Abu Hurayra said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was asked, "Messenger of Allah, invoke a curse for us against the idolaters.' He replied, 'I was not sent as a curser. I was sent as a mercy.'"
Hadith Commentary: The Prohibition of Cursing
This noble hadith from Al-Adab Al-Mufrad (321) establishes the fundamental Islamic principle that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was sent as a mercy to all creation, not as one who invokes curses or destruction upon people.
The Prophet's Response to the Request
When the Companions requested the Prophet to curse the idolaters, he immediately clarified his mission's essential nature. His response "I was not sent as a curser" demonstrates that invoking curses contradicts the very purpose of his prophethood.
The scholars explain that this teaching applies not only to idolaters but to all people, as the Prophet's mercy encompasses both believers and non-believers in this worldly life.
Scholarly Interpretation
Classical commentators note that while Allah may curse certain disbelievers in the Quran, the Prophet's personal conduct was to emphasize mercy and guidance rather than condemnation.
Imam An-Nawawi explains that this hadith teaches Muslims to focus on inviting people to Islam with wisdom and beautiful preaching rather than cursing or condemning them.
The prohibition extends to cursing specific individuals, as only Allah knows people's ultimate fate and what is in their hearts.
Practical Application
This teaching instructs Muslims to embody mercy in their dealings with all people, following the example of the Prophet who prayed for guidance even for those who opposed him most vehemently.
The scholars emphasize that while we may dislike disbelief and sin, we must maintain hope for people's guidance and treat them with the mercy that characterizes Islamic teachings.