Vulgarity

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

While I was walking the other day, an Arab boy, who appeared to be around 8 or 9 years old, uttered some words which did not sound Arabic to me but I could not make up the whole words. I looked at him and he ran away while uttering those words again a few times loudly. And they were, in fact, some vulgar words in English. I was shocked and wondered where could he have picked up those words.

Vulgarity involves words or behavior that offends good taste, usually involving slang for body functions or body parts. It occurs most to words of sexual intercourse and relieving oneself. Such language was once reserved for private conversations and disreputable establishments, but today it is becoming acceptable in the public arena. Words that were once taboo now are common in the news or even in normal conversation. Young people are not embarrassed because they grew up hearing it. So, while we can blame the media, TV, music, and the Hollywood for the prevalence of vulgarity in our society, experts contend the behavior of family members and friends is more to blame for the escalation of indecency and vulgarity.

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said,

“The believer is not an attacker [of people’s honor] (ta’’an), a curser, a speaker of vulgarity, or foul tongued.” (Tirmidhi)

Vulgarity is contrary to respectability and religiousness, and leads to putting oneself down and offending others. Proper manners entail that one refer to certain matters in non explicit terms, just as Allah referred to defecating as “coming from a low, concealed place,” and intercourse as “touching women.” Being explicit in such matters is the way of the religiously corrupt and they have extremely explicit words that they use that are repugnant to people of righteousness.

It is reported that the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Paradise is forbidden for ever vulgar person to enter.”

May Allah protect us and our children from vulgarity and foul tongues. Ameen. Please don't forget us in your night prayers. JazakAllahu khairan.

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam