Sayyiduna Iyad bin Himar (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Allah Almighty has revealed to me that you should adopt humility and modesty, and that no one should wrong another, nor should anyone boast over another.” I asked: O Messenger of Allah! If someone of lower status abuses me and I respond to him, will I be sinful? The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Both who abuse each other are devils who utter obscenities and lie.”
Hadith Referenceالادب المفرد / كتاب السباب / 428
Hadith Gradingالألبانی:صحيح
Hadith Takhrij«صحيح : أخرجه مسلم ، كتاب الجنة : 2865 و أبوداؤد : 4895 و ابن ماجه : 4214 - انظر صحيح الترغيب : 2890»
Explanation & Benefits
Shaykh Maulana Usman Muneeb
Benefits and Issues: ➊ Using abusive language during a quarrel, if it becomes a habit for someone, is a sign of hypocrisy. Therefore, one should avoid cursing and reviling each other. Even if the opponent is of a lower status, one should demonstrate patience and restraint and avoid responding, because in such situations, a person, often unintentionally, ends up slandering or lying in order to disgrace the other.
➋ During a quarrel, Shaytan (Satan) exerts his influence greatly. By provoking anger, he incites a person to use abusive language. Therefore, at the time of conflict and dispute, one should recite: "A‘udhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajim" (I seek refuge with Allah from the accursed Shaytan). (: Bukhari: 6048)
Source: Fadlullah al-Ahad: Urdu Commentary on al-Adab al-Mufrad, Page: 428