Ibn Kathīr (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “Allah Most High tells us of His forbearance and kindness toward His servants: He does not answer them when, in a state of exasperation and anger, they supplicate against themselves, their wealth, or their children. He knows that they do not truly intend or desire this. Therefore, in such circumstances, He does not answer them, out of kindness and mercy, whereas He answers them when they supplicate for goodness, blessing, and increase for themselves, their wealth, and their children. Hence He says: ‘Were Allah to hasten evil for people as readily as they seek to hasten good, their appointed terms would have been concluded.’ That is, if He were to answer every such supplication they made to Him, He would destroy them. Nevertheless, one should not make a habit of doing so.”1.

A Muslim must therefore exercise the utmost caution—particularly when angry or exasperated—not to invoke a curse, punishment, the Fire, or anything similar against himself, his wealth, or his child, for he would not be pleased to see it fulfilled. The purpose of supplication is to obtain benefit and ward off harm. Supplicating against oneself, one’s wealth, or one’s child brings no benefit whatsoever; rather, it is sheer harm, ruin, and destruction.

Muslim related in his Sahih, on the authority of Ubāda ibn al-Sāmit (may Allah be pleased with him), in a lengthy hadith, from Jābir ibn Abd Allah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: “We traveled with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) during the expedition of Batn Buwāt, while he was pursuing al-Majdī ibn Amr al-Juhanī. A water camel [that is, a camel used to draw water] was shared in turn among five, six, or seven of us. When the turn of a man from the Ansār came to ride a water camel belonging to him [that is, when it was his turn to ride], he made it kneel, mounted it, and then urged it onward, but it showed some