Rasulullah SAW Admonishes Those Who Backbite

About a Sahabi RA who was punished for Adultery .

Back Biting Theoot of all Evils.

Abu Hurayrah RA narrates that a Sahabi from the Banu Aslam tribe once approached Rasulullah SAW and four times (on different occasions) confessed that he had illegal intercourse with a woman. However, Rasulullah SAW ignored his confession each time. The narration then continues to the point where Rasulullah SAW finally gave the instruction for him to be stoned to death. (After he was stoned,) Rasulullah SAW overheard one of the Sahabah saying to another, "Look at this man! Where as Allah had concealed him, he did not leave himself to be until he was stoned like a dog."

Rasulullah SAW did not respond to the remark and walked on for a while. When they passed by the carcass of an ass whose one leg was raised in the air, Rasulullah SAW called for the two men. When they presented themselves, said to them, "Dismount and eat from that carcass." Their response was, "0 Nabi of Allah, May Allah forgive you! Who can eat from that?" Rasulullah SAW said, 'What you just backbite about your brother is worse than eating that carcass. I swear by the Being Who controls my life that at this moment he is diving in the rivers of jannah." (2)

Ibnul Munkadir narrates that when Rasulullah SAW had a woman stoned, someone remarked, "All her deeds are destroyed!" to this, Rasulullah SAW responded by saying, 'While the punishment absolved her of the sin, you will be taken to task for what you have said!' (3)

The Narrations of Aishah RA and Zaid bin Aslam.

Concerning Safiyya RA and another Lady. Aishah RA narrates that she once said to Rasulullah SAW "It will suffice you to know that Safiyya is like that!" Narrators of the report say that Aishah RA was referring to the fact that Safiyya RA was short. Rasulullah SAW then reprimanded Aishah RA saying, "Should the words you spoke be mixed with the ocean, it would surely spoil it."

Aishah RA also reports that when she once imitated someone, Rasulullah SAW said that he would not like her to imitate someone in front of him even in exchange for an abundance of wealth. (I) A narration of Abu Dawood states that the camel of Safiyya RA once fell ill. Because Zainab RA had extra riding camels, Rasulullah SAW asked her to give one to Safiyya RA. Zainab RA however responded by saying, "Should I give my camel to that Jewess!" This angered Rasulullah SAW so much that he did not go to Zainab RA for the months of Dhul Hijjah, Muharram and a part of Safar. (2) Another narration(3) states that Rasulullah SAW kept away from her for the two months of Dhul Hijjah and Muharram or perhaps even three months. Zainab RA says that she had even lost hope of Rasulullah SAW ever returning to her.

Aishah RA says, "I was once with Rasulullah SAW when I remarked that a certain woman wore a long hem. 'Spit out!' Rasulullah SAW exclaimed, 'Spit out!' When I spat, it was a piece of meat that came out." (4) Zaid bin Aslam RA reports that Rasulullah SAW wives once gathered to see Rasulullah SAW during the illness in which he passed away. Safiyya binti Huyay RA said, "0 Nabi of Allah ! By Allah! I wish that I should rather be suffering what you are suffering." (Taking her words to be insincere,) The other wives then started winking at each other. seeing them do this, Rasulullah SAW told them all to rinse their mouths.

When they inquired what it was they were required to rinse off, Rasulullah SAW replied, "Your winking at the expense of your companion. I swear by Allah SWT that she is sincere in what she said." (5) Rasulullah SAW rebukes some sahabah RA for their Backbiting. Abu Hurayrah RA narrates that when a particular Sahabi RA once stood up (and left), some of the Sahabah RA remarked, "What a feeble person he is, 0 Rasulullah" (or they said, "What a weak person he is!"). To this, Rasulullah SAW admonished, "You have backbitten your friend and eaten his flesh." A narration of Tabraani states that when a Sahabi RA got up to leave, the others noticed that he did so very feebly. "How very feeble is her" they commented. Rasulullah SAW immediately said, "You have eaten your brother's flesh and backbitten him." (6)

