What is the religious ruling on a wife cursing and invoking ill against her abusive husband when he constantly curses and raises his voice, which provokes her to respond in kind?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Returning evil with evil may worsen the situation, so it is better to try to appease the husband and avoid angering him. Cursing and insulting the husband is forbidden and indicates a bad marital relationship, and it permits the wife to seek divorce. Retaliating with a similar insult is permissible under certain conditions, for example, if he says "May Allah disfigure you," she may say "May Allah disfigure you." However, cursing forbidden things like disbelief, lying, or insulting one's father is not permissible. Supplicating against an oppressor is permissible with its conditions.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 129593
- Added here
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- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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