The Sins of The. Tongue. Compiled through the Blessings of Ghaus ul Waqt Huzoor Mufti e Azam Hind

Transcription

1 The Sins of The Tongue Compiled through the Blessings of Ghaus ul Waqt Huzoor Mufti e Azam Hind By A Humble Servant of Allah Muhammad Afthab Cassim Al Qaadiri Razvi Noori Published For Free Distribution By Imam Mustafa Raza Research Centre Overport, Durban, South Africa A Noori Publication 1

2 All Rights Reserved No part of this publication may be produced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical photocopying or otherwise without the prior permission of the Copyright Owner. Name: The Sins of The Tongue Compiler: Muhammad Afthab Cassim al-qaadiri Razvi Noori The Publishers Imam Mustafa Raza Research Centre P.O. Box 70140, Overport, 4067 Durban, South Africa Offices 28 Clayton Road, Overport, Durban Tel/Fax: noori@noori.org Website: Contribute towards a noble course: For those brothers and sisters who wish to contribute towards our humble efforts, our Banking Details are as follows: Name : Imam Mustafa Raza Research Centre Bank : Nedbank Acc No : Branch : Sydenham Code : Sponsor the Printing of a Book for Esaal-e-Thawaab. Contact us if you wish to sponsor the printing of a book for the Esaale Thawaab of the marhooms in your family. Sponsor the printing of a book and send the Thawaab to your marhoom family members. This is Thawaabe-Jaariyah and a means of educating the Ummat. Knowledge is Power! 2

3 Compiler s Note All Praise is for Allah, The Creator of the worlds. Durood and Salaams upon the Most Blessed and Most Exalted in Allah s Creation, Sayyiduna Wa Maulana Muhammad. Peace and Blessings upon His Noble Family and Illustrious Companions, and upon all those who will follow the path of Righteousness. I have been requested by well-wishers and friends to prepare short books on essential topics that deal with our day to day life. In attempting to fulfill this request I have decided to extract information from Bahaar e Shariat on different topics and compile them into short booklets. By the Grace of Almighty Allah, The Mercy of Nabi Kareem and the blessings of my Masha ikh especially Sayyidi Taajush Shariah and Sayyidi Muhad dith Kabeer, you have before you the fifth book of this series. This books is titled The Sins of The Tongue and is a concise explanation like the other booklets in this series; I have extracted most of the information in this booklet from Bahaar e Shariat by Huzoor Sayyidi Sadrush Shariah Alaihir Rahma, and have added brief explanations wherever needed. I must thank Brother Rukhsar Hussain and Brother Ahmed Sabir Suliman for taking time to read through this booklet and for making valuable suggestions. I make Dua through the Wasila of Nabi Kareem that Almighty Allah accepts this humble effort and that this booklet serves as a means of benefit to those who read it. Aameen. Sag e Mufti e Azam Muhammad Afthab Cassim Qaadiri Razvi Noori Imam Mustafa Raza Research Centre 3

4 This Booklet is Dedicated to The Great Sufi Master Hazrat Sayyiduna Abul Husain Ahmed Noori Radi Allahu Anhu For The Esaal e Thawaab of My Beloved Mother Sayyidah Khadija Goolam Rasool Allah Exalt Her and all Marhooms of The Ahle Sunnat with an Exalted Place in Holy Paradise. Aameen. 4

5 Ahadith Pertaining to the Importance of Protecting the Tongue & the Private Parts It is reported from Hazrat Sahl ibn Sa ad that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah said, The person who protects for my sake, that which is between his jaws (i.e. he protects his tongue), and that which is between both his legs (i.e. his private ornaments), I will ensure Jannat for him. [Bukhari] In other words, by protecting one s tongue and private ornaments from prohibited things, one is promised Jannat by the Beloved Rasool. It is being mentioned in this Hadith Shareef that for the one who protects these, Jannat is guaranteed, but for the one who does not protect these, there is no guarantee. It is in on the authority of Hazrat Abu Hurairah that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah said, A servant says words that please Allah Almighty and he does not even pay attention to this (i.e. he does not even realise that it will please Allah), (so) Allah Almighty elevates him by many folds. When a servant says that which causes Allah to be displeased, and he does not even take notice of this (i.e. this thought does not even cross his mind that Allah is displeased with him), (then) because of this word, he falls into hell. [Sahih Bukhari] 5

6 It is mentioned in one narration of Bukhari and Muslim that he falls into hell, at a depth which is greater than the distance between the East and West. This alone is sufficient to understand how detrimental it is to not have control over what you say. Today, many of us speak without thinking. We should always weigh our thoughts on a scale of goodness and virtue before we bring them into words. If they are beneficial to a Muslim, we should say them, but if they are not of any benefit, then silence is certainly virtue, and if we feel that saying it is neither beneficial nor harmful, then we should simply, keep it as a thought, rather than expressing it into words. It is reported on the authority of Hazrat Abu Hurairah that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah said, That which will enter humans into Jannat most of all are piety and good character, and that which will take humans most into hell, are two hollow (empty) things, the mouth and the private ornaments. [Tirmizi and Ibn Majah] This Hadith Shareef is telling us how important it is for us to protect our tongues, and our private parts. The Hadith clearly mentions that these are the two things which will take people into hell more than others. In other words, people tell lies, backbite, slander one another, and do many other sinful acts using their tongues, and on the other hand, they do not control their desires and lusts, and are plunged into the immodest and sinful acts of adultery and fornication. 6

