My enemy to bite me is more beloved than harming with his tongue, since teeth marks eventually fade away but how would I remove what has entered the hearts of people!
My brother and sister, if someone comes to you speaking improperly, spreading lies, or backbiting members or teachers of your community, realise that such a person does not wish you well. Individuals of this nature damage communities, cause families to fracture, and turn friends against one another.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “No tale-carrier will enter Paradise.” This was reported by al-Bukhārī (d. 256 AH / 870 CE).¹
Tale-carrying (namīmah) includes saying to someone, “So-and-so said such-and-such about you.” However, it is not limited to this form alone. Rather, it encompasses conveying anything that ought not to be disclosed, whether speech or action. To such an extent, the scholars mention that if one were to see a person concealing his wealth and then inform others of it, this would also be considered tale-carrying.
Through their tongues, these tale-carriers destroy the reputations of duʿāt and respected members of the community. The outcome of this behaviour is either the erosion of trust in those previously honoured, leading people to disassociate from them and abandon their lessons, or the complete abandonment of the Salafī masjid altogether.
Al-Fuḍayl ibn ʿIyāḍ (d. 187 AH / 803 CE) said: “When backbiting appears, brotherhood for the sake of Allah disappears. At that time, you will be like objects plated with gold and silver: wooden on the inside, merely appearing beautiful on the outside.”²
History provides a clear example of the devastation caused by tale-carrying. Hypocrites such as ʿAbdullāh ibn Sabāʾ engaged in anti-ʿUthmānī propaganda and public agitation in order to destabilise and fracture the Muslim community during the caliphate of ʿUthmān ibn ʿAffān (raḍiya Allāhu ʿanhu, d. 35 AH / 656 CE). He travelled across the Muslim lands, from Najd to Iraq and Egypt, promoting this corrupt ideology until it attracted thousands of followers.
The Jews and the Magians exploited this propaganda, conspiring against ʿUthmān by openly voicing grievances in study circles, public assemblies, private gatherings, and social forums, until it became difficult to distinguish between friend and enemy. The consequence was public rebellion against the noble Companion. His home was besieged, food and water were withheld from him, and he was ultimately murdered in his own house.
Therefore, pay close attention to the initial steps of the tale-carrier, for in certain respects they are more harmful than magicians.
Shaykh Ṣāliḥ ibn Fawzān al-Fawzān (b. 1354 AH / 1933 CE) said: “Magicians learn magic that causes division of hearts and enmity. Likewise, tale-carrying is even more severe than magic. Through it, wars may occur, Muslims may split and show enmity towards one another, neighbours may boycott one another, and members of a household may turn against each other and separate.”
Beware of such people, for their harm is more severe than physical harm. As the poet said: My enemy biting me is more beloved to me than harming me with his tongue, for the marks of teeth eventually fade, but how can one remove what has entered the hearts of people?
Some tale-carriers may be friends or family members. Others may be unaware of the trial with which Allah ﷻ has tested them, oblivious to the gravity of what they are doing. When you hear tale-carrying, your duty is to be firm in prohibiting it, to halt the perpetrator, and to defend the honour of Muslims, just as you would stop someone from eating the flesh of a dead person in front of you.
Allah ﷻ says: “O you who believe! Avoid much suspicion; indeed some suspicions are sins. And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it. And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is the One Who accepts repentance, Most Merciful.” (Qurʾān, al-Ḥujurāt 49:12, translation by Taqī al-Dīn al-Hilālī)
When you encounter such people, advise them sincerely. Perhaps Allah ﷻ will save them through you. Otherwise, distance yourself from them and safeguard your community.
Written by Ṣalāḥ al-Irānī
March 12, 2018
12 mins read
