Namimah
Since 2012-11-11
Namimah (tale-bearing) is one of the diseases that afflicts the souls and spreads in the Islamic society, and a malicious disease that is communicated by the tongues, leading to destroying families, separating the loved ones, and severing the ties of kins
In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Introduction
All praise is due to Allah, and prayers and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad, the noblest Prophet and Messenger.
Namimah (tale-bearing) is one of the diseases that afflicts the souls and spreads in the Islamic society, and a malicious disease that is communicated by the tongues, leading to destroying families, separating the loved ones, and severing the ties of kinship.
This is the second part of "Rasail-ul-Tawbah (Messages of Repentance)", shedding light on Namimah, Allah's ruling on it, its deterrents and causes, and the way of getting rid of it.
This message supplements the first one, which discusses the Ghaibah (backbiting).
May Allah safeguard our tongues and ears from all kinds of disgrace.
Prayers and peace of Allah be upon our prophet Muhammad.
Preface:
The Islamic society is characterized by love and fraternity, as love adorns hearts and smile beautifies faces.
The basis for the relation among the believers is fraternity and good companionship. Allah (Glorified be He) says: {The believers are nothing else than brothers (in Islâmic religion)} [Al-Hujurat: 10]
{إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَة} الحجرات: 10
Transliteration: Innama al-mu'minun Ikhwah
Allah (Glorified be He) prohibited everything that causes enmity and hatred among the believers. Allah (Glorified be He) says:
{Shaytân (Satan) wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants (alcoholic drinks) and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allâh and from As-Salât (the prayer). So, will you not then abstain?} [Al-Ma'idah: 91]
{إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَنْ يُوقِعَ بَيْنَكُمُ الْعَدَاوَةَ وَالْبَغْضَاءَ فِي الْخَمْرِ وَالْمَيْسِرِ وَيَصُدَّكُمْ عَنْ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَعَنِ الصَّلاةِ فَهَلْ أَنْتُمْ مُنْتَهُون} المائدة: 91
Transliteration: Innama yuridu Al-Shaytan an youqi’a baynakum al-‘adawata wal baghda' fil khamr wal maysir wayasuddakum ‘an dhikrillah wa ‘an al-salah fahal antum muntahun
Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) joins the hearts of His Slaves together out of His Bounty. Allah (Glorified be He) says:
{For you were enemies one to another but He joined your hearts together, so that, by His Grace, you became brethren (in Islâmic Faith)} [Al-Imran: 103]
{وَاذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ كُنْتُمْ أَعْدَاءً فَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُمْ بِنِعْمَتِهِ إِخْوَاناً} آل عمران: 103
Transliteration: wadhkuru nimata Allahi Alaykum idh kuntum ada' faallafa bayna qulubikum fa'asbahtum bini’matihi ikhwanan.
Also, Allah says:
{He it is Who has supported you with His Help and with the believers. (62) And He has united their (i.e. believers’) hearts. If you had spent all that is in the earth, you could not have united their hearts, but Allâh has united them.}[Al-Anfal: 62-63]
{هُوَ الَّذِي أَيَّدَكَ بِنَصْرِهِ وَبِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ (62) وَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِهِمْ لَوْ أَنْفَقْتَ مَا فِي الْأَرْضِ جَمِيعاً مَا أَلَّفْتَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِهِمْ وَلَكِنَّ اللَّهَ أَلَّفَ بَيْنَهُمْ} الأنفال: 62-63
Transliteration: Huwa al-ladhi ayyadaka binasrihi wabil-muminin (62) waallafa bayna qulubihim law anfaqta mafil-ard Jamian ma allafta bayna qulubihim walakinna Allaha allafa baynahum.
Every Mukallaf (competent person meeting the conditions to be held legally accountable for their actions) should control his tongue in every speech, i.e., he should say it if it brings a benefit, and refrain from it if refraining brings more benefit. The Sunnah (action following the teachings of the Prophet) is to abstain from it, as the permitted speech may be driven to prohibited or reprehensible speech. This may happen a lot, rather it often happens.
