Fitnah (Slander) is referred to as accusations that are invented whether in the form of pictures, news, stories, and others that can degrade or destroy an individual, institution, group or its like. In this modern age and era of technology, the spread of fitnah can be easily done whether verbally, through short messaging service (SMS), e-mail, websites or blogs, WhatsApp, Facebook, instagram, and others. The spread of fitnah would happen so quick, widespread, and easily accessible without the urge to verify the information received, that before you know it, without hesitation, it would gets conveyed to others. Such behavior is strictly prohibited in Islam. Islam teaches its adherents to scrutinize and verify all news received before being spread to others, especially from those that are faasiq (disobeys the commands of Allah Subhaanahu Wata‘aala).
Allah Subhaanahu Wata‘aala mentions in al-Qur’an: “O 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.” (al-Hujuraat 49:6). Based on this verse, it becomes waajib upon every Muslim to scrutinize all information received so as to not become involved in spreading calumny (fitnah). Every news received must be verified first of its authenticity. The wisdom and sanity of mind is very important in being utilized to ensure that one is not easily duped by fitnah-like news. The evil culture of slandering, spreading, and sharing fitnah, along with modern day terminologies such as “share” and “like” are actually something that is vile and abhorred in Islam, even categorized as a major sin in Islam.
Allah Subhaanahu Wata‘aala mentions in al-Qur’an: “Indeed, those who like that immorality should be spread [or publicized] among those who have believed will have a painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter. And Allah knows and you do not know.” (an-Noor 24:19)
Spreading lies, slandering others, and its sort whether known or not are deemed as wicked behavior, when one would mention the evil of a person without prior investigation. The slanderer would normally mention “I heard that”, “rumor”, or “viral”. However, when such information is conveyed from a person to another, continuously repeated, then it is as if the unverified information has become factual and true.
Why is fitnah deemed as evil with severe warning by Allah Subhaanahu Wata‘aala and considered a heavy sin? Among the admonition and sins regarding fitnah and the one spreading fitnah mentioned in al-Qur’an and as-Sunnah are:
1. For the accuser or slanderer who are unable to produce witness for their accusation (fitnah), Allah Subhaanahu Wata‘aala has commanded for them to be punished with 80 lashes.
Allah Subhaanahu Wata‘aala mentions in al-Qur’an: “And those who accuse chaste women and then do not produce four witnesses - lash them with eighty lashes and do not accept from them testimony ever after. And those are the defiantly disobedient.” (an-Noor 24:4)
2. The slanderer and backbiter are deemed as the most despicable of human being. Asmaa’ bint Yazeed (RA) reported that Rasulullah (SAW) said: … “Shall I tell you who is the worst of you?” “Yes,” they replied. He said, “Those who go about slandering, causing mischief between friends in order to separate them, and desiring to lead the innocent into wrong action.” (Ahmad and al-Bukhaari’s al-Adab al-Mufrad: hasan)
3. Slandering and backbiting are likened to eating the flesh of one’s own brother. Indeed, no sensible person would be willing to eat the flesh of another person, what more with his own brother’s flesh. Allah Subhaanahu Wata‘aala mentions in al-Qur’an: “O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful.” (al-Hujuraat 49:12)
4. The slanderer and backbiter will be severely punished in the grave. Narrated ibn ‘Abbaas (RA) Rasulullah (SAW) passed by two graves and said: “Both of them (persons in the grave) are being tortured, and they are not being tortured for a major sin. This one used not to save himself from being soiled with his urine, and the other used to go about with calumnies (among the people to rouse hostilities)…” (al-Bukhaari)
Aside from the severe warning and sins upon the fitnah and those spreading the fitnah as mentioned in the Shara‘, fitnah also causes harm within community living. Among them:
1. The sins committed by the one who defames and the one that spreads the fitnah are deemed as sins committed against others. These sins will not be forgiven unless if the one being slandered forgives such act.
2. Fitnah disunites the household and destroys the community. It is due to fitnah that the relationship between siblings, spouses, neighbors, and others would sever and further leads to everlasting enmity. Moreover, spreading fitnah is akin to the raging fire burning peat soil, spreading quickly, in the end causing haze that is very inconvenient and harmful to others, ultimately incurring loss to the nation.
3. Fitnah is usually spread with the intent to degrade individuals or groups. Such attitude intends for them to stand out above others, thinking that they are better or more qualified compared to the one being slandered. It is worth noting that many of those involved in spreading fitnah actually have no interest such wickedness. But since such evil deed has become a habit, it provides a sense of pleasure to the doer even though it is vile.
