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Friday Talks |
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121 |
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Friday Talks |
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121 |
Defamation and Slander
Written by Sk. Omar Khadrawi
Translated by: Dr. Faheem Bukhatwa.
02 Jumada Al-Awal 1431
16 April 2010
One of the diseases which affect the Muslim society and works on destroying it is the disease of defamation or slandering. It is a malignant and evil disease which is transmitted through tongs. It destroys homes and families, and separates those who have love between them and severs relationships. Slander or defamation is forbidden (haram). Linguistically, slander refers to transferring what people say from and to each other with evil and bad intention to destroy, and expose what was concealed. Allah says: {A criticiser with ridicule, inciter and spreader of slanders} 68:11.
The messenger ppbu said: {No slanderer will enter Paradise}. The messenger ppbu with some of his companions passed by two graves when he said: {They are being punished, and not for something big according to what they thought. Oh in fact it was for something big, one of them used to spread slander and the other used to not clean himself after urinating}. Some scholars have the opinion that one third of the punishment in the grave is due to slander. If slander brings punishment of the grave first, then it is followed by the punishment of the day of resurrection, then we ought to avoid it and take care not to fall into it. We ought to warn those who do not know the great harm slandering brings on to society and the individual; in order to avoid falling into this despiteful and evil moral. The slanderer or defamer will destroy relations between people, and goes in between two close friends and turns them into enemies. He says to each about his brother what he would hate and what would cause him harm. A slanderer will sour the relation between a father and his son or the son and his mother, and between a man and his wife. Many a home was destroyed, and many a group was dispersed and destitute because of slanders and a slanderers.
A slanderer is an assistant to Satan in creating divisions between Muslims. The messenger ppbu said: {Ibleece (Satan) places his throne on water, and sends his regiments. Those of his troops with the closest status are those who make the greatest temptation and disorder and damage. One of them would come and say I did such and such and he would say to him that’s nothing. Another would say: I did not leave him until I had him and his wife split up or separated. Ibleece then would get him nearer to him in status, and says: yes you}.
A man came up to Wahb Ebn Munbih (æåÈ ÅÈä ãäÈå) and said to him: such and such person says such and such about you. Wahb said to him: “Has Satan not found someone other than you to do his post?”. Scholars say: “ignore this who slanders you”. Once someone visited a brother of his and chatted to him about other brothers with what he hated to hear. He replied to him: “brother, you have been away for so long, then you come to me with three sins, you made me hate my brother, and made my heart worry about him, and you put accusations at the honesty of your soul”.
The messenger ppbu hated if one of his companions told him something about someone else. He said once: {let none of my companions tell me nothing about anyone else. I would like always come out to see you with a clear heart about all}. The messenger ppbu here draws the attention to an important point we ought to see in order for Islam to remain strong and for Muslims to enjoy this strength. This can only happen with the clarity of the chests and pureness of the hearts from antagonism and hate, envy, and all other social diseases headed by slander amongst people.
Yahya Ebn Aktham (íÍí Èä ÃßËã) said: {a slanderer is worst than a magician. a slanderer can do in one hour what a magician can not do in a year}. It is also said that: “A slanderer’s work is more harmful than the magician’s”.
An example of slandering and defaming is to say: such and such says such and such about you. Or “he hates you and does not love you”. Slandering is either saying those words orally in words or in writing or in symbols or in gestures. And that extends to any words which are not true; or even sometimes true but should not be told for being destructive and exposing a cover which someone would hate it to be uncovered. And remember that this, who slanders to you about someone else, could and would slander about you to someone else.
A slanderer hearing someone saying something good about someone else, would say to the speaker: “That’s strange, you say such good things about him and you sing his praise when you do not know what he says about you”. So he destroys good feelings between friends and this is a work of Satan. Satan causes conspiracy between Muslims. The Slanderer is a two faced individual who meets different people with different faces, much like a chameleon lizard which changes its colours for each situation. The messenger ppbu said: {a two faced individual will not be worth or privileged with Allah}. He also said: {who ever in this life is a two faced person, in the next life will have two tongs of fire}. The messenger ppbu also said: {you shall find that the worst of all people on the day of resurrection with Allah is the two-faced person who comes tp those with once face and comes to those with a different face}. A true Muslim dear brothers, has one face where ever he is, and has one tong only says which pleases his God. Every human should control what his tong says, and stops it from talking except with words which bare benefit; and whenever the talk deviates from benefit; then according to the messenger’s style is to refrain from talking. For even normal allowed talks can lead to something forbidden or despised. The messenger ppbu said: {whoever has faith into Allah and into the next life, then let them say something good or be quite}
Falsely accusing the innocent by talking about him or her is heavier than the heavens, and a grievous punishment shall be fall this that causes harm to an individual by talking about him to his superior. The messenger ppbu said: {Shall I tell you about the worst of you? Those who go on spreading their slander, destroyers of relations between loved ones, who falsely accuse the innocent and those who cause harm}. The messenger ppbu also said: {Whoever unrightfully spreads a slander about a Muslim to do him harm then Allah shall harm him with it in hell fire on the day of resurrection}. That is his punishment on the day of resurrection and before that will face the punishment in the grave.
