Taken from: Fatawa Ameenpuri by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Ameenpuri
Is it prohibited to speak ill of those who have passed away?
✔ 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.
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.
✔ 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:
① General Prohibition:
② Exception – Open Sinners or Evil-doers:
❖ 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.
✔ 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.
❖ 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.