Mu'az bin Jabal RA report a narration similar to the above with the addition that the Sahabah RA (who passed the remark) enquired, "0 Rasulullah SAW We have stated only what is truly his nature." Rasulullah SAW explained, "(That is still backbiting because he would not like to hear this, however) If you had mentioned what was not actually in him, you would then be guilty of slandering him." (1)

Abdullah bin Amr RA reports that some of the Sahabah RA once passed a remark about a particular Sahabi RA saying, "He will never eat until he is fed and will not ride unless the animal is saddled for him (he is very lazy}." "You have backbitten him," Rasulullah SAW scolded. "0 Rasulullah!" they submitted, "But we have only stated what is truly his nature." Rasulullah SAW replied, "It is enough to backbite that you merely mention a fault that your brother truly has within him." (2)

Abdullah bin Mas'ud RA narrates that they were once with Rasulullah SAW when a Sahabi RA got up to leave. After he had left, someone then spoke ill of him. "Repent," Rasulullah SAW instructed. "What should I repent for?" the person queried. Rasulullah SAW replied, "Because you have eaten your brother's flesh." (3)

Another narration states that Rasulullah SAW instructed, "Pick your teeth". "What should I pick them for, 0 Rasulullah?" the person queried, "I have not eaten any meat?" (4) The Incident of Two Ladies who ruined their fasts by backbiting.

Hadhrat Anas ~~~ reports that Rasulullaah ~ once instructed them to fast, making it clear that none was to end the fast until he permitted them. The Sahabah RA then observed the fast. By the evening, a man came and said, "0 Rasulullah I have been fasting all day, so permit me to end the fast." Rasulullah SAW gave him permission. In this manner, people continued coming until a man came and said, "0 Rasulullah SAW! Two young ladies from your family have fasted all day and are too shy to come to you (for permission to end the fast), so do grant them permission to terminate their fasts." Rasulullah SAW ignored the man. When the man repeated himself, Rasulullah SAW again ignored him. When he again repeated himself, Rasulullah SAW again ignored him. When he did so yet again, Rasulullah SAW still ignored him.

Thereafter, Rasulullah SAW said, "The two of them definitely did not fast. How can a person fast when he has spent this day eating the flesh of people? Go and tell them that if they really have fasted, they should vomit." The man returned to them and when he informed them (of Rasulullah's SAW instruction), they both vomited clots of blood. The man then reported back to Rasulullah SAW who said, "I swear by the Being Who controls my life that if it had remained in their bellies, the Fire of ]ahanam would have consumed both of them." (1)

Another narration states that when the man told one of the ladies to vomit, she vomited blood, puss and meat which half filled a cup. When he then told the other lady to vomit, she vomited blood, puss and fresh meat which then filled the cup. Rasulullah SAW then said, "The two of them fasted (abstained) from what Allah SWT had made lawful for them (food and drink) but then terminated their fasts with that which Allah SWT had forbidden for them (backbiting). The one sat with the other and started eating the flesh of other people." (2)

)Abu Nu'aym in his Hi/ya (VoU Pg.94), reporting from reliable sources as confirmed by Haythami

(Vol. 7 Pg.223).

(2) Abdur Razzaaq and Abu Dawood, as quoted in KanzuJ UmmaaJ (Vol.3 Pg.93). Ibn Hibbaan has also

reported a similar narration in his Saheeh, as quoted in Targheeb wat T(1arheeb (Vol.4 Pg.288).

Bulchaari has also reported the narration briefly in his Adab (Pg.108) andHaafidh has confirmed

. its authentidty from Ibn Hibbaan in Fat'hul Baari (Vol.lO Pg.361).

3. Abdur Razzaaq, as quoted in KanzuJ UmmaaJ (Vo!.3 Pg.93).

(1) Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi and Bayhaqi.

(2) Targheeb wat Tarheeb (VolA Pg.284).

(3lIbn Sa'd (Vol.8 Pg.127).

