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The expression “May you live forever”

28-05-2003

Question 34735

Is it permissible to say to someone, “May you live forever”?.

Answer

Praise be to Allah.

Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “Saying ‘May you live forever’ is a kind of transgression in du’aa’, because living forever is impossible and is contrary to what Allaah says. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“Whatsoever is on it (the earth) will perish.

 And the Face of your Lord full of Majesty and Honour will remain forever”

[al-Rahmaan 55:26] 

“And We granted not to any human being immortality before you (O Muhammad); then if you die, would they live forever?”

[al-Anbiya’ 21:34]

From Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him), 3/69.

Al-Manaahi al-Lafziyyah (forbidden expressions)
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