What is the meaning of the word "فأعضوه" (fa'aḍḍūhu) in the Hadith "فأعضوه بهن أبيه" (fa'aḍḍūhu bihinna abīhi)? Does it mean biting with the teeth, or adhering and clinging? And what is the wisdom behind using it if it means biting with the teeth?
The meaning of the Hadith: "Whoever boasts of his father, boasting with the boasting of the جاهلية (Days of Ignorance), then openly mention the flaws of his father to him," so that he may be deterred from assailing people's honor. And "وأعضوه" (and make him bite) means: make him bite by mentioning his father or his private parts. And "لا تكنوا" (do not use euphemisms) means: do not use euphemisms when mentioning the private parts; rather, state it explicitly as a form of discipline and punishment. Perhaps the exaggeration in the expression "biting" is to emphasize deterrence and aversion from boasting with the boasting of the جاهلية.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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