Taken from: Fatawa Ameenpuri by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Ameenpuri
❖ Question:
Is it prohibited to speak ill of those who have passed away?
❖ Answer:
✔ Yes, speaking ill of the deceased is generally prohibited in Islam.
This ruling is based on authentic prophetic guidance and the principles of preserving human dignity, even after death.
✿ Hadith Evidence:
Sayyidah ʿĀʾishah (رضي الله عنها) narrated:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
**”Do not abuse the dead, for they have reached the outcome of their deeds.”**
(Sahih al-Bukhari: 1393)
This hadith clearly shows that once a person has passed away, they are now facing the results of their actions — either reward or punishment — and speaking ill of them serves no purpose and violates Islamic manners.
❖ The Scholars’ Understanding:
✔ If a deceased did not openly commit sins, then it is absolutely haram (prohibited) to speak ill of them after their death.
✦ However, if a person was known for open sinfulness or misguidance, then the scholars have differed in their rulings:
✿ Summary of Scholarly Opinions:
① General Prohibition:
- Speaking ill of the deceased is forbidden in most cases.
- Islam encourages covering faults, forgiving, and making duʿa for the deceased.
② Exception – Open Sinners or Evil-doers:
- For those who were known for innovation (bidʿah), causing mischief, or calling towards kufr and shirk,
it is permissible — and in some cases, legislated — to expose their corruption.
✿ Examples from Qur’an and Sunnah:
❖ The Qur’an openly condemns the disbelievers and transgressors, and mentions the punishment of previous nations.
❖ In authentic hadith, the Prophet ﷺ mentioned the misfortune of some individuals by name, such as:
ʿAmr ibn Luhayy, who introduced idol worship into Arabia.
(Sahih al-Bukhari: 1212; Sahih Muslim: 901)
✔ Such condemnations serve the purpose of warning the ummah against misguidance and evil practices.
✅ Conclusion:
✔ It is forbidden to insult or speak ill of the deceased, especially if they were not openly sinful.
✖ However, for those who were leaders of misguidance, promoters of innovation, or callers to disbelief,
Islam permits mentioning their evil — not out of personal hatred, but to protect others from their influence.
