Is cursing and using insulting language a sin in Islam? If someone is accustomed to it, how can he stop? Also, is there any punishment for it in the grave or in the hereafter?

Assalamualaikum I want to ask about the issue of using abusive words (galiyan) in everyday speech. I understand that in Islam it is considered wrong and discouraged to use bad or hurtful language, but I would like to understand this in more detail from an Islamic perspective. Firstly, if a person has become very used to using such language out of habit, anger, or environment, what practical and spiritual steps should they take to stop it? How does Islam view the struggle of breaking such habits, and what advice do scholars give for someone trying to improve their speech and character in this regard? Secondly, I have heard a claim that every time a person uses an abusive word, a scorpion or harmful creature is added in their grave, and that excessive use of such language leads to punishment in the grave. Is this belief authentic and based on Quran or Hadith, or is it something cultural or exaggerated? What are the actual teachings of Islam regarding the consequences of using abusive language in the hereafter? I would appreciate a clear explanation based on authentic Islamic sources.

Dear Brother / Sister,

First and foremost, it must be emphasized that the protection of the tongue holds an extremely important place in Islamic ethics. A believer strives to demonstrate his servitude to Allah not only through acts of worship but also through speech, behavior, and relationships with others.

Therefore, the use of profanity, insults, hurtful, and vulgar language is not acceptable in our religion; on the contrary, such behavior is considered unbecoming of a believer’s moral character.

Therefore, using abusive, insulting, hurtful, and offensive language is not welcomed in our religion; on the contrary, it is considered among the behaviors unbecoming of a believer’s ethics.

Indeed, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “A believer is not one who criticizes, curses, speaks foul language, or has a foul mouth.” (Tirmidhi, Birr, 48)

In another hadith, one is commanded to control his tongue: “Whoever believes in Allah and the Day of Judgment should either speak good or remain silent.” (Bukhari, Adab, 31; Muslim, Iman, 74)

Therefore, using foul language due to habit, anger, peer pressure, or other reasons is a sin. Especially if those words demean, offend, or harm the honor and dignity of others, the issue goes beyond mere foul language and takes on the dimension of violating the rights of others.

However, if someone has become accustomed to using such words, he should not despair. Struggling against bad habits is, in itself, an act of worship.

Such a person

* should try to delay speaking when he gets angry,

* avoid environments where foul language is used,

* should occupy keep his tongue busy with dhikr, prayer, and the Quran,

* should immediately seek forgiveness when he makes a mistake, apologize to the person he has, and ask for forgiveness.

* should find clean expressions he can use instead of foul language.

It should not be forgotten that those who utter abusive and insulting words will be held accountable for them in the hereafter. Especially if they have offended, hurt the feelings of, or violated the rights of others, they should not only repent but also, if possible, seek forgiveness from those they have wronged.

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) described a bankrupt person as follows:

“The bankrupt person is the one who comes on the Day of Judgment with prayers, fasting, and zakah, but insulted this person, slandered that person, consumed the property of another, shed the blood of yet another, and beat yet another. His good deeds will be taken away and given to those whose rights he violated. If the rights are not compensated before his good deeds are finished, then their sins will be placed upon him, and then he will be thrown into Hell.” (Muslim, Birr, 59)

Therefore, a Muslim should protect his tongue and remember that his words will confront him in the hereafter. For words that infringe upon the rights of others, it is necessary to seek forgiveness, feel remorse, and accustom one’s tongue to speaking kindly.

Islam values a person’s sincere efforts to correct himself. A habit can be abandoned gradually, not instantly.

The second issue raised in the question is whether there will be punishment for it in the grave or in the hereafter.

First, it should be noted that the popular saying, “Every time a person curses, a scorpion is added to his grave,” does not have a known, sound and clear basis in hadith sources. Therefore, it is not appropriate to present such a statement as a definitive religious decree.

However, it does not mean that there are no snakes, scorpions, or similar instruments of torment in the grave because some hadiths state that snakes, scorpions, and similar elements of torment will be inflicted upon unbelievers and those who deserve torment in the grave.

