ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Ahlul-Bayt; Ethical Role-Models Talebearing Talebearing is to inform against people matters that they dislike to divulge, for the purpose of entrapping them.

The talebearer is in fact the meanest and most malicious individual since he is characterized by backbiting, betrayal, hypocrisy, spoiling the mutual amicability, and seeding divergence among people: “Do not yield to one persistent in swearing, backbiting, gossiping, obstructing virtues, a sinful transgressor, ill-mannered, and morally corrupt or that because he may possess wealth and children. When Our revelations are recited to him. (68:14)” “Woe to every slanderer and backbiter.

(104:1)” The Prophet (S) said: “May I tell you of the evilest of you? They are the talebearers who sow enmity between associates and stick defects to those who are acquitted of defects[^1].” Imam al-Baqir (a) said: “It is forbidden for the revilers and the talebearers to be in Paradise[^2].” Imam as-Sadiq (a) said to al-Mansour; the Abbasid caliph: “Do not accept the wording of those whom Allah forbid to be in Paradise and whom Allah decided to make Hell their eternal abode if they speak ill of your relatives and folks whose right is obligatory upon you.

The talebearers are surely perjurers. They are the partners of Eblis in his efforts of exciting enmity between people. Allah says: “Believers, if one who publicly commits sins brings you any news, ascertain its truthfulness carefully, lest you harm people through ignorance and then regret what you have done.

(49:6) [^3]” Incentives of Talebearing There are two incentives of talebearing: • To defame the one against whom information are said, or • To curry favor with and to flatter slavishly the one to whom information are carried. Disadvantages of Talebearing Talebearing is the result of two serious vices: backbiting and tattling. Every item of backbiting is tattling, but not every tattling is backbiting.

Hence, the disadvantages of talebearing are more serious than those of backbiting, since it includes the divulgement of secrets and defamation of the one against whom tales are born. In certain cases, talebearing result in bloodshed, usurpation of properties, violation of sanctities, and abuse of dignities. How to Deal with the Talebearer? Because the talebearer is the most dangerous corruptive, it is necessary to beware of him, as well as his plots and corruption.