(4) Ibn Abi Dunya, as quoted in Targheeb wat Tarheeb (VolA Pg.284l.

(5) Ibn Sa'd (VoL8 Pg.128), as quoted in lsaabah (VolA Pg.348l. Ibn Sa'd has also reported a similar

narration from Hadhrat Ataa in (Vo1.2 Pg.313l.

(6) Targheeb wat Tarheeb (Vo1.4 Pg.285). Haythami (Vol.8 Pg.94) has commented on the chain of

narrators.

(1) Tabraani. Haythami (Vol.8 Pg.94) has commented on the chain of narrators.

(2) Isbaaani, as quoted in Targheeb wat Tarheeb (VolA Pg.285l.

(3) Ibn Abi Shaybah and Tabraani, as quoted in Targheeb wat Tarheeb (VolA Pg.285).

(4) Majma'uz zawaa'id (Vol.8 Pg.94).

The Consequences for back biting The Heart: The most important part of the body is the heart as has been mentioned by our noble Prophet Muhammed - SAW - in his saying, “Indeed there is a piece of flesh in your body that, if it be sound, then the whole body will be sound and if it be corrupt then the whole body will be corrupt. Indeed it is the heart.” - Sahih al-Bukhari [1/49] & Sahih al-Muslim [1599] The heart is thus the port where all actions stem, whether good or evil. If the heart is good then the actions will be good and if the heart is corrupt then the actions will be bad. The heart is the place where Allah scans, as the Rasulullah SAW- says, “Allah does not look at your bodies nor your faces but he scans your heart and actions.” - Sahih al-Muslim [4/6221] As for the heart, Allah SWT has commanded us to love Him and His Messenger, to love the righteous people, to love that which Allah SWT loves and to hate all which Allah SWT hates. The tongue acts accordingly, because.... the tongue expresses what is in the heart. The Tongue Expresses what is in the Heart: If a person is good, it reflects in their saying. Allah SWT has made it very easy for the tongue to move, and it is not difficult to realize that a person’s tongue moves much more as if compared to the limbs. So if a person is not careful about what he says, even a single saying of his can invalidate his actions. It is for this reason that the whole body warns the tongue saying, “Fear Allah concerning us, for we are (dependant) upon you. If you are upright then we will be upright and if you are corrupt then we will be corrupt.” - Sunan at-Tirmidhi (1912), Mishkaat (4838) and Riyaadh as-Saleheen (2/1521) And at the same time, the tongue is a great blessing from Allah SWT . If we look at the animals, who are unable to speak, we realize the importance of this great tool of communication. The gratitude that we should show for this great blessing should include, using it for the obedience to Allah SWT, for reading the Qur'aan, for seeking Knowledge, to enjoin good and forbidding evil. The prohibitions of the tongue are that you do not lie, abuse, use foul language, backbite and slander. Allah SWT says in the begining of Soorah al-Mumineen, “Indeed successful are the Believers, those who in their prayer have Khushoo’ (fear of Allah) and those who refrain from vain talk.” [Soorah Mumineen : 1-3] Here Allah mentions that refraining from vain talk is a sign of the successful believers. Allah SWT also mentions refraining from vain talk after he mentions al-Khushu’. This is because too much talk makes the heart hard. It is not possible to reach the level of Khushu’ (fear of Allah) unless one refrains from vain talk. Imaam an-Nawawee - rahimahullah - mentions “Know it is incumbent upon all to guard their tongues from most speech, except a word that has some benefit in it....” - Kitaabul-Adhkaar And for those who take heed there is a constant reminder in the verse, “Not a word is said except that there is a watcher by him ready to record it.” - [Soorah Qaf (50):18] The Messenger of Allah, Muhammed Rasulullah SAW - said, “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or keep silent.” Imaam ash-Shafiee - rahimahullah - said. “If you wish to speak then it is upon you to think before you speak. If you think there is good in it then speak and if not then do not speak.” The earlier mentioned Qur'aanic