In the Name of Allah the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
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Jewels from the Sayings of the Salaf
Be aware, dear brothers, that Buhtaan against an innocent person is heavier in its sin than the weight of the skies. Safety is in silence and it should be the rule. To be quiet at the right time is the quality of true men. Also to speak at the appropriate time is the noblest of all characteristics. The following are some sayings and actions of the Salaf:
* A man from the Salaf visited his brother. His brother conveyed Nameemah to him about a friend of his, so he told his brother: "My brother, you have made a long Gheebah and caused me three offenses: made my brother disliked to me; made my heart think about what you said; and made me suspect your honesty."
* A Nammaam sent a letter to As-Saahib Bin 'Abbad, encouraging him to take some of the money from an orphan because it was too much. As-Saahib wrote on the back of the letter:
"Nameemah is ugly and evil even when it is true. If you meant to advise me by writing to me, then be assured that your loss is better than the profit. I ask Allah for refuge from accepting a tale from a dishonored person about another with a blameless record. If you were not in your old age, we would have treated you with your intention. So avoid the same, for Allah knows the hidden and unseen. May Allah cover the dead with His mercy and support the orphan with patience. The money is increased and blessed by Allah, and the conveyer of Nameemah is cursed by Allah."
* Bakr Bin Abdullah is reported to have said:
"Always do something where if you do it and you're right then you will be rewarded and if you are wrong you will not be punished. And avoid doing something where if you are right you will not be rewarded and if you are wrong you will be punished." They asked, "What is that thing?" He said, "Ill suspicions of people; if you are right, you will not be rewarded; but if you are wrong, you are sinners."
* Muhammad Bin Ka'b was asked what qualities are low and not fitting for a believer. He said:
"Talking too much, uncovering the secret and accepting the sayings of everyone."
* A man said to 'Amr Bin 'Ubaid, "A man has been saying bad things about you." 'Amr said to him:
"Listen! You have not honored the sitting in this man's company because you conveyed to me his speech. Further, you did not consider brotherly rights when you informed me about what I dislike about my brother. But inform him that we all are dying. The grave will surround us all and the Day of Resurrection will collect all of us. And Allah will judge amongst us, He is the Best of judges."
* It was narrated that a person once came to 'Omar Bin 'Abdul-Aziz and mentioned something about another man. 'Omar is reported to have said: "If you wish, we will look into your claim. If you're lying then you're among the people mentioned in this Verse:
"...If a Fasiq (rebellious evil) person comes to you with news, verify it...." (49:6)
"If you're telling the truth then you are among the people mentioned in this Verse:
'A slanderer, going about with calumnies.' (68:11)
"But if you wish, we would forgive you." The man then said, "I want to be pardoned O Chief of the Believers. I promise I will not do such a thing again."
* Luqman said to his son:
"My son I admonish you with qualities that if you hold to, you will always be honored as the head of your people: be good (have good manners) with the near and far; do not lose your temper with the respected people; protect your brothers and their honor; and join your kin. Have your brothers and relatives trust about you that you would not accept any tales from any person who intends to deceive you and corrupt the relationships. Take friends in a way that if you leave them, you will not say bad about them, neither will they say bad about you."
Some Salaf have said that Nameemah is based on Kidhb, Hasad, and Nifaaq. These three are pillars of lowliness and depravity. Others have said that if what a Nammaam has conveyed to you was true, then be informed that this Nammaam was more daring to tell you the bad thing about you. The one that said it to the Nammaam should be entitled more of your patience since he didn't confront you with the criticisms.
* A man came to Sulaiman Bin Abdul-Malik and Sulaiman reportedly said to him:
"I was told that you have said bad things about me." The man said, "I have not done or said anything." Sulaiman then said, "The one who told me is truthful." Upon that Az-Zuhari, who was in the company of Sulaiman said, "The Nammaam is never truthful." Sulaiman then said, "You are right." And then he said to the man, "Go in peace."
Dear brothers,
The friend of a Nammaam is never safe from his scorpions (i.e., stings). Neither can he be safe from his snakes (i.e., bites). The Nammaam is like the flood at night, No one knows where it came from and how it can be avoided. The covenant is humiliated by him in the way he breaks it. And love is humiliated by him in the way he kills it. (Poetry)
The Cure for Slander
Allah has conferred His favor upon His slaves by joining their hearts together and uniting them. He has said:
"And remember Allah's favor on you, for you were enemies one to another but He joined your hearts together, so that by His Grace, you became brethren." (3:103)
"The believers are nothing else than brothers." (49:10)
Anyone who goes around igniting the Fitnah and enmity among the believers, is indeed transgressing against Allah's limits, and falling in His disobedience.
"Shaitan wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants." (5:91)
If a person wishes to treat his tongue for Nameemah then he should occupy his tongue and time with the remembrance of Allah and anything else that is useful. He should always remember the following:
1. Not incite the Anger of Allah and His Wrath and Punishment by talking about others.
2. Think of the great corruption of hearts and friendship caused by Nameemah.
3. Remember the Verses and Ahadith about Nameemah and hold his tongue.
4. Spread love amongst Muslims. He should mention their good qualities and honor them in their absence.
5. Know that safeguarding his tongue is one of the means for entering Paradise.
6. Know that anyone who looks for the faults of people, Allah will expose his faults even if he hides within his home. 7. Be with righteous companions who command the good and get together for good.
8. Be certain that those he talks about and dishonors today, will be his opponents on the Day of Judgment.
9. Remember death and the short life within this world. Death is very near and the Second Life is so close.
Dear brothers, the Nammaam should be hated and distrusted. He should not be taken as a friend, because he does not fear Allah and doesn't respect and guard the honor of Muslims. He likes division and dissension. So do not let the Nammaam pollute your meetings and make dirty your hearing with sins and shameful things. You should command him to do good and prohibit him from evil. Scold him harshly and explain to him how what he is saying and doing is bad and evil. Do not pay attention to him and ask Allah to make you free from any responsibility for his actions.
May Allah protect our tongues, hearing and sight, InshaAllaah & Aameen.
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Wa Alikum Assalaam Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh!