In our town, there is a man of bad character who constantly insults people around him. We kindly ask you to clarify the ruling of Islamic law regarding this matter. 

Islamic law categorically forbids insults and foul language. Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Insulting a Muslim is tantamount to degeneracy and fighting [Muslims] is tantamount to disbelief” (Bukhari and Muslim). Imam al-Nawawi noted in his commentary on Sahih Muslim (2/54), “As for the meaning of the hadith, it demonstrates that insulting a Muslim without just cause is prohibited according the consensus of the universal community of Muslims and that the perpetrator is corrupt.”

Imam Ibn Battal wrote in his commentary on Sahih al-Bukhari, “Insulting a Muslim is corruption because the honor of Muslims is as sacrosanct as their lives and wealth. In Lisan al-Arab, the term “corruption of the tongue” is defined as deviation from obedience. Consequently, a Muslim should refrain from insulting or cursing fellow believers. [A Muslim] should follow the example of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in this regard as insulting others fosters division and hatred.”

Insulting, harming, and committing wrongdoing against others are all reasons for a person’s bankruptcy on the Day of Judgment. Abu Huraria (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Do you know who is bankrupt?” The Companions asked, “The bankrupt among us is the one without money or goods.” The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “The bankrupt from my nation are those who come on the Day of Judgment with their prayers, fasting, and charity, but also with insults, slander, wrongfully consuming the wealth [of others], shedding blood, and beating others. The oppressed will each be given from their good deeds. If their good deeds are exhausted before justice is fulfilled, then their sins will be cast upon them and they will be thrown into Hellfire” (Sunnan al-Tirmidhi).

And Allah Almighty knows best