The ruling on cursing one's children and wife, and whether cursing her constitutes divorce?

Q: What is the ruling on one who curses his wife or some of his children? And does cursing a woman constitute a divorce or not?


A: Cursing a woman is not permissible, and it is not a divorce for her; rather, she remains in his marriage bond. He must repent to Allah for that and seek her forgiveness for his insulting her. Likewise, it is not permissible for him to curse his children or any other Muslims, due to the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): It is agreed upon as authentic, and his saying (peace and blessings be upon him): Al-Bukhari narrated it in his Sahih. These two authentic hadiths indicate that cursing a Muslim brother is among the major sins. Therefore, it is obligatory to be cautious of that and to guard the tongue from this heinous crime. The woman is not divorced by being cursed; rather, she remains in the marriage bond of her husband, as mentioned above.