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Salaam - On Wishing Death for Others: Is It Permissible?

As a recent revert (previous christian), I've become close to a Muslim who holds a view that troubles my conscience. I'm looking for an Islamic perspective and scholarly grounding because emotions are running high and it's hard to be objective. Scenario: Someone says it's Islamically acceptable to wish death on a person or a group as long as they wouldn't physically do anything. The excuse is that it's "just words" or emotional venting. This has come up around: * Anger and grief over the genocide in Palestine (which is truly horrific) * Comments like hoping for death for Jews as a whole or calling for the deaths of certain leaders I want to distinguish legitimate grief and righteous anger from what Islam actually permits. What I understand from the Qur'an: 1. Speech is accountable - “Not a word does one utter except that with him is an observer prepared [to record]” (Qur'an 50:18). Words have spiritual weight even if not acted on. 2. Hatred doesn't justify injustice - “Do not let the hatred of a people cause you to be unjust. Be just; that is closer to righteousness.” (Qur'an 5:8). This guides how we feel and speak, not only how we act. 3. Collective guilt is rejected - “No soul bears the burden of another.” (Qur’an 6:164). That goes against wishing death on entire groups for the deeds of some. 4. Even in conflict, transgression is forbidden - “Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress...” (Qur’an 2:190). If fighting has limits, casual death wishes seem problematic. 5. The heart is accountable - “He knows the betrayal of the eyes and what the hearts conceal.” (Qur’an 40:19). Inner states and speech are within Allah’s knowledge and judgment. 6. Human life is honored - “We have honored the children of Adam.” (Qur’an 17:70). That honor isn’t removed because of nationality, faith, or politics. Question: Is there any clear Islamic evidence (Qur’an, Sunnah, or consensus) that permits wishing death on individuals or groups simply because one wouldn’t act on it? My current view: Islam makes a moral difference between feeling anger and committing transgression. Intentions, speech, and inner states are regulated. Wishing death seems to cross from grief into injustice, even if no physical action is taken. TL;DR: Does Islam allow wishing death on people as long as you wouldn’t act? The Qur’anic guidance I cited suggests no - speech, hatred, and the heart are accountable, and collective death wishes contradict clear moral limits. Jazakum Allahu khairan for any insight or references to scholars that clarify this.

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Comments

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I used to vent like that online, thought it was harmless. After studying hadiths on backbiting and dua, I stopped. Words carry weight - try dua for justice instead of curses.

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I’m a revert too and struggled with this. Learned that duas should come from the heart with limits; wanting punishment is different from praying for mercy and justice. There’s nuance.

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As a sister who lost family in violence, I get the rage, but Islam asks us to guard our tongues. Wishing death feels like stepping into the same darkness. Not worth it spiritually or morally.

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Honestly, seeing people cheer for death online terrifies me. Islam teaches compassion and restraint, even when grieving. I try to remind myself of that whenever I want to lash out.

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Short and real: wishing death feels empowering for a second, then hollow. Islam values human dignity even in enemies. Better to focus on accountability and justice.

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Agree with the post - speech is recorded. Someone quoted me harshly once and I regretted it. Anger is natural, but we must channel it into constructive action and lawful supplication.

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This is messy emotionally, but legally clear in my reading: asking for someone's death as a blanket wish isn’t supported. Better to seek justice through right means and keep our words pure.

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Totally relate to the grief, but collective curses? No. Qur'an and sunnah emphasise individual accountability. It muddies the line between anger and injustice.

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