al_etidaal_gn

Once Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) inquired: “Do you know who is the
bankrupt man?” The Sahabah (Radiallahu anhum) replied: “It is that person among us
who has no possessions.”
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) replied: “The indigent and bankrupt one of this
Ummat is that man who on the day of Qiyamat will appear with much in the way of
Salaah, Zakaat, Fasting and other forms of Ibaadah. However he had insulted this one,
slandered that one, devoured someone’s wealth unjustly, had killed someone else or
beaten someone else. And now some of his good deeds are taken by this one and some by
that one. And then when his supply of good deeds have been exhausted, while some
people’s demands are yet unsettled, then according to those demands, their sins are being
heaped upon his shoulders. This is the real indigent bankrupt one.”
Yes such is the real indigent one. How unfortunate! Look with what righteous deeds he
appeared there but in the end all that was taken away, leaving him with nothing. Instead
even the sins of others fell upon him.
Once Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) asked: “Do you know what back-biting
is?”
The Sahabah (Radiallahu anhum) replied: “Allah and His messenger knows best.”
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: “It means to mention such a thing about
your brother which he dislikes.”
The Sahabah (Radiallahu anhu) asked: “But what if that fault is really present in him?”
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: “Then it is indeed backbiting. And if that
fault is not in him it is not bpkbiting but slander.” (Targheeb)
This should be noted: If a person’s fault is mentioned just for the sake of advertising his
faults, it is haraam and sinful. However if it is necessary to point out his fault for some
religious reason or for some expedience, then it is not. But to mention anything of which
he is not guilty is not permissible at all.
According to one Hadeeth Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said:
“When a man speaks such a thing about a Muslim which is not in him (of which he is not
guilty), Allah will imprison him in that part of hell where the sweat, blood and pus of the
inmates of hell accumulate.” (Targheeb)
It is true that we do not have our tongues under control. Whatever we like to speak about
somebody, we express without any second thoughts. We must be very careful. Control
over the tongue is very important. A certain Sahabi once asked Rasulullah (Sallallahu
Alayhi Wasallam) “Pray, teach me something which I may hold onto firmly.”
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) pointing towards his tongue said. “Be the
master of this at all times.”
Another Sahabi asked: “Against what shall I protect myself?”
Al- Eti’daal Fi Maraatibur- Rijaal 108