Oh Muslims, one distinguishing characteristics of the Muslim community is that it is a community that is based on mutual compassion and support, solidarity, love and harmony. It is based on a foundation of co-operation and mutual respect. It is built on a floating of mutual love and kindness, with no room for hateful selfishness or overwhelming individualism. The hearts of its members are filled with love for their brothers, and they avoid slandering their honour or undermining their dignity. They do not bear deep-seated grudges against them or special lies about them. The are described as Allah describes them:
"Severe against the disbelievers, and merciful amongst themselves." (48:29)
The structure of Islam is such that it forms strong barries against destructive crimes, and fatal social ills that may cause these social structures to crumble from its foundations and turn into a society of ongoing coflict, disintegration, never-ending grudges and conflicting factions. Woe to the community at the time, when its enemies are watching from afar and it becomes easy pray for them, because the society is weakening itself through internal conflict.
Wallahi! There is a serious and chronic problem that is wide spread among the people. No gathering is safe from this illness, except that gathering which Allah has protected and showered mercy on. This probelm is the disease of backbiting, and what a bad characteristic it is! It is indicative of weak faith, a foul mouth and an evil nature.
Backbiting is a calamity for society, and what a calamity it is! It has a remarkable great effect o hearts and minds, and a dangerous impact on families and communities. It separates brothers, alienates loved ones, spoils relations between colleagues and undermines friendships. How often has it caused a division between man and wife, a father and a son, a man and his brother? How often has it destroyed ties and stirred up hatred and created grudges and ill feelings? The one who engages in backbiting is a toxic member of society.
So exactly how bad is backtbiting? Needless I say more than to quote the one who was given the pwer to concise speech- the prophet (saw):
1) "Backbiting is a chronic disease, a poison that taste sweeter on tongue than fresh water"
2) "The whole of a muslim is a sacred to another muslim, his blood, his wealth and his honour"
3) "by Allah, backbiting damages a person's religious commitment more quickly than gangrene damages his body"
Even more serious is what Allah (swt) says in the following verse:
"... Neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate backbiting)"
If eating the flesh of another brother is naturally repugnant and abhorrent, even if that person is a disbeliever, then how about a brother in faith? The repugnance is greater, so how about if he were dead? Subhaanallah how great is people's heedlessness regarding this matter today, as if is a form of entertainment in their gathering!
According to Islaam backbiting is anything you say about your brother that he dislikes, and if it is true then that is backbiting and if what you have said is lie, then that is even worse.
Oh brothers in Islaam, do you not know the punishment of those who backbite? Listen, oh you who think that this matter is not serious. Abu Dawood narrated that Anas (ra) said that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said:
"When I was taken up (into the heaven, during Me'raj), I passed by some people who had nails of copper, with which they were scratching their faces and chest. I said: who are these people, oh Jibraeel? He said : " they are the ones who consumed the peoples flesh and impugned their honour".
When Aisha (ra) said to the prophet (saw)! "It is enough for you that Safiyah is such and such"- meaning that she was short - he said: "You have spoken a word that if the sea were to be mixed with it, it would change it"
If a person like the Nabi (saw) could issue such a warning to a personality like Aisha (ra) then who are we? Also, what a great sin this is, that the water in the ocean would change it, just because this sin was commited once. Now can you even begin to think how much you've backbited and how serious it is?
There are some people who set themselves up as judges over the poeple in a gethering, or even in one moment, issuing verdicts that this one is mistaken, that one is stupid, this one is ignorant, that one has no respect... Backbiting for these people is easier than drinking water. Where is the fear of Allah? Where is the feeling that Allah is always watching? Where is the respect for the sanctity of people rights?
Sadly this matter has reached its peak and has gone as far as it can go. This sin is commited openly in the homes and even in large public gatherings. It is a very serious matter that should not be kept quite!
Brothers and Sisters, it is not too late to change our ways. Go out today and ask Allah (swt) AND those who you have backbited for forgiveness. Do not let those simple-minded people, those who make false claims, the ignorant or the foolsih create trouble amongst yourselves, as this is the ploy of shaytaan. I ask Allah to forgive us all, and protect us from this sin, both listening or engaging in bacbiting.
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