7 This, will certainly plunge them into the fire of hell. We should always ask Almighty Allah to protect us from the evils of the tongue, and to give us the Taufeeq to control our unlawful lusts and desires. It is reported on the authority of Hazrat Abdullah ibn Amr عن ما عا االله ر that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah said, He who remained silent attained salvation. [Imam Ahmed, Tirmizi, Daarimi, Baihaqi] In other words, it is best to remain silent, rather than saying that which is contrary to the command of Almighty Allah and His Beloved Rasool. If we know that to say something is sinful, and we remember this, and we abstain from this due the fear for Allah, and due to modesty in the Court of Rasoolullah, and in doings so we remain silent, then this silence is the path to salvation. In other words, it is better to be silent than to speak words of sin. It is reported on the authority of Hazrat Uqba bin Aamir. He says that he presented himself before Sayyiduna Rasoolullah and asked, What is salvation (i.e. safety)? He said, Control your tongue, keep yourself at home and weep over your sins. [Imam Ahmed and Tirmizi] Subhaan Allah! What beautiful advice our Beloved Nabi gave us. In this Hadith Shareef the Beloved Nabi gave us three very important messages, which should surely serve as advice for every Muslim, for there is no better advice than that which has been given to us by the Beloved Nabi. What are the three messages of Nabi Kareem? 7

8 They are, Control your tongue Control your tongue by abstaining from using it as tool of shaitaan. One who uses his tongue to spread lies, hate, malice, corruption, strife, deviance and other evils, is an agent of shaitaan the cursed, and his tongue is a Tool of Sin. Keep yourself at home It is safer for you to remain in your home, away from the fitna, rather than sitting in the company of the deviants, and the wicked ones. One who sits in his home, away from the market place and away from evil companions, has indeed protected his honour and his dignity. Weep over your sins How many of us can truly say that we sincerely reflect upon our sins, and when reflecting, we fall into the Court of Almighty Allah, weeping and lamenting over our sins. We should weep over our sins, begging Almighty Allah to forgive us through the Wasila of Nabi Kareem. We should weep in the Court of Allah, being hopeful of the Mercy of Allah, and regretting and being ashamed over our sins. 8

9 It is reported from Hazrat Abu Sa eed Al Khudri that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah said, When ibn Adam (a human being) rises in the morning, all his limbs humbly appeal to the tongue by saying, fear Allah, for we are all connected to you. If you remain straight, then all of us will remain straight, and if you become crooked, then all of us will become crooked. [Tirmizi] Allahu Akbar! Look at what happens when we awake up from our slumber in the morning. Our limbs appeal to the tongue to remain straight. In other words, the rest of our bodies communicate and converse with our tongue, asking it to remain in control and to remain in a righteous mode. They warn our tongue to fear Almighty Allah. This Hadith Shareef informs us that if the tongue stays within control, the rest of the body will remain in pure condition, and if the tongue becomes crooked, then the entire body is under stress. Now to better understand this, we should go back to the Hadith of the Beloved Rasool in which Nabi Kareem explained that if the heart is in order then the entire body is in order. What does this mean? It means that when the heart is pure, the tongue will remain pure and when the tongue commands good and forbids evil, then the entire body follows this system. When the heart loves for the sake of Allah and His Rasool, then the tongue speaks in defence of the pious, and becomes a sword against the deviants. However, if the heart is impure and absorbed in evil thoughts, then the tongue will express evil, and the same tongue will speak in the defence of deviants and evil ones, and will become the weapon of destruction. 9

10 ر االله عا عن ما Imam Malik and Imam Ahmed report from Hazrat Ali bin Husain and Ibn Majah reported on the authority of Abu Hurairah and Tirmizi and Baihaqi reported from both of them, that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah said, It is from amongst the goodness of a person s Islam, that he should leave that which is absurd (irrelevant). [Maalik, Ahmed, Ibn Majah, Tirmizi, Baihaqi] In other words, he should not involve himself with that which is not useful. He should not direct his tongue, heart and limbs towards idle and worthless issues. This again is very important advice, and is coming from the best of Allah s creation. Which true Muslim would not want to take heed to this blessed message? Nowadays, there are many who spend their days and nights in absurdity. They have no control over their tongues at all. We hear people greeting their friends and relatives with absurd words, which they laugh about. Such people do not realise that their absurd and rude behaviour, and their absurd manners and language, is the means of their destruction and devastation. The pious servants of Allah have taught us that a person who thrives on absurdities will find his life in turmoil, and his sustenance will flee from him. Allah protect us from the company of those who have absurd and immodest ways. It is reported on the authority of Hazrat Sufyan bin Abdullah Thaqafi who says, I said Ya Rasool Allah! Which is the thing that is most dangerous (i.e. harmful) to me? Nabi held his tongue and said From this. [Tirmizi] 10

11 As we mentioned earlier, the tongue is indeed destructive if used for the wrong reasons. Today, we talk about weapons of mass destruction. If we take heed to all the Ahadith of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah about the dangers of the tongue, we will realise that the tongue is one of the most dangerous, weapons of mass destruction. The words of a munafiq (hypocrite) and the words of deviants, destroy the Imaan of the masses, and the words of a rude teacher or leader destroys the character of his people and of his society. Therefore, it is indeed a weapon of mass destruction, if not used as per the commands of Allah and His Rasool. It is reported from Hazrat Imran bin Haseen عن ما عا االله ر that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah said, To constantly remain silent is greater than sixty years of Ibaadat (worship, prayer). [Baihaqi] This Hadith Shareef supports what we have explained earlier. In other words, it is more blessed to remain silent, rather than to speak evil words. Silence, instead of uttering sinful words, is so blessed that this Hadith Shareef mentions that such silence is greater than worshipping for sixty years. It must be noted that silence is only a virtue when one remains silent instead of speaking words of sin, but at the same time one should not forget that remaining silent when the truth is being misconstrued, and when corrupt leaders try to forge unity with deviants, is by itself one of the worst sins. To remain silent when the Imaan of Muslims is being attacked, is a sign of weakness in Imaan. 11