Abu Hurairah is reported to have said that the Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: "Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day (hereafter), let him speak good or else keep silent." [Agreed upon]
«من كان يؤمن بالله واليوم الآخر فليقل خيرا أو ليصمت» متفق عليه
There is an explicit Nas (Islamic text from the Quran or the Sunnah) in this agreed-upon Hadith manifesting that a person should speak only if what he wants to say is good and brings benefit, and should abstain from speaking if he doubts that what he wants to say brings benefit.
Imam Al-Shafi’i said: "If a person wants to speak, he should think first; if what he says implies a benefit, he may speak. If he doubts that what he says does not imply a benefit, he should refrain from speaking until he is sure."
The Definition of Namimah:
It most probably refers to the act done by a person who passes on what other people say about a certain person, that is to say, when you say that a person says about you so and so. Namimah is not confined to this, but it includes the disclosure of anything that may hurt or offend somebody if it is disclosed, whether it is the person who is spoken about and offended, or the person who hears the Namimah, or a third party.
This is whether it is disclosed verbally, in writing or by means of a hint or a gesture, and whether what is transmitted is an action, a word, a fault or a shortcoming in the person who is being talked about, or in someone else. The definition of Namimah is uncovering secrets and disclosing that which it is not appropriate to be disclosed.
Hence, we should keep silent and refrain from telling everything that we see of people’s affairs, unless speaking of it will bring some benefit to a Muslim or ward off some harm.
For example, if you see a person taking someone else’s property, you have to bear witness to that, in contrast to if you see someone hiding his own money, in which case speaking of it would be Namimah and disclosing a person’s secret. If what is spoken of is a fault or shortcoming in the person of whom one speaks, then this is Ghaibah (backbiting) and Namimah. Hence, it is manifested that Namimah is passing on what the people say to each other, intending to cause mischief and to disclose secrets.
Fabricating lies about an innocent is heavier than the heavens; woe be to the person who attempts to fabricate lies about an innocent to an authoritative person and the like, who may believe him. In this way, he wrongs the innocent by accusing him of a certain action that he did not commit.
Yahya Ibn Aktham said: "The talebearer is more malicious than the witchcraft practitioner, as the talebearer may do within an hour that which the witchcraft practitioner can not do within a year."
It is also said: "The talebearer's act is more harmful than that of Satan, as Satan's act is based on imagination and Waswasah (insinuating thoughts from Satan), while the talebearer's act is based on confrontation and viewing."
Ruling on Namimah:
Namimah is one of the worst evil deeds, which spreads among a large number of people, to the extent that a few people are free from it. The Muslims unanimously agree that it is prohibited according to explicit evidence from the Quran, the Sunnah, and the Ijma(consensus of scholars) of the nation.
Al-Hafizh Al-Mundhiri said: "The whole nation unanimously agrees on the prohibition of Namimah, and Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) considers it as one of the gravest sins. Namimah is prohibited because it causes enmity and hatred among the Muslims.
The Evidence of Prohibiting Namimah:
Allah (Glorified be He) says:
{A slanderer, going about with calumnies} [Al-Qalam: 11]
{هَمَّازٍ مَشَّاءٍ بِنَمِيم} القلم: 11
Transliteration: Hammazin mashain binamim.
Allah (Glorified be He) says: {Not a word does he (or she) utter but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it).} [Qaf: 18]
{مَا يَلْفِظُ مِنْ قَوْلٍ إِلَّا لَدَيْهِ رَقِيبٌ عَتِيدٌ} ق: 18
Transliteration: Ma yalfithu min qawlin illa ladayhi raqibun ‘atid.
Also, Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: {Woe to every slanderer and backbiter.}[Al-Humazah: 1]
{وَيْلٌ لِكُلِّ هُمَزَةٍ لُمَزَةٍ} الهمزة: 1
Transliteration: wailun likulli homazatin lumazah.
It is said that "Al-Humazah" means the talebearer.
Allah (Glorified be He) says: {Who carries wood (thorns of Sa‘dân which she used to put on the way of the Prophet peace be upon him, or used to slander him).} [Al-Masad: 4]
{حَمَّالَةَ الْحَطَبِ} المسد: 4
Transliteration: Hamalata al-hatab.
