What Does the Term “La’na” Mean?
Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Weltch
Question
As a Catholic wife married to a Muslim husband, I seek clarity on what “lanat” means and the sentiment behind my husband’s statement, “Lanat on you.” He explained it as a “curse” but said, “You wouldn’t understand.” Could you provide insight into the meaning and implication of this term?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate
The Arabic word “La‘na”, translated as curse means for someone to be distant from God’s mercy. [Zabidi, Taj al-Arus]
In general, the Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) discouraged the Muslims from using such statements. He said, “The ‘true’ Believer does not frequently insult, curse (others), or speak foul language.” [Ahmad]
As Muslims, we do believe that true belief for which one is rewarded Paradise and Mercy is to believe in only One Unique God and to believe in all the Prophets and Messengers (peace be upon them all), the greatest of which were Moses, Jesus, and the final Prophet, Muhammad.
That said, it is not our duty nor right to say who is close to Allah’s mercy and who is distant. That is for God to decide, as God is our only judge.
Hope this helps
Allah knows best
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Yusuf Weltch teaches Arabic, Islamic law, and spirituality. After accepting Islam in 2008, he completed four years at the Darul Uloom Seminary in New York, where he studied Arabic and the traditional sciences.
He then traveled to Tarim, Yemen, where he studied for three years in Dar al-Mustafa under some of the most outstanding scholars of our time, including Habib Umar Bin Hafiz, Habib Kadhim al-Saqqaf, and Shaykh Umar al-Khatib.
In Tarim, Shaykh Yusuf completed the memorization of the Quran and studied beliefs, legal methodology, hadith methodology, Quranic exegesis, Islamic history, and several texts on spirituality. He joined the SeekersGuidance faculty in the summer of 2019.