12 There are those today, who use the Hadith to suit their own ideology and thus say that the Hadith says that we should remain silent and make Sabr (i.e. be patient). Indeed, silence and patience are virtuous acts, but they are only virtuous when it does not transgress the limitations set by Deen. When one remains silent as injustices are being committed, and while the Imaan of the Muslims are being weakened, then such a person is not virtuous, but such a person is devious, and this silence is not devotion, but it is transgression. It is reported from Hazrat Abu Zarr. He says, I said, Ya Rasool Allah! Please advise me, so Rasoolullah said, I advise you regarding Taqwa (piety), for everything will be adorned by way of this. I said, Please advise me further, and He said, Make the recitation of the Holy Qur an and Zikrullah (i.e. the remembrance of Allah) essential upon you, for you will be remembered in the heights of the heavens due to this, and there will be Noor (Light) for you on the earth. I said, Advise me even further, and He said, Make silence for lengthy periods necessary, for this causes shaitaan to be repulsed and you will be aided in the services of Deen. I said, Advise me further, and He said, Abstain from laughing excessively, as this causes the heart to die (i.e. to become dull) and it takes away the Noor of the face. I said, Advise me further, and He said, Speak the truth, even though it may be bitter. I said, Advise me further, and He said, Do not fear the reproach of one that reproaches regarding Allah. I said, Advise me further, and He said, That thing should hold you back from others, which you know is in you. True benefit is in looking at your own faults, so that you may find a way to get rid of them. [Baihaqi] 12

13 Subhaan Allah! The Beloved Rasool advises His Beloved Companion with such blessed advice. If we truly and sincerely follow the advice of Sayyiduna wa Maulana Muhammad, we will surely be blessed with success in this world, and salvation in the hereafter. In the above-mentioned Hadith Shareef, our Beloved Nabi advised us about eight things. I will list then here once again, and attempt to briefly explain each of them; Taqwa (Piety) Taqwa which we translate as piety, really refers to fearing Allah. A Mutaqqi (pious person), actually refers to one who is Allah Fearing. Taqwa is essential in the life of every believer. If a person does not fear Almighty Allah, it means he has no Taqwa, as true Taqwa is to fear Almighty Allah. The Beloved Rasool said that, everything will be adorned by way of this. It is certainly true, as there is none in Allah s creation more truthful than the Beloved Rasool. What it means is that if a person fears Almighty Allah sincerely then it will adorn and beautify his entire life. When a person fears Almighty Allah, he will abstain from sin. He will stay away from evil companions, he will spend all his time for the sake of attaining the pleasure of Almighty Allah and His Beloved Nabi, he will love performing his Salaah, he will strive to keep fast, he will rightfully pay his Zakaat, he will attempt to perform his Hajj, he will honour his parents, he will keep the company of the righteous, he will shun the company of deviants, he will think daily of his death, he will spend much of his time reciting Durood Shareef, he will make istighfar and tauba part of his daily life, and he will 13

14 strive for the sake of Allah s Deen with his time, wealth, and all which Almighty Allah has given him. Hence, this Taqwa will adorn and beautify his entire life. Recitation of the Holy Qur an The one who recites the Holy Qur an will be blessed with the Angels remembering him, and making Dua for his salvation. He will receive Noor in his heart, and he will remain steadfast on the path of guidance and piety, which is also Noor (light) for him, as this is a light of guidance. This is why Nabi Kareem said, You will be remembered in the heights of the heavens due to this and there will be Noor (Light) for you on the earth. Let us ask ourselves some important questions pertaining to the recitation of the Holy Quran; How many of us recite the Holy Qur an daily, except in Salaah? When was the last time you picked up the Holy Qur an? When was the last time that you completed recitation of the entire Qur an e Majeed? How many Qur ans have you distributed to those who are in need of the copies of the Holy Qur an? How often do you recite the Holy Qur an? After we have sincerely answered these five simple yet relevant questions, we should be able to reflect on our lives, and soul search. 14

15 It is reported in Sahih Bukhari and Muslim from Hazrat Abu Musa Ash ari that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah said, The example of a believer who recites the Qur an is like a citron, which tastes good and has a good scent. The example of a believer who does not recite the Qur an is like a date, which has a sweet taste but has no scent, and the example of the munafiq (hypocrite) who does not recite the Qur an is like that of a bitter apple which tastes bitter and has no scent, and the example of a hypocrite who recites the Qur an is like that flower, which has a scent but tastes bitter. Zikrullah (i.e. The Remembrance of Allah) Zikrullah, in other words, the sincere remembrance of Almighty Allah, is a great blessing. Indeed, blessed are those who are sincerely absorbed in the Zikr of Allah. Today, we find people having Zikr Mehfils in their homes and in Masjids etc. This is indeed a virtuous and blessed action. However, we should always make sure that our Mehfils (gatherings) are within the limits stipulated by the Shariah. Zikrullah is that blessed practice which is the cleanser of our hearts. When a person is in sadness or aggrieved, he or she should absorb themselves in the Zikr of Almighty Allah, for it is the Zikr of Almighty Allah will give peace and tranquillity to our hearts. 15

