Believers must investigate news brought by a wicked person before acting, so they do not wrong innocent people and later regret it.1, 2
People are free to express their beliefs and debate, but this does not permit mocking, cursing, or preaching hatred toward other faiths, and ridicule, slander, and backbiting are condemned.1, 2, 3
Submitters should live righteously, treat each other amicably, and never lie, cheat, or backbite.1
It is unjust under Quranic law to accuse anyone without allowing the accused or their group to defend against the charges.1
Faith shows in inviting others with wisdom, debating in the best manner, avoiding vain talk, suspicion, and backbiting, and resorting to patience, pardon, and forgiveness.1
Once money becomes an idol, people try to draw near it by hoarding, and they may backbite and slander others to get ahead.1, 2
God warns against jealousy, which causes grave damage by leading people to tarnish others' reputations.1, 2
Believers must investigate news brought by a wicked person before acting, so they do not wrong people out of ignorance.1
God commands no backbiting, no suspicion, and no ridiculing of others, and these simple commands are often the hardest to uphold.1
We should live righteously, treat each other amicably, never lie, cheat, or backbite, and follow God's commandments in the Quran.1
Fasting of the body benefits us more when joined by fasting of the tongue from vain talk and backbiting, of the eyes, and of the mind through constant remembrance of God.1
Submitters are expected to be honest, avoid boasting, slander, and foul language, and show mercy to their parents and siblings, since all bad behavior is condemned by God.1, 2, 3
Following the Quran's own method, believers answer false arguments with proofs and better arguments rather than with suppression or slander, and need not fear outside critics.1, 2
Traditionalist religious authorities rely on authoritarianism and slander, while God teaches us to verify things before accepting or rejecting them.1, 2, 3
Other commands include regarding people kindly, not despairing, not being proud of God's gifts, not grieving over losses, suppressing anger, eating moderately, and avoiding backbiting, suspicion, and ridicule.1
Those who falsely accuse pious married women are condemned in this life and the Hereafter, and backbiters and slanderers are doomed.1, 2
Since we rarely know the full story behind others' behavior, it may be best to reserve judgment, offer support, or keep quiet and work on perfecting our own lives.1
Believers must verify information for themselves and avoid suspicion, spying, and backbiting.1, 2
Verses 11 through 20 of Sura 24 are not about Aisha; like most of the Quran they are always current and teach believers today how to handle any accusation against one of them.1
Believers must not ridicule or mock one another or make fun of each other's names, since the others may be better than they.1
Backbiting can be done through gestures and imitation as well as words, and listening to it without leaving the company also makes one guilty.1, 2
The Quran forbids suspicion, spying, and backbiting, likening backbiting to eating the flesh of one's dead brother.1, 2
Backbiting means saying anything about another person that lowers our esteem for that person, especially behind their back but also to their face.1
Submitters should avoid vain talk, frivolous arguments, and backbiting.1
Community health is built through encouragement, consensus among people submitted to God, and support for righteousness, not through harsh enforcement, accusations, or suspicion.1, 2
Some things common in today's society, such as falsely accusing innocent people, persecuting believers, and fabricating lies about God, are horrible offenses we must avoid.1, 2, 3, 4
Humans often use their tongues for evil, and on the Day of Judgment their own tongues will bear witness against them.1, 2, 3
Failing to remind fellow submitters who backbite, out of a wish to be nice, really protects our own feelings, is a civilized form of idol worship, and can be worse than joining the backbiting.1, 2
The righteous strive to rise above greed, envy, and arrogance, to avoid gossip, slander, and boasting, and to show mercy and honor their parents.1, 2, 3
Gossiping is wrong, and fooling oneself into thinking a little of it is okay is an easy and dangerous trap.1, 2
Bad thoughts lead to doubts about people, aggression, and oppression, and this is why past messengers were mocked, persecuted, and killed.1, 2
Judging others from personal dislike can lead us to hurt and falsely condemn them, especially when our ego is upset.1, 2
Believers must first investigate news brought by a wicked person, so they do not commit injustice out of ignorance.1
People tend to see and talk about others' faults more readily than they appreciate their good works.1
The Quran teaches individual and collective accountability for every action and prohibits injustice, slander, and unjust rebellion, with justice tempered by mercy.1, 2
Other gross offenses include concealing God's revelations, arrogantly rejecting them, persecuting the innocent, and falsely accusing someone of adultery or gossiping about it.1, 2
Suspicion, spying, and backbiting are abominable, and saying what one does not do is most abominable in God's sight.1, 2
Rumors, innuendo, and mocking others are not harmless fun but come from the devil and damage the soul.1
God disapproves of using personal opinions to judge people, and backbiting, spying, and even a little suspicion are sinful, particularly among believers.1, 2, 3
Gossip and other sins of the tongue are silent sins; believers must speak only correct words and avoid suspicion, spying, and backbiting.1, 2, 3
Vain talk is a trap of Satan that leads us to say things God prohibits, so it is essential to avoid it.1, 2, 3
Responding to feedback with ridicule, backbiting, or anger is usually a sign we are wrong, and we should also beware of apathy.1
Believers must not ridicule or mock one another or make fun of names, and those who do not repent of this are transgressors.1, 2
Stories that men and women pray side by side or that women lead the prayer at Masjid Tucson are made up and untrue.1, 2, 3