BACKBITING
The Qur'an equates backbiting with eating the flesh of one's dead brother.
It states: "O you who believe! Avoid suspicion as much
(as possible) for suspicion in some cases is a sin and spy not on each other,
nor speak ill of each other behind their backs. Would any of you like to eat
the flesh of his dead brother? No, you would abhor it ... But fear Allah, for
Allah is Oft- Returning, Most Merciful." (Holy Quran, 49:12)
The prophet
(SAW) said: "Do you know what backbiting is?" he was answered, "Allah and His
Messenger know best." So he said, "Anything you say about your brother that
would displease him." Then someone asked, "But, if my brother is as I say,
(is it still backbiting)?" And the Prophet (SAW) answered, "If he is as you
say, then you are guilty of backbiting, and if he is not as you say, then you
are guilty of slander (which is worse than backbiting)." (Muslim)
It is reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: "If a Muslim
dishonors another Muslim at a time his honor is at stake or injured, then
Allah, the Almighty, will dishonor him when he needs Allah's Help; and if
a Muslim helps another Muslim when his honor is at stake or injured, then
Allah, the Almighty, will help him when he needs Allah's Help." (Abu
Dawud)
This hadith teaches us if someone is being ridiculed or backbitten
in our presence, we should defend his honor. If we neglect this, we deprive
ourselves of Allah's Help and Mercy.
The Islamic Bulletin
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