh Muslim]

Some of the Companions once asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) to pray to Allah to invoke His curse upon the pagans. He replied: “I was not sent to curse people but as a blessing. [Sahîh Muslim]

Also, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “It is not fitting for a sincere lover of truth to invoke curses.” [Sahîh Muslim]

And he said: “A believer should not invoke curses.” [Sunan al-Tirmidhî with authentic line of transmission]

We should call people to Allah by explaining to them the truth about Islam. We must teach them our beliefs, our code of Law and our exemplary moral standards. If they resort to curses and vindictives, we should instead take recourse to sound arguments and evidence. Only those who are weak and defeated, who have no knowledge, choose to respond by insult. We must refrain from such conduct.

However, this does not mean that we are never to defend ourselves against abuse or seek judicial action to remedy it, particularly if the abuse is directed at Islamic beliefs and teachings.

Allah says: “And whoever defends himself after his being oppressed, for such people, there is no way of blame against them. The way of blame is only against those who oppress mankind, and wrongfully rebel in the earth. For such there is a painful doom.” [Sûrah al-Shûrâ: 41-42]

This means that we may seek justice and redress in the face of oppression. We are entitled to respond to abuse, but without allowing ourselves to fall into oppression or transgression.

May Allah guide us all to the right way in our words and deeds, and in our efforts to call others to Islam. May he bless us to conduct ourselves in the noble manner of our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).