KEEP IT TO YOURSELF.(My name is gossip)

Do you know what is backbiting?

To talk about backbiting we need to first define exactly what backbiting is. If we turn towards the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (saw) we can find a very accurate definition of this term and it differentiates between the term "backbiting" and "slander”.
 
Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (May peace be upon him) as saying: Do you know what is backbiting? They (the Companions) said: Allah and His Messenger know best. Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: Backbiting implies your talking about your brother in a manner which he does not like. It was said to him: What is your opinion about this that if I actually find (that failing) in my brother which I made a mention of? He said: If (that failing) is actually found (in him) what you assert, you in fact have backbitten him, and if that is not in him it is a slander. [Sahih Muslim Book 32, #6265]

From the above hadith it is seen that if we speak anything about a person that he may not like others to know then we are backbiting.

Investigating about people is allowed under certain circumstances e.g. to find out about a person who has proposed for one's daughter. We are allowed to find out about him but this does not mean that one goes and tells the entire world about the person.

Backbiting is strictly prohibited in Islam and one can find evidence in the Quran and the Hadith. Often backbiting is compared to one eating flesh of the dead.

Gheebat (backbiting) is perhaps the most commonly committed sin of the tongue. Most people who are religious conscious would refrain from lying, swearing, slandering, etc. However, even such people invariably become entrapped in the snare of Shaitan and allow their conversation to drift into gheebat. Indeed only the one who has a firm control of his tongue can be saved from this malady, but what is gheebat?

It is thus imperative that Gheebat be accurately identified and recognized in order to be able to refrain from it. The Hadith have defined this malady very simply and clearly. It is reported in a hadith that Rasulullah (saw) once inquired of the Sahabi (ra): "Do you know what gheebat is?" "Allah and His Messenger know best," they replied. "To mention something about your brother whom he would dislike" Rasulullah (saw) informed them.

A person then asked: "What if this is true?" (That the person being spoken about is actually involved in that sin). The Messenger of Allah (saw) replied: "If it is true then you have indeed backbitten about him. But if it is untrue, then you have slandered him (which is worse)."

Hence to mention anything about a person in his absence which he would dislike is gheebat. The magnitude of the sin, the gravity of this malady could be gauged from the following Hadith. Rasulullah (saw) is reported to have said: "Gheebat is worse than zina (adultery)." In another hadith it is reported that there are more than seventy stages of consuming interest, the lowest of which is equivalent to cohabiting with one's mother. To consume one Dirham of interest is worse than committing adultery thirty five times.

However, a sin more severe than interest is the dishonoring of a Muslim (which is a natural consequence of gheebat). (Baihaqi) Engaging in gheebat is also an extremely costly affair. It is reported in a Hadith that on the day of Qiyamah the person who was backbitten about would claim retribution from the one who spoke ill of him. Allah (swt) will compensate the victim by handing over the good deeds (the currency of the Hereafter) of the culprit to him. If the latter has no good deeds to his credit, the sins of the victim would be transferred to him.

Hence Salah, Sawm, Zakat, Hajj, etc, of a person would all be lost due to gheebat. A tremendous loss indeed! How often do we engage in gheebat, yet regard ourselves as free from this crime? This is due to certain misconceptions. Many people assume that gheebat does not apply if one could mention the same facts about a person in his presence. How often does a person retort: "This is not gheebat. I can say it to his face." This, however, is the deception of Shaitan. The Hadith contain no such restriction which excludes the above from the purview of gheebat.

Likewise many people believe that gheebat only applies if the sin of the spoken person is not known. This is another misconception. If the sin is well known, it is gheebat only, however, if such a sin of a person was discussed which the next person was unaware of, two severe sins have been incurred; one is the sin of gheebat, and the other is the sin of disclosing the fault of another Muslim.