verses, Hadeeth (sayings) of our noble Prophet and advices by the scholars of Islaam are a guide for those searching for salvation against vain talk. So before we talk, should we not ask ourselves.... ? Will this saying of mine please Allah? ? Will this saying of mine bring me closer to Allah? ? Does this saying earn with it obedience to Allah? If yes, then speak, otherwise one should keep quiet. Guarding your tongue from all Haaram The Messenger of Allah -Muhammad SAW said, “Guard your tongue, stay in your homes and weep over your sins.” - Related by Ibn Mubarak in az-Zuhd (no.134), Musnad Ahmed bin Hambal (5/259), Sunan at-Tirmidhi (2531) and authenticated by al-Albaani in as-Saheehah (no.890) Also Rasulullah SAW - said, “Most of the sins of the children of Adam are from the tongue.” - At-Tabaraani (3/87/1-2). Authenticated by al-Haafidh al-Mundhiri in al-Targheeb (4/8) Narrated by Mughira bin Shu’ba - RA - : The Prophet - SAW - said, “Allah has forbidden for you:(1) to be undutiful to your mothers, (2) to bury your daughters alive, (3) not to pay the rights of the poor and others (i.e. charity) and (4) to beg of men. And Allah SWT has hated for you: (1) Qil and Qal (sinful and useless talk, like backbiting or that one talks too much about others), (2) to ask too many questions (in disputed religious matters, etc.), (3) to waste your wealth (by extravagance with lack of wisdom and thinking).” - Sahih al-Bukhari [3:591] Abu Musa al-Ashari RA - said, “O Rasulullah, which of the Muslims are better?” Rasulullah SAW said, “Those who do not harm the Muslims with their tongues and hands.” - Saheeh al-Bukhari (1/10) and Saheeh al-Muslim (1/64) Sahl ibn Sa’ad RA reported that the Rasulullah SAW said, “Whoever guards what is between his jaws and legs. I shall guarantee him paradise.” - Saheeh al-Bukhari (8/481). A similar narration can be found in Muwatta of Imam Malik (56/11) and Sunan at-Tirmidhi. When the Companion of the Prophet, Mu’az ibn Jabal RA asked the Rasulullah SAW - about that which would entitle him to enter Paradise and save him from the hell-fire, he – Rasulullah SAW mentioned the pillars of Islam and informed Mu’az RA of the importance of the night prayers and of Jihad. He – Rasulullah SAW then said, “Should I not inform you of the sheet anchor of all this?”, and then took hold of his tongue and said, “Exercise restraint on it.”. Mu’az RA enquired, “O Rasulullah , will we be held responsible for what we say with it?” Thereupon, the Rasulullah SAW said, “Mu’az, will anything else besides (irresponsible) talk cause the people to be thrown in the Hell-Fire upon their faces?” - Sunan at-Tirmidhi and Riyaadh as-Saaliheen (2/1522) Most of the people who will enter the fire, will do so due to their tongues, so a Muslim must beware and learn to imprison the tongue from vain talk, for Rasulullah SAW said, “Every saying of the children of Adam is cursed, except for the enjoining good and forbidding the evil or for the remembrance of Allah.” - Sunan at-Tirmidhi And “The world and all that it contains is cursed, except for the remembrance of Allah and what supports it,and a scholar and a student.” - Sunan Ibn Majah (no.4112) and and authenticated by Sheikh al-Albani in Saheehul-Jaami’ (no.3414) Abu Hurairah RA reports on the authority of Rasulullah SAW that, “From the good Islam of a man, is that he leaves that which does not benefit him.” - Musnad Ahmed bin Hambal (4/132), Sunan at-Tirmidhi, Sunan Ibn Majah, al-Baihaqi in Shu’ab al-Imaan Imam Ahmad - RA - mentioned in his Musnad on the authority of Anas RA who relates that Rasulullah SAW said’ The iman of Allah’s servant will not be upright until his heart is upright and his heart will not be upright until his tongue is upright.” - Also mentioned in al-Mundhiri (3/234) and al-Iraqee in al-Ihya (8/1539) One saying ! ! Subhan Allah: Abu Hurairah RA said that he heard Rasulullah SAW say, “Indeed a servant (worshipper of Allah) may say a word which he doesn’t realize and it will make him fall