It was said that she was a talebearer who passed on speech to make trouble and mischief among the people. The word "hatab" is used because she spread enmity and hatred among the people, in the manner "hatab" does. Namimah is a kind of mischief that afflicts the believers and makes trouble among them.
Allah (Glorified be He) says: {And those who annoy believing men and women undeservedly, they bear (on themselves) the crime of slander and plain sin.} [Al-Ahzab: 58]
{وَالَّذِينَ يُؤْذُونَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ بِغَيْرِ مَا اكْتَسَبُوا فَقَدِ احْتَمَلُوا بُهْتَاناً وَإِثْماً مُبِيناً} الأحزاب: 58
Transliteration: walladhin yudhuna al-muminun wal muminat bighayr maktasabu faqad ihtamalu buhtanan wa ithman mubinan.
Hudhaifah (may Allah be pleased with him) is reported to have said that the Messenger of Allah (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: "No talebearer enters Paradise." [Reported by Muslim]
«لا يدخل الجنة نمام» رواه مسلم
He (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said that no talebearer will enter Paradise. If they will not enter Paradise, they will certainly dwell in Hellfire, because there is nothing other than Paradise and Hellfire. If it is proven that they will not enter Paradise, then they will dwell in Hellfire.
The Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: "Shall I tell you about the most evil persons among you? They said: Yes. He said: Those who commit Namimah, cause trouble between the loved ones, and accuse people of vices they are innocent of." [Declared Hasan (good) by Al-Albani]
«ألا أخبركم بشراركم؟ قالوا: بلى. قال: المشاؤن بالنميمة، المفسدون بين الأحبة، الباغون للبراء العيب» حسنه الألباني
And he will also be punished for it in the grave. It was narrated on the authority of Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) that the Messenger of Allah (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) passed by two graves and said: "They are being punished, but they are not being punished for any major sin (in the eyes of people), rather they are grave (to Allah). One of them used to walk about spreading malicious gossip, and the other used not to be wary from (i.e. keep himself clean from) his urine." [Reported by Al-Bukhari]
«يعذبان، وما يعذبان في كبير، وإنه لكبير، كان أحدهما لا يستتر من البول، وكان الآخر يمشي بالنميمة» رواه البخاري
The scholars said about the meaning of "wama yuadhaban fi kabir", that they claim that it is not a major sin. Also, it was said that they could not refrain from that."
Moreover, it is said: "One third of the torment of the grave is due to Namimah."
Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) prohibits passing on Namimah, as it leads to enmity and hatred among the Muslims, whereas He permits lying to reconcile people, and arouses the people's interest in reconciling people. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: {So fear Allâh and adjust all matters of difference among you.} [Al-Anfal: from Ayah 1]
{فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَأَصْلِحُوا ذَاتَ بَيْنِكُمْ} الأنفال: 1
Transliteration: fattaqu wa aslihu dhata naynikum.
The Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) is reported to have said: "Shall I not tell you of something that is better than fasting, prayer and charity?" They said: Yes. He said: "Reconciling between two people, for discord between people is the shaver (terminates everything like the shaver does to the hair)." [Authenticated by Al-Albani]
«ألا أدلكم على أفضل من درجة الصلاة و الصيام و الصدقة؟ قالوا: بلى يا رسول الله. قال: إصلاح ذات البين فإن فساد ذات البين هي الحالقة» صححه الألباني
The Causes of Namimah:
There are invisible causes that incite the people to commit Namimah, including:
First: The ignorance of some people of the prohibition of Namimah, and that it is one of the gravest sins that lead to serious evil, separation of the beloved ones, destruction of families, spread of hatred and quarrels among the Muslims.
Second: Giving vent to the grudge and envy that fill the souls by passing on Namimah among the loved ones, attempting to disparage the envied person in front of the people.
Third: Keeping in line with and showing courtesy to the people with whom a person sits, and attempting to make advance to them by saying a piece of news to entertain them.
Fourth: Intending to harm the person who is spoken about in the manner of passing on Namimah to an authoritative person to harm him in any way.