16 Almighty Allah says in the Holy Qur an, وب قل م ن ال ط ا لا ب ذ ك ر االله ت Hear you, in the remembrance of Allah, is tranquillity to the hearts [Surah Ra ad (13), Verse 28] Silence for lengthy periods of Time When one is truly absorbed in the love for Allah and His Beloved Rasool, you will find him or her in deep meditation, remembering Almighty Allah and sending Durood Shareef in abundance in the Sacred Court of the Beloved Rasool. They speak only when it is necessary. The remainder of their time is spent in silence, yet if we observe with the eyes of love, and listen to their silence with the ears of our hearts, we will realise that this silence is only of the tongue; for the heart of these pious and blessed servants of Almighty Allah are absorbed in His Zikr. When one is lost in such devotional silence, it causes shaitaan to be repulsed. Shaitaan becomes infuriated, as he knows that this servant of Almighty Allah has reached such an exalted level of excellence, that he is now under the special protection of Almighty Allah. Shaitaan knows that this silent servant, is in the remembrance of his Creator, and he (shaitaan) cannot tread even near him, for a barrier of light surrounds him, protecting him from shaitaan. 16

17 When such a servant of Allah is attacked and slandered because of his steadfastness in Deen, he remains silent. He does not defend himself against those who attack his personality. His silence becomes his response, as the Angels by Allah s Will respond on his behalf. He speaks out in defence of Allah s Deen and in defending the station of the Beloved Rasool, but he remains silent when his personality is attacked. His lengthy silences causes shaitaan to be infuriated as he cannot bring him to fight for the sake of his personality. Such a personality needs not defend his own personality, for Almighty Allah appoints the Angels and the those who love him for the sake of Allah and His Rasool to assist him in his services for Deen. A beautiful example of this, is the Mujadd did of the 14 th Century Hijri, The Imam of the Ahle Sunnat, The destroyer of innovations, The supporter of righteousness, The Great Imam and Masterful Scholar par excellence, Sayyidi Aala Hazrat Ash Shah Imam Ahmed Raza Khan. He was outspoken in defence of the Exalted Station of the Beloved Rasool, and left no stone unturned in refuting the deviants, but when his personality was attacked, the very same personality remained silent for lengthy periods of time, without giving any response, but Subhaan Allah! Almighty Allah put forth such ardent devotees and supporters, that they assisted him in his service of Deen e Mustafa. Two more bright and living examples of this are Huzoor Sayyidi Taajush Shariah Allama Mufti Mohammed Akhtar Raza Khan Qaadiri Azhari and Huzoor Sayyidi Muhad dith e Kabeer Allama Zia ul Mustafa Qaadiri Amjadi (Allah exalt their excellence). No matter how many speak against them because of their stance for Haq, they remain silent when their personality is being attacked, but daily their excellence and popularity grows in the hearts of Allah s true servants, and their supporters in Deen increase, while even the shaitaans amongst men 17

18 become more infuriated, as their schemes fail and the Noor of these personalities illuminate more and more hearts, guiding them towards the path of salvation, which is today known as Maslak e Aala Hazrat. Subhaan Allah, how true are the blessed words of Nabi Kareem! For this (i.e. silence) causes shaitaan to be repulsed, and you will be aided in the services of Deen. Abstain from laughing excessively Many people today, take no heed to the harmful and destructive effects of laughing excessively. Whenever anyone said something which pleased Nabi Kareem, He would never laugh aloud, but He would smile, and at times our Nabi would smile so broadly, that His Blessed Teeth would become visible. Therefore, Blessed and Radiant are His Blessed Teeth, that when He would smile, the rays of Noor (Light) will reflect off the walls in a dark room. We find many people who laugh excessively. Every little thing seems like a joke to them, and they even laugh about issues that are very serious. Such people should take heed to the words of the Beloved Rasool. The Beloved Rasool said that laughing excessively causes the heart to die, and it takes away the Noor of the face. This is certainly true. Do those who laugh excessively not realise that the words of Nabi Kareem are the most truthful words, from amongst all of Allah s creation? When our Nabi says that the hearts will die, and the face will lose it Noor (i.e. its light and its beauty), then there is no doubt that it will happen. I have personally seen many who have this bad habit of laughing excessively, and I have witnessed their faces losing its glow, and I 18

19 have witnessed the hearts of such people dying. Someone may ask, how could you have seen their hearts dying. I must say, the loss of Noor on their faces and their so-called obscene jokes, on which they laugh aloud, is enough to know that their hearts are dying (i.e. become dull). The glow of true Imaan and Noor is visible on faces of those whose hearts are glowing due to piety, and the dampness of the faces of those who are involved in that which displeases Allah and His Rasool, proves that glow in their hearts is decreasing. Speak the truth, even though it may be bitter This, has become very difficult for so many today. There are many who prefer to hide the truth, at times when proclaiming the truth is compulsory upon them. This message of the Beloved Rasool is a command to every Muslim, but our Ulama should pay heed to this more than the general Muslims masses. It is the duty of the Ulama to speak the truth, no matter how bitter it may sound to the one hearing it. We should understand more than anyone else, the importance of speaking the truth to protect the Imaan of the Muslims. Hiding the truth, is not the way of the pious. The pious predecessors spoke the truth to protect the pristine teachings of Islam, even if they had to be put into prison. Some great scholars gave their lives to uphold the truth, yet today there are so many who compromise the Deen and hide the truth from the people, in order to safeguard their positions and their so-called self respect. I say, those who compromise the Deen and hide the truth from the people in fear that the people will feel their words to be too bitter, then such people have no self-worth or selfrespect. 19