Allah (swt) says in the Quran:

"O you 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? You would abhor that. And keep your duty (to Allah). Lo! Allah is Relenting, Merciful." [Quran 49:12]

Just as one finds it rather repulsive and loathes the idea of eating the flesh of a dead human, one should also loathe the idea of backbiting. Just like one is forbidden so is the other.

Backbiting has been labeled as a destructive sin. Hasan al-Basri said: "I swear by Allah, backbiting is swifter in consuming the religion of a Muslim than a gangrenous infection is in consuming the human body."

Today this disease is so widespread that it is seen in every house. What we need to do is take this disease out of us. We have to control our tongues. Prophet Muhammad (saw) said:

Narrated by Sahl bin SA’d: The Prophet said, "Whoever guarantees me (the chastity of) what is between his legs (i.e. his private parts), and what is between his jaws (i.e., his tongue), I guarantee him Paradise." [Sahih Bukhari Vol 8, Book 82, #799]

The problem is not with the evidence that it is forbidden. The problem is how to eliminate this from within ourselves? How do we make sure we do not commit this sin anymore?

Islam is a religion of peace, love and compassion. Lies, suspicion, back biting, slander and gossips are totally alien to Islam. In fact they are considered amongst the most destructive of major sins. This is so because these sins sow enmity and discord among the Muslim Ummah and lead to its destruction. They cause hostilities between people of the same household, and between neighbors, friends and relatives.

Islam demands that our relationship with mankind should be one of sincerity and responsibility. It should be one where we have respect for the honor, reputation and privacy of others. Islam teaches us that we are not only held accountable for our own attitudes and actions but also for anything else over which we have control or influence over, in our society or the world around us.

Major sins are indeed the cause for all misery, evil and torment in this world and the hereafter.

And the worst of all sins are those that are greatest in harm and danger to humanity. Among the destructive major sins: are backbiting and slandering. These two sins are forbidden by Allah because they sow enmity, evils and discord among people and lead to destruction. They cause hostilities between people of the same household and between neighbors and relatives. They can decrease in good deeds and increase in evil ones and lead to dishonor and ignominy.

We are all answerable to Allah (swt) and one day we will be questioned for what we spoke. What will we do then? It is important to have fear of Allah (swt) in our hearts. We have to know and realize that our deeds are being recorded, that Allah (swt) is seeing everything:

"Or do they think that We hear not their secrets and their private counsels? Indeed (We do), and our messengers are by them, to record." [Quran 43:80]

Another important factor that many of us need to change is "bad company". A good companion would discourage you and stop you from doing bad. A bad companion would however encourage you and in many cases make you do wrong and that is one of the reasons why we are suffering from the negative "Peer Pressure" problem.

Abu Musa reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The similitude of good company and that of bad company is that of the owner of musk and of the one (iron-smith) blowing bellows, and the owner of musk would either offer you free of charge or you would buy it from him or you would. Smell its pleasant odor, and so far as one who blows the bellows is concerned, he would either burn your clothes or you shall have to smell its repugnant smell. [Sahih Muslim Book 32, #6361]

We just have to be more determined to end this disease in us.

Gossip

My name is gossip.
I have no respect for justice.
I maim without killing.
I break hearts and ruin lives.

I am cunning and malicious and gather strength with age.
The more I am quoted the more I am believed.
I flourish at every level of society.
My victims are helpless.

They cannot protect themselves against me because I have no face.
To track me down is impossible for you.
The harder you try, the more elusive I become.
I am nobody’s friend.

Once I tarnish a reputation, it is never the same.
I topple governments and wreck marriages.
I ruin careers and cause sleepless nights, heartache and indigestion.
I spawn suspicion and generate grief.

I make innocent people cry in their pillows.
Even my name hisses. I am called Gossip.
Office gossip, Shop gossip, Party gossip, Telephone gossip.
I make headlines and headaches.

Before you repeat a story ask yourself, is it true?
Is it fair? Is it necessary? If not— KEEP IT TO YOURSELF!
If you spend as much time praying as you do talking about others behind their backs, you would be further ahead spiritually.

