If it is said about a man that he drinks intoxicants or the like, and the one saying it knows that he has not consumed this forbidden thing, but rather wants to tarnish his reputation in
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The questioner : The listener Muhammad Hamud says: If it is said about a man that he drinks intoxicants or the like, and the one saying it is known to have not consumed this forbidden thing, but rather wants to tarnish his reputation in society only, what is the ruling in this?
The Shaykh : Here I say that the answer applies to both the one who speaks and the one it is spoken about. As for the one who speaks, it is not permissible for anyone to speak about his brother based on mere accusation, smearing his honor and damaging his reputation. Allah the Exalted said:[Al-Hujurat 49:12] And for a person to accuse others of defects, sins, and open sinfulness based on a mere suspicion that came to his mind or a weak indication that does not necessitate this suspicion is a forbidden matter for him, and it falls within what Allah prohibited in His saying, rather it falls within what Allah commanded to be avoided in His saying: [Al-Hujurat 49:12] And let man know that he does not utter a single word except that it is recorded, as He the Exalted said: [Qaf 50:18] This is regarding the one who reports about others. As for the one it is reported to, it is not permissible for him to accept news from one who accuses him of open sinfulness or enmity, as He the Exalted said: [Al-Hujurat 49:6] So if someone tells you about a person with bad news, verify it. If the person is not just in your estimation, verify and investigate. For some people are quick to transmit things without caution or verification, some are open sinners who love to sow enmity and hatred among Muslims, and some are enemies of a specific person who want to bring him down and violate his honor so that people stay away from him. This is what I wish to direct as a comment on this question.
The questioner : Good, good.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The Shaykh : Here I say that the answer applies to both the one who speaks and the one it is spoken about. As for the one who speaks, it is not permissible for anyone to speak about his brother based on mere accusation, smearing his honor and damaging his reputation. Allah the Exalted said:
O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy
يا أيها الذين ءامنوا اجتنبوا كثيرا من الظن إن بعض الظن إثم ولا تجسسواO you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption
يا أيها الذين ءامنوا اجتنبوا كثيرا من الظنMan does not utter any word except that with him is an observer prepared [to record].
ما يلفظ من قول إلا لديه رقيب عتيدO you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful.
يا أيها الذين ءامنوا إن جاءكم فاسق بنبأ فتبيّنوا أن تصيبوا قوما بجهالة فتصبحوا على ما فعلتم نادمينThe questioner : Good, good.
The Shaykh : Yes.