Fifth: Showing love and courtesy to the person talked to, so as to reveal that he becomes one of his friends and companions, and that it upsets the speaker to hear what a certain person said about him. Rather, he passes on all of what is said, and he may add on it, aiming at increasing the love of the person to whom he talks.
Sixth: Joking and making fun, as there are gatherings that are held mainly for laughing, joking, and passing on speeches among the people.
Seventh: Intending to dissemble and to know the people's secrets leads to speak ill about a certain person and disclose his secrets.
What should you do with the talebearer?
My dear brother: Every person, to whom Namimah is told or informed that a certain person said so and so about him, or wants to harm him, or to agree with his enemy against him, or to worsen his state or the like, should do six matters:
First: He should not believe the talebearer, because he is an evildoer whose witness is not accepted. Allah (Glorified be He) says: {O you who believe! If a Fâsiq (liar — evil person) comes to you with any news, verify it, lest you should harm people in ignorance, and afterwards you become regretful for what you have done.} [Al-Hujurat: from Ayah 6]
{يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنْ جَاءَكُمْ فَاسِقٌ بِنَبَأٍ فَتَبَيَّنُوا أَنْ تُصِيبُوا قَوْماً بِجَهَالَةٍ} الحجرات: 6
Transliteration: ya ayyuha al-ladhin amanu in ja'akum fisiqun binaba'in fatabayyanu an tusibu qawman bijahalatin.
Second: He should forbid him to do that, advice him, and disapprove of his act. Allah (Glorified be He) says: {Enjoin (on people) Al-Ma‘rûf ? (Islâmic Monotheism and all that is good), and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief in the Oneness of Allâh, polytheism of all kinds and all that is evil and bad)} [Luqman: 17]
{وَأْمُرْ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَانْهَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ} لقمان: 17
Transliteration: wamur bilma’ruf wanha ‘an al-munkar.
Third: He should hate him for the sake of Allah, as Allah (Glorified be He) hates the talebearer; and it is obligatory to hate the person whom Allah (Glorified be He) hates.
Fourth: He should not think ill of his absent brother, as Allah (Glorified be He) says: {Avoid much suspicion; indeed some suspicions are sins.}[Al-Hujurat: 12]
{اجْتَنِبُوا كَثِيراً مِنَ الظَّنِّ إِنَّ بَعْضَ الظَّنِّ إِثْمٌ} الحجرات: 12
Transliteration: wajtanibu kathiran mina al-Than inna bada al-Than ithm.
Fifth: He should not consider the tales said by means of spying, and he should verify this matter, following the saying of Allah (Glorified be He): "And spy not" [Al-Hujurat: 12]
{وَلا تَجَسَّسُو} الحجرات: 12
Transliteration: wala tajassasu.
Sixth: He should not do that which he forbids the talebearer to do, and should not pass on his speech to other people, lest he should not be a talebearer and backbiter, or commit that which he forbade others to do.
Al-Hasan said: "The person, who speaks ill of people to you, may speak ill of you." This indicates that the talebearer should be hated and should not be trusted or befriended. How should not he be hated while he does not stop fabricating lies, backbiting, betraying, envying, grudging, dissembling, causing mischief among people, and deceiving? He is one of the people who seek severing relations among the people and ties of kinship as well as causing mischief in land.
Allah (Glorified be He) says: {The way (of blame) is only against those who oppress men and rebel in the earth without justification; for such there will be a painful torment.} [Al-Shura: 42] The talebearer is included in this meaning.
{إِنَّمَا السَّبِيلُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ يَظْلِمُونَ النَّاسَ وَيَبْغُونَ فِي الْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقّ} الشورى: 42
Transliteration: Innama al-sabil ala alladhina yathlimuna al-nas wa yabghun fil-ard bighayr al-haq.
The Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: "The most evil of people are those who are feared by people due to their evil." [Ibn Abd Al-Bar, narrated on the authority of ‘Aisha from authentic ways]
«إن من شر الناس من اتقاه الناس لشره»ابن عبد البر، روي عن عائشة من وجوه صحاح
The talebearer is one of these people.
