Slander is, and has been, one of the most effective weapons of propaganda used against believers throughout history. The Qur’an alludes to this behavior when it says: “The evil-doers mock the faithful and wink at one another as they pass by them” (al- Mutaffifin: 29–30). In modern times, propaganda and psychological warfare of this kind have been much more systematic and effective.

As the Qur’anic revelation was being received by Muhammad (peace be upon him), groups of Makkans who were wealthy and did not need to earn their livelihood would gather together to mock the Muslims and scoff at Muhammad (peace be upon him) and Islam. This surah was revealed as a warning and a threat to those slanderers. It says: “Woe to every back-biting slanderer who amasses wealth and sedulously hoards it, thinking his wealth will secure him immortality” (1–3).

Slanderous activity takes various forms, including verbal jeering and abuse, or gestures and gesticulations. It can be expressed in writing, caricatures, or depictions of all kinds. Slanderers are usually idle people with money and time to spare, or people who are paid to pursue such wasteful and futile activity.

They should, however, beware God’s wrath, for He says: “He [the slanderer] shall be thrown into the all-consuming fire. And what will explain to you what the all-consuming fire is like? It is God’s own raging fire, which will scorch the hearts and engulf the slanderers from every side, in towering columns” (4–9). They shall be entrapped in a towering inferno, from which they shall have no means of escape.

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