Slander amongst women and in the homes and between families seems to rage in society. What a women can say about her friend or neighbour, or the one she chats with or her husband’s relatives. A woman who slanders and defames even when she speaks the truth is still like those who tell the future (or fortune tellers); she adds ninety nine lies to each word of truth. Her words are listened to; and what she tells is accepted. Many flames of hate and enmity she ignited and lit between friends and relatives. A Muslim must not take at face value everything he or she is told. Allah says: {you who have faith, if an offender comes up to you with a piece of news then clarify it} 49:6. A slanderer may enter a mosques but would leave with more sins than with good reward, and would change the lessons and advice given to whatever his or her evil soul would want and whatever Ibleece (Satan) inspires him or her. He only hears and sees the wrong and always has the worst of doubts in what people say; and never takes the better intentions of other and never gives anyone the benefit of the doubt.
Slandering is forbidden by the general agreement of all Muslims according to the book and messenger’s teachings (sunnah). Slander is considered to be one of the greater sins.
Motivations for Slandering:
Motivations and reasons for indulging into slandering are many and are hidden, some of which are:
Ignorance of the fact that it is a forbidden act and it is one of the greater sins. And ignorance of what it results into and ignorance of the splitting up it causes between those who are in love.
Slander is a response and a relief to hate and envy and jealousy.
Slandering is practised just for the sake of keeping up with and being nice to and licking up to those whom one socialises with and the urge to cause harm to the victim of slander.
Slander is practiced because he or she wants to know more about the secrets of others and the want of being skilful about people’s lives.
Features of the slanderers:
A slanderer frequently swears or makes oaths. Only the one who is not truthful and feels that people do not believe him finds that he has to swear to convince people and hide his lies and gain their trust.
Despicable is this that has no respect for him self or for people in what he says. Again the sign of that is the need he feels to swear and make oath. This feature is psychological which can inflict even those with great status and riches.
A slanderer is who ridicules people with words, symbols and gestures either in their presence or absence.
A slanderer frequently and constantly talks about people with what ruins their hearts and severs their relationships, and wipes out any good feelings between them. It is a despicable moral only adopted by one whose soul and behaviour has become evil and low.
One who prevents good and well being to himself and to others.
One who is an offender is that who absolutely goes beyond truth, right and justice.
A slanderer is a sinner who takes and does the forbidden and commits acts of disobedience.
A slanderer is a savage who is sever, harsh and unyielding and tough with a hated personality.
A slanderer is evil and intrusive who loves inflicting harm and pain on to others. And no one is safe from the evil of his tong.
Treatment for the problem of slander.
Remembering and keeping in mind that a slanderer is exposed to Allah’s fury and punishment.
To get the sense of the grave harm caused to hearts and well being of those who get separated and the homes which are destroyed.
Remembering the verses in the Koran and the messenger’s advice and to practice firm control over what words are spoken.
Spread love amongst Muslims and talk of their good character and features and deeds.
Remembering that holding ones tong can be a reason to enter paradise.
Knowing that whoever traces peoples’ faults and secrets then Allah will trace his faults and secrets; and would disgracefully expose him even within the depths of his or her home.
Taking up good company that can guide the individual to good and whose gatherings can be gatherings of good.
Let it be certain that those slandered today will litigate against him on the day of resurrection.
Response to slanderers:
Those who are spoken to by a slanderer should:
They should not believe a slanderer.
Advice and deter the slanderer to refrain from slandering.
Despise him or her for Allah’s sake.
Never to doubt a brother who is not present who is a victim of slandering.
The messenger ppbu said: {shall I tell you about something that has a better grade than prayers and fasting and giving charity? In good; reconcile relations between others. The true shaving razor is the breaking up of relationships between people. I don’t mean shaving razor which shaves hair, rather that which shaves religion}.