Musab Ibn Umayr said: "We view that accepting Namimah is more evil than committing it, because Namimah is considered as an indication, while accepting it is a permission for committing it. The person who indicates a certain matter is not like the person who accepts and permits it. Be cautious of the talebearer, because if he is truthful in what he says, then he shall be evil in his truthfulness, as he does not keep secrets."
Some of the Attributes of the Talebearer:
Allah (Glorified be He) says: "A slanderer, going about with calumnies, Hinderer of the good, transgressor, sinful, Cruel, and moreover base-born (of illegitimate birth)." [Al-Qalam: 11-13]
{هَمَّازٍ مَشَّاءٍ بِنَمِيمٍ (11) مَنَّاعٍ لِلْخَيْرِ مُعْتَدٍ أَثِيمٍ (12) عُتُلٍّ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ زَنِيمٍ} القلم: 11-13
Transliteration: Hammaz mashshain binamim (11) Manna’in lilkhayr mu'tadin athim (12) ‘Utullin bad dhalika zanim.
The Noble Qur'an describes the talebearer with nine ugly attributes:
First: He swears a lot; no one swears much except the liar, as he realizes that people do not believe or trust him. Thus, he swears to hide his lies, seeking people's confidence.
Second: He does not respect himself or his sayings, and the evidence is that he needs to swear. Disgrace is a psychological attribute that sticks to a person, even if he is an authoritative one.
Third: He speaks ill of people in their presence and absence.
Fourth: He passes on Namimah among the people to cause mischief among them, to sever their relations, and to wipe out their intimacy. It is an ugly quality which, if afflicts a person, corrupts his nature and disgraces him.
Fifth: He prevents goodness from occurring to himself and to others.
Sixth: He is an aggressor, as he violates truth and justice.
Seventh: He is a sinner, as he drinks intoxicants and commits misdeeds to the extent that he continually commits sins.
Eighth: He is cruel and tough, as his personality is unacceptable and awful.
Ninth: He is base-born, which is the last of his attributes.
Abdullah Ibn Al-Mubarak said: "The person who does not refrain from speaking ill of others is regarded as an illegitimate child."
The Double-Faced Person
My dear brother: The person's act of going to two quarreling persons and speaking to each of them in a way that shows inclination towards him is graver than Namimah. The person, who does not pass on speech, but convinces each one of the quarrelling persons that it is good to become hostile to the other, is a double-tongued person. Also, the double-tongued is the person who promises one of the quarrelling persons to advocate him or praises him in his hostility to the other, or flatters one of them, and upon his coming out, he dispraises him. Rather, a person should refrain from speaking, or should praise the rightful person while being present or absent and in front of his enemy.
The Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: "The person who has two faces in this life will have a tongue from fire in the Day of Judgment." [Authenticated by Al-Albani]
«من كان له وجهان في الدنيا كان له لسانا من نار يوم القيامة»صححه الألباني
He (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: "The worst of all mankind is the double-faced one, who comes to some people with one countenance and to others, with another countenance." [Authenticated by Al-Albani]
«تجد من شر الناس يوم القيامة، عند الله، ذا الوجهين؛ الذى يأتي هؤلاء بوجه، و هؤلاء بوجه» صححه الألباني
Abu Hurayrah is reported to have said that the Messenger of Allah (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: People are like metals. Those who were excellent in the Days of Ignorance are excellent in Islam provided they acquire the knowledge and understanding of the religion. You will find the best people in it (Islam) those who had a deep hatred (for leadership). You will find the worst among the people a double-faced person who appears to some people with one face and to others with another face. [Agreed upon]
«تجدون الناس معادن ، خيارهم في الجاهلية خيارهم في الإسلام إذا فقهوا ، وتجدون خير الناس في هذا الشأن أشد له كراهية ، وتجدون شر الناس ذا الوجهين ، الذي يأتي هؤلاء بوجه ، ويأتي هؤلاء بوجه» متفق عليه
It was narrated on the authority of Hammad Ibn Salamh that he said: A person sold a servant and told the buyer: "He is without blemish with the exception of being a talebearer." The buyer belittled this blemish and bought the servant, who stayed in his house for some days. Then, he told the wife of his master: "Your husband does not love you, and he wants to betray you, do you want him to treat you affectionately?" She said: Yes. He told her: "Take this blade and cut some hair from the inner side of his beard when he sleeps." Then, he went to the husband and said: "Your wife betrays you, and she wants to kill you, do you want to make sure of this matter? He said: Yes. He told him: "Pretend to be asleep." When he did so, and his wife came to cut some hair from his beard, he thought that she wanted to kill him. Then, he took the blade and killed her, and her relatives came and killed him. Then, the relatives of the husband came and the two groups fought each other.
