What is the ruling on using the term "abd" (slave) for people with dark skin, and is it permissible according to Sharia? And how should one respond to whoever says it?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
It is forbidden to call a person with black skin "slave" (al-abd) because it involves derision and degradation. Allah has prohibited calling each other by offensive nicknames and harming or belittling a Muslim. Furthermore, the use of such words opens the door to enmity and hatred among Muslims. Whoever hears these nicknames must advise the one who utters them and warn him of their danger.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/24196
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 24196
- 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