Is it permissible to use animal or jinn analogies in jest, such as calling a girl "O buffalo" for being overweight, or "O dinosaur," or "O jinn-like" for being mischievous, with the consent of the one being addressed? And is this considered verbal abuse?
Speech that includes disparagement, defect, or insult warrants the one who utters it discipline and chastisement. The jurists have mentioned examples of insulting words that necessitate discipline, such as: "O wicked one," "O immoral one," "O wine-drinker," "O donkey," "O pig." It is also permissible for a husband to discipline his wife if she insults him, or tears his clothes, or says to him "O donkey" or "O idiot." In some cases, it is permissible to return an insult in kind, such as saying "May Allah disfigure you" to someone who said it to him, or "O dog, O pig" to someone who called him by those terms, unless the insult is of a forbidden type, such as excommunication or lying.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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