What is the ruling on reading translated material from English to Arabic that contains phrases such as "Oh my God" and "damn it," and does "Oh my God" here refer to Allah or another god, and is reading it considered Shirk (polytheism) if it refers to another god, and does the word "damn it" mean expulsion from the mercy of Allah?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
There is no objection to reading the word "Oh my God" (يا إلهي) spoken by a disbeliever in any situation. If he believes in God, then what is intended is supplication to God. If he is a polytheist, there is no issue. If he intends a false god, then reading it does not constitute disbelief, because narrating disbelief is not disbelief itself. As for reading such things, if it is for a valid purpose, there is no objection; otherwise, it is forbidden if it contains something unlawful. And a curse is expulsion from the mercy of Allah.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/169581
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 169581
- Added here
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- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy