Saturday, March 19, 2011

One of muslims' greatest liability-the mouth

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said :”Do you know what backbiting is?” They said, “God and His Messenger know best.” He then said, “It is to say something about your brother that he would dislike.” Someone asked him, “But what if what I say is true?” The Messenger of God said, “If what you say about him is true, you are backbiting him, but if it is not true then you have slandered him.” (Muslim)

"O you who believe! Avoid much suspicion, for some suspicions are a sin. Do not spy on one another, nor backbite one another. Would one of you love to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Nay, you would abhor it, [so similarly, avoid backbiting]. And fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful." Qur'an, [49:12]

The Prophet (s) once gave counsel to Abu Dharr (r) , saying: “O Abu Dharr! Beware of backbiting, for backbiting is graver than adultery (zina’).” Abu Dharr (r) said: “Why is that so, O Messenger of Allah?” He (s) replied: “That is because when a man commits adultery and then repents to God, God accepts his repentance. However, backbiting is not forgiven until forgiven by its victim.” [Al-Hurr al-`Amili, Wasai'l al-Shi`ah, vol. 8, hadith no. 18312]

I am remarkably surprised by Muslims who pray and fast, and read the Quran but are still unable to refrain themselves from backbiting others and even spreading slander/fitna. What a pity all their prayers (some even have performed their haj/umrah) are still unable to make them strong enough to control their own tongues. Wouldn't it be better for us to utter zikr, or some verses of Quran rather than talking bad about others? Even when we have been wronged by someone, our religion teaches us to be patient and not repeat the persons bad deeds to others, what else if you have not been wronged?

It is not easy to control our words, but as backbiting and spreading slander are considered heavy sins which will be punished both in the dunia as well as akhira', it is wise for us to take this issue seriously and improve for the better.

For a start, before you talk bad about others, reflect your own self. Do you pray 5 times a day? Do you complete your fast during Ramadhan? Does your dressing obey the guidelines of Islam? Does your daily communication obey the limitations provided by Islam, especially when talking to the opposite sex? Are you free from committing sins especially,the heavy sins?

If we ourselves are not perfect, why condemn others? A person who is really good will not simply talk bad about others. Raqib and Atib are by our sides every moment of our lifes. The former jots our good deeds while the latter our sins. There is no escape for anyone and Allah is All-Knowing and also All-Merciful.

Often we take prayers and fasting seriously but forget that our mouths are one of human's greatest liabilty. Lets repent, and do our level best to correct oursleves. It is not easy, I know, I am not perfect either. But I want to change and i hope anyone who have also committed these sins will change too.

From Him we come and to Him we return. We were born in a state which is clean from sins, but what state will we be in when we return to HIm?

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