20 Without comparison, it must be understood that the Ulama are for their communities, like a specialist physician is for his patient. At times, the patient goes to the physician saying he has a severe stomach pain, and the physician prescribes for the patient some medicine. When the patient puts the medicine into his or her mouth, they realise that it does not taste too good to them, but they still drink the medicine, as they know it will be a means of relief, and they will feel better. At times, a patient goes to a Surgeon complaining about pain on his or her left side. The surgeon after examining the patient explains that the patient needs an operation, as the appendix is about to burst. The patient does not protest with the surgeon by saying, how dare you cut into my flesh. He accepts the decision of the surgeon, even though he knows he will be cut open, and he will request that the surgeon should cut him as soon as possible. However, if after the physician or the surgeon diagnoses the ailment, and prescribes the medicine or presents the solution, if the patient refuses to follow the cause of treatment, the physician cannot do much more, as he has done his duty. Likewise, it is the duty of the Ulama to diagnose the problem which the Ummah is facing, and to prescribe the best solution within the limits of the Shariah, so as to remedy the problem, and to do so, they must speak the truth, no matter how bitter it sounds to the masses. For those who truly wish to be remedied, will follow and take heed, and those who refuse to accept, will end up like the patient whose appendix burst because he refused to be operated, but the Ulama must speak truth, no matter what, as this is what they are dutybound to do, by the Shariat e Mustafa. 20

21 Do not fear the reproach of one that reproaches regarding Allah This explanation of this is linked to the preceding discussion. In other words, if you are criticised and reproached because you are following the command of Almighty Allah and His Beloved Rasool, then do not bother about those who criticise you. Never, stop doing what is right, due to the fear of being criticised. There are those who are afraid to act righteously because of fear of being reproached. Such people should take particular heed to the words of Nabi Kareem in this regard. If someone criticises you because you are trying your best to follow what Almighty Allah and His Beloved Rasool have commanded you to do as a Muslim, then you should never fear, for none can harm even a hair on your head without the Will of Allah. If Almighty Allah wills for you to be harmed then it is His Will and in it is His Divine Wisdom, and none can stop it from happening. Hence, we should never be afraid to do what is correct. Look for your own faults This, is something which is very important for every Muslim. We must be honest and acknowledge our own faults and weaknesses. Before even attempting to pick on others for their weaknesses, we must first look within ourselves and see if we have that fault in us. 21

22 The beloved father of Huzoor Sayyidi Taajush Shariah, Huzoor Sayyidi Mufas sir e Azam e Hind Allama Maulana Mufti Ibrahim Raza Khan, affectionately known as Jilani Mia Alaihir Rahma, beautifully sums this up in a few wise words. He says, My own faults stop me from finding faults in others. This is the perfect example of following the words of the Beloved Rasool. We should strive to rectify our personal weaknesses and shortcomings, and be hopeful of Allah s Mercy. If we try to rectify ourselves to the best of our ability, we will find that Almighty Allah allows our words to take effect on the hearts of those whom we try to rectify. I have attempted to the best of my ability to explain the eight points mentioned in the above Hadith Shareef. I pray that it has been understood. Below are two more Ahadith which explain how important it is to keep the tongue under control. It is reported from Anas that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah said, O Abu Zarr! Should I not inform you of two things which are light on the back and weighty on the Mizaan (scale of hereafter)? He said, Yes. He said, Immense silence and good character. By Him, in whose Divine Control is my life, the entire creation has not done deeds equivalent to this. It is reported from Aslam, that once Hazrat Umar went to visit Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique. (He found) Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique holding his tongue and pulling at it. Hazrat Umar asked, What is the problem, May 22

23 Allah pardon you? Hazrat Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddique said, It has caused me devastation. [Maalik] Allahu Akbar! Look at who is saying this? That Sayyiduna Umar e Farooq who after accepting Islam spent his entire life preaching and propagating the message of righteousness. It is have reported from Hazrat Ubadah bin Saamit that Nabi Kareem said, Take responsibility on my behalf for six things, and I will become responsible for entering you in to Jannat: 1. Be truthful when you speak, 2. When you make a promise, fulfil it, 3. When you are entrusted with something, return it properly, 4. Protect your private ornaments, 5. Lower your gaze, 6. Control your hands (in other words, do not harm anyone by your hands). [Imam Ahmed, Baihaqi] 23

24 Do Not Curse another Muslim Wrongfully It is reported from Hazrat Abdullah ibn Mas ud that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah said, A True Believer is neither one who taunts, nor is he one who curses, speaks abusively or (behaves) obscenely. [Tirmizi] It is reported from Hazrat Ibn Umar عن ما عا االله ر that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah said, A believer should not be one who curses. [Tirmizi] It is reported from Abu Dardah. He says, I heard Rasoolullah say that those who curse, will neither be witnesses on the Day of Qiyaamat, and nor will they intercede for anyone. [Sahih Muslim] It is reported from Hazrat Samurah bin Jundub that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah said, Do not curse one another by invoking the Curse of Allah, The Wrath of Allah, or the fire of Hell. [Tirmizi, Abu Dawud] It is reported from Hazrat Abu Dardah. He says I heard Rasoolullah saying that when a servant (i.e. a person) curses anything, then that curse ascends into the sky and the doors of the skies are sealed unto it. It is then sent down towards the earth and its doors too are sealed unto it. It then goes to the right and the left, and when it does not find any thoroughfare, it goes towards the person who has been cursed. If it finds him deserving of it (i.e. the curse), then it befalls him. Otherwise, it befalls the person who has uttered the curse (i.e. the sender). [Abu Dawud] 24

