بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Muslims prepare for Ramadan in many different ways. From buying different kinds of food, looking for different recipes, and starting a Ramadan meal plan. Some people will go the extra mile and have an Ibadah schedule for Ramadan. But one of the things that are very important in Ramadan is to fast from bad habits and traits. We have to understand that approaching the month of Ramadan doesn’t mean only fasting from food, water, and sexual interaction! Not at all, that is NOT the goal of the month of Ramdan and that is NOT why Allah prescribed this month for us.
“Shayateen'' will be locked up this month so we don’t use them as an excuse for our shortcomings. That means real fasting is fasting from our bad habits, fasting from our shortcomings when it comes to our Deen, Ibadah, and relationship with Allah.
One of the biggest issues I would like to address is the issue of backbiting, gossiping, and slandering. It is a very serious and dangerous disease if I may say. It infects women, men, youth, and even children (if they see their parents do it they will adopt that habit as well). But women are more receptive to this disease.
The side effects of this disease are tremendously destructive and devastating. It ruins relationships and destroys families, what is even more devastating is what punishment a Muslim receives for doing so.
Let's read what the Quran and Sunnah say about that
Hadith:
Backbiting is what you talk about a person at his back (and not in front of him) in a manner which he would not like. Then the companions asked what if we mention the things which are actually found in that person. Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H) replied that if those things are actually found in that person even then in fact you have backbitten him, and if those things are not present in the person then you have slandered. (Muslim).
Also,
Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H) also discussed the punishment of backbiting; he said that during the Night of Ascension (Mai’raj), he saw a group of people who were scratching their chests and faces with their copper nails. He said, ‘Who are these people, O Jibril?’ Jibril replied: ‘These are the people who ate the flesh of others (by backbiting) and trampled people’s honor.’ (Riyad as-Salihin)
Quran:
“And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, the sight, and the heart - about all those [ones] will be questioned”. [17:36]
وَلَا تَقْفُ مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ ۚ إِنَّ السَّمْعَ وَالْبَصَرَ وَالْفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُولَٰئِكَ كَانَ عَنْهُ مَسْئُولًا - 17:36
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When you received it with your tongues and said with your mouths that of which you had no knowledge and thought it was insignificant while it was, in the sight of Allah, tremendous.
إِذْ تَلَقَّوْنَهُ بِأَلْسِنَتِكُمْ وَتَقُولُونَ بِأَفْوَاهِكُم مَّا لَيْسَ لَكُم بِهِ عِلْمٌ وَتَحْسَبُونَهُ هَيِّنًا وَهُوَ عِندَ اللَّهِ عَظِيمٌ - 24:15
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يٌا أَيُّهٌا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنْ جٌاءَكُمْ فٌاسِقٌ بِنَبَأٍ فَتَبَيَّنُوا أَنْ تُصِيبُوا قَوْماً بِجَهٌالَةٍ فَتُصْبِحُوا عَلَى مٌا فَعَلْـتُمْ نٌادِمِينَ - 49:6
O’ you who have true faith! If one who publicly and openly commits sins brings you any news (concerning another person) then ascertain its truthfulness carefully (before you spread it) lest you harm people through (your own) ignorance (through accepting and following false reports) and then regret what you have done.
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There are more Ayat and Hadith about this disease. This means it is a great sin, although many people already know that and know-how heavily the punishment of it but still take it lightly.
This Ramadan instead of preparing for meals to cook and Eid outfit why not prepare for a soul meal and a Jennah outfit. Instead of cleaning and decorating the house why not clean and decorate the heart. Why not make the goal a Hereafter goal and not a Worldly goal.
If you are one of those people that are infected with this disease or you know someone who is infected I hope this piece will avail and assist in knowing the severity of it and therefore will spur and encourage you and others to make it a goal this Ramadan to sincerely cure and heal from it now and forever.
To help you do so. Sit and reflect on it! Why do you do it? {That is the most important question}. What benefit does it bring? Contrary, what harm does it bring not only to you but to others as well?
We already addressed the harm of it and how severe the punishment awaits those who have it. That should help you in assessing yourself.
Subhan Allah only the tongue which is something very small and insignificant compared to other parts of our body yet it causes tremendous harm. So lets discipline that tongue and tame it this Ramadan In’Sha’Allah!