Allah Almighty says: {Do not spy on one another, nor backbite one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would surely abhor it. So fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is Accepting of Repentance, Most Merciful.} [Surat al-Hujurāt: 12] And He says: {Do not follow that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, the sight, and the heart, all of them will be called to account.} [Surat al-Isrā’: 36] And He says: {Not a single word he utters but there is with him a vigilant watcher, ready [to record it].} [Surat Qāf: 18]
Everyone who is competent to perform religious obligations must refrain from indulging in all sorts of speech except that which involves an interest. When speaking and remaining silent are of the same effect in terms of realizing an interest, then the Sunnah is not to speak, because lawful speech may develop into unlawful or disliked speech. Actually, this happens so often, and staying safe of sin is unmatchable.
1) Criticizing backbiting – which is to say something about your fellow Muslim that he dislikes – because it is one of the grave major sins and one of the spoilers of hearts.
2) One should keep his organs, especially his tongue, safe from committing all that Allah has forbidden. He should be mindful of Allah Almighty in all his statements and actions, and say only what is good.
1511/1- Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should either say something good or remain silent.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
The Hadīth explicitly indicates that one should speak only when it is good to speak, i.e. when his speech would result in realizing an interest. When he is not sure about that, then he should not speak.
1) Silence is better than useless speech.
2) Speaking good words and refraining from speaking evil is one of the requirements of believing in Allah Almighty and the Last Day.
1512/2- Abu Mūsa al-Ash‘ari (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I said: “O Messenger of Allah, which Muslim is the best?” He said: “He is the one from whose tongue and hand the Muslims are safe.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
1) The Hadīth forbids harming Muslims by words or deeds.
2) The Shariah urges refraining from harming people. The best Muslim is the one from whom people fear no harm.
1513/3- Sahl ibn Sa‘d (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever guarantees for me to safeguard what is between his jaws and what is between his legs, I shall guarantee Paradise for him.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
What is between his jaws: his tongue.
What is between his legs: his private parts.
1) Keeping away from disobedience to Allah and sins is a reason for entering Paradise by the mercy and favor of Allah Almighty.
2) It is obligatory to safeguard one’s senses and body parts, and to use them in obeying Allah Almighty alone, especially the tongue and the private parts.
1514/4- Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that he heard the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) say: “It might be that a person utters a word thoughtlessly, because of which he falls into Hellfire farther than the distance between the east and the west.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
Thoughtlessly: without thinking whether it is good or bad.
1515/5- He also reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “A person may utter a word pleasing to Allah Almighty without considering it of any significance, because of which Allah raises his ranks; and a person may utter a word displeasing to Allah Almighty without considering it of any significance, because of which he sinks into Hellfire.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri]
1516/6- Abu ‘Abdur-Rahmān, Bilāl ibn al-Hārith al-Muzani (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “A person may utter a word pleasing to Allah Almighty without considering how far its effect would reach, because of which Allah becomes pleased with him until the day he meets Him; and a person may utter a word displeasing to Allah without considering how far its effect would reach, because of which Allah becomes displeased with him until the day he meets Him.”
[Narrated by Mālik in Al-Muwatta’ and Al-Tirmidhi, who classified it as Hasan Sahīh (sound and authentic]
1) A Muslim is encouraged to ponder on and think about his words so that he would speak only when this may result in realization of interest and good things, otherwise, he should not.
2) There are levels in Paradise and depths in Hell. Every person is going to attain his position according to his deeds, and by the favor and justice of Allah.
3) There is a warning against intense heedlessness, as it entails the displeasure of Allah Almighty and the threat of the torment of Hell.
4) Demonstrating the magnificent mercy of Allah Almighty and His favor upon his slaves, as he accepts from them simple deeds and gives them in return ample rewards.
1517/7- Sufyān ibn ‘Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “I said: O Messenger of Allah! Tell me about something to hold fast to.” He said: “Say: ‘My Lord is Allah,’ then remain upright.” I said: “O Messenger of Allah, what is the the thing you fear most for me?” He grabbed his tongue and said: “This.” [Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi; he classified it as Hasan Sahīh (sound and authentic)]
1) The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) were keen to learn what is good, and that is why they always asked the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) to give them advice.
