Hadith #8265

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states: "مُسْتَمِعُ الغيبَةِ كَقائِلِها۔" This can be translated as:

The one who listens to gossip is like its narrator.

This impactful Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the gravity and consequences of engaging in the act of listening to and spreading gossip.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of some key words. "مُسْتَمِعُ" refers to the one who listens, while "الغيبَةِ" refers to gossip or backbiting. The word "كَقائِلِها" means "like its narrator." Therefore, the Hadith implies that the one who listens to gossip is equally responsible and accountable for the sin as the one who spreads it.

This profound teaching of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) finds support in the Quranic verses that emphasize the importance of guarding one's tongue and refraining from engaging in backbiting and slander. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:12):

O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful.

This verse highlights the severity of backbiting and compares it to the repugnant act of consuming the flesh of one's deceased brother. Just as we would find such an act abhorrent, we should also find backbiting and gossip equally detestable. The act of listening to gossip is condemned in this Hadith because it perpetuates and encourages the spread of harmful information, leading to the destruction of relationships and the erosion of trust within the Muslim community.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qalam (68:10-12), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns against spreading false rumors and engaging in slander:

Indeed, those who have brought the false accusation are a group among you. Do not think it bad for you; rather, it is good for you. For every person among them is what [punishment] he has earned from the sin, and he who took upon himself the greater portion thereof - for him is a great punishment. Why, when you heard it, did not the believing men and believing women think good of one another and say, 'This is an obvious falsehood'?

These verses emphasize the importance of maintaining a positive opinion of fellow Muslims and refraining from spreading false accusations. Listening to gossip not only perpetuates falsehoods but also contributes to the division and discord within the Muslim community. It is a betrayal of the trust that should exist between believers and undermines the unity that Islam seeks to foster.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to be cautious of the company they keep and the information they consume. It urges us to be mindful of the power of our words and the impact they can have on others. By refraining from listening to gossip, we can contribute to a culture of trust, unity, and respect within our communities.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)

The one who listens to gossip is like its narrator

serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to abstain from engaging in gossip and backbiting. It highlights the gravity of this sin and the responsibility we bear as listeners. By heeding this advice and adhering to the teachings of the Quran, we can foster an environment of love, unity, and respect within the Muslim community. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all to follow the path of righteousness and protect us from the harms of gossip and slander.