Can We Use Cultural Vulgar Words amongst Our Friends?
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
What is the Islamic ruling on using cultural vulgar words even if it’s meant playfully or as a substitute for “bro” or “dude”? Some claim it’s not a slur, but others feel uncomfortable. Is it halal, haram, or makruh? Please clarify its status.
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate
I pray you are in good faith and health.
This word in question is still highly considered a colloquial and vulgar term used in African-American English. Even though it might be deemed to mean ‘brother’ among friends, it is to be avoided.
Believers Do Not Use Profane Expressions
Abdullah ibn Masud (Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “The believer does not insult others, he does not curse others, he is not vulgar, and he is not shameless.” [Tirmidhi]
I would like you to go through the valuable answers and links below. You will receive guidance and direction in sha Allah.
Related
- Purification of the Heart for Youth: Diseases of the Heart and Their Cure – YouTube
- Permissible Speech: Joking and Praise – Birgivi’s Path of Muhammad – Shaykh Faraz Rabbani (youtube.com)
- Nigga – Wikipedia
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I pray this helps answer your question.
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel is a traditionally trained scholar who has studied in the UK, India, Pakistan, Syria, Jordan, and Turkey.
He started his early education in the UK. He completed hifz of the Qur’an in India, then enrolled in an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied the secular and Alimiyyah sciences. He then traveled to Karachi, Pakistan.
He has been an Imam in Rep of Ireland for a number of years. He has taught hifz of the Qur’an, Tajwid, Fiqh, and many other Islamic sciences to children and adults extensively onsite and online in the UK and Ireland. He taught at a local Islamic seminary for 12 years in the UK as a librarian and a teacher of Islamic sciences.
He currently resides in the UK with his wife. His personal interest is his love of books and gardening.
