Slander

The believers are commanded to preserve the spirit of brotherhood and friendship and to avoid anything that may induce enmity and hatred. As Allah said:

"The believers are nothing else than brothers" [Qur`an, 49:10] and

"Shaytan wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah and from Salat. So will you not abstain?" [Qur`an 5:91]

Allah has also granted the believers a favour by joining their hearts. He said:

"And remember Allah's favour upon you, for you were enemies one to another but He joined your hearts together so that by His Grace you became brethren." [Qur`an 3:103]

Further, He said:

"He it is Who has supported you with His help and with the believers and He has united their hearts. If you had spent all that is in earth, you could not have united their hearts, but Allah has united them." [Qur`an 8:62-63]

Every Mukallaf (competent person in control of all faculties) should safeguard his tongue against all kinds of loose talk, except when it is evident that talking will be a means of beneficence. When talking and being quiet are both equal as a prudent measure, then the Sunnah is to abstain from speech.

Abu Hurairah (Radhiallahu `anhu) reported that the Prophet (Sallallahu `Alayhi Wa Sallam) said: "Whosoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak what is good or be silent." (Agreed upon)

Imam Shafi`ee said: "If a person wishes to say something then he should think before he starts talking. If there is good, then he should speak, otherwise he should not."

Definition of Nameemah (Slander)

Nameemah refers to the act of carrying tales from one person to another. It also includes disclosing things that are disliked, whether by the person being told, the person being discussed, or a third party. This disclosure can be by speaking, writing, nodding, intimating (hinting) or signalling. The disclosed matter can be actions or speech, and may be a defect in the person being discussed or not. The reality of Nameemah is to disclose a secret and expose something about someone who does not like having such a thing exposed.

A person should not talk about anything that he may see in people and dislike. He should only say something if, inherent within it, it is good for a Muslim and to block a wrong or harm. If he sees, for example, someone mistreating another's property then he should testify to obtain he right of the person. But if he sees someone hiding his own property and he discloses this, then it is Nameemah - the revealing of a secret. If what is stated is actually a fault or defect about the person being discussed, then it is a combination of Gheebah (backbiting) and Nameemah.

Nameemah is carrying discussions from one to another for the intention of mischief, disclosing secrets and exposing secret matters. Buhtaan (saying something untrue about a person) about an innocent person is a very grave sin indeed as well.

The Islamic Ruling On Slander

Nameemah is an abomination. It is prohibited by Ijmaa` (consensus of the Muslim scholars). There are many clear references from the Qur`an, Sunnah, and Ijmaa` of the Ummah about the prohibition of Nameemah. This act is prohibited due to the hatred and enmity it may cause amongst Muslims.

Allah has said:

· "A slanderer going about with calumnies." [Qur`an 68:11]

· "Not a word does he utter, but there is a watcher by him ready [to record it]. [Qur`an 50:18]

· "Woe to every slanderer and backbiter." [Surah 104:1]

· "And those who annoy believing men and women undeservedly, they bear the crime of slander and plain sin." [Qur`an 33:58]

References from the Sunnah:

· Hudhaifah reported that the Prophet (Sallallahu `Alayhi Wa Sallam) said: "A Namaam will never enter Paradise." [al-Bukhari & Muslim].

· The Prophet (Sallallahu `Alayhi Wa Sallam) is also reported to have said: "Shall I tell you about the most evil ones from amongst you?" They said, "Of course." He said, "Those who go around with Nameemah. They make enmity between friends and they seek problems for the innocent." [Ahmad and al-Bukhari in al-Adab al-Mufrad]

· Ibn Abbas (Radhiallahu `Anhu) said: "Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu `Alayhi Wa Sallam) was passing by two graves and said, 'They (the dead laying in these graves) are being tortured not for a major (sin), but in fact, it is a minor (sin). One of them used to carry Nameemah and the other didn't save himself from being soiled by his urine.'" [al-Bukhari & Muslim]

We are reminded that Allah recommended reconciliation amongst Muslims:

· "So fear Allah and adjust all matters of differences among you." [Qur`an 8:1]

· The Prophet (Sallallahu `Alayhi Wa Sallam) is reported to have said: "Shall I tell you about acts of a higher rank than Salat, Siyam, and Sadaqah?" They said: "Yes O Messenger of Allah." He said, "Effecting peace among people for the spoiled relationships among people is destruction." [Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi]

Motives For Slandering

· Ignorance of the prohibition of Nameemah and the gravity of this sin

· To get things off one's chest such as hatred and malice

· Joining, by agreeing with a group of friends, to draw closer to the group

· To hurt or harm the person being discussed

· To show love and loyalty to the person being told

· Joking or fooling around

· Pretending knowledge of people, their secrets and status

What Should Be Done With The Slanderer

· Do not believe the Namaam for he is an evil person and his testimony is rejected. Allah has said:

"O you who believe! If a Fasiq person comes to you with news, verify it lest you harm people in ignorance." [Qur`an 49:6]

· Stop the Namaam and advise him, for Allah has said:

"Enjoin (people) to Al-Ma`ruf (good) and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (evil)." [Qur`an 31:17]

· Dislike the Namaam for the sake of Allah, for Allah does not like the Namaam.

· Do not think ill of your absent brethren, for Allah has said:

"O you who believe! Avoid much suspicion, indeed some suspicions are sins..." [Qur`an 49:12]

· Do not be pushed by what has been said to go and check on others and spy. Allah said: "... and spy not..." [Qur`an 49:12]

· Do not accept for yourself what you have forbidden the Namaam from doing. Do not spread his Nameemah. Al-Hasan (Radhiallahu `Anhu) said: "Whoever carries Nameemah to you, will carry one about you." The Prophet (Sallallahu `Alayhi Wa Sallam) is reported to have said: "The worst people before Allah on the Day of Resurrection will be those who, the people leave (undisturbed) to be away from their evil."