into the fire further than the East and the West.” Abu Hurairah RA also reported that Rasulullah SAW said, “Indeed a servant may say a word from which Allah’s pleasure is gained and the servant does not realize it, Allah SWT will raise him up levels. Indeed a servant may say a word from which Allah’s displeasure is gained and he does not realize it, Allah SWT will put him in Jahanam due to it.” - Saheeh al-Bukhari (8/485), Al-Muwatta (56/6) and in Saheehul-Jaami’ of al-Albaani Imam Ahmed RA along with at-Tirmidhi, an-Nasaai and Ibn Majah record a Hadeeth on the authority of the Sahabee, Fujani RA who said, “O Rasulullah tell me something that I may be firm upon?”. He – Rasulullah SAW answered, “Say, My Lord is Allah and then be upright concerning it.” He asked, “What is the thing that you fear for most.” Rasulullah SAW took hold of his tongue and said, “This!”. - Musnad Ahmed bin Hambal, Sunan an-Nasaai, Sunan Ibn Majah and Sunan at-Tirmidhi Backbiting (Gheebah) Allah says in the Qur'aan, “Do not backbite each other, would any of you wish to eat the flesh of your dead brother, no rather you hate it!! [Soorah Hujarat :12] Rasulullah SAW once asked his Companions, “Do you know what is backbiting?” They said, “Allah and His Messenger know best.”. He – Rasulullah SAW said, “To mention about your brother that which he hates.” They said, “If that we see about our brother is true?” He – Rasulullah SAW said, “If there is in him what you say about him then that is backbiting, and if you say of him that which is not true then you have slandered him.” - Saheeh al-Muslim (4/6265), Sunan Abu Dawood (3/4856) and al-Muwatta (56/10) Rasulullah SAW vigorously opposed all aspects of backbiting, even when it appeared in his own family. For example, once a woman visited Aishah RA and when the woman got up to leave, Aishah RA made a sign with her hand indicating to Rasulullah SAW that the woman was short of stature. Rasulullah SAW immediately chastised her, saying “You have backbitten!” and in another narration, “You have said a saying that if mixed with the sea it would change its color.” - Mentioned in Ibn Jareer in Tafseer al-Qur'aan al-Adheem, vol.4, p.328 (30) and Sunan Abu Dawood (3/4857) Abu Bakar RA reports that Rasulullah SAW said, in his khutbah on the day of Nahr, “Indeed the blood, property and honor are sacred to you, like the sacredness of this day (‘arafah), like the sacredness of this place, like the sacredness of this month; Have I conveyed the message?” - Saheeh al-Bukhari (1/105) and Saheeh al-Muslim (2/2803) and part of a lengthy narration And by Allah he – Rasulullah SAW - has conveyed the message, so guard the right of the Believers! Tale-Carrying (Nameema) Allah SWT says in the Qur'aan, “Woe to every slanderer and backbiter.” [Soorah Humaza:1] Rasulullah SAW said, “The Gossip-monger will not enter paradise.” [Saheeh al-Bukhari (8/82), Saheeh al-Muslim (1/187) and Musnad Ahmed bin Hambal] Rasulullah SAW passed by two graves and said, “They are being punished. As regards one of them then he used to go around gossip-mongering and as regards the other then he was not careful while urinating.” - Saheeh al-Bukhari (1/215) and Saheeh al-Muslim (1/575) On the authority of Said ibn Zayid that Rasulullah SAW said, “Indeed the lowest form of usury is to prolong the speech about the honor of a Muslim without justice.” - Sunan Abu Dawood (3/4858) Overcoming the evil habit of backbiting Firstly, as Imam an-Nawawee - rahimahullaah - said that one should remember the punishment of Allah SWT. And remember that Allah SWT is the Lord of the heavens and the earth. He is the One, aware of ever saying, at every time. Then if one remembers this, then it is only natural that one will be modest and shy in this aspect. We need to realize that when one of us is hurt, when something wrong is said about the creation, then what about the Creator, who is the All-Seeing and All-Hearing. Secondly, we should reflect on the Qur'anic verse, “Do not backbite each