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How accurate is the narration of Abu Bakr's saying to one of the disbelievers, "Suck al-Lat's clitoris," and what are the scholars' opinions on its interpretation if it is authentic, and does it contradict al-Siddiq's character and the Prophet's prohibition of obscenity?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

The aforementioned hadith was narrated by Al-Bukhari and Ahmad. Abu Bakr's statement to Urwah, "Suck the clitoris of Al-Lat," was an insult to Urwah. Uttering such a phrase is permissible to rebuke those who deserve it. It serves to debase the enemy, accuse them of falsehood, and expose their claims. This also proves the permissibility of explicitly naming private parts when the interest necessitates it. When the interlocutor is unjust, we are not obligated to respond to him "in a way that is better." This does not contradict the Prophet's prohibition of obscenity, as evidenced by Allah's saying: "{Allah does not like the public utterance of evil, except by one who has been wronged}" (Quran 4:148). Had this statement been contrary to the prohibition, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would have forbidden it.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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