25 It is reported from Hazrat Ibn Ab bas عن ما عا االله ر that a strong gust of wind blew the wrap (shawl) of a person and he cursed at the wind. Rasoolullah said, Do not curse at the wind, for it is commissioned by Allah, and whosoever curses that which is not deserving of the curse, the curse falls back onto him. [Tirmizi, Abu Dawud] It is reported from Hazrat Ubay that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah said, Do not swear at the wind. If you dislike what you see of it, then say, O Allah, we ask You for the good of this wind and the good of what is in it and the good of what it is commanded to do. We seek refuge with You from the evil of this wind and the evil of what is in it and the evil of what it is commanded to do. [Tirmizi] It is reported from Hazrat Jaabir that a person cursed the animal on which he was riding. Rasoolullah said, Dismount from it! Do not take with us that which has been cursed. Do not curse yourself, your children and your wealth. You might invoke this curse during a time wherein any Dua which is made to Allah is accepted! [Sahih Muslim] It is reported on the authority of Hazrat Thaabit bin Dahaak Ansari that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah said, To curse a true believer is equivalent to killing him and anyone who accuses a Muslim male or female of kufr (unbelief), then it is the same as killing him. [Tabrani] 25

26 Do Not Wrongly Declare a Muslim as a Kaafir It is reported from Hazrat Abu Zarr that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah said, The person who accuses another of sin and kufr (unbelief) and it is not factual, then it will fall upon the one who invoked it. [Sahih Bukhari] It is on the authority of Abu Zarr that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah said, Anyone who calls someone a kaafir or says him to be an enemy of Allah, and he is not as it is being claimed, then this (statement) will return to the one who said it. [Sahih Bukhari, Muslim] It is in on the authority of Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas ud that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah said, To be vulgar and use abusive language towards a Muslim is Fisq (a sinful act) and to fight against him is kufr (unbelief). [Bukhari, Muslim, Ibn Majah, Nasa i, Tirmizi] The above narrations explain the severity of wrongfully labelling a Muslims an unbeliever or an open transgressor. It must be clarified that the above Ahadith shun a person who wrongfully declares a Muslim as an unbeliever. However, this is not the case of those deviants who have reached the level of kufr due to their false beliefs. Such people have taken themselves out of Allah s Deen due to their blasphemy. Thus, we should not confuse the both cases and we should also be weary of those who try to use the above Ahadith to try and save themselves from the true Decree of the Shariah. On the other hand, you will find the sympathisers of the deviants who say that 26

27 we should not decree anyone an unbeliever as it is contrary to the Hadith Shareef. Such people try to misconstrue the Hadith Shareef. They should be told, that the Hadith Shareef is completely correct and we accept it wholeheartedly without an atom of doubt, as this refers to those who wrongfully decree the Muslims as non-believers. As for those who have slandered the Beloved Rasool and rejected the essential fundamental principles of Deen, then we only declare them such, based on their kufr and not for any other reason. Abstain From Obscenities It is reported from Hazrat Anas and Hazrat Abu Hurairah عن ما عا االله ر that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah said, (Where) there are two persons being vulgar towards each other, then whatever they have said, the visitation of all of it, is the responsibility of the person who started it, as long as the one who is being wronged does not exceed it. (In other words, he does not say more than that which the first person said). [Sahih Muslim] It is reported from Hazrat Samurah that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah said, If one wishes to admonish or reproach someone, he should neither slander him, his parents or his nation (tribe etc.). However, if he possesses a trait which one has the knowledge of, then one should say, you are a miser, or you are a coward, or a liar or one who oversleeps. (i.e. one may only say that which one knows about him for sure). [Tabrani] 27

28 It is reported from Hazrat Anas that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah said, That which consists of obscenity, will cause (that which it is connected) to become defective, and that which has modesty in it, will cause it to be beautified. [Imam Ahmed, Tirmizi, Ibn Majah] It is reported from Hazrat A isha عن ا عا االله ر that Rasoolullah says, On the day of Qiyaamat, the worst condition amongst the people will be of that person whom the people stayed away from, in order to be protected from his mischief. [Sahih Bukhari, Muslim] It has been mentioned in a further narration that they (the people) stayed away from him (i.e. from an obscene person), to protect themselves from his obscenities. This means, that we should keep away from those who are obscene. If we keep the company of obscene people, there is a risk of us being affected by their obscenities. Do Not Curse or Swear at the Time We often hear people who swear at the weather or who swear at the time or era. It must be understood that to do this is wrong and sinful, as Almighty Allah is the one who causes the changing of the seasons, and it is Almighty Allah who changes the weather and the times etc. It is reported from Hazrat Abu Hurairah that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah said that Almighty Allah says, Ibn Adam harms Me, by swearing at the time, for I am the time. Everything is in My Divine Power. I change over the night and the day. [Bukhari, Muslim, Ahmed, Abu Dawud] 28

29 A Two-Faced Person Those who are two faced, i.e. hypocrites, are regarded as the worst amongst the people, as they can never be trusted. We should thus keep away from hypocrites, as they are detrimental to our Deen and to our lives. These people will be in the most pathetic condition on the day of Qiyaamat. It is reported from Hazrat Abu Hurairah that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah said, You will find him in the worst condition on the Day of Qiyaamat, who is Zul Wajhain. [Sahih Bukhari, Muslim] Here, Zul Wajhain refers to a two-faced person, who goes to someone taking one face and to another with another face, i.e. he behaves like a munafiq (hypocrite), by saying one thing here and another thing there, and he does not say the same thing everywhere. It is on the authority of Hazrat Am mar bin Yaasir عن ما عا االله ر that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah said, A person who is two-faced in this world, will have a tongue of fire on the day of Qiyaamat. It is mentioned in the narration of Abu Dawud that he will have two tongues of fire. [Daarimi] 29