"The Qaati` will not enter Paradise." They asked, "Who is the Qaati`?" He said, "The one who severs the bonds among the people." [al-Bukhari & Muslim]

Characteristics of the Slanderer

Allah has said:

"And obey you not everyone Hallaaf Maheen. A slanderer going about with calumnies, Hinderer of the good, transgressor, sinful, cruel and moreover, base born." [Qur`an 68:10-13]

Allah has described in these verses, the Namaam, with 9 characteristics, all of which are ugly:

· He is Hallaaf: one who swears (vows/attests) much. One who does so is often an untruthful person who suspects that people do not believe him and thus swears to cover up his lying and convince others.

· He is Maheen: worthless

· He is Hamaaz: a slanderer, who criticises and insults people, using words or signals in their presence and absence.

· He goes about with calumnies - misrepresentations or vilification to harm others and create enmity.

· He is an obstacle for good.

· He is a transgressor for he violates truth and justice.

· He is a sinner for he cares not about committing sins and performing prohibited acts.

· He is cruel, harsh, rough and hard.

· He is Zaneem: base born.

The Two-Faced

The Prophet (Sallallahu `Alayhi Wa Sallam) is reported to have said: "You will find that the worst of Allah's slave on the Day of Resurrection is the two-faced person. He comes to some people with one face and to others with another face." [al-Bukhari & Muslim]

Abu Hurairah (Radhiallahu `Anhu) narrated that Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu `Alayhi Wa Sallam) said: "You will find people like metals (in their qualities). The best of them during the days of Jahiliyyah are the best when they enter Islam if they understand Islam. The worst people are the ones who do not accept Islam. You will find the worst among people the two-faced person. He comes to some people with one face and to others with another face. [al-Bukhari & Muslim]

Jewels From The Sayings Of The Salaf

· A man from the Salaf visited his brother. His brother conveyed Nameemah to him about a friend of his, so he told his brother: "My brother, you have made a long Gheebah and caused me three offences: made my brother disliked to me; made my heart think about what you said; and made me suspect your honesty."

· A Namaam sent a letter to As-Saahib Bin `Abbad encouraging him to take some of the money from an orphan because it was too much. As-Saahib wrote back on the back of the letter: "Nameemah is ugly and evil when it is true. If you meant to advise me by writing to me, then be assured that your loss is better than the profit. I ask Allah for refuge from accepting a tale from a dishonoured person about another with a blameless record. If you were not in your old age, we would have treated you with your intention. So avoid the same, for Allah knows the hidden and unseen. May Allah cover the dead with His mercy and support the orphan with patience. The money is increased and blessed by Allah, and the conveyer of Nameemah is cursed by Allah."

· Bakr Bin `Abdullah is reported to have said: "Always do something where if you do it and you're right then you will be rewarded and if you are wrong, you will not be punished. And avoid doing something where if you are right, you will not be rewarded and if you are wrong, you will be punished." They asked: "What is that thing?" He said: "Ill suspicions of people; if you are right, you will not be rewarded; but if you are wrong, you are sinners."

· Muhammad Bin Ka`b was asked what qualities are low and not fitting for a believer. He said: "Talking too much, uncovering the secret and accepting the sayings of everyone."

· A man said to `Amr Bin `Ubaid, "A man has been saying bad things about you." `Amr said to him: "Listen! You have not honoured the sitting in this man's company because you conveyed to me his speech. Further, you did not consider brotherly rights when you informed me what I dislike about my brother. But inform him that we all are dying. The grave will surround us all and the Day of Resurrection will collect all of us and Allah will judge amongst us; He is the best of judges."

· It was narrated that a person once came to `Omar Bin `Abdul-Aziz (Radhiallahu `Anhu) and mentioned something about another man. `Omar is reported to have said: "If you wish, we will look into your claim. If you are lying then you are among the people mentioned in this Verse: '... If a Fasiq person comes to you with news, verify it...' [Qur`an 49:6] If you are telling the truth then you are among the people mentioned in this Verse: 'A slanderer, going about with calumnies.' [Qur`an 68:11] But if you wish, we would forgive you." The man then said: "I want to be pardoned O Chief of theBelievers. I promise I will not do such a thing again."

· Luqman said to his son: "My son, I admonish you with qualities that if you hold to, you will always be honoured as the head of your people: Be good (have good manners) with the near and far; do not lose your temper with the respected people; protect your brothers and their honour; and join your kin. Have your brothers and relatives trust about you that you would not accept any tales from any person who intends to deceive you and corrupt the relationships. Take friends in a way that if you leave them, you will not say bad about them, neither will they say bad about you." Some Salaf have said that Nameemah is based on Kidhb (lying), Hasad (envy) and Nifaaq (hypocrisy). These three are the pillars of lowliness and depravity.

· A man came to Sulaiman Bin Abdul-Malik and Sulaiman reportedly said to him: "I was told that you have said bad things about me." The man said, "I have not done or said anything." Sulaiman then said, "The one who told me is truthful." Upon that Az-Zuhari, who was in the company of Sulaiman, said, "The Namaam is never truthful." Sulaiman then said, "You are right." And then he said to the man, "Go in peace."

May Allah guide and protect us all from harm and haraam... Ameen

source: islamic awakening