Islam is all about modesty, simplicity, and peaceful living. Therefore, there are so many practices that Allah does not permit and considers haram. People follow the Quran as their guiding book, and whatever is written there, they follow it wholeheartedly. So, what does the Quran say about swearing? Is swearing haram?
Swearing is considered Makrooh in Islam, whether you do it out of frustration or intend to curse someone. In today’s time, swearing in every sentence has become a habit, but it is strictly prohibited in Islam.
But why do the prophets think swearing is haram? What is the reason behind it? Let’s read further and find out.
Why Is Swearing Haram?
All Islamic scholars and religious preachers believe that swearing or taking an oath in ordinary situations in the name of Allah is makruh (detestable). It does not matter whether the oath is for the past, present, or future and whether you’re casually saying it or using it to curse others; in all cases, it is haram.
A true Muslim believes that swearing is debauchery and immoral. Ibn Massaoud, an early preacher and follower of Islam, narrated that swearing for a Mulism is evil and immoral, and killing a Muslim is an act of Kufr.
Further, he believes that a true Muslim never curses, slanders, speaks obscene words, or abuses.
Another Islamic scholar, Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq, says that you should never swear in the name of Allah whether you are speaking the truth or lying because Allah says so.
Moreover, they believe that false swearing in the name of Allah is a great sin and the one who commits this sin falls from the greatest height of faith.
However, in some cases, if it’s obligatory, swearing is allowed, you should only swear in the name of Allah, the greatest divinity, and not by the names of prophets or anything else that is attributed to the name of Allah, like timelessness, existence, or oneness.
Some of the verses that speak of swearing and oath are-
“And they swear by Allah their strongest oaths that if you ordered them, they would go forth [in Allah’s cause]. Say, ‘Do not swear. [Such] obedience is known. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with that which you do.”
﴾۞ وَأَقْسَمُوا بِاللَّهِ جَهْدَ أَيْمَانِهِمْ لَئِنْ أَمَرْتَهُمْ لَيَخْرُجُنَّ ۖ قُل لَّا تُقْسِمُوا ۖ طَاعَةٌ مَّعْرُوفَةٌ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ
“They took their [false] oaths as a cover, so they averted [people] from the way of Allah, and for them, it is a humiliating punishment.”
﴾اتَّخَذُوا أَيْمَانَهُمْ جُنَّةً فَصَدُّوا عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ
“They swear to you so that you might be satisfied with them. But if you should be satisfied with them – indeed, Allah is not satisfied with defiantly disobedient people.”
﴾يَحْلِفُونَ لَكُمْ لِتَرْضَوْا عَنْهُمْ ۖ فَإِن تَرْضَوْا عَنْهُمْ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَرْضَىٰ عَنِ الْقَوْمِ الْفَاسِقِينَ
Final Thoughts
Swearing in any circumstance is haram in Islam. Even though nowadays it has become a trend to swear in every single sentence, Muslims who are strictly religious and follow the words of Allah and religious preachers should abide by this custom and must not swear.
