Lying is the practice of communicating lies, gossiping is the practice of idle talk or rumor, especially about the personal or private affairs of others and backbiting is the practice of malicious talk about someone who is not present. These three acts are considering bad and are looking down upon. In the same way, lying, gossiping, and backbiting are prohibited in Islam. A person who commits any of the following is considered to have committed a sin and classified as a sinner.
Table of Contents
Lying
Lying is another sin that is classified among the Greater sins, the seventh greater sin. The Prophet (PBUH) is quoted to have said,
“When a believer utters a lie without a valid excuse, he is cursed by seventy thousand angels. Such a stench emanates from his heart that it reaches the sky and because of this single lie, Allah writes for him a sin equivalent to that of committing seventy fornications. Such fornications that the least of which is fornication with one’s mother.”
Another,
“Lying is evil, greater than drinking wine.”
Not only do we understand the severity of the sin committed by lying on from Ahadith, but Allah has also spoken about it through the Quran too. In Suran an-Nahl,
“Only they forge the lie who do not believe in Allah’s communications, and these are the liars.” [16:105]
Quran also tells us that the one who lies is cursed through Surah Al-Noor,
“…the curse of Allah be on him if he is one of the liars.” [24:8]
Gossiping
Gossiping is also among the worst sins. It robs and tarnishes another person’s dignity, credibility, and reputation.
The Holy Quran says,
“Oh, you who believe! If a wicked person comes to you with any news, ascertain the truth, lest you harm people unwittingly, and afterward become full of repentance for what you have done”. [49:6]
Hadith regarding gossiping,
“The people whom I hate the most and who are the farthest from me on the Day of Judgment are those who talk uselessly, and those who put down others, and those who showoff when they talk”.
Back Biting
Backbiting is something that the Qur’an regards as distasteful as an actual act of cannibalism.
The Holy Quran says,
“Oh, 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. 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”[49:11-12].
And,
“Woe to every slanderer and back-biter!” [104:1]
Hadith regarding backbiting has classified the person who back-bites worse than the one who has committed adultery,
“Back-biting is more grievous than adultery, and God will not forgive the back-biter until the one wronged has forgiven him”.
All the above verses and Ahadith show that lying, gossiping and backbiting are strongly prohibiting in Islam and Muslims must refrain from it to please the Al-Mighty.
Summary
Lying, gossiping and backbiting are the most hateful things near to Allah. A person who commits lying, gossiping, and backbiting is considered to have committed a sin and classified as a sinner. Lying is considering a great sin and is strictly prohibited in Islam. Lying not only discredits a person’s honesty but also poses a big question mark on a person’s credibility.
Another trait that is not acceptable in Islam is gossiping, talking uselessly, and derogating someone with humor is not acceptable as it will always convey and transfer negativity. If a person keeps himself away from this, he is considering as a person with honor. The backbiting is also considering hateful and is also not likable by people in society. Backbiting is itself a toxic trait as it shows how disloyal you are to anyone. A person with pride and dignity should say everything to someone’s face or defend his friend or anyone at his/her back.
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