Friday, May 9, 2008
IBN Mas'ud relates that the Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him, said, "Should I tell you what is a blatant lie? It is a rumour circulating among the people." (Sahih Muslim)
The Quranic word for rumour here is namimah. It is a kind of rumour that is meant to foster animosity between people.
Al-Raghib al-Isfahani defines the word namimah as follows, "It is to relate to people what others say about them in order to bring about problems. It is said that this rumour-mongering also includes divulging secrets and exposing about people what they wish to keep concealed."
Imam Al-Ghazali states the following in al-Ihya' 'Ulumuddin, "Those who circulate rumours say things like: 'So-and-so said this about you' or 'So-and-so did this against you', or they tell you that someone is plotting against you or encouraging your enemies or is working to worsen your circumstances."
He then goes on to make six excellent recommendations for dealing with such rumour-mongers and their rumors.
1. Do not believe him. This is because a rumour-monger is a sinner. He is a malefactor whose testimony is unacceptable. Allâh says: "O you who believe, if a wicked person comes to you with any news, ascertain the truth, lest you harm people unwittingly, and afterwards become full of repentance for what ye have done." (translation of the Quran surah al-Hujurat: 6)
2. Tell him that he should not spread rumours. It is good to advise the person who brings you a rumor that he is behaving wrongly. He should know that his conduct is unsavory. Allâh tells us: "Enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong." (surah Luqman: 17)
3. Detest the rumour-monger for the sake of Allâh. A rumour-monger is detestable to Allâh, so one must detest the person as well.
4. Do not allow yourself to think ill of the person who is the subject if the rumour. It is wrong to thing ill of someone in his absence. Allâh says: "O you who believe! avoid most suspicion, for surely suspicion in some cases is a sin." (surah al-Hujurât: 12)
5. Do not try to verify the rumour by spying. Do not let your suspicions cause you to spy on the person the rumour-monger told you about. Allâh says: "And do not spy." (surah al-Hujurat: 12)
6. Do not spread rumours. You should be vigilant not to convey the rumour-monger's words to others.
Islam Today
The Quranic word for rumour here is namimah. It is a kind of rumour that is meant to foster animosity between people.
Al-Raghib al-Isfahani defines the word namimah as follows, "It is to relate to people what others say about them in order to bring about problems. It is said that this rumour-mongering also includes divulging secrets and exposing about people what they wish to keep concealed."
Imam Al-Ghazali states the following in al-Ihya' 'Ulumuddin, "Those who circulate rumours say things like: 'So-and-so said this about you' or 'So-and-so did this against you', or they tell you that someone is plotting against you or encouraging your enemies or is working to worsen your circumstances."
He then goes on to make six excellent recommendations for dealing with such rumour-mongers and their rumors.
1. Do not believe him. This is because a rumour-monger is a sinner. He is a malefactor whose testimony is unacceptable. Allâh says: "O you who believe, if a wicked person comes to you with any news, ascertain the truth, lest you harm people unwittingly, and afterwards become full of repentance for what ye have done." (translation of the Quran surah al-Hujurat: 6)
2. Tell him that he should not spread rumours. It is good to advise the person who brings you a rumor that he is behaving wrongly. He should know that his conduct is unsavory. Allâh tells us: "Enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong." (surah Luqman: 17)
3. Detest the rumour-monger for the sake of Allâh. A rumour-monger is detestable to Allâh, so one must detest the person as well.
4. Do not allow yourself to think ill of the person who is the subject if the rumour. It is wrong to thing ill of someone in his absence. Allâh says: "O you who believe! avoid most suspicion, for surely suspicion in some cases is a sin." (surah al-Hujurât: 12)
5. Do not try to verify the rumour by spying. Do not let your suspicions cause you to spy on the person the rumour-monger told you about. Allâh says: "And do not spy." (surah al-Hujurat: 12)
6. Do not spread rumours. You should be vigilant not to convey the rumour-monger's words to others.
Islam Today