What is the ruling in Sharia on using words like "animal," "donkey," "stupid," or "despicable" to describe a person?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
It is not permissible to insult or revile a Muslim with any derogatory term, such as: animal, donkey, stupid, or despicable, due to what has been authentically reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him): "Insulting a Muslim is a transgression, and fighting him is disbelief." It is permissible for a Muslim to retaliate against an insult in kind, unless the insult involves an accusation of disbelief or a lie, in which case it is not permissible to retaliate in kind.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/67421
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 67421
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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