In Islam...

In Islam, cussing is forbidden (haram) ; and in the books of lexicon, “sabb” is defined as cussing and the usage of profanities.[^2] Al-Zubaydi has stated: “ As-sabb is [defined] as cussing.”[^3] Ibne Manḍhur has stated that: “ Al-Shatam means offensive speech and there is no requirement that in such speech, defamation occurs.”[^4] Al-Turayhi has stated: “ al-Shatam means to describe something such as to show a deficiency within it.”[^5] Islam has prohibited the acts of cussing and the use of vulgar language just as God, the Most High, has stated: وَلاَ تَسُبُّوا الَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ مِنْ دُونِ اللهِ فَيَسُبُّوا اللهَ عَدْواً بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ... “Do not cuss those whom they invoke besides God, lest they should abuse God out of hostility, without any knowledge…” [^6] The Noble Prophet of Islam (S) was very strong in his words in condemning this practice and has stated: “Cussing and usage of vulgar language towards a Muslim is a sin.”[^7] During the battle of Siffin, when the Commander of the Faithful ʿAli Ibn Abi Talib (as) was informed that some of his companions where using bad language in regards to the people of the Levant (Sham) , he addressed them by saying: “I dislike that you start to verbally abuse them (using vulgar language), but if you describe their deeds and recount their situations (their actions) that would be a better mode of speaking and a more convincing way of arguing [with others about how these people are].”[^8] In addition, Imam Jaʿfar as-Sadiq (as) has stated: “The cussing of a believer [by another believer] is like the one who has thrown himself into perdition.”[^9] Therefore, cussing is definitely recognized as something which is expressly forbidden (haram) in Islam and any sane and rational person will be sure to refrain from such actions; however as for evoking malediction , this is something other than cussing and its meaning is to “distance oneself towards something good.” Al-Jawhari has stated: “ Al-Laʿn is to drive way and to distance one’s self away [from evil and going towards] good.”[^10] In addition, malediction has also been defined as displaying an aversion towards an individual’s despicable actions.