4. The culture of slandering can disrupt the nation’s stability and peace. Therefore, do not allow one’s own self, the family,and the surrounding community to become a tool or agent in creating and spreading fitnah that can create chaos and threaten the nation’s stability.
5. Fitnah can tarnish the dignity of an individual or group; similarly it can cause tremendous financial loss. This is because a defamation lawsuit can be thrown against the one spreading fitnah, which can cause heavy loss financially, emotionally, and many more.
Allah Subhaanahu Wata‘aala mentions in al-Qur’an: “O 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.” (al-Hujuraat 49:6). Based on this verse, it becomes waajib upon every Muslim to scrutinize all information received so as to not become involved in spreading calumny (fitnah). Every news received must be verified first of its authenticity. The wisdom and sanity of mind is very important in being utilized to ensure that one is not easily duped by fitnah-like news. The evil culture of slandering, spreading, and sharing fitnah, along with modern day terminologies such as “share” and “like” are actually something that is vile and abhorred in Islam, even categorized as a major sin in Islam.
Allah Subhaanahu Wata‘aala mentions in al-Qur’an: “Indeed, those who like that immorality should be spread [or publicized] among those who have believed will have a painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter. And Allah knows and you do not know.” (an-Noor 24:19)
Spreading lies, slandering others, and its sort whether known or not are deemed as wicked behavior, when one would mention the evil of a person without prior investigation. The slanderer would normally mention “I heard that”, “rumor”, or “viral”. However, when such information is conveyed from a person to another, continuously repeated, then it is as if the unverified information has become factual and true.
Why is fitnah deemed as evil with severe warning by Allah Subhaanahu Wata‘aala and considered a heavy sin? Among the admonition and sins regarding fitnah and the one spreading fitnah mentioned in al-Qur’an and as-Sunnah are:
1. For the accuser or slanderer who are unable to produce witness for their accusation (fitnah), Allah Subhaanahu Wata‘aala has commanded for them to be punished with 80 lashes.
Allah Subhaanahu Wata‘aala mentions in al-Qur’an: “And those who accuse chaste women and then do not produce four witnesses - lash them with eighty lashes and do not accept from them testimony ever after. And those are the defiantly disobedient.” (an-Noor 24:4)
2. The slanderer and backbiter are deemed as the most despicable of human being. Asmaa’ bint Yazeed (RA) reported that Rasulullah (SAW) said: … “Shall I tell you who is the worst of you?” “Yes,” they replied. He said, “Those who go about slandering, causing mischief between friends in order to separate them, and desiring to lead the innocent into wrong action.” (Ahmad and al-Bukhaari’s al-Adab al-Mufrad: hasan)
3. Slandering and backbiting are likened to eating the flesh of one’s own brother. Indeed, no sensible person would be willing to eat the flesh of another person, what more with his own brother’s flesh. Allah Subhaanahu Wata‘aala mentions in al-Qur’an: “O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful.” (al-Hujuraat 49:12)
4. The slanderer and backbiter will be severely punished in the grave. Narrated ibn ‘Abbaas (RA) Rasulullah (SAW) passed by two graves and said: “Both of them (persons in the grave) are being tortured, and they are not being tortured for a major sin. This one used not to save himself from being soiled with his urine, and the other used to go about with calumnies (among the people to rouse hostilities)…” (al-Bukhaari)
Aside from the severe warning and sins upon the fitnah and those spreading the fitnah as mentioned in the Shara‘, fitnah also causes harm within community living. Among them:
1. The sins committed by the one who defames and the one that spreads the fitnah are deemed as sins committed against others. These sins will not be forgiven unless if the one being slandered forgives such act.
2. Fitnah disunites the household and destroys the community. It is due to fitnah that the relationship between siblings, spouses, neighbors, and others would sever and further leads to everlasting enmity. Moreover, spreading fitnah is akin to the raging fire burning peat soil, spreading quickly, in the end causing haze that is very inconvenient and harmful to others, ultimately incurring loss to the nation.
3. Fitnah is usually spread with the intent to degrade individuals or groups. Such attitude intends for them to stand out above others, thinking that they are better or more qualified compared to the one being slandered. It is worth noting that many of those involved in spreading fitnah actually have no interest such wickedness. But since such evil deed has become a habit, it provides a sense of pleasure to the doer even though it is vile.
4. The culture of slandering can disrupt the nation’s stability and peace. Therefore, do not allow one’s own self, the family,and the surrounding community to become a tool or agent in creating and spreading fitnah that can create chaos and threaten the nation’s stability.
5. Fitnah can tarnish the dignity of an individual or group; similarly it can cause tremendous financial loss. This is because a defamation lawsuit can be thrown against the one spreading fitnah, which can cause heavy loss financially, emotionally, and many more.