By Ammar Awais – Hiba’s team writer
In this age of extensive social media engagement, everyone is a publisher- we publish our views and feelings across various platforms on all sorts of topics, ranging from politics and sports, to selfies and wardrobes. While this social media culture has transformed the way we interact and enabled us to stay in constant contact with others, it has also made us somewhat insensitive and judgemental.
Unfortunately, we are able to globally spread unverified news, share defamatory content, and make hurtful comments at the click of a button or a touch on the screen.
Think before you type or click
It is our duty as Muslims to enjoin right and forbid wrong. Hence, we must not hesitate to speak for the cause of truth and justice on social media. But placement of a fliter of choicest words and a tone that reflects purity of intent is necessary. Next wisdom in what to say and how to say it rather than instill a drone attack against the other person is of utmost importance. We must be extremely cautious when we criticize someone or question their integrity. Before posting such a comment, it is important to ask oneself:
- Is the comment needed at all?
- Could it be phrased in a more objective and respectful manner?
Even a casual remark can contribute to character assassination, which must be avoided at all costs, not just due to the harm it causes the targeted person and the society in general, but also due to the strict stance of Islam against it.
Think well of others
The Quran encourages Muslims to think well of their own people, and dismiss unfounded allegations against them. Damaging the reputation of another person, especially a female believer, is a very serious offence.
Allah (swt) prescribes the following punishment in the Quran for slandering a woman: “And those who accuse chaste women and then do not produce four witnesses – lash them with eighty lashes and do not accept from them testimony ever after. And those are the defiantly disobedient.” (An-Nur 24:4)
These Ayaat were revealed after aspersions were cast against none other than Ayesha (ra) in Madinah. As a consequence, several individuals – including both men and women – were punished with eighty lashes each.
Slander is defined as a false statement damaging someone’s reputation or violating their honour. However, Islam considers any damaging statement that is not backed by four eyewitnesses, or other overwhelming evidence, as slander.
The Quran states the following regarding the slanderers: “…And when they do not produce the witnesses, then it is they, in the sight of Allah, who are the liars.” (An-Nur 24:13)
Hence, accusing someone of immorality without evidence is in itself a sinful act, even if the accusation is true. An exception to this rule, however, is when the victim of a crime such as rape speaks out against the perpetrator without having any witnesses, as evidenced by authentic Hadith.
Think before you judge
Today, it is typical to come across gossip about alleged scandals and transgressions on social media which we scroll down with an emoticon or share without much thought. However, such an action has severe consequences in the sight of Allah (swt), based on the above Ayah of the Quran.
Even if we generally consider someone as a very sinful or non-practising Muslim, discrediting them for an alleged wrong without evidence is still a grave sin. It is even more blameworthy to declare about someone that he or she will not be forgiven by Allah (swt). Consider the following startling narration from the Hadith in this regard.
‘There was once an Israelite man who often sinned. One day, while he was sinning, another man who frequently engaged in worship told him to refrain, at which the sinner burst out: “Leave me alone with my Lord. Have you been sent as a watcher over me?” The worshipper proclaimed: “I swear by Allah: Allah will not forgive you, nor will He admit you to Paradise!” After they both died, Allah (swt) said to the worshipper: “Had you knowledge about me or had you power over what I had in My Hand?” Allah (swt) then declared to the angels to admit the sinner into Paradise out of His mercy, and ordered for the worshipper to be taken to Hell.’ (Abu Dawud)
This Hadith conveys how outrageously sinful it is to judge that someone will not be forgiven by Allah (swt). Regarding the worshipper who was taken to Hell, Abu Hurayrah (ra) said: “By Him in Whose Hand is my soul, he spoke a word by which this world and the next world of his were destroyed.” A carelessly uttered sentence – or a casually drafted comment, for that matter – can have serious consequences, especially in the context of other people’s relationship with Allah (swt) and His divine attributes.
Thus, it is for Allah (swt) to decide whom He wishes to forgive and whom He might punish according to His wisdom and knowledge. It is possible that we are unaware of the real circumstances of an incident or the extent of a person’s piety. We merely judge others based on our limited knowledge or perception.
It is also possible that someone may repent to Allah (swt) with such sincerity that all their previous sins are forgiven by Him. There are many such instances in the Seerah and Hadith, including the story of a former prostitute whose sins were forgiven for merely taking the trouble to fetch water for a thirsty dog and saving its life.
Think of the potential benefit
Hence, it is important to make a conscious effort to avoid judging others or gossiping about their characters or scandals. How do we achieve this? One approach is that whenever we encounter such news or gossip, we ask ourselves: is this going to benefit my Duniya or Akhirah? If the answer is negative, then we are better off not becoming part of it. As the Prophet (sa) declared: “Part of the perfection of a person’s Islam is that he leaves what does not concern him.” (Tirmidhi)
Allah knows best.
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