While explaining the verse, “But whosoever turns away from My Message, verily for him is a life narrowed down...” (Taha, 20/124), the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:

“By Allah, ninety-nine tinnins will be sent to him. Do you know what a tinnin is? Ninety-nine snakes, each with nine heads. They will bite and scratch him until the Day of Judgment.” (Bayhaqi, Ithbatu Adhabil-Qabr (Ibn Kathir, Tafsir, III, 169; Ghazali, Ihya, IV, 484)

In another narration, the following is stated: “Ninety-nine tinnins (snakes) are sent to torment the unbeliever in his grave; they bite and sting him until the Day of Judgment.” (Ahmed b. Hanbal, Musnad, III, 38; Darimi, Riqaq, 94)

In a narration reported from Aisha (ra), it is mentioned that scorpions will torment the unbeliever in the grave. (Bayhaqi, Ithbatu Adhabil-Qabr, wr. 53b)

So, Allah can punish His servants in various ways; He also gives them intentions in various ways.

It should not be forgotten that the blessings or torments of the afterlife are not directed at the physical body buried in the ground. The true recipient is the spirit. However, since the spirit leaves its earthly body behind in the ground, it experiences blessings or torment through a body suited to the intermediate realm (barzakh), a body with the subtlety of the spirit.

Therefore, the hadiths that mention snakes, scorpions, fire, or other elements of torment in the grave should not necessarily be understood as referring to material things on earthly scales because life in the grave is not entirely the same as the laws of life in this world.

Therefore, the spirit that goes to the realm of grave, clothed in a subtle body suitable for that realm, is either in a garden of Paradise or a pit of Hell, experiencing blessings or torments according to the state of that realm.

The bites and torments caused by creatures like snakes and scorpions in the grave depend on the conditions and location of the realm of grave. As Imam Ghazali states, those creatures truly exist in the intermediate realm (barzakh) where spirits go, but since the grave is beyond our senses, we cannot know its nature, nor can we know the nature of the snakes and scorpions in it. (Ihyau Ulumid-Din, IV, 484-485)

In conclusion, the torment and blessing of the grave are essentially realities experienced by the spirit. The spirit feels those torments and blessings through a suitable intermediate body or a subtle sheath. Expressions like snake, scorpion, and the like should be understood in accordance with the reality of this realm; however, they should not be limited by the material measures of worldly life. Allah’s power is not limited by the system of existence and causes that we know.

So, will a believer who uses vulgar language and insults others be punished with snakes and scorpions too?

If a believer dies while still burdened with the rights of others or without repenting of major sins, Allah may forgive him or punish him according to His justice. Indeed, it is expressed in the hadith about the “bankrupt” by our Prophet (pbuh).

Therefore, a person who torments, insults, and hurts people with his words, and who dies without seeking forgiveness, may face severe consequences for violating the rights of others. It is also possible for them to suffer punishment in the grave in a way that Allah wills. Whether this punishment takes the form of snakes, scorpions, or something else is within Allah’s power and is possible.

Therefore, a believer should not take the rights of others lightly, thinking, “Since I have faith, I will be forgiven anyway.” Sins committed with the tongue should not be underestimated. One should repent for hurtful words he has uttered and, if possible, seek forgiveness from those whose rights have been violated because sins that are subject to Allah’s forgiveness are not the same as sins involving the rights of others.

Allah Almighty may forgive the rights of others if He wills; however, the duty of the individual is to try to ask forgiveness from them and protect his tongue while in this world.

To sum up, abusive and insulting language is unbecoming of a believer’s character and is often a sin. There is no authentic evidence to support the claim that a scorpion will be added to one’s grave for each of these actions. However, it is known that grave torment is true, and that snakes, scorpions, and similar instruments of torment are mentioned in the hadiths.

Therefore, a believer should control his tongue, refrain from evil words, and sincerely repent for his mistakes. Besides, he should apologize to others and seek their forgiveness.

Allah Almighty knows best the intentions, struggles, and repentance of His servant.

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