Question:
During a family dispute discussed in a public gathering, is it permissible to say, “May Allahﷻ’s curse be upon the liar”?
Answer:
In disputes, both sides usually deny each other’s claims. The questioner thinks that the opposite party is blatantly lying, So, he wants to curse him by saying ‘May Allahﷻ’s curse be upon the liar’.
The statement can be used under two conditions. For worldly disputes and religious analysis.
For worldly disputes, both parties should provide only evidence that he is true, and the opposite party is a liar, and thus Allahﷻ’s name should not be used for your dispute. Saying such statements is not permissible.
Religious matters should not be used to strengthen personal disputes.
Islam teaches that claims should be proven through evidence. The Prophetﷺ said that the claimant must provide proof. Instead of presenting evidence, invoking Allahﷻ’s curse to prove oneself right is improper and unjust.
The Jamaath or Qazi should condemn him not to use Allahﷻ’s name and ask him to produce only evidence. Don’t use Allahﷻ’s name as shield for your promises!
That should not be said during financial or dispute arbitration. In arbitration, if asked what your duty is, you must present evidence that what you are saying is true. Present evidence that what the other person is saying is false. Then it will become clear who is lying. Allahﷻ will decide who is truthful or liar. But if you want a person in this world to decide, you must present worldly evidence—an evidence acceptable to society.
You must show evidence and say, “Look, this is proof that what I say is true. Look, this is proof that what he says is false.” That is how someone should be proven a liar. I have seen many people, as soon as someone denies what they say, raise their voice and say, “Allahﷻ is watching. Allahﷻ is my witness,” as if they are the only ones whom Allahﷻ is watching.
Allahﷻ is watching you as well. When you say Allahﷻ is watching, it is not only one person He is watching—He is watching everything. Therefore, you should not use Allahﷻ as a tool to prove your case. Do not use Allahﷻ as a shield to support your oath. Cases should not be conducted by making Allahﷻ a supporting tool. Allahﷻ knowing who is truthful is a separate matter. But how can you make Allahﷻ a witness just to prove that you are correct? You too might be lying when you say, “May Allahﷻ’s curse be upon the liar.”
You may say it, but in what meaning are you saying it? You are implying that he is the liar and you are not, and you are presenting Allahﷻ as your witness. Believing Allahﷻ is witness is part of faith and does not change from within a believer’s heart. That is a separate matter. But why do you use that in legal disputes? Even in Allahﷻ’s judgment, evidence will be shown. You must show evidence. If you say, “Allahﷻ knows that I am truthful,” then why bring the dispute forward at all?
We see many unjust people who, when they come to an assembly, say, “Allahﷻ is watching. Allahﷻ knows everything.” Does Allahﷻ need you to tell that He knows everything? He already knows everything. Therefore, you must never use “Allahﷻ knows everything” as a tool in arbitration. Do not behave as if Allahﷻ is your personal supporter or someone on your side.
Saying Allahﷻ is watching is something both parties accept as a belief. But why are you formally presenting that in arbitration? What is your intention? To prove that you are truthful and he is lying? You must not say that. If family disputes and arguments arise, the solution is evidence, documents, and witnesses—not making Allahﷻ a witness. Allahﷻ will not come as a witness. He has commanded us to investigate and decide.
Even the Messengerﷺ of Allahﷻ said in many cases that disputes are brought before him and that he may judge in favor of someone based on how convincingly they speak. But that person may be punished in the Hereafter if he took something unjustly. The Prophetﷺ warned about this. How did the Prophetﷺ judge? Based on arguments, evidence, proof, and witnesses presented before him.
Therefore, saying “May Allahﷻ’s curse descends upon the liar” should not be said in disputes because it is being misused. Ali (may Allahﷻ be pleased with him) criticized such misuse, saying, “A true statement used for false purposes.” Saying Allahﷻ is watching and that Allahﷻ’s curse is upon liars is true. If someone lies, Allahﷻ’s curse may indeed be upon them. That is true.
But where are you using that truth? You are using it to prove your case and to present yourself as truthful. If someone uses such words, community leaders must stop them and say, “Do not speak about Allahﷻ in this manner. Do not say Allahﷻ is on your side.” We are gathered to decide who owns the matter. We are humans in making decisions. Will Allahﷻ come now and declare who is lying?
Allahﷻ will not come as a witness in such matters. So why drag Allahﷻ into it? Such people must be reprimanded. Tell them to present evidence. If you claim someone is lying, present proof. If you cannot present proof, then even if you are truthful, the decision will be based on available evidence, and the other person’s statement may be accepted. Therefore, Allahﷻ should not be used as a tool.
However, in general preaching, we may say, “May Allahﷻ’s curse be upon liars.” There are many liars in society. Saying, “May Allahﷻ’s curse be upon liars,” while explaining religious teachings is permissible. If someone fabricates lies about the Prophetﷺ and we are explaining hadith, we may say, “May Allahﷻ’s curse be upon such liars,” or that liars reserve a place in Hell. This is not said to prove a case but to teach religious principles and to warn people against lying.
Another condition is that, if I say that Allahﷻ’s curse is upon liars, I am not using it to support my personal case. I am explaining a religious principle and condemning lying. In that context, it is permissible. In fact, in the practice of Mubahala, people invoke Allahﷻ’s curse upon liars. Similarly, in Li‘an between husband and wife, the husband says, “If I am lying, may Allahﷻ’s curse be upon me.”
Because of such rulings, it is true that Allahﷻ’s curse may be upon liars. But using that truth in the wrong place becomes a mistake. This must be understood.