Monday, February 14, 2011

Swearing!!!

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد


Swearing (definition):

1. As in “cursing”: Profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger. The use of language considered offensive or taboo especially in movies and films, but they still use it.

2. As in “solemn promise”: usually invoking a divine witness, regarding your future acts or behavior; and it also means, a commitment to tell the truth (especially in a court of law).

Languages can be so complicated! Many a times, a word might have 2 different and completely opposite meaning; and one meaning may be good, while the other might be bad; as can be seen from the above definition for the word “Swearing”. The usage of both these types of swearing has increased in today’s societies.

So, let us see the Islaamic rulings on both the meaning of the word “Swear/Swearing”.


1. Swearing (as in taking an Oath):

Narrated Ibn `Umar: that he found 'Umar bin Al-Khattaab in a group of people and he was swearing by his father. So Allaah's Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم called them, saying, "Verily! Allaah forbids you to swear by your fathers. If one has to take an oath, he should swear by Allaah or otherwise keep quiet.” [Bukhari Vol 8, No. 129 & Muslim]

Narrated `Abdullaah bin `Umar: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “If anybody has to take an oath, he should swear only by Allaah.” The people of Quraish used to swear by their fathers, but the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “Do not swear by your fathers.” [Bukhari Vol 5, No. 177]

Narrated Abdur Rahman bin Samurah: Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Do not swear by idols, or by your fathers.” [Muslim]

Narrated Abu Hurayrah: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “Whoever swears saying in his oath, ‘By Al-Laat and Al`Uzza’(names of two idols worshipped by the pagans), should say, ‘Laa ilaaha illallaah' (None has the right to be worshipped but Allaah).” [Bukhaari Vol 6, No. 383 & Vol 8, No. 128, 314, 645]

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Whoever swears by something other than Allaah has committed an act of kufr or shirk.” [al-Tirmidhi (1535) and Abu Dawood (3251); classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi]

Thus, it is established that swearing by other than Allaah تعلى is Haraam. The one who does it has done Shirk al-Asghar (minor Shirk).

The fataawa of the Permanent Committee:

The haraam types of swearing (only a few examples):
1. Swearing by the idols.
2. Swearing by one’s father or mother.
3. Swearing by the Bible.
4. بالكعبة [bil-ka`bah] (By the Ka`bah!).
5. بعزة [bi-`izzatee] (By my honor!)

The correct way:
1. والله [wallaahi] (By Allaah!).
2. رب الكعبة [Rabbil-Ka`bah] (By the Lord of the Ka`bah!).
3. والذي نفسي بيده [wallazee nafsee bi yadih] (By the One in Whose Hands is my soul!) – This was used by the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم as has been mentioned in so many hadeeth.


2. Swearing (as in cursing):

In present times, morality has fallen so low that a slightest mistake and we hear people swearing. It has become so common, that irrespective of the age or gender. Swearing at someone is in itself Haraam in Islaam. So what about the one who swears at someone’s parents?

O my brothers!!! Our parents are our Jannah in this world. Don’t you see how they protected us from the harm and evil of this world, by Allaah’s permission? Don’t you remember how they cared for you when you were helpless? Don’t you remember how they would become restless because you were sick? Don’t you??? Don’t you??? Don’t you???

The most important thing after the worship of Allaah is to honor and obey one’s parents:

Allaah تعالى says: {Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited you from: Join not anything in worship with Him; be good and dutiful to your parents…} [Surah al-An`aam (6): 151]

Allaah تعالى also says: {And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years – give thanks to Me and to your parents. To Me is the final destination. But if they (both) strive with you to make you join in worship with Me others that of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not; but behave with them in the world kindly, and follow the path of him who turns to Me in repentance and in obedience. Then to Me will be your return, and I shall tell you what you used to do.} [Surah Luqmaan (31): 14-15]

Allaah تعالى says: {And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honor. And lower to them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: "My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was young.} [Surah al-Israa’ (17): 23-24]

Abu Hurayrah said: The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “May he be humiliated, the man in whose presence I am mentioned and he does not send Salah upon me; may he be humiliated, the man who sees the month of Ramadan come and go, and he is not forgiven; may he be humiliated, the man whose parents live to old age and they do not cause him to be granted admittance to Paradise.” [Tirmidhee]

Narrated Abdullah bin Amr: The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: "It is one of the greatest sins that a man should curse his parents." It was asked (by the people), "O Allah's Apostle! How does a man curse his parents?" The Prophet said, "The man abuses the father of another man and the latter (in retaliation) abuses the father of the former and abuses his mother (as well)." [Bukhari Vol 8, Hadith 4]

The meaning of the above Hadeeth is: person “A” abuses the parents of person “B”. The person “B” retaliates by abusing the parents of person “A”. Thus “A” has abused his own parents.

Allaah guide us! How much have we humiliated our own parents??!


وصلى لـلهم وسلم وبارك على نبينا محمد،،،

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