Notes:
The inhabitants of the city of Al-Medina that received and supported the messenger (PPBU) when he immigrated from Mekkah in the very early years of Islam.
Adhan - The call to prayer.
Ansar (or Al-Ansar):
Assalam Alaikum - The Islamic greeting, literately means: Peace be with you. Used when approaching or leaving. When used during approaching it will be like saying: I bring no harm to you . and when said during leaving somebody it will mean: No harm will come to you after I leave.
is a verse of the Koran. It also means a miracle or a sign from God. Aya (or Ayah):
is a mountain outside the city of Mecca that represents the climax of the Hajj worship. All doing Hajj must stay at this location on the same day. Arafa (or Arafah or Arafat):
Badr - The place of the first significant battle between the Muslims and the pagans of the Quraish. It is located in Saudi Arabia.
Caliph - A Muslim ruler. See: (Khalifa)
Dajjal - Antichrist or the False Massiah.
Dawah - The proliferation of Islamic teachings through word and deed.
Deen (Din) - Religion or way of life.
talking to Allah; praising him and asking him for help. Duaa: a prayer in the form of
Fatwa - Legal verdict given based on the Qur'an (Koran) and the Sunnah which are the recorded sayings and deeds of Muhammad.
Ferdose: is the highest level of the all the gardens of Eden or paradise.
Fiqh - Religious law.
Hadeeth: is something reported that the messenger have said. It includes all the speeches and ceremonies he gave. It is usually narrated or told by one of his companions. There is a list of hadeeths approximately 14000 that are reported and checked to be genuine. No more hadeeths are acceptably added to this list.
Hajar - The Black Stone set into the corner of the Ka'aba in Mecca. It is said to be a stone from Heaven.
Hajj - The pilgrimage to Mecca which takes place in the last month of the Islamic calendar. One of the five pillars of Islam.
Hasana or hasanas: is the reward for a good deed. a hasana is a point or a merit for a good deed.
Hadith - The sayings and not deeds of the prophet Muhammad recorded by his followers. Considered authoritative and perfect.
Hajj: is the worship of pilgrimage.
Hijra (or Hejrah): the event of the immigration of the messenger from Mekkah to Madina. This event marks the start of the Islamic calendar. the Islamic calendar has 12 months based on the lunar cycle, each is 29.5 days. Hijra is also used as a name for the Islamic dating system.
Ibadah - Worship. All the words and deeds with which Allah is pleased. These deeds could be prayer and charity.
Iblis - (Ibleese): On of Satan's names.
Ibn (Ebn): the son of. Used by Arabs as part of an individual's name. Example: Ali whose father is Omar or the son of Omar, would be called: Ali Ibn Omar.
Imam (or Emam)- The leader for a prayer. In the Shiaa sect, an Imam is the individual who has the religious authority.
Iman: belief or faith
Injil (Enjeel) - The Bible. The book inspired to Jesus for the Christians.
Islam - Submission, the religion of all the prophets of Allah culminating in Muhammad.
Jannah - The heavenly garden, Paradise. The place of the faithful in the afterlife.
Jihad: is striving in the line of Allah in many forms. Includes a very wide scope varying from improving oneself to fighting a defensive war in protection of Allah's word. The greatest Jihad is the fight one's self against temptations. It also means "holy war."
Jinn - Supernatural, invisible beings race of beings, below angels. They were made from fire. Like humans, there amongst them are the faithful and the non beleivers and Jinn shall be judged on Judgment Day.
Ka'aba: A cube shaped building in Mecca containing a stone laid there by Abraham and Ishmael. Some say Ka'aba was first built by Adam, and some say by Abraham. It is the holiest place for Muslims. It is where all Muslims face in their daily prayers. Ka'aba also makes a major part of the pilgrimage in a ritual known as Tawaf.
Khalifa: is the Muslim ruler. Head of the Islamic empire. Exact translation: "Successor".
Khutbah - A sermon given in a Mosque, usually on Friday.
Kufr - Denial or Disbelief. A term Muslims use for anyone who denies existence of Allah or the prophecy of Muhammed.
Koran - Also spelled Qur'an. The holy book of Islam revealed to Muhammad by Allah through the Archangel Gabriel. Koran literally means "the recital." It is the final revelation of Allah given to the prophet Muhammad. It consists of 114 surahs (or chapters.)
Madinah - (Medinah): A city in the Arabian peninsula (in the country known now as Saudi Arabia). A city where the messenger had to immigrate to. Then it was called Yathrib.
