Loving Gossip... Psst! Guess what...
Wednesday, December 16, 2009 Read more → Christianity, muslim character, Religion, the shepherd In the name of God, entirely Compassionate, especially Merciful | Peace be with you
In the name of God, compassionate & merciful بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ
Alaikum Salam, upon you be peace.
I found this really awesome article about gossip, and thought it was worth sharing, especially in contemporary society where news is based on what infamous rumour travels the fastest. Communications have bridged distances that allow us to be 'connected' all the time. There is so much to talk about, so many exciting ideas, horrific scandals and affairs, that we can forget how to quit the whispers and prevent more gossip.
In the last chapter of the Quran called Mankind (114), the phrase 'mischief of the sneaking whisperer' is used to alert readers of a malignant desire, and to seek protection from it. This desire is harmful, it destroys people and relationships. This desire is to gossip. If you hear something that is potentially harmful, do not repeat it. It really is that simple. Or is it?
Gossiping has an interesting element of secrecy. Notice how those who gossip lower their voices, whispering to the other to stop 'someone' overhearing. Even the Quran phrase in Surah Naas (Mankind) mentioned above used repeated 's' sounds known as sibilance: 'min shar'ril Wass Wasil khan'naas'; 'wass wasil'... whispering whispers.
"Those who spread slander cannot dwell with God, for He is holy." Psalms 15:1-3
"The tales of a gossip travel fast." Ecclesiastes 10:20
"The desire to backbite comes from a heart of bitterness and hatred." Leviticus 19:16-18, Psalms 109:2-3, Luke 6:45, Ephesians 4:31
"For one who transgresses the truth and resorts to lies, who is unconcerned with the next existence, there is no unwholesome deed he cannot commit." (Dhp v 176)
The Quran instructs,
"O you who believe! Avoid much suspicion, in deeds some suspicions are sins. And spy not neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate backbiting). And fear God, verily, God is the one who accepts repentance, Most Merciful." (49: 12)
"Behold, you received it on your tongues, and said out of your mouths things which you had no knowledge; and you thought it to be a light matter, while it was most serious in the sight of God." (24: 15)
"He does not utter a [single] word, except that there is, with him, [an angel] ready and waiting [to record it]." (50:18)
Teachings of Prophet Muhammad of Islam also reject gossiping:
"Do you know what backbiting is?" They (companions) said, "God and His Messenger know best." He then said, "It is to say something about your brother that he would dislike." Someone asked him, "But what if what I say is true?" The Messenger of God said, "If what you say about him is true, you are backbiting him, but if it is not true then you have slandered him." (Muslim)
"When man wakes up in the morning each day, all parts of the body warn the tongue saying, ‘Fear God as regards us for we are at your mercy; if you are upright, we will be upright and if you are crooked, we become crooked.’" (At-Tirmidhee)
The Solution: Putting one's tongue to proper use, this God-given and powerful appendage is to engage in the remembrance (Dhikr) of God. Purify your words, say good things, say the nam of God. The human tongue is a great blessing from God and if used properly can be a means to attaining great spiritual benefits. On the other hand, gossiping is easier. It takes less effort, provides more social harm and is a sly tool for revenge. But think. Is this really what you want to leave for others? Your gossiping love?
This verse clearly reveals that if a person were to engage thier tongue in the remembrance (Dhikr) of Allah by mentioning His glorious names, the resulting light and blessings that emanates therefrom will bring peace and satisfaction to their heart, safeguarding the person against doing any type of prohibited action, and removing from within the excessive Satanic temptations and abundance of unwarranted egoistic desires and longings.
Furthermore, the remembrance (Dhikr) of Allah enhances the person's spiritual perception and enables them to perceive Almighty Allah as Present, Observant, All-Knowing, All-Hearing, Exalted and Absolute in His infinite names and in His attributes. One perceives Him everywhere: in the hidden and in the open, in public and in private. If through the remembrance of Allah a person obtains this certainty about Almighty Allah's Greatness and Presence in both his mind and heart to the extent mentioned above, then that person will undoubtedly find the strength to abstain from all egoistic behaviors and other evil temptations. That person achieves a life of greater purpose, greater understanding, greater virtue, and greater joy; that person becomes conducive to the benefit of one and all!
Source: Mawlana Faizani, from the book, Daleelul Zakireen or Reasonings for those Remembering.
Next time you hear a whispering 'psst! guess what I heard', say "No, thank you. Gossiping sounds sinful."
By: The Shepherd
Peace & respect ★
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