Chapter 257
Prohibition of Calumny

Allah, the Exalted, says:

"A slanderer, going about with calumnies.'' (68:11)

"Not a word does he (or she) utter, but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it).'' (50:18)

1536. Hudhaifah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "The person who goes about with calumnies will never enter Jannah.''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Commentary: A person who thinks that talebearing is lawful, and practices it to create conflict and quarrel among people despite the fact that he knows it is unanimously forbidden, will never go to Jannah. A person who considers it unlawful but does it out of sheer human weakness, will in the first instance go to Hell, if Allah does not pardon him for it. He will then be shifted to Jannah after suffering punishment for it.

1537. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) passed by two graves and said, "Both of them (the persons in these graves) are being tortured, and they are not being tortured for a cardinal sin. But indeed they are great sins. One of them used not to save himself from being soiled with his urine, and the other one used to go about with calumnies (among the people to rouse hostilities, e.g., one goes to a person and tells him that so-and-so says about him such and such evil things).''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Commentary:
1. "La yastatiru min baulihi'' has another meaning, namely: "he does not pass urine in privacy but does it shamelessly in the presence of other people.'' Obviously shamelessness is also a sin. Talebearing, carelessness in saving oneself from splash of urine drops, and lack of observance of privacy are sins which are liable to punishment.

2. The Hadith also proves punishment in the grave.

1538. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Shall I tell you what `Al-`Adhu' (falsehood and slandering) is? It is calumny which is committed among the people.''
[Muslim].

Commentary: We learn from this Hadith that calumny, lying, falsehood and slandering are major sins because they cause conflict and dissension in society. A Muslim must keep himself free from such evils.