2) Uprightness is knowledge, deeds, and state of affairs: Knowledge about the issues related to Tawhīd and Shariah, deeds in secret and in public focused on doing acts of obedience and avoiding what is forbidden, and a state of affairs that is righteous and based upon following upright guidance.
3) The Prophet’s warning to his Ummah about the faults of the tongue reveals its extreme danger and man’s heedlessness.
1518/8- Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Do not indulge in excessive talk without Dhikr (mention) of Allah. Excessive talking without Dhikr of Allah Almighty hardens the heart; and those who are the farthest from Allah are those whose hearts are hard.” [Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi] [7]
1) The greatest thing by which a person can keep his tongue safe is for him to occupy himself with remembering Allah Almighty and saying good words.
2) Abandoning remembrance of Allah causes hardness of the heart and its corruption. When the heart is corrupt, it causes the whole body to be corrupt, so the senses become familiar only with what is unlawful, and the body parts do not become active except for doing what is unlawful.
1519/9- Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever Allah saves from the evil of what is between his jaws and the evil of what is between his legs will enter Paradise.” [Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi; he classified it as Hasan (sound)]
1) The Hadīth highlights the importance of keeping the tongue and private parts safe.
2) Giving up disobedience and sins and keeping away from them are achieved by Allah’s guidance and mercy.
1520/10- ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Āmir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I said: “O Messenger of Allah, what is salvation?” He said: “Hold back your tongue, abide in your house, and weep over your sin.” [Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi; he classified it as Hasan (sound)]
1) The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) were keen on adhering to the way of salvation at times of Fitan (trials and tribulations). So, if you want to be saved, follow in their footsteps because they were on the most upright way.
2) Consciousness of obeying Allah Almighty at all times protects one from falling into sin.
1521/11- Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “When the son of Adam gets up in the morning, all of his body parts humble themselves before the tongue, saying: Fear Allah concerning us! For indeed, we are only as you are; if you are upright, we shall be upright, and if you are crooked, we shall be crooked.” [Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi]
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1) A person is hidden under his tongue (i.e. his true state is concealed by his silence), so if the tongue slips, all the organs are affected as its slip exposes them to Allah’s displeasure and punishment.
2) A slave has to avoid all the ways that lead him to destruction and incurring Allah Almighty’s displeasure by fearing Him in secret and public.
1522/12- Mu‘ādh (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, tell me of a deed which will cause me to enter Paradise and keep me far from Hell.’ The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: ‘You have asked about a great matter, but it is easy for whomever Allah makes it easy for. Worship Allah, without associating anything with Him, offer the prayer, pay the Zakah, fast in Ramadan, and perform Hajj (pilgrimage).’ Then he said: ‘Shall I guide you to the gates of goodness? Fasting is a shield, charity extinguishes sins as water extinguishes fire, and a man’s prayer in the dead of night.’ Then he recited: {They forsake their beds, supplicating their Lord with fear and hope, and spend out of what We have provided for them. No soul knows what delights are kept hidden for them as a reward for what they used to do.} [Surat al-Sajdah: 16-17] Then he said: ‘Shall I tell you of the head of the matter, its pillar, and its peak?’ I replied: ‘Yes, please do, O Messenger of Allah.’ He said: ‘The head of the matter is Islam, its pillar is the prayer, and its peak is jihād.’ Then he said: ‘Shall I tell you of what holds all these things?’ I said: ‘Yes, please do, O Messenger of Allah.’ So he took hold of his tongue and said: ‘Keep this under control.’ I asked: ‘O Messenger of Allah, shall we be held accountable for what we speak?’ He replied: ‘May your mother lose you! Is there anything else that casts people on their faces into Hellfire except the harvest of their tongues?’” [Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi, who classified it as Hasan Sahīh (sound and authentic)] The Hadīth was previously explained.
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May your mother lose you: an expression (that was common among the Arabs) meant as a friendly rebuke, not as an actual invocation of destruction.
1) A slave must be keen on doing what entails entering Paradise and keeping away from Hell. This is the most important thing he should care for.
2) The best and most superior of all deeds is worshiping Allah alone without associating partners with Him. So, be keen to learn about the issues of Tawhīd and to act upon them, and also learn about Shirk and disassociating oneself from it.