other, would any of you wish to eat the flesh of your dead brother, no rather you hate it!!” [Soorah Hujarat :12] And we surely hate even the thought of it. Thirdly, fear that your own faults would be revealed, as Rasulullah SAW said, “O you who believe with your tongues, yet iman has not entered your hearts. Do not backbite the Muslims, nor follow their faults. For he who follows others faults then Allah SWT will declare (disclose) his faults and he whom Allah SWT reveals his faults, then Allah SWT disgraces him in his own house.” - Sunan Abu Dawood (3/4862) and and authenticated by Sheikh al-Albani in Saheeh Jaami’ Sagheer Fourthly, take the advice of the pious scholars of Islam, among them …. Umar ibn Khattab RA who said, “Be careful from remembering people for it is an illness and be in the remembrance of Allah SWT for it is a medicine.” A man came to al-Hasan al-Basri - rahimahullaah - and said that, he heard that al-Hassan al-Basri had backbitten him. Upon this he - rahimahullaah - said, “Who are you that I may give you my rewards?” Fifth, and the most important thing to keep in mind is that there is a great reward to refrain from backbiting, as Rasulullah SAW said, “Whoever protects the honor of his brother in his absence, Allah SWT will protect his face from the Fire on the Day of Judgment.” - Sunan at-Tirmidhi and and authenticated by Sheikh al-Albani in Saheeh Sunan at-Tirmidhi (2/1575) Exceptions to Backbiting There are few exceptions to backbiting, that the scholars have classified, among them ….. • Oppression: If one has been harmed or one’s property has been unlawfully taken away by another, and this person goes to the ruler or judge in order to seek justice, this is not backbiting. • Changing the Munkar: If one finds a person involved in evil actions or innovations, and one is unable to correct his Munkar. It is allowed to seek the help of a more knowledgeable person, even if it mean defining the Munkar of the evil-doer or innovator. • Seeking a Fatwa (religious verdict): For example, there is a dispute between a husband and his wife, and if either of them seek the advice of a religious scholar, then this situation is exempt from backbiting. • Warning a Muslim from evil: For example, if a fellow Muslim is going to do a business with an dishonest person or if a Muslim is unaware that the person to whom he is marrying his daughter to, is an unreligious person; then to advice and guide him is exempt from backbiting. • Advising against innovators and sinners: If a innovator is openly involved in spreading his innovative beliefs or a sinner remorselessly declares his sin and is thus being a bad example for others; then warning others against him is allowed. But if he commits a sin secretly and as such harms just himself, to openly declare his sins is still strictly prohibitted. REMEMBER!! Rasulullah SAW said, “Do not nurse a grudge (against a Muslim) and do not outbid him for raising the price and do not nurse aversion (strong dislike) or enmity and do not enter into a transaction when others have entered into that transaction and be as fellow-brothers and servants of Allah SWT. A Muslim is the brother of another, he neither betrays (or deceives him), nor humiliates him, nor looks down upon him. Piety is here (and while saying so) he pointed towards his chest three times. All things of a Muslims are inviolable for his brother in faith, his blood, his wealth and his honor.” - Saheeh al-Muslim (4/6219), part of the wording being that of Sunan Abu Dawood (3/4864) Rasulullah SAW also said, “No (Muslim) man will desert a man who is a Muslim in a place where his respect may be violated and his honor aspersed without Allah SWT deserting him in a place where he wishes help; and no (Muslim) man who will help a Muslim in a place where is honor may be aspersed and his respect violated without Allah helping him in a place where he wishes his help.” - Sunan Abu Dawood (3/4866) and and authenticated by Sheikh al-Albani in Saheeh Jaami’ Sagheer