Is swearing jokingly allowed among friends?

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

May Allah Ta’ala use you as a means of inspiring others to do good.

Islam is a complete way of life as shown to us practically by the beloved prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Adherence and devotion to the sunnah of our prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) will guarantee our salvation in both this world and the next. Allah Ta’ala says in the Holy Quran,

{ لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ} [الأحزاب: 21] 

Translation: There is definitely an excellent example in Allah Ta’alas Rasool

In principle, it is a grave sin to swear, even if one is joking amongst friends. It is beyond the dignity and honour of a Muslim to speak in such a manner especially when our prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) who is our role model taught us how to interact with friends and strangers. Our prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) would neither use profanity nor foul and vulgar language. Furthermore, the prophet stated that vulgarity is a sign of a munafiq (hypocrite). See the following,

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ أَرْبَعٌ مَنْ كُنَّ فِيهِ كَانَ مُنَافِقًا، أَوْ كَانَتْ فِيهِ خَصْلَةٌ مِنْ أَرْبَعَةٍ كَانَتْ فِيهِ خَصْلَةٌ مِنَ النِّفَاقِ، حَتَّى      يَدَعَهَا إِذَا حَدَّثَ كَذَبَ، وَإِذَا وَعَدَ أَخْلَفَ، وَإِذَا عَاهَدَ غَدَرَ، وَإِذَا خَاصَمَ فَجَرَ

(Sahih al-Bukhari Book 46, Hadith 20)

Translation: The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, "Whoever has (the following) four characters will be a hypocrite, and whoever has one of the following four characteristics will have one characteristic of hypocrisy until he gives it up. These are: (1 ) Whenever he talks, he tells a lie; (2) whenever he makes a promise, he breaks it; (3) whenever he makes a covenant he proves treacherous; ( 4) and whenever he quarrels, he behaves impudently in an evil insulting manner."

Consider the following Ayats from the Quraan-e-kareem:

قَدْ أَفْلَحَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ هُمْ فِي صَلَاتِهِمْ خَاشِعُونَ  وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ عَنِ اللَّغْوِ مُعْرِضُونَ (المؤمنون: 1-3)

Translation: “Successful, indeed are the believers. Those who offer their prayers will submissiveness and those who turn away from vain talk.”

{ وَيَنْهَى عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنْكَرِ وَالْبَغْيِ } [النحل: 90]

Translation: And Allah Ta’ala forbids immoral behaviour, evil and oppression. He advices you so that you take heed.

{ وَقُولُوا لِلنَّاسِ حُسْنًا} [البقرة: 83]

Translation: Speak kindly (in a good manner) to people.

Consider the following Ahadith of Rasullullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam):

قال‏:‏ قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ "‏سباب المسلم فسوق، وقتاله كفر‏"  

[Al-Buhkari Book 18, Hadith 49]

Translation: The Messenger of Allah Ta’ala said, "Reviling a Muslim is Fusuq (disobedience of Allah) and killing him is (tantamount to) disbelief."

لم يكن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فاحشاً ولا متفحشاً‏.‏ وكان يقول‏:‏ “إن من خياركم أحسنكم أخلاقاً 

[Al-Bukhari book 1 Hadith 625]

Translation: 'Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Al-'as (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:

Messenger of Allah Ta’ala did not indulge in loose talk nor did he like to listen to it. He used to say, "The best of you is the best among you in conduct."

"‏من كان يؤمن بالله واليوم الآخر، فليقل خيرًا، أو ليصمت‏" 

[Sahih Muslim Book 18, Hadith 1511]‏

Translation: The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, "He who believes in Allah and the Last Day must either speak good or remain silent."

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best

M. Akhtar

Student Darul Iftaa  
South Africa

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.