Two hadîth-i-sherîfs
read as follows: “Do not pronounce maledictions over yourselves or over your
offspring. Acquiesce in what Allâhu ta’âlâ foreordained. Pray so
that He will increase His blessings.” “Maledictions pronounced
over you by your parents or by the oppressed over their oppressor will not be
rejected (by Allâhu ta’âlâ).”
A person who prays that another Muslim should become a disbeliever becomes a
disbeliever himself. Desiring that an oppressing person should die as a
disbeliever so that he may suffer eternal punishment, would not cause disbelief.
The Qur’ân al-kerîm informs us that Mûsâ (Moses)
‘alaihis-salâm’ made a similar malediction. Imâm a’zâm Abû Hanîfa
‘rahimahullâhu ta’âlâ’ stated that it would cause a state of disbelief to wish
that someone else should become a disbeliever. It is forbidden (harâm) to
pronounce a malediction over anyone, with the exception of one’s oppressor. It
is permissible to pronounce a malediction over one’s oppressor with an
earnestness and vehemence equivalent to the degree of the injustice
perpetrated.
Anything permissible should (only) countervail the ’udhr (, i.e. the reason,)
which makes it (canonically) permissible (, i.e. jâiz). If you are patient
enough not to pronounce a malediction over someone who has wronged you, then so
much the better; and forgiving is the best. It is not permissible to say “May Allâhu ta’âlâ give you a long life” to any
disbeliever or to a non-Muslim citizen of an Islamic state. It is permissible
to make such a prayer with the following intentions, e.g., in order for him to
become a Muslim or in order for him to pay his taxes so that Muslims will
become more powerful. A person who greets a disbeliever, (by saying ‘salâmun
’alaikum’ and) with reverence, becomes a disbeliever. Saying any word which
would come to mean a reverence to a disbeliever causes disbelief. For example,
saying “My master” to a disbeliever causes disbelief.
Angels in grave to question thee,
Will ask, “Hast thou prayed properly?
You think once dead you attain safety?
Nota bene, torment awaits thee!”