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Sunday, August 16, 2015

What Are The Consequences of Your Speech?

Question (summarised): Nowadays, especially on social networking websites, we witness many people spreading information which is unconfirmed. What is your advice for everyone who uses these websites and has fallen into such practices?
 
Answer:
 
Firstly, it is not permissible for anybody to spread any piece of information without confirming its authenticity. Basing our opinions and statements upon what we think and unconfirmed information is from the unlawful and Haraam actions. Rather, it is a form of lying! Furthermore, if these lies are spread amongst the Ummah then the sin is even worse, especially if these lies are portrayed as being truthful facts.
 
The Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him] told us that:
 
“Last night I saw two men come to me … they said: ‘The one whom you saw with the side of his mouth being torn is the liar who tells lies that are conveyed from him until they reach the horizon; that will be done to him until the Day of Resurrection.’” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (6096). 
 
Secondly, it is similarly impermissible for a person to take part in such discussions on these websites that spread such rumours, lies and unconfirmed information. This is to prevent any impact on such information affecting the one taking part. If a person takes part, it is likely that whatever he hears and reads will affect him or enter his thoughts or may even end-up believing it thinking it to be true.  
 
Thirdly, it is not permissible for a person to transmit such information. It is not permissible for a person to send it as an original sender or forward (or retweet) it on, as doing so would be a type of lying. 
 
The Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “Whoever narrates a hadeeth from me which is known to be false, he is one of the liars.” [Narrated by Muslim in the introduction to his Saheeh]
 
It is out-rightly impressible for anyone to transmit any piece of information until one can confirm and verify its authenticity. 
 
“It is sufficient lying for a man to speak of everything that he hears.” [Narrated by Muslim in the Introduction to his Saheeh] 
 
So all those who narrate on whatever they hear, without verifying it, are from those who practice and cooperate in lies and lying.
 
Likewise, it is upon the person to fear Allaah in his speech. Before speaking, they must review its consequences. Are the consequences beneficial or harmful? Will I benefit from this speech if I were to utter it on the Day of Judegment, the Day he meets his Lord, or not?
 
He should realise the statement of Allaah, the Glorified and the Exalted:

(Remember!) that the two receivers (recording angels) receive (each human being after he or she has attained the age of puberty), one sitting on the right and one on the left (to note his or her actions). Not a word does he (or she) utter, but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it).

[Qaaf 50: 17-18]
 
The principle that all of this is based upon is the statement of the Prophet:
 “Whoever believes in Allaah and the Last Day, let him speak good or else keep silent…” [Al-Bukhaari (6018) and Muslim (47)]

Shaykh Sa’d ibn Naasir ash-Shithree [may Allaah Preserve him]
Member of Permanent Committee of Senior Scholars, Saudi Arabia

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LpslhWWZsBU

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