My brother, this is the double-faced person:
Whenever he seeks to approach you
Do not believe him, he is a double –faced deceiver
Priceless Advices from the Sayings of the Salaf
My brother: Be informed that fabricating lies about an innocent is a grave sin to the extent that it is heavier than the heavens, and keeping silent involves safety. Also, keeping silent at the suitable time is one of the characteristics of good men, and speaking in the suitable time is one of the appreciated characteristics.
The following are some of the sayings and acts of the Salaf (righteous forefathers) (may Allah be pleased with them):
- One of the Salaf visited his brethren and one of them committed Namimah about his friend. He told him: "Brother, Ghaybah manifested itself and you came with three crimes: You make me hate my brother, you let my heart be preoccupied because of him, and you accused your honest soul."
- One of the talebearers referred a piece of paper to Al-Sahib Ibn Al-Abbad in which he incited him to take the money of an orphan due to its large quantity. He wrote at the back of the paper "Namimah is bad even if it is true. If you do this as a piece of advice, your losses pertaining to it are greater than benefits. I ask refuge with Allah from accepting Namimah and disclosing secrets. Except for being an old man, I would punish you in the way that suits your act. Do not disclose the secrets of the people, as Allah knows best the Ghayb (the Unseen). May Allah be merciful to the dead and give patience to the orphan. Increase the money, but really the talebearer is cursed by Allah. "
- Bakr Ibn ‘Abdullah used to say: "I advise you to do an act due to which you will be rewarded if you are right, and you will not be sinful if you are mistaken. Be cautious of every act due to which you will not be rewarded if you are right, and you will be sinful if you are mistaken." It was said: "What is it?" He said: "Thinking ill of people, because when you are right, you will not be rewarded, and you will be sinful if you are mistaken."
- It was said to Muhammad Ibn Kab: "What is the worst characteristic of a believer?" He said: "Talking much, disclosing a secret, and accepting the saying of every person."
- A person told Amr Ibn Ubayd: "Someone speaks ill of you." Amr said: "O you, you do not consider the rights of the person, as you pass on his speech to us. Also, you do not consider my right, as you inform me that a brother of mine speaks ill of me. However, inform him that all of us will die, will be buried in graves, and will be resurrected on the Day of Judgment. Allah (Glorified be He) will judge between us, and He is the Best of judges.
- It was narrated on the authority of Omar Ibn Abdul-Aziz (may Allah be pleased with him) that a person came to him and told him something about a certain person. Omar told him: "If you want, we may consider that which you said, and if you come to be a liar, you will be included in the meaning of this Ayah: {O you who believe! If a Fâsiq (liar — evil person) comes to you with any news, verify it.} [Al-Hujurat: 6].
{إِنْ جَاءَكُمْ فَاسِقٌ بِنَبَأٍ فَتَبَيَّنُوا} الحجرات: 6
Transliteration: Inn jaakum fasiqun binabain fatabayyanu
If you are truthful, you will be included in the general meaning of this Ayah: {A slanderer, going about with calumnies.} [Al-Qalam: 11]
{همَّازٍ مَشَّاءٍ بِنَمِيم} القلم: 11
Transliteration: Hammazin mashshain binamim.
If you want, we may forgive you. He said: 'Please forgive me, Amir Al-Mu’minin (Commander of the Believers), I will not do this again.'"