30 The Evils of Backbiting Huzoor Sayyidi Sadrush Shariah Alaihir Rahma says, The evils of backbiting have been mentioned many times in the Ahadith. It is very important to abstain from this Haraam action. Nowadays, this evil has become very common and widespread amongst Muslims. We do not make any effort to try to abstain from it. There are very few gatherings (today) which are safe from backbiting and tale-bearing. The Command of the Qur an ب ت غ لا ي و ا و س س ج لا ت ب ح ا ي بع ض ا ع ض ك م ب د ك م ا ن ا ح وه م ا ك ل ل ح م ا خ يه م يت ا ف ك ر هت ي Do not backbite against one another. Would anyone of you like that he should eat the flesh of his dead brother? Hence, you regard it as detestable. [Surah (49), Verse 12] 30

31 The Commentary of this Verse It is mentioned in the light of this verse of the Holy Qur an in Tafseer Khaza in ul Irfan, It is in the Hadith Shareef that Backbiting (Gheebat) is when one says such a thing behind his Muslims brother s back (i.e. in his absence), which he regards as offensive. If what was said is true then it is gheebat, otherwise it is Bohtaan (an allegation). It is further mentioned in Tafseer Khaza in ul Irfan that it should thus be realised, that to backbite against a Muslim brother should also be regarded as offensive, because to speak ill about him behind his back (i.e. in his absence), is like eating his flesh after he has died, because just a person feels pain when his flesh is cut, likewise he his heart is aggrieved when anyone speaks ill about him, and in reality, one s honour is more beloved than his flesh. [Khaza in ul Irfan] The Shaan e Nuzool of This Verse Regarding the Shaan e Nuzool of this verse of the Holy Qur an it is mentioned in Tafseer Khaza in ul Irfan by Sadrul Afaadil Hazrat Allama Sayyid Na eemud deen Muradabadi Alaihir Rahma that, When the Beloved Rasool would go out for Jihad (i.e. on a military expedition), or when He would go out on a journey, then He would put a poor Muslim in the company of two wealthy one s, so that the poor 31

32 Muslim will be of assistance to them, and so that they would in turn care for him and feed him etc. In other words, either of them would benefit. Similarly (during one trip), Hazrat Salman was put in the company of two men. One day, he fell asleep and was unable to prepare the meals, so both of them sent him to Rasoolullah, so that he may request some food. Hazrat Usama who was the person designated by Rasoolullah as the one incharge of the kitchen (at that time), had nothing left so he said, I do not have anything at the moment. Hazrat Salman returned and said shared the same information with them. Therefore, both his friends said, Usama was miserly. When they presented themselves before Rasoolullah, He said, I see the colour of flesh in your mouths. They said, we certainly did not eat any meat. He said, you committed gheebat (backbiting), and one who backbites a Muslim has eaten the flesh of a Muslim. [Khaza in ul Irfan] The rule which is derived from this, is that it is unanimously agreed that backbiting is from amongst the major sins. It is essential for the one who commits gheebat, to do tauba. It is mentioned in a Hadith Shareef that the expiation for gheebat is that you should make Dua e Maghfirat for that person (i.e. if he has already passed away). It is also mentioned regarding the rules pertaining to gheebat that to expose the fault of an open transgressor (i.e. a Fasiq Mu lin), is not gheebat. This has been mentioned in the Hadith Shareef. This Hadith will follow in the section wherein the Ahadith on this discussion are being presented. 32

33 It is mentioned in Khaza in ul Irfan that it is reported from Hazrat Hasan that, there is no forbiddance for three (types of) people; An innovator (i.e. bud-mazhab) A Fasiq Mu lin (open transgressor) An unjust Ruler In other words, it is not regarded as gheebat, to mention their defects. Ahadith Pertaining to Backbiting and Tale- Bearing It is reported from Hazrat Huzaifa. He says, I heard Rasoolullah saying that a tale-bearer will not enter Jannat (Paradise). [Sahih Bukhari] Baihaqi reported in Sha bul Imaan from Hazrat Abdur Rahmaan bin Ghanam and Hazrat Asma bint Yazid عن ما عا االله ر that Nabi Kareem said, The pious servants of Allah are those, by looking at whom, one remembers Allah, and the wayward servants of Allah are those who are involved in tale-bearing (backbiting) and those who cause separation between friends. (And those) who intend to cause hardship upon one who has already been acquitted from any false accusation (wrong action). [Sha bul Imaan] 33

34 It is reported from Hazrat Abu Hurairah that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah said, Do you know what is meant by Gheebat? The people said, Allah and His Rasool know best. Rasoolullah said, Backbiting is to say something about your brother, which he dislikes. Someone asked, Even if what I say is true about my brother? He replied, If such defects which you say are true about him, then you have committed Gheebat (i.e. backbiting) against him, and if he does not have what you say, then you have committed Bohtaan (i.e. slandering or accusing someone in regards to a trait etc. which they do not possess) against him. [Sahih Muslim] It is reported from Hazrat A isha عن ا عا االله ر wherein she says, I said to Nabi Kareem, It is sufficient for Safia عن ا عا االله ر that she is such and such (i.e. she is short). Huzoor said, You have uttered a statement, which if mixed in the sea, would overwhelm it. [Imam Ahmed, Tirmizi, Abu Dawud] Here Huzoor Nabi-e-Kareem is explaining that speaking about someone s weakness is not something that is good. In other words, if a person has some physical weakness and you speak about it, you are making the person feel worse than they already do. It is reported from Ibn Ab bas عن ما عا االله ر that two persons performed their Zuhr or Asr Namaaz and both of them were fasting. When they had both completed there Namaaz, Nabi Kareem said, Both of you should perform Wudu and repeat your Namaaz and complete your fast and then make repeat that fast on the following day. They said, Ya Rasool Allah! What is the reason for this command? He said, You committed Gheebat (backbiting) regarding a certain person. [Baihaqi] 34

