What is Backbiting?
Let us begin by explaining what is backbiting?
According to a Hadith is Sahih Muslim;
Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) once asked: Do you know what backbiting is? His companions replied: Allah and His Messanger (pbuh) know best. he (pbuh) then said : It is to say something about your brother that he would dislike. Someone asked: But what if what is said is true? The Messanger of Allah (pbuh) replied: If what you say about him is true , then you have backbitten him, but if it is not true then you have slandered him.It means that backbiting is that a person mentions the faults of his Muslim brother which he would not like if he heard about it.
This sin is committed by many of us without even considering it as a sin. The scholars agree that is is impermissible to talk behind a person's back for no legitimate reason. Most of them state it has one of the major sins.
It is very unfortunate to say that this sin is even being committed inside the most holy places like masjids. People come here to pray nimaz but while there are waiting for the call of prayer (azan) they sit together and instead of making zikr( remembrance of Allah) they are talking evil about someone behind his back.
The Reason Why Backbiting Is Forbidden:
Backbiting is one of those sins that sow enmity , hatred and disrespect among our fellow muslim brothers. It can lead to destruction of the families and relationships. It is a waste of time and takes us away from the remembrance of Allah.
When a person commits a sin of backbiting even if later on he asks for forgiveness he may not be forgiven unless the brother against whom he has backbitten forgives him.
Even becoming a part of the conversation where a brother is backbitten is a sin and one should refrain from it. It brings evil thoughts in the mind and is a waste of time.
Islam teaches its followers to respect each other and to honor the privacy of others.
Quran Prohibiting Backbiting:
Allah says in the Holy Quran Surah Al Hujrat Chapter 49 verse 12:
O you who believe! Avoid suspicion as much (as possible) for suspicion in some cases is a sin; and spy not on each other behind their backs (backbite) Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his brother? no you would abhor it.. But fear Allah for Allah is oft returning, most merciful.In Surah Al Humazah Chapter 104 verse 1:
Woe to every kind of scandal-monger and back biter,A Few Ways To Avoid The Sin of Backbiting:
Since backbiting is one of those sins that most of us commit unknowingly it is important to understand how to avoid it:
1. Always remember that Allah sees , knows and hears every thing. If we are talking about someone in his absence Allah is always there Who knows that we are doing this wrong.
2. Remember that no one is perfect, every one including ourselves as some faults and so why should we speak about the faults of others.
3. Avoid spying and getting information about others behind their backs. We have many other responsibilities to take care of rather then on spying on others faults.
4.Repent to Allah and also ask the person to forgive you if you backbite. This habit will keep you away from backbiting because telling a person about one's own mistake and requesting to forgive you is difficult.
5. Try to keep your self busy in the remembrance of Allah and avoid talking too much.
Conclusion:
In the end it is important to mention a few situations where you are allowed to inform others of what someone has done .
- Informing the authorities if an injustice is done to someone or one own self.
- Informing someone about something that can prevent someone from committing a serious crime.
- To inform someone who seeks advice about a person for business dealings or marriage.
- If some oppression( zulim) is done.
In all these cases it is allowed only to reveal as much as necessary and not to cross the limits.
May Allah guide us all to the true path. Ameen
No comments:
Post a Comment