Is it permissible to describe a human being as a "rational animal," and is a father to blame if he calls his son an "animal," relying on this description?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
"Man is a rational animal" means that man is living and thinking, so the word "animal" here refers to life. However, since the word has become used as an insult and a curse in common parlance, it is not permissible to describe a human being with it, because cursing is forbidden by Islamic law. The father must repent from using it, and the son must advise his father kindly.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/49665
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 49665
- 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.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy