THE BACKBITING OF THE HEART By Imaam Abu Zakariyaa Yahyaa bin Sharaf an-Nawawee Taken from: Guarding the Tongue from the book al-Adhkaar With hadeeth verification by Shaykh Saleem bin ‘Eed al-Hilaalee Translated by Isma’eel Alarcon Know that having bad thoughts about someone is forbidden just like having bad speech about him. So just as it is forbidden for you to speak to others about the defects of a person, it is likewise forbidden for you to speak to yourself about that and to hold bad thoughts for him. Allaah says: “O you who believe, avoid much (types) of suspicion. Verily some (forms) of suspicion is a sin.” (Soorat ul-Hujuraat, 49:12) And Abu Hurayrah (radee Allaahu ‘anhu) reported that Allaah’s Messenger (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Beware of suspicion, for indeed suspicion is the most untruthful form of speech.” [1] The ahaadeeth with this same understanding I have mentioned here are many. What the backbiting of the heart means, is: When the heart has firm conviction and holds bad thoughts about someone. But as for the notions that occasionally display in one’s mind or when one talks to himself, then as long as these thoughts do not remain established and continuous in him, it is excused according to the consensus of the scholars. This is because he has no choice in the matter so as to stop it from occurring nor can he find any way to liberate himself from it when it does occur. This is the understanding of what has been authentically established (in the texts). The Messenger of Allaah (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Indeed, Allaah has permitted for my Ummah that which their souls whisper to them, so long as they do not speak it out (audibly) or act upon it.” [2] The scholars say: “This refers to the notions that form in one’s mind, but do not become settled or established there.” And they said: “This is regardless if the notion consists of backbiting, disbelief or so on (i.e. it is pardoned, so long as it does not settle). So (for example) whoever’s mind becomes flooded with thoughts of disbelief, but they are only thoughts, without him intending to have them carried out, and he then rids himself of these thoughts right after they occur, he is not a disbeliever nor is there any sin on him.” We have already stated previously, in the chapter on the (internal) whisperings, the authentic hadeeth, in which the Companions said: “O Messenger of Allaah! Some of us find things in our thoughts that are too tremendous to speak of.” So he (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “That is the confirmation of Faith.” [3] And this goes for the other reports we have mentioned in that chapter that bear the same understanding. The reason for these thoughts being excused is due to what we have stated previously that these thoughts are impossible to prevent. Rather, one is only able to prevent those thoughts from becoming settled and established in one’s mind. This is why the heart’s being resolute and determined on these thoughts is forbidden. So whenever these thoughts, which consist of backbiting or any other sin, present themselves in your mind, it is an obligation on you to repel them, turn away from them and mention some excuses or explanations that will change what seems apparent. Abu Haamid al-Ghazzaalee said in al-Ihyaa: “If bad thoughts should occur in your heart, then these are from the whisperings of the Devil, which he has placed in you. So you must deny and reject them because he is indeed the most wicked of evildoers (faasiq). And Allaah has stated: ‘If a wicked person (i.e. faasiq) comes to you with news, then verify it, lest you harm people without realizing it (i.e. out of ignorance) and afterwards you become regretful for what you’ve done.’ (Soorat ul-Hujuraat, 49:6) So it is not permissible for you to believe Iblees (the Devil). And if there is some sign that indicates that he is corrupt, yet he implies the opposite of that, then it is not permissible to hold bad thoughts (for him). Among the signs that indicate one holding bad thoughts (for someone) is that your heart changes
Posted on: Sat, 29 Mar 2014 13:21:09 +0000
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