May Allah make our efforts sincere and keep us all on the straight path...........

Feel free to Share the information here with everyone you know,
And earn Sawab-e-Jariya...May Allah swt make it a source of Sawab-e-Jariya for u and me .Ameen

P.S.: "Have fun praying    don’t forget to make dua for me."

Ramadhan-Sawm

Question:1. What is Ramadhan?........ .. 2.Why fast ?
1...Ramadhan is derived from the Arabic root word ramida or arramad intense scorching heat and dryness, especially the ground. From the same root there is ramdaa, sunbaked sand, and the famous proverb: "Kal Mustajeer minar Ramadaa binnar" - to jump out of the frying pan into the fire. And in a hadith the Messenger of Allah (saas) said : "The prayer of repenters is due when the young camel can feel the sun's heat early in the morning."
(Muslim)

Thus, the Ramadhan is so called to indicate the heating sensation in the stomach as a result of thirst. Others said it is so called because Ramadhan scorches out the sins burns the ground. Some said it is so called because the hearts and souls are more readily receptive to the admonition and remembrance of Allah during Ramadhan, ad the sand and stones are receptive to the sun's heat. The framers of this beautiful language may have been inspired by Allah (SWT) in naming this month Ramadhan. Otherwise, the relation between the heat and its properties is miraculously similar to that of Ramadhan. While the heat represents the matter that helps shape,
form, and mold virtually every matter, from metal and plastics, to plants and living cells-Ramadhan undoubtedly helps a serious believe remold, reshape, reform, and renew his physical and spiritual disposition and behaviour
2.Fasting, siyamm, has two meanings. Generally, siyaam or sawm, is derived from the root sama, to retrain from normal things, such as eating, drinking, and talking. If an individual refrains from these things, he is considered saaim, the observer of fast. Al-Qur'an uses the word generally when it revealed the conversation between the angel and Mary, the of Jesus, as the angel instructed her "And if you do see any man say, "I have vowed to remain silent for Allah". (Al-Qur'an 19:26)

The phrase "to remain silent," is the interpretation of the Arabic word
"sawm". The reason for this interpretation is that "sawm" cannot mean
fast, i.e. restraint from food, because Mary had just been told to eat from
the palm tree. This general meaning is common in the Arabic language.

In the Shari'ah (Islamic law) the "sawm" means and implies a specific act ,
which is, "to worship Allah, abstaining, with intention to please Him from
fast breakers, such as physical nourishment, food, drink, and sexual
intercourse a lustful discharge of semen from the period between the break
of dawn until sundown."

Every year, more than one billion Muslims around the globe observe the importance of the month of Ramadhan. This time of the year is a time for reflection, devotion to God, and self-control. During the month of Ramadhan, Muslims show their devotion to God by fasting, or abstaining from food.
During Ramadhan most Muslims will tend to wake up just before sunrise to eat a meal or some food and this is known as Sehri or Suhoor. They will then not be able to eat or drink again until sunset when it is traditional to open the fast with a date and then eat and this meal is known as Ithar or Iftari. The Supplication for breaking the fast is: "Thirst has gone, the veins are moistened and the reward is certain, Allah wills.Muslims shouldn’t eat too much food, as Prophet Muhammad *(PBUH) broke his fast with a couple of dates and with water only. This is the correct *Sunnah to follow, it was the way of the Prophet Muhammad, as he practiced Fasting in the Month of Ramadhan.
Ramadhan is the name of the ninth month of the Hijri (Islamic) calendar. According to the Dictionary of Islam, the word Ramadan is derived from the word ramd, "to burn" (Ramadhan is associated with fasting, during which sins are said to be figuratively burned away).

