Is it haram to curse your own children?
Yes, cursing your own children is haram, and the Prophet ﷺ specifically warned parents against it. A parent's dua is powerful, so a curse said in anger could actually be answered. If you've done it, you can repent, make dua for your child instead, and repair things with them.
The Prophet's ﷺ clear warning
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Do not invoke curses upon yourselves, do not invoke curses upon your children, and do not invoke curses upon your wealth, lest it coincide with a moment when Allah is asked and He grants it" (Sahih Muslim 3009). That covers more than formal curses. Saying "I wish you'd never been born," "May God punish you," or "Go to hell" to a child all fall under it.
He also taught that cursing doesn't fit a believer at all: "The believer is not one who slanders, curses, is obscene or foul" (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 1977).
Why it happens, and why it matters
Most parents who curse their kids don't mean it. It comes out in exhaustion, at bedtime or in a messy kitchen. The Quran describes this human weakness exactly:
Beyond the spiritual risk, harsh words stay with children. Kids often remember the angry sentence long after they've forgotten what they did wrong. Swear words are a related but separate issue. See Is it a sin to swear as a Muslim?
What to do in the moment
- Pause and say "A'udhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajim." The Prophet ﷺ recommended seeking refuge in Allah when anger rises. See What should I say when I'm angry as a Muslim?
- Change your position or leave the room. Sit down, splash water on your face, or step outside for a minute if the child is safe.
- Swap the curse for a dua. Train yourself to say "May Allah guide you" or "Allahu yahdik" instead. It releases the frustration and could be answered for good.
If you already cursed your child
Don't despair. Ask Allah's forgiveness, and make sincere dua for your child's guidance, health and happiness, asking Allah not to accept the words you said in anger. Then apologise to your child in words they understand: "I was angry and I said something wrong. I'm sorry. I love you." This teaches them more about Islam than a perfect parent ever could. Be fair with all your children in words and affection too. See Is it haram to favor one child over another?
If anger at home feels out of control, talking to a counsellor or a parenting course is a strength, not a failure.
- Cursing your children is haram and explicitly forbidden in hadith.
- A parent's words in anger might be answered, so guard your tongue.
- Replace curses with duas like "May Allah guide you."
- If it happened, repent, make dua for them, and apologise.
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