Dua & Supplication

Is it permissible to make dua against someone who wronged you, and are you responsible for what happens to them?

Yasir Qadhi • December 21, 2021 • Watch on YouTube
dua against someone who wronged youis it halal to make dua against someonedua of the oppresseddua al-mazlumprayer of the wronged

Quick Answer

Making dua against someone who has wronged you is completely permissible and is in fact one of the duas most guaranteed to be answered. The Prophet (ﷺ) explicitly said to beware of the dua of the oppressed (mazlum), as there is no barrier between it and Allah. You are not responsible for what happens to the person you made dua against — Allah decides outcomes, not you. The death of someone connected to the wrongdoer is not something you caused and requires no kaffarah. You should, however, only ask for what is commensurate with the wrong done to you.

Summary of Yasir Qadhi's Position

In a 2021 video (Ask Shaykh YQ #253), Yasir Qadhi responds to a woman who made dua against someone who slandered and wronged her. After making dua, the wrongdoer's spouse passed away — and she is now overwhelmed with guilt, asking if her dua caused the death and whether she needs to make kaffarah.

Making Dua Against the Wrongdoer: Completely Permissible

The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

"Beware of the dua of the oppressed (mazlum), for there is no barrier between it and Allah." (Sunan al-Nasa'i)

"Three duas are answered without doubt: the dua of the father for his child, the dua of the traveler, and the dua of the one who has been wronged." (Abu Dawud)

"Three duas are never returned... the one upon whom injustice has been done. It is carried to the heavens and the gates open for it, and Allah says: I swear by My honor and glory — I will help you, even if it is after some time." (Ahmad)

These hadith confirm that:

  • Making dua against a wrongdoer is completely halal — the Prophet would not encourage something impermissible
  • This is one of the most powerful forms of dua
  • It is a manifestation of Allah's infinite justice — He does not allow oppression to go unanswered

    • The person who has been slandered, whose rights have been taken, whose feelings have been violated — they have every right to raise their hands to Allah and say: "Ya Allah, deal with the one who has wronged me. You are sufficient for me."

    The Limit: Ask Only What is Proportionate

    You have the right to ask Allah to give you your rights back, to correct what has been wronged, and to punish the wrongdoer. You should not ask for more than what has been done to you — asking for something disproportionate may turn against you.

    But "I leave this affair to Allah" is always a powerful and safe dua — because Allah will deal with the situation with perfect justice.

    You Are NOT Responsible for What Happens After

    This is the key reassurance:

    Death is decreed by Allah from above the seven heavens. Your dua does not and cannot change when someone is destined to die. The death of the wrongdoer's spouse:

    If Allah chose to punish the wrongdoer in some way — that is Allah's decision. You are not the instrument of that punishment. If the spouse who died was innocent of any wrongdoing, Allah will deal with them with mercy — their death is not your doing.

    To feel guilty for making a halal dua and then for something that happened independently: this guilt is unfounded. Lift this burden from yourself.

    A Warning to Those Who Do Dhulm (Injustice)

    The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

    "Dhulm (injustice) will be darknesses on the Day of Judgment."

    "Beware of harming anyone — on the Day of Judgment there will be no currency except good deeds. The one who harmed you will give you their good deeds."

    Anyone who has wronged others — slandered, taken their rights, violated their trust — should resolve this in this world before the next, because in the next world there is nothing to pay with except your own good deeds.