Do Not Curse the Devil! This is What Will Happen

Dream - In daily activities, Dream friends may have suddenly encountered an obstacle or unexpected situation. Some of you might spontaneously utter a curse phrase like "damn the devil".

This curse is commonly used because some people believe that sudden obstacles or difficulties occur due to the devil's mischief. This is also what happened in a story. Where Abu Tamimah rode a donkey with the Prophet Muhammad SAW.

One time, the donkey ridden by the Prophet Muhammad SAW stumbled. Then Abu Tamimah spontaneously said, "Damn the devil!"

However, such utterance or cursing the devil is actually not allowed. That is also what the Prophet Muhammad SAW said.

To find out why we are not allowed to curse the devil with the phrase "damn the devil", here is what Dream has summarized from various sources.

Prohibition of Cursing the Devil

The Prophet Muhammad SAW said:

"Do not say, 'Damn the devil.' Because if you say, 'Damn the devil,' then he becomes bigger and says, 'With my power, I defeat him.' But if you say, 'Bismillah,' then he becomes smaller until he is as small as a fly."

The hadith narrated by Imam Ahmad above is a hadith with a good and strong chain of narrators. Ibn Kathir interpreted that the meaning of the hadith indicates that when the heart remembers Allah SWT, the devil becomes smaller and defeated. But if he does not remember Allah SWT, then the devil becomes bigger and can defeat him.

Then, in another hadith narrated by Imam Ahmad, the Prophet Muhammad SAW said:

"Indeed, when one of you is in the mosque and the devil comes, the devil is tied to him like a person tying his mount. And if he remains silent (does not remember Allah), then the devil turns around and ties and restrains him."

Through the above hadith, Abu Hurairah explained about a person who is tied around his neck. The person is slanted like this, not remembering Allah SWT. Meanwhile, the person who is restrained, he is seen opening his mouth and not remembering Allah SWT.

Seek Protection from Allah SWT and Not Curse the Devil

A Muslim is actually commanded to seek protection from Allah SWT alone and not curse the devil. This is explained in Surah Fussilat verse 36:

وَإِمَّا يَنزَغَنَّكَ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ نَزْغٌ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ

Artinya: "And if Satan should cause you to forget, then do not remain after the reminder with the wrongdoing people. And seek refuge in Allah; indeed, He is the Hearing, the Knowing." (QS.Fussilat: 36)

Furthermore, Allah SWT also commands the Muslim ummah to pray to Allah SWT seeking protection from the devil. As explained in Surah Al-Mu'minun verses 97-98:

وَقُلْ رَبِّ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ هَمَزَاتِ الشَّيَاطِينِ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ رَبِّ أَن يَحْضُرُونِ

وَإِمَّا يَنزَغَنَّكَ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ نَزْغٌ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ

Artinya: "And say, 'My Lord, I seek refuge in You from the incitements of the devils, And I seek refuge in You, my Lord, lest they be present with me.'" (QS.Al-Mukminun: 97-98)

Then, Imam Ibn Uthaymeen was once asked about the ruling on cursing the devil. Then he answered as follows:

"Human beings are not commanded to curse the devil. But they are commanded to seek protection from the devil. As Allah SWT says (which means), 'If the devil causes you harm, then seek refuge in Allah SWT.'"