What is the punishment for reviling or insulting in Islamic Sharia, especially in a country not governed by the law of Allah, and how can the offender be deterred without injustice?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The punishment for reviling and cursing is discretionary (ta'zeer), and it falls under the authority of the Imam or his deputy. Individuals are not permitted to take revenge on those who revile them by beating them or breaking their bones, unless the Imam specifies the discretionary punishment with a known duration and a known location; in that case, the aggrieved party may carry it out themselves. As for returning a reviler's insult, it is permissible, provided it does not involve aggression.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/136157
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 136157
- 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