- Luqman told his son: "O Son, I advise you to adhere to certain characteristics to remain a well-mannered person: Be kind to the relative and non-relatives, hold your ignorance from the respectable person, safeguard your brethren, maintain the ties of kinship and keep your relatives away from accepting the saying of any talebearer, who seeks to make trouble and deceive you, and befriend those who do not find fault with you and you do not find fault with them when you leave each other."
- Some of them said: "Namimah is based on fabricating lies, envy, and hypocrisy, and leads to humiliation."
- Others said: "If the saying of the talebearer is correct, he will be the first one to insult you. As for the person spoken about, it is better to treat him kindly because he has not insulted you."
- Sulaiman Ibn Abdul-Malik was sitting with Al-Zuhry, then a person came to whom Suliman said: "I was informed that you calumniated me saying such and such." The person said: "I neither did nor said that." Sulaiman said: "But, the person who informed me with that is truthful." Al-Zuhry told him: "The talebearer cannot be truthful." Suliman said: "You are right." Then, the man said: "Go in peace."
My Muslim brother:
The person who calumniates the people, cannot be trusted
By a friend, and cannot be believed
He is like heavy rain at night which
One cannot know where it drops
Woe to you if you promise him! He does not keep his promise.
Woe to you if you befriend him! He will find fault with you.
The Treatment of Namimah
Allah (Glorified be He) granted His Slaves the grace of joining their hearts together, as He (Glorified be He) says: {And remember Allâh’s Favour on you, for you were enemies one to another but He joined your hearts together, so that, by His Grace, you became brethren (in Islâmic Faith)}[Al-Imran: from Ayah 103]
{وَاذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ كُنْتُمْ أَعْدَاءً فَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُمْ بِنِعْمَتِهِ إِخْوَاناً} آل عمران: 103
Transliteration: Wadhkuru ni’mata Allah ‘alaykum idh kuntum A’da' faallafa bayna qulubikum faasbahtum bini’matihi ikhwanan.
Allah (Glorified be He) says: {The believers are nothing else than brothers (in Islâmic religion)} [Al-Hujurat: 10]
{إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَةٌ} الحجرات: 10
Transliteration: Innama al-muminun Ikhwah.
Whoever seeks to excite sedition and enmity among the believers, he violates the limits set by Allah. Allah (Glorified be He) says: {The Shaitân (Satan) wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you.} [Al-Maidah: from Ayah 91]
{إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَنْ يُوقِعَ بَيْنَكُمُ الْعَدَاوَةَ وَالْبَغْضَاءَ} المائدة: 91
Transliteration: Innana yuridu al-Shaytan an yuqi baynakum al-adawah wal-baghda'.
Whoever wants to treat himself from Namimah, he should always recite Adhkar (invocations and remembrances said at certain times on a regular basis), remember Allah, and remember the following:
First: He is liable to Allah's Wrath, Hatred, and Punishment.
Second: The grave danger of Namimah, as it causes trouble among the people, separation of the loved ones, and destruction of families.
Third: The Ayahs and Hadiths pertaining to Namimh. Thus, he should hold his tongue.
Fourth: It is obligatory on him to spread love among the Muslims, to mention their good qualities, and to refrain from speaking ill of them in their absence.
Fifth: Holding the tongue leads to entering Paradise.
Sixth: Whoever seeks out people's faults, Allah will seek out his faults and disgrace him even if he is at home.
Seventh: It is obligatory on him to seek the good companions who help him in good and their gathering involves good and remembering Allah.
Eighth: The people, of whom he speaks ill and disgraces them, will be his opponents on the Day of Judgment.
Ninth: It is obligatory to remember death and that life is short, and death is approaching.
My dear brother: The talebearer should be abominated and should not be trusted or befriended, because he does not fear Allah and does not protect the Muslims' honor, as he likes to sow sedition and separation. Do not let the talebearer spoil your gathering and your hearing with sins and misdeeds. Rather, propagate virtue, prevent vice fiercely, reveal his grave misdeed, do not listen to him, and resort to Allah.
May Allah safeguard your tongue, ears, and eyes.
Abdul-Malak Al-Qasim
Prepared by/ Dar-ul-Qasim
Modified to meet with authentic Hadith
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