Gossiping In Islam

Salam

We all know that gossiping is bad. We've been raised in societies where gossiping is categorized as an evil act but yet it is common everywhere - in schools, offices, parties, gatherings, street corners and even our own houses. But do we know how bad it is? Leaving hurt feelings and bad relationships aside; lets look at Gossiping In Islam

Gossiping is the vile act of idle talk and rumor spreading between groups of people about a person who is not present. It does nothing but hurt someone else and cause misconceptions between people. Gossiping is otherwise known as backbiting or slandering (talking about a person behind their back in such a manner that if they were to find out they would be extrememly upset).

Although it is needless to say, we are all guilty of this crime - some more than others. Gossiping is present everywhere and some people even openly admit that if it werent for gossiping it would be hard to come up with an exciting conversation. In fact according to evolutionary phsycology gossiping is defined as a means of stirring up conversation and aiding social bonding in large groups.

Backbiting has become so common in our daily lives that without realizing it, we will say something bad or rude about someone - this very fact makes gossiping all the more worse.

Allah says in the Quran
Behold, you received it on your tongues, and said out of your mouth things which you had no knowledge; and you thought it to be a light matter, while it was most serious in the sight of God. (24:15)

So just how bad is gossiping in Islam?

Islam is the religion of peace and compassion, backbiting goes completely against those ethics.

In fact, in Islam, backbiting is considered one of the most destructive of the major sins. This is because backbiting or ghaybah sows enemity and discord amongst the Muslim Ummah and leads to its destruction. It causes hositility amongst neighbours, friends and relatives.

Islam teaches us that not only are we responsible for our own actions, we are held accountable for anything else which we have influence or control over, in our society and the world around us.

Allah says in the Quran:
"Oh you who beleive! Avoid much suspicion, in deeds some suspicions are sins. And spy not neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the dead flesh of his brother? You would hate it (so hate backbiting). And fear Allah, verily, Allah is the one who accepts repentance, Most Merciful " (Quraan 49:12)

If everyone thought about these words, and took it to their hearts, they would never backbite again. No one wants to eat their own brothers flesh, and Allah has compared Ghaybah to the most vile act that could ever be done to prove to you just that.

Backbiting is not only done with the tongue. Any gestures or movements with your eyes, hands, head or body that are to make fun of someone is considered as Ghayba. And dont think you are safe if you dont gossip yourself..If you are in the presence of others who are gossiping and you do not stop them, you are just as much to blame as them.

Allah Says in the Quran:

And why did you not, when you heard it, say? "It is not right of us to speak of this: Glory to God this is a most serious slander" (24:16)

Once you say something you can never take it back. And sometimes the harder you try and explain yourself the more of a mess you'll get into. So to make things easier for yourself and to save yourself from any future short comings listen more and talk less!

Allah is the Most Gracious and Most Merciful, ask for repentance and be sure that Allah will accept it. We are told in the Quran that:

Say: O my (Allahs) slaves who have been prodigal to their own hurt, despair not of the mercy of Allah, who forgives all sins, Lo He is the Forgiving, the Merciful. (39:53)

So ask for repentance and try your hardest not to backbite because a simple slip of the tongue can affect you really badly in this life and in the hereafter.

Salam,

MYGA