Almuhtada.org – Not a few Muslims become gossips even though they know this is a bad deed. Many consider it common and normal. However, why is gossiping prohibited by religion?
Who here is still a big gossip? Are you one of the gossipers? Naudzubillah. So, what is gossip?
According to the book Smart Islamic Religion for Students by Muhammad Syukron Maksum, gossip is simply defined as backbiting or gossiping.
In term, gossip is talking about other people by throwing negative issues by finding fault with others, then spreading it to others with the purpose of cornering the person being gossiped about.
Mentioning things about another person, even if it is a fact, but if it has the potential to make the person concerned dislike, is also included in the act of gossip.
Gossiping behavior is prohibited by religion because it can harm yourself and others. Allah SWT compares gossiping activities to eating the meat of one’s own brother.
Allah said:
يٰٓاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوا اجْتَنِبُوْا كَثِيْرًا مِّنَ الظَّنِّۖ اِنَّ بَعْضَ الظَّنِّ اِثْمٌ وَّلَا تَجَسَّسُوْا وَلَا يَغْتَبْ بَّعْضُكُمْ بَعْضًاۗ اَيُحِبُّ اَحَدُكُمْ اَنْ يَّأْكُلَ لَحْمَ اَخِيْهِ مَيْتًا فَكَرِهْتُمُوْهُۗ وَاتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ ۗاِنَّ اللّٰهَ تَوَّابٌ رَّحِيْمٌ
Meaning:
O you who believe, avoid many preconceptions! Indeed, some of them are sins. Do not find fault with others and let none of you gossip about another. Would any of you like to eat the meat of his dead brother? Surely you feel disgusted. Fear Allah, for Allah is accepting of sin, and merciful. (QS. Al-Hujurat (49): 12)
Reasons why gossip is forbidden by religion
- Causing Hatred
As mentioned earlier, the act of gossip is prohibited by religion because it can cause hatred between people. In fact, it can cause mutual hatred, quarrels, and possibly death. This is as explained by R. Syamsul B., and M. Nielda in Guidance for Ramadan and Eid Worship.
- Making the person concerned ashamed
Ustadz Adi Hidayat explained in a book entitled Ustadz Adi Hidayat by Rusydie Anwar, that the reason why ghibah is prohibited by religion is because it has the potential to make the person concerned ashamed because his disgrace is exposed.
Allah SWT alone with all His power and compassion is pleased to cover the disgrace of His servants, so what right do we have to expose the disgrace of others?
- Revenge for those who do bad things
One of the reasons for spreading disgrace by means of gossip is to teach the person a lesson. However, this is the wrong way.
The reason why gossip is prohibited by religion is because Allah SWT will repay a person’s deeds according to what he does, as He says,
“Each one is responsible for what he has done.” (Al-Mudatsir: 38)
Those who speak badly of others are in fact not only gossiping against someone, but also insulting and humiliating Allah’s creation. This is what the Shariah hates, saying,
“You call what your brother hates what he has.”
The Harmful Impact of Gossip
In addition to the reasons above, gossip is also prohibited by religion because it has various negative impacts. According to Dr. Jondra Pianda in his book entitled Blak-Blakan Bahas Mapel Islamic Education Junior High School, the negative effects of gossip are:
- Resulting in the ruin of good relations with other people
2. Leads to hatred, revenge, and enmity
3. Destroys harmony in social life
4. Sinning against Allah SWT
5. Reducing faith [] Fahdina Dean Yustisia
Editor : Aulia Cassanova
