A wise man said...

A wise man said: “Try your best to avoid introducing yourself to the backbiter, because the greatest share of harm is burdened by the closest to him.” In the same manner, it is important to honor the dignity of the believer who is backbitten. The Prophet (S) said: “Paradise is unquestionably the share of him who defends the honor of his believing brother.” It is worth mentioning, here, that the illegality of backbiting does not include the deviants and apostates.

Incentives of Backbiting • Enmity and envy are the strongest incentives of backbiting. • Joking is another incentive of backbiting, because it is regarded as fresh subject for arising joking and laughter at others. • Boasting is also an incentive of backbiting, because the boastful, in most cases, tries to refer to the others’ defects to prove that he disdains and does not enjoy such defects.

●It frequently happens that an individual who associates with backbiters tries to be in conformity with them by according them in their ill speech of others so that they may not reject him. Disadvantages of Backbiting Through its regulations, Islam intends to reinforce fraternity of Muslims to make it a never-ending constitution.

Thus, it has gone on enjoining to cling to all matters that develop mutual amicability and achieve fraternity; such as well mannerism, truth, fulfillment of trusts, and paying attention to Muslims’ affairs and general interests. Islam also has warned against any matter that roils the pure hearts or arises malice, such as lying, cheating, treachery, and contempt.

Since backbiting is a destructive element that devastates the social construction and spoils the tied up relations, the Islamic code has forbidden and regarded it as a grand sin. It sow’s the poisonous seeds of spite among Muslims. When the ill speech reaches the one about whom it is said, it will arise the feelings of hatred in his inner self; so, he tries to revenge himself upon the backbiter by answering him by ill speech.

In so many cases, backbiting has caused serious problems and unwelcome tragedies. The Prophet (S) said: “On the Day of Resurrection, one of you will not find the good deeds that he did in his life in his record[^5] when he will be interrogated. He will ask the Lord about this, and the Lord will answer him: ‘Your Lord never makes a mistake and never forgets.

Because you backbit people, your good deeds were erased from your record.’ Another one will find many good deeds that he did not do in his record.

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