It will cause bloodshed...

It will cause bloodshed, enmity, disruption in society, destruction of property and life, decline of society and nation. It has been related that some man sold a slave to another man saying: “This slave is good, but he is a tale-bearer.” The man said: “It is alright” and he purchased him. The slave worked for the man for some time. One day, the salve said to the wife of his master: “Your husband does not really love you. He wants to marry another woman.

Take this knife and when he goes to sleep at night, cut some hairs from under his chin. I will practice magic on it so that he will love you.” He said to his master: “Your wife has taken a friend and she wants to kill you. Pretend you are asleep and you will find that I am truthful.” The master pretended to be asleep and when the woman came to him with a knife in her hand, he jumped up and killed her.

The woman’s relatives came and killed the man.”[^7] It goes without saying that this vice will not only harm the others, but will harm the tale-bearer too. It is said: “One day, a lion became sick. Animals were informed and they came to visit him. The fox was not seen among the visitors. The wolf criticized the fox behind his back, saying: O king of animals! All animals have come to visit you except the fox. The lion said: Remind me when he comes! At this time, the fox showed up.

The lion said angrily: Where have you been? Did you not know that I was sick? All the animals have visited me except you! The fox said: Sir, when I heard you were sick, I began thinking of a medicine to cure you, and I came to a conclusion! The lion said: What is it? The fox said: There is a gland in the rear leg of a wolf which is effective for your disease. The lion immediately jumped over the wolf, tore its rear leg and ate the gland. The fox crept away.

Seeing the wolf laming on the way, the fox said: O you who are putting on a red shoe! Be careful of what you say when you are in the presence of kings.”[^8] [^1]: Qur'an, 68:10-11. [^2]: Al-Kafi, vol. 2, p. 369. [^3]: Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 72, p. 264. [^4]: Ibid., p. 265. [^5]: Ibid., p. 268 [^6]: Ibid., p. 270 [^7]: Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 72, p. 270. [^8]: Al-Kuna wal-Alghab, vol. 2, p. 119. Previous…