Islam is a religion of peace, love, and compassion. Lies, suspicion, backbiting, slander, vain talk — all these are anathema to Islam. Indeed, such negative activity sows the seeds of enmity among the people and ultimately brings about the downfall of society. Backbiting (ghibah) in particular, according to the Qur’an, is not just a common social evil, but rather an abhorrent act, a major sin — the equivalent of eating one’s brother’s flesh.
Numerous ahadith of the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) also underscore the complete futility, extreme loathsomeness and grave consequences of the deliberate misrepresentation of others. Backbiting, by the unanimous rulings of religious scholars (ijma) is forbidden, so that anyone who indulges in it is guilty of serious wrongdoing. Yet people have no qualms about engaging in this practice, flouting all prohibitions and strict commands.
Drawing upon important source material on the subjects of backbiting, false accusation (bhutan), and related issues, this book highlights the need to keep our society free of his ignoble malaise. To this end, it elucidates the relevant commands and prohibitions of the Shari’ah, so as to create in the minds of its readers a deep awareness of the sinfulness and ill effects of calumny.
By Shakil Ahmad Khan and Wasim Ahmad
zulaiikha –
I cannot say enough good things about this book. I was going to say this is a must read for all Muslims but another reader already used this title. However I think anyone who is looking for a self-help book should look at this book. From start to finish I was amazed by how much of the chapters of the book I could relate to myself. Reading this book and digesting the mental solutions and having unshakable faith as your foundation allow you to overcome any situation. A feeling of peace and tranquillity came over me whilst reading this, I am sad I finished it. I have made a decision to read it a chapter at a time to my children. This book is the perfect blend of extracts of the Qur’an, stories of the Prophet (PBUH), his companions (PBUT), examples of problems and more importantly solutions to modern living.