Part of Concepts of Ahl as-Sunnah (series completed)
· Lesson 750 of 1251
Summary of Sunni concepts | Concept (748) | Hidden backbiting
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Transcript
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A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah.
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Veiled backbiting.
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A person typically avoids blatant, overt backbiting,
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because they are aware of its prohibition and the sin incurred by the one who commits it.
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Yet, the sickness within their heart—even if they do not realize it—
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may drive them to engage in it in a veiled manner,
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adorned with various shades of deception by which they attempt to deceive Allah and the people,
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while not realizing that, in truth, they are only deceiving themselves.
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For Allah is fully aware of the secrets of the hearts,
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and that ornamentation and concealment are not hidden from Him.
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Thus, their state becomes like that of the hypocrites, about whom Allah said:
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“They think to beguile Allah and those who believe, and they beguile none save themselves; but they perceive not.” (2:9)
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“They think to beguile Allah and those who believe, and they beguile none save themselves; but they perceive not.” (2:9)
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Among those subtle methods are:
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First, presenting backbiting in the guise of piety and righteousness.
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For instance, saying:
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"I am not accustomed to mentioning anyone except in a good light,"
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"and I do not like backbiting,"
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"but I am only informing you of his situation out of sincere advice to you."
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Or saying:
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"By Allah, so-and-so is a poor soul and a good man,"
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"but he has such-and-such a flaw."
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Or claiming to be concerned for the person they are backbiting,
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and distressed by their condition,
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so they say:
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"It distressed me what so-and-so did."
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Or perhaps they say:
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"Let us leave so-and-so alone,"
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"may Allah forgive us and him."
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Or they present the backbiting in the guise of anger for the sake of Allah,
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and denouncing evil.
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Second:
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Presenting backbiting in the guise of astonishment.
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So they say:
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"I am amazed at so-and-so,"
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"how could he do such-and-such?"
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"or how could he fail to do such-and-such?"
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Third:
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Backbiting to appease one's companions,
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because they believe that if they were to object to them,
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it would disrupt the gathering,
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and their companions would find them burdensome and be repelled by them.
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A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah.