AlJumuah MagazineO you who believe! Avoid many suspicions, indeed some suspicions are sins. And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it. And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is the One Who accepts repentance, Most Merciful. [49:12]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Do you know what backbiting is?” They (his companions) said, “Allah and His Messenger know best!” He said, “Mentioning about your brother something which he does not like.” They said, “What if this [trait] which I spoke of was actually present in my brother?” He said, “If he had [the trait] you spoke of, you have backbitten him, and if not, you have slandered him.” [Muslim]
[21] Eavesdropping. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Whoever listens to other’s conversation while they do not like him to or while they evade him, (molten) lead will be poured into his ears on the Day of Requital.” [al-Bukhari] [22] Gloating over other’s misfortunes. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Do not show joy for your brother’s misfortune, so that Allah will have mercy upon him and save you in a trial.” [at-Tirimidhi]
[23] Interfering into affairs which do not concern them. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“From the things which indicate the completeness of a person’s Islam is that he does not indulge in affairs which do not concern him.” [at-Tirimidhi] [24] Scoffing at others, whether by giving them nicknames or employing other types of speech, actions and signs. It forbids that one belittle or ridicule others. Allah (SWT) says:
O you who believe! Let not a group scoff at another group, it may be that the latter are better than the former; nor let (some) women scoff at other women, it may be that the latter are better than the former, nor defame one another, nor insult one another by nicknames. [49:11]
[25] It has forbidden that a judge be unjust in his rulings, for in Islam, a judge is regarded as one who implements the law of Allah. He holds an executive role… not one of legislation. If he of is unjust, he betrays the trust which was given to him. Allah (SWT)says
And whosoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed, such are the disbelievers.[5:44]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Judges are of three types; two of whom are in the Fire, and one who is in Paradise. A man, who ruled unjustly while he knows, is in the Fire. A judge who rules while he is ignorant and wrongs people is in the Fire. And a judge who ruled with the truth is in Paradise.” [Abu Dawood & at-Tirmidhi] [26] Cuckoldry, i.e. the person is not protective of his relatives and turns a blind eye to their promiscuity. The Prophet (ﷺ) said
“Allah will not look at three types of people on the Day of Requital: one who is disobedient to his parents, a woman who resembles men, and a cuckold.” [Nasaai] [27] Resembling the opposite sex. Ibn `Abbaas (RA) said:
“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) cursed men who make themselves resemble women, and women who make themselves resemble men.” [al Bukhari] [28] Reminding others of favors you have done for them or goodness you may have shown them. Allah’s (SWT) says:
O you who believe! Do not render in vain your Sadaqah (charity) by reminders of your generosity or by injury.” [2:264]
[29] Taking back a gift. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“A person who takes back a gift he gave is like a dog who vomits and then takes back his vomit.” [al-Bukhari & Muslim] [30] Tale-carrying; which is to inform someone about what others have said about him in order to spoil the relations or for other evil intentions. Allah (SWT) says:
And obey not everyone who swears much, and is considered worthless, A slanderer, going about carrying tales. [68:10-11]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“One who carries tales will not enter Paradise.” [Muslim]
The evil consequences which result in tale-carrying are well known. It stirs enmity and hatred amongst people and causes them to abandon one another, and this is something which the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) forbade. He said:
“It is not permissible for a person to abandon his brother for more than three nights: they meet, each one turning away from the other. The best of the two is the first of them to greet the other (with Salaam).” [al-Bukhari]
Tale-carrying may result in ill-thinking and spying on others in order to reach the truth about what was said. Also, various sins might be committed which Allah (SWT) prohibited in His Words:
…indeed some suspicions are sins. And spy not… [49:12] [31] Being arrogant towards the weak, whether that weakness be physical, such as the ill, disabled, or elderly; or financial, such as the poor, needy, or those over whom he has authority. Society should be built upon mercy, love, and fraternity. Allah (SWT) says:
Worship Allah and join none with Him in worship, and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, the poor, the neighbor who is near of kin, the neighbor who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (you meet), and those (slaves) whom your right hands possess. Verily, Allah does not like such as are proud and boastful. [4:36]
[32] Intending harm to the heirs by bequeathing, such as falsely claiming that he has a loan Allah (SWT) says:
…after payment of legacies he (or she) may have bequeathed or debts, so that no loss is caused (to anyone). [4:11]
