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, `آishah, 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, `آ’ishah.
Allah loves kindness in everything.” In another narration of the story,
it is related that he also said: “Beware of coarseness and indecency.”
`آishah 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).