Fasting (Sawm) is one of the core five pillars of Islam. The others are: Shahadah (the testimony of faith), Salat (ritual prayer), Zakat (obligatory religious almsgiving), and the Hajj (the pilgrimage to Mecca). During this month Muslims from around the world are required to fast from dawn to dusk. During the fast Muslims may not eat, drink, smoke, or engage in sexual activity. Although fasting is made obligatory to believers of Islam, some groups are excluded: children who are not yet adolescent, the elderly and the chronically ill for whom fasting would be unreasonably strenuous, pregnant women and nursing mothers, the mentally retarded, travelers, and women during periods of menstruation. 1
If the fast is missed they should try to make up the fast at a later date, or make a donation to the poor instead.

Ramadhan transpired during a month that is sacred in Islamic history. Muslims believe that it was during this month that the first revelation of the Quran was sent to Prophet Muhammad from Allah (God). 2 The night on which the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet, known as Lailat ul-Qadr (the Night of Power), is one of the last odd numbered nights in Ramadhan. It is the only month of the year mentioned in the Quran. 3 In addition, the Battle of Badr 17th Ramadhan 2 AH was the first battle fought by Muslims after their migration to Medina. The battle ended in victory for the outnumbered 313 Muslims against about 1000 Meccans.

Why Does Ramadan Occur at Different Times of the Year?
The dates of Ramadhan (the ninth month of the year) change every year because the Islamic calendar is based on the revolutions of the moon. Lunar calendars strictly follow the sighting of a new moon to mark the beginning of each month. Since lunar months are shorter than the solar months used elsewhere, Islamic holidays begin on different days each year. The start of Ramadhan comes around 11 days earlier each year according to the western Gregorian calendar, and consequently is not associated with any particular western month. , the fast may be comparatively short if Ramadhan falls during the winter months, or much longer if it occurs during the summer.
During Ramadhan, it is common for Muslims to go to the Masjid (Mosque) and spend several hours praying and studying the Quran. In addition to the five daily prayers, during Ramadhan Muslims recite a special prayer called the Taraweeh prayer (Night Prayer). The length of this prayer is usually 2-3 times as long as the daily prayers. Some Muslims spend the entire night in prayer.
Many people use the month to become better Muslims by praying more or reciting as much of the Qur'an as possible.Muslims are called upon to use this month to re-evaluate their lives in light of Islamic guidance. We are to make peace with those who have wronged us, strengthen ties with family and friends, do away with bad habits -- essentially to clean up our lives, our thoughts, and our feelings. The Arabic word for "fasting" (sawm) literally means "to refrain" - and it means not only refraining from food and drink, but from evil actions, thoughts, and words.
Ramadan is the month the Qur’an was revealed with clear guidance and differentiation (between good and bad.) Whoever of you is a witness of this month, should fast. But if anyone is ill, or on a journey shall make up by days later."

How did the fast during Ramadhan become obligatory for Muslims?

The revelations from God to the Prophet Muhammad that would eventually be compiled as the Quran began during Ramadhan in the year 610, but the fast of Ramadhan did not become a religious obligation for Muslims until the year 624. The obligation to fast is explained in the second chapter of the Quran: “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become righteous…The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it;…” (Chapter 2, verses 183 and 185).

What is Lailat ul-Qadr?

Lailat ul-Qadr (”Night of Power”) marks the anniversary of the night on which the Prophet Muhammad first began receiving revelations from God, through the angel Gabriel. An entire chapter in the Quran deals with this night: “We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the Night of Power: and what will explain to thee what the Night of Power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by God’s permission, on every errand. Peace!…This until the rise of morn.” (Chapter 97) Muslims believe Lailat ul-Qadr is one of the last odd-numbered nights of Ramadhan.

Ramadhan lasts for 29 or 30 days depending on the sighting of the new moon which can cause confusion as some imams say the moon has been sighted on one day and others say its been sighted on another day! But once the moon has been sighted by a reliable source usually by the imam of your local mosque, Muslims celebrate Eid Ul Fitr. It begins with a special Eid prayer and then Muslims dress up and go out and meet each other, have special meals and exchange gifts. It's traditional for Muslims to say Eid Mubarak to each other which means Happy Eid