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.
TAG: Abuse
Do Not Ridicule And Defame Others
[ALLAH’S Quran – 49:11] “O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name [i.e., mention] of disobedience after [one’s] faith. And whoever does not repent – then it is those who are the wrongdoers..”
The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) has said:
[Bukhari, Book #73, Hadith #58] “Narrated Anas bin Malik: The Prophet was not one who would abuse (others) or say obscene words, or curse (others), and if he wanted to admonish anyone of us, he used to say: “What is wrong with him, his forehead be dusted!”
[Bukhari, Book #73, Hadith #72] “Narrated Anas: Allah’s Apostle was neither a Fahish (one who had a bad tongue) nor a Sabbaba (one who abuses others) and he used to say while admonishing somebody, “What is wrong with him? May dust be on his forehead!”
[Bukhari, Book #46, Hadith #721 ] “Narrated Al-Ma’rur bin Suwaid: I saw Abu Dhar Al-Ghifari wearing a cloak, and his slave, too, was wearing a cloak. We asked him about that (i.e. how both were wearing similar cloaks). He replied, “Once I abused a man and he complained of me to the Prophet. The Prophet asked me, ‘Did you abuse him by slighting his mother?’ He added, ‘Your slaves are your brethren upon whom Allah has given you authority. So, if one has one’s brethren under one’s control, one should feed them with the like of what one eats and clothe them with the like of what one wears. You should not overburden them with what they cannot bear, and if you do so, help them (in their hard job).”
[Sunan Abu Dawud, Book #41, Hadith #4859] “Narrated Abu Hurayrah: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: The gravest sin is going to lengths in talking unjustly against a Muslim’s honor, and it is a major sin to abuse twice for abusing once.
[Muslim, Book #032, Hadith #6263] “Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: When two persons indulge in hurling (abuses) upon one another, it would be the first one who would be the sinner so long as the oppressed does not transgress the limits.”
Emotional And Physical Abuse In Marriage
In Islam, the marriage of a man and a woman is not just a financial and physical arrangement of living together but a sacred contract, a gift of Allah, to lead a happy, enjoyable life and continue the lineage. The main goal of marriage in Islam is the realization of tranquility and compassion between the spouses.
The relationship between the spouses should be based on tranquility, love, and mercy. These three summarize the ideals of Islamic marriage. It is the duty of the husband and wife to see that they are a source of comfort and tranquility for each other.
While the meaning of physical abuse is rather obvious, the meaning of emotional abuse might not be, and the abuse itself may be more insidious. Emotional abuse includes name-calling, belittling, using the threat of divorce as a weapon to manipulate the other, threatening with a real weapon (even with no intention to use it). There may be other elements such as not allowing the wife to visit or contact family or friends. Even frequent teasing, though it starts in fun, may become a type of abuse if it takes the form of sarcasm or demeaning remarks.
It is common for some people when they are angry to call others names or belittle them. If one gets angry quickly and easily with one’s spouse, it could lead to emotional abuse. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) advised us to control our anger, not to call each other names, not to use vulgar language, and not to point a weapon at another person. This advice was general for all, but it should be taken even more seriously within a marriage.
These general guidelines are established by the Qur’an in the following verses: “O ye who believe! Let not a folk deride (ridicule) a folk who may be better than they (are), nor let women (deride) women who may be better than they are; neither defame one another nor insult one another by nicknames. Bad is the name of lewdness after faith. And whoso turneth not in repentance, such are evil-doers. O ye who believe! Shun much suspicion; for lo! some suspicion is a crime. And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you love to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Ye abhor that (so abhor the other)! And keep your duty (to Allah). Lo! Allah is Relenting, Merciful.” (Al-Hujurat: 11-12)
Moreover, Prophet Mohammad (SallAllaho Alaihi Wasallam – may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ?It is not lawful for a Muslim to scare his fellow Muslim.? (Reported by Ahmad & Abu Dawud)
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihi Wasallam) also said: ?None of you should point his weapon at his brother, as Satan may provoke him (to hurt his brother) and as a result, he would fall into a pit of Fire.? (Reported by al-Bukhari) In another version: ?He who (even) points at his brother with a piece of iron is cursed by the angels until he puts it down, even if the other was his blood brother.? (Reported by Muslim)
“Emotional abuse truly damages and hurts as much as physical abuse does. In Islam, there is a special consideration of the relationship between the spouses. Allah says, “And among His Signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts): verily in that are Signs for those who reflect.” (Ar-Rum 21)
It is shown that the basis of the relationship between husband and wife is affection and mercy. In many Hadiths, the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihi Wasallam) mentioned that if a husband looks at his wife with kindness and mercy, Allah Almighty looks at them with His mercy, and if they shake hands all their sins vanish. So, we have to study very well how the Prophet (peace SallAllaho Alaihi Wasallam) dealt with his wives. In fact, he was very merciful, kind, and loveable, bearing in mind that there were some problems that they faced in their marital life but they dealt with these problems with extreme wisdom and kindness. The Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihi Wasallam) never abused his wives either physically or emotionally.
Therefore, neither of the spouses is allowed to abuse the other emotionally. This is prohibited in Islam. If either does so, Almighty Allah will hold him or her accountable for that, and they should repent to Allah for this. It is clear now that the best guide to us to live a very successful marital life is to follow the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihi Wasallam).”
Gali Denay Ki Muzammat
Hakayat – Gaali
Hakayat – Gaali