14
Sep 2023
In an age of rapid information dissemination through various channels, rumours spread like wildfire, causing anxiety, confusion, and division within Muslim communities. It is crucial for Muslims to understand the significance of dealing with rumours responsibly, both as individuals and as a community. In particular it is sadly common for those in positions of leadership. Common pitfalls that people and preachers fall into 1. Haste and lack of investigation and verification One of the primary challenges in dealing with rumours within Muslim communities is the tendency to hastily believe and spread information......
Read More
24
Nov 2022
Abu Ad-Darda (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ‘Whoever defends his brother’s honour in his absence, Allah will protect his face from the hellfire on the day of Resurrection.’ * This hadith is one of the ahadith that established a new social code – the Islamic social code, which brings tremendous goodness in society if we follow it. The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught us in his narrations how to behave in different scenarios. It is like a manual, saying open this......
Read More
10
Apr 2022
In Surat Nur there are many rulings, as it was revealed in Madinah, and in general surahs revealed in Madinah contained guidance on what was permissible and impermissible in Islam. a surah which We have revealed and made ˹its rulings˺ obligatory, and revealed in it clear commandments so that you may be mindful. (24:1) The main theme of this surah is the importance of protecting one other’s reputation. It mentions the episode of Al Ifk, when some hypocrites slandered Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her). Allah Almighty clears her reputation......
Read More
10
Sep 2021
Today’s reminder is that having a good opinion about people brings tranquility. In Arabic we say: حسن الظن بالناس يجلب الطمأنينة Every now and then we have rumours and accusations in the community and the common practice among the vast majority of Muslims, let alone non-Muslims is to believe the rumours are a fact and proof of guilt. I have spoken about his topic many times, but I feel that there is a need to clarify the position of how to deal with rumours or how to react when you hear something......
Read More
16
Jul 2021
In Imam Ghazali’s Kitaab Al-Arba’in Fi Usul ad-Din, ‘The Forty Principles of the Religion’, he collates 20 rules of how to deal with people. Rule 12: Cover other people’s mistakes and sins It is one of principles of dealing with people is to cover their faults and sins, by not pointing them out to others and talking about them. Do not publicise or broadcast people’s mistakes by discussing them or forwarding them on social media. While there is still a screen over someone’s faults they have a chance to rectify them and......
Read More
10
Jul 2021
Rule 7: Do not pass on gossip Ghazali says do not listen to rumours about others and do not pass them on. We need this very sound nugget of advice because we are flooded by rumours, fabrications, lies and fake news. The Quran and Sunnah gave us the formula for dealing with them. What should you do when you hear a piece of news? Firstly, do not convey it. Secondly, if it needs to be passed on it, check it first. Most of the time, it should not be passed on. Marital......
Read More
19
Apr 2021
When was Surat an Nur revealed? This is a famous surah. It was revealed in Madina and therefore has many rulings. There is no authentic narration on the virtue of this surah, but there is a weak narration by Muhajid, who was not a companion but a tabiy’i (next generation of successors of the companions) who said that men should learn Surah Maida and women should learn Surat an Nur. How to deal with rumours in the community From this surah and others, scholars have derived one of five the main aims......
Read More
30
May 2020
How to deal with sinners Whether it is your family or friends or a public figure, every now and then, they make mistakes. Unfortunately as a community, we have many shortcomings, and one of these is that we don’t know how to handle people’s misdemeanours and mistakes, or ill judged statements, from an Islamic point of view. Recently an unfortunate incident went viral. Video clips were being forwarded without any thought about the gravity of doing this. Is this Islamic? Does our shariah approve this? I was very disappointed that many Muslims......
Read More