Question Summary:
Is it permissible to use immoral language for nafs and shaytān ?

Question Detail:

Assalamualaikum. Is it permissible to use bad words for nafs and shaiyān?  I get bad thoughts of others and I direct that to my nafs and shaitān.

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

A Muslim is one who submits himself to the will of Allāh Taālā.  Whatever is required from him at any time, he is ready to fulfill. However, sometimes man’s inner self (nafs) and shaitān become an obstacle between him and the Great Commands of Allāh Taālā.  In relation to the inner self, it is mentioned in the Qurān:
وما ابرئ نفسي ان النفس لامارة با السوء الا ما رحم ربي
“And I do not absolve my inner self of blame.  Surely man’s inner self often incites to evil, unless my Rabb shows mercy” (Qurān 12/53)
Hence we know that the nafs incites and orders man to fulfill his sinful desires.  However, if efforts are made to rectify the heart by building a strong connection with Almighty Allāh, the inner self reforms.  Thereafter the inner self becomes Lawwāmah, that is, it hates evil deeds, repents from them and continuously seeks forgives.  And when further sacrifices and efforts are made, the inner self becomes Mutmainnah, that is, the inner self loses the very urge and desire to engage in evil and sin. 
It is praiseworthy to rebuke one’s nafs and seek Allah’s protection against the whispers of shaitān.  However, one should not engage himself in vulgar language at any time.  In one Hadīth, Nabī Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam instructed the Sahābah to utilize the word “laqisat” (a decent word) in reference to the nafs and not the word “khabuthat”(a less decent word). [1] Commentators of Hadīth have mentioned that the Arabs used both of these words interchangeably.  However, the prohibition was due to the indecency of the word
“khabuthat”. [2]
The Ulemā (scholars) have mentioned regarding shaitān that while it is permissible to curse him, there is no benefit in doing so as he is already cursed by Allāh Taālā. [3]  It is wiser for us to utilize our time in the remembrance of Allāh Taālā.        

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mawlana Abdul Azeem bin Abdur Rahman,
Student Darul Iftaa
US
 
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Husain Kadodia.
www.daruliftaa.net