3) The Hadīth encourages doing supererogatory acts of worship, as they are the key to good, especially voluntary night prayers.
4) Performing Jihād in the cause of Allah is one of the best and most superior good deeds. It is referred to as the peak of Islam because through it the religion becomes evident.
5) The Hadīth warns of the faults of the tongue being one of the reasons for entering Hell and incurring destruction.
1523/13- Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Do you know what Gheebah (backbiting) is?” They (the Companions) said: “Allah and His Messenger know best.” He said: “It is to say of your brother what he dislikes (meaning in his absence).” Someone said: “What if what I say of my brother is true?” He said: “If what you say of him is true, then you have backbitten him; if not, then you have slandered him.” [Narrated by Muslim]
1524/14- Abu Bakrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said in his sermon on the Day of Nahr at Mina in the Farewell Hajj: “Verily, your blood, your properties, and your honor are as sacred and inviolable to you as the sanctity of this day of yours, in this month of yours, in this town of yours. Verily, I have conveyed the message.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
1525/15- ‘Āishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: “I said to the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him): ‘Sufficient for you about Safiyyah is such-and-such (meaning that she is short).’ He said: ‘You have said a word which, if mixed with the water of the sea, it would pollute it!’ And I once imitated a person before him, so he said: ‘I do not like to imitate a person even in return for such-and-such.’” [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd and Al-Tirmidhi, who classified it as Hasan Sahīh (sound and authentic)]
Pollute it: mixed with it in such a way that changes its taste or smell due to its intense stink and foulness. This is one of the strongest warnings against backbiting. Allah Almighty says: {Nor does he speak out of his own desire. It is but a revelation sent down [to him].} [Surat An-Najm: 3-4]
1526/16- Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “During my ascent to heaven, I passed by a group of people (in Hellfire) with copper nails scratching their faces and chests. I asked: ‘O Gabriel, who are these?’ He replied: ‘These are the ones who eat the flesh of people (by backbiting) and slander their honors.’” [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd]
1527/17- Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The whole of a Muslim is inviolable for another Muslim: his blood, his honor, and his property.” [Narrated by Muslim]
Slandered him: you fabricated the most serious lies against him.
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1) The Hadīth warns against backbiting, being one of the grave major sins, and one of the causes of destruction for its doer in the worldly life and the Hereafter.
2) It is prohibited to speak about other Muslims in a way that they do not like, even if what is said is true about them, for it is considered backbiting. It is allowable under the Shariah in some cases only.
3) The Muslim’s life, property, and honor are as inviolable in the sight of Allah as are the sacred town, the sacred month, and the sacred day.
4) Belittling the value of the worldly life and everything in it if compared to the pleasure of Allah Almighty.
5) Mentioning the punishment of backbiters on the Day of Judgment; they will torture themselves with their own hands because they allowed their fellow Muslims to be backbitten, so they will reap what they sowed.
Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah (may Allah have mercy upon him) said as he underlined the importance of watching what the tongue utters:
“It is wondrous how a person finds it easy to guard against consuming what is unlawful, doing injustice, committing unlawful sexual intercourse, theft, drinking alcohol, looking at what is unlawful, and other prohibited acts, yet it is difficult for him to control his tongue. You may see a man who is known for his religiosity, worship, and asceticism, yet he thoughtlessly says words that displease Allah Almighty, and because of that he falls into Hell to depths that are farther than the distance between the East and West. You may find a man who is too prudent to commit immorality or injustice, yet his tongue is ardently vilifying the honor of living and dead people, and he does not care about what he is saying. If you like to know more about that, then look at the Hadīth narrated by Muslim in his Sahīh on the authority of Jundub ibn ‘Abdullah who reported: ‘The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said that once a man said: ‘By Allah! Allah would not forgive so-and-so.’ Thereupon, Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, said: ‘Who is this who adjures about Me that I would not grant pardon to so-and-so; I have granted pardon to so-and-so and rendered your deeds worthless.’ This worshiper who offered worship to Allah Almighty for as long as what Allah willed for him to do had all his deeds worthless on account of a single word...The easiest movement of all the organs is that of the tongue, but it is the most harmful to the slave.” [Al-Jawāb Al-Kāfi liman Sa’ala ‘an Ad-Dawā’ Ash-Shāfi]