The Ruling on a Muslim Calling Another Muslim “O Fool” or “O Idiot”

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Q: What is the ruling on a Muslim saying to his brother: “O fool, O idiot,” and the like? And what is the ruling on saying to a group of people: “O weak in faith,” if these descriptions actually apply to them?
F. A.

A: It is prescribed for the believer to address his Muslim brothers with good words and the names by which they were named, and then to advise them regarding what he criticizes in them in a good manner; for that is closer to the acceptance of the advice and the preservation of the brotherhood of faith, due to the saying of Allah, the Exalted:

The believing men and believing women are allies of one another

وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتُ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ بَعْضٍ

[Surah al-Tawbah: 71]. The wali (close friend of Allah) is the opposite of the enemy, and among the characteristics of the wali is that he addresses his brother with what pleases him, not with what he dislikes. And due to the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):

Righteousness is good character

البر حسن الخلق

narrated by Muslim in his Sahih. He also said, may the prayers and peace be upon him:

You (people) cannot satisfy people with your wealth, but satisfy them with your cheerful faces and good morals.

إنكم لا تسعون الناس بأموالكم، ولكن ليسعهم منكم بسط الوجه وحسن الخلق

Bulugh al-Maram 16:98

narrated by Abu Ya’la and authenticated by al-Hakim.
And he said (peace and blessings be upon him):

The believer does not insult the honor of others, nor curse, nor commit Fahishah, nor is he foul.

ليس المؤمن بالطعان ولا اللعان ولا الفاحش ولا البذيء

Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1977Hasan (Darussalam)

narrated by al-Tirmidhi and authenticated by al-Hakim, and its chain is good.

Source binbaz.org.sa

The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.

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