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Is someone who curses another's religion in Egypt to be considered an unbeliever, without intending to insult Islam? And is it permissible to substitute the word "religion" (الدين) with "rooster" (الديك) to avoid falling into what is prohibited? And what is the ruling on using the phrase "your mother's religion" (دين أمك) without cursing, knowing that in all cases the intention is not to curse Islam?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

Cursing the religion is an act of disbelief and apostasy from Islam. The one who commits it is not excused by claiming lack of intent or a slip of the tongue. The mere act of cursing is sufficient to rule it as apostasy, even if the curser claims he was joking or did not intend it, for the Quranic verses indicate the disbelief of those who mock the verses of Allah and His Messenger. As for cursing a Muslim, it is forbidden but not apostasy. If by the word "rooster" one intended to curse the religion, then the perpetrator is an apostate in the sight of Allah.

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

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