Cursing One’s Parents: A Major Sin

Author: Dr. Muhammad Zia-ur-Rahman Azmi (رحمہ اللہ)

Chapter: Cursing Parents as a Grave Sin​

Hadith on the Seriousness of Cursing Parents​

✿ «عن عبد الله بن عمرو رضي الله عنهما، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: إن من اكبر الكبائر ان يلعن الرجل والديه قيل، يا رسول الله، وكيف يلعن الرجل والديه؟ قال: يسب الرجل ابا الرجل فيسب اباه ويسب امه”.» [متفق عليه: رواه البخاري 5973. ومسلم 90. واللفظ للبخاري.]

Translation: Abdullah bin Amr bin Al-As (رضی اللہ عنہما) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Among the greatest of major sins is for a man to curse his parents.” It was asked, “O Messenger of Allah, how can a man curse his own parents?” The Prophet (ﷺ) replied: “A man abuses another man’s father, so the latter abuses his father and his mother.”

Key Lessons from the Hadith​

1. Cursing Parents is a Major Sin:
   
   • Disrespecting or indirectly causing harm to one’s parents is considered among the gravest sins in Islam.
2. Indirect Cursing is Equally Condemned:
   
   • Even if one does not directly curse their parents, provoking others to insult or curse them falls under the same prohibition.
3. Preservation of Parental Dignity:
   
   • Islam upholds the sanctity and respect of parents’ honor and dignity, both during their lives and after their death.
4. A Reflection of Broader Ethics:
   
   • The prohibition of cursing parents also serves as a broader reminder against using abusive language and escalating disputes.

Practical Implications​

1. Avoid Provocation:
   
   • Be cautious in words and actions to avoid conflicts that could lead others to insult your family.
2. Promote Respectful Conduct:
   
   • Speak and act in a manner that reflects respect for all elders, ensuring a culture of dignity and mutual respect.
3. Teach Children Respect:
   
   • Parents should instill the values of respect and honor for elders in their children to prevent such grave sins.
4. Seek Forgiveness and Reconcile:
   
   • If such actions have occurred, seek forgiveness from both Allah and those affected, and work to restore relationships.

Conclusion​

Cursing or causing disrespect to parents, directly or indirectly, is a grave sin in Islam. It not only disrespects the sanctity of family ties but also contradicts the Islamic values of compassion and honor towards parents. Muslims are urged to uphold the highest standards of respect and to safeguard the dignity of their parents in all circumstances.