35 It is reported from Hazrat A isha عن ا عا االله ر that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah said, I dislike it when someone is being imitated, even though I may get so much for it. (In other words, to imitate or mimic is not correct opposed to anything in the world). [Tirmizi] Baihaqi reported in Sha bul Imaan from Hazrat Abu Sa eed and Hazrat Jaabir عن ما عا االله ر that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah said, Gheebat (backbiting) is more harmful than committing adultery. People asked, What is the reason for backbiting to be regarded as more harmful than adultery? He said, Man commits adultery, then repents, and Allah Almighty accepts his repentance, whereas the repentance of one who backbites will not be pardoned unless that person whom he has backbitten does not forgive him. [Sha bul Imaan] It is also narrated from Hazrat Anas that a person who commits adultery is able to repent, but there is no repentance for one who backbites. It is on the authority of Hazrat Anas that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah said, The expiation of backbiting is that one should make Istighfar for the one اغ ل ن ا و ل whom you have made gheebat against, by saying,,ا لل م O Allah! Pardon me and him. [Baihaqi in Da wat-e-kabeer] It is reported from Hazrat Abu Hurairah that when Hazrat Ma iz Aslami was stoned, two people began to have a discussion with each other (in this regard). The one said to the other, Have you not seen the man who had Allah cover his secret, but his heart could not let him rest until he was stoned to death, like a dog. Rasoolullah heard this and remained silent. 35

36 He continued walking until he passed the corpse of a donkey, which lay there with its legs spread apart. Nabi said to both of them, Go forth and eat from the flesh of the dead donkey. They said, Ya Nabi! Would anyone eat this flesh? He said, The slander which you levelled against your brother is worse than eating this donkey. I swear by Him, in Whose Divine Control is my life, He (Ma iz) is now swimming in the rivers of paradise. [Abu Dawud] It is reported on the authority of Hazrat Usama bin Shuraik that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah said, O servants of Allah! Allah has removed Harj, except for that person who unjustly slanders another Muslim. He is in Harj (i.e. to kill or harm someone) and has been ruined. [Imam Ahmed, Nasa i, Ibn Majah, Haakim] It is reported from Miswar bin Shaddad that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah said, That person who acquired something to eat, because of slandering another Muslim, Allah will feed him the exact amount from Jahanum (hell) and whosoever got to wear any clothing, because of slandering another Muslim, Allah Almighty will clothe him in the same amount of clothes of Hell. [Imam Ahmed, Abu Dawud] It is reported from Hazrat Abu Burza Aslami that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah said, O community of people, who believed by their tongue, and faith did not enter their hearts! Do not back-bite (against) Muslims, and do not seek out their faults. If anyone searches for their faults, Allah will examine (i.e. divulge) his fault, and if Allah examines the fault of anyone, He 36

37 disgraces him, even though he may be inside his home. [Imam Ahmed, Abu Dawud] It is reported from Anas that Rasoolullah said, When I was blessed with Me raj, I passed by people who had nails of copper with which they were scratching their faces and their breasts. I asked, Who are these people, Jibra eel? He replied, They are those who used to eat the flesh of people (i.e. they committed gheebat) and who used to slander the people. [Imam Ahmed, Abu Dawud] It is reported on the authority of Hazrat Abu Hurairah that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah said, Everything belonging to a Muslim is Haraam upon (another Muslim). His wealth, His Dignity and his blood (i.e. to harm him in any way is forbidden). For a person to be regarded as a bad person, it is sufficient that he may look down on his fellow Muslim brother. [Abu Dawud] It is reported on the authority of Hazrat Mu adh ibn Anas Jahni that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah said, If anyone attacks a Muslim saying something by which he wishes to disgrace him, he will be restrained by Allah on the Pul Siraat (bridge over Jahan nam) till he is acquitted of what he said. [Abu Dawud] It is reported from Hazrat Jabir ibn Abdullah and Hazrat Abu Talha bin Sahl ر If a person deserted a Muslim man in a place where his dignity, االله عا عن م is being violated and he is being slandered (in other words, one remains silent and does not say anything in support of the person being violated), 37

38 then Allah will not assist him at a place where he wishes His help. That person who assists a Muslim man in a place where his dignity is being violated and he is being slandered, (then) Allah will help him at such a juncture where he most wishes His Help. [Abu Dawud] It is reported from Hazrat Anas that Nabi Kareem said, If a person s Muslim brother is being slandered in his presence and he has the ability to defend him, and he does so, then Allah will assist him in this world and in the hereafter. If he does not assist (defend) him even though he has the ability to do so, then Allah Almighty will seize him in this world and in the hereafter. [Sharhus Sunnah] It is reported from Hazrat Asma bint Yazid عن ا عا االله ر that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah said, The person who stops the eating of his brothers flesh, by forbidding his backbiting (in other words, a Muslim was being backbitten and he stopped this), then it is upon Allah, that He may grant him salvation from the fire of hell. [Baihaqi] It is reported from Hazrat Abu Dardah that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah said, That person who forbids the slandering of his brother (i.e. a Muslim was being slandered and he stopped it), then it is the Right of Allah to protect him on the day of Qiyaamat from the fire of hell. Thereafter, he recited this verse of the Glorious Qur an م ن ال م و ع ل ن ا ا ح ق ن ا و To assist the Muslims was our Right (duty). [Surah Rum (30), Verse 47]. [Sharhus Sunnah] 38