Masjid - A center for Muslim activity. It is referred to as a mosque.
Masiah - A sin, or a sinful act
Mecca or Makkah: is the holiest city for Muslims. It contains the Ka'aba mosque with the famous black cubical shape. Mecca is the birth place of the messenger (PPBU).
Mosque - A Muslim house of worship.
Muhajir - (Muhajireen) Immigrant, one who leaves his home town due to lack of religious freedom. It was first used to describe early Muslims immigrating from Mecca to Median and Ethiopia.
Muhammad - the final messenger and prophet of God whose message abrogated all previous revelations. He received the Koran through the angel Gabriel over a 23 year period. Born in Mecca and died in Medina at the age of 63. His full name: Muhammad ibn Abd-Allah
Muslim - One who holds faith to the religion of Islam.
Nafilah: a voluntary prayer other than the five obligatory prayers; performed at any time.
Nasara - Christians. Nasrani: A Christian individual. Nasraniah: Christianity.
Ommah: is the Arabic word for a nation. It usually refers to the Islamic nation unless otherwise specified.
Paradise - Another word for heaven. A garden of bliss, fruits, rivers and all forms of pleasures imaginable and imaginable. No suffering, disease or death. Service is provided by angels. All live in it an ever lasting youthful life. Promised by Almighty Allah to all faithful, true Jews, true Christians and True Muslims. Paradise is one of two places every person will go to, either Paradise or Hellfire.
PPBU (P.B.U.H.) : Peace and Prayers Be Upon him. A statement Muslims use any time they mention the name of the messenger or make a reference to him.
Qadar - Fate. Preordainment is the teaching that all things, good and bad, are preordained to occur.
Qadr - (night of Qadr): The night when the first revelation of the Koran took place. Most likely it happened during one of the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan. Or when the Koran was brought down to the nearest heaven in one go, and from there it was brought down in bits and few verses at a time over a period of 23 years. This night is considered the holiest night for Muslims with tremendous advantages.
Qibla - The direction which Muslims turn for daily prayers, towards Mecca.
Quraish - An ancient Arab tribe to which the messenger Muhammad belonged.
Ramadan - The ninth month of the Islamic calendar which is the month of the fast. The holiest month in the Muslim colander.
Salat - Prayers. Generally it covers all forms of worship, but more specifically refers to the Muslim rituals which is performed to worship Allah five times daily.
Shiaa: A sect of Islam that teaches that a religion leader (Imam) should be the political ruler and must be direct descendants of the messenger (PPBU). Therefore, disapproving of all Muslim leaders who ruled After the messenger (PPBU) except Ali, the messenger's grandson.
Shirk - Associating another god with Allah. Or associating anyone or anything with Allah. Or using anyone or anything as a medium to Allah. The opposite of Monotheism or Tawheed.
Siam or Soam- Fasting
Sunni: is a the title of those Muslims who are suppose to be following the life style of the messenger. This differentiates them from the Shiaa of Iran.
Sunna (Sunnah): Is how the Messenger PPBU lived, what he did or said. It includes the way he dressed, ate, drank, prayed, interacted with other people and fought. Basically, sunnah is the life style of the messenger PPBU. It is considered the second source of legislation in Islamic laws and it is considered to be an important reference to be used for concluding arguments and disputes. It is also a title give to the main stream Muslims who make 90% if all Muslims.
Surah - A chapter of the Koran.
Tawaf: part of the pilgrimage (Hajj) ritual. It involves walking round the Ka'aba Mosque in anti-clock wise direction a number of seven circles.
Tauhid - Tawheed - Monotheism, in Islam is the teaching that there is only one God who alone is worthy of worship. The first requirement of becoming a Muslim. It is included in the testimony of faith for new Muslims when declaring that God is one: (No God but Allah)
Taqwah - Proper fear and veneration of Allah. A divine spark that enables the person to understand God.
Taurat: The old Testaments and scriptures of Mosa.
Ummah - the word means: a Nation. Usually refers to the Islamic nation unless otherwise stated.
Umrah - (Amrah): A mini hajj. A Minor form of pilgrimage to Mecca. Unlike Hajj which can only be done on the 12th month of the Islamic year, Umrah can be performed at any time.
Wathoo (wadoo): a washing up ritual done by Muslims before each of the five daily prayers known as ablution.
Zaboor - The Psalms
Zakat - The third pillar of Islam. Alms giving, charity that is given to the poor.
Faheem Bukhatwa, my email
address is : faheemfb@gmail.com
