Seeking Flaws And Finding Fault
Some people persistently gaze upon others in search of flaws and mistakes. They perceive themselves as the pinnacle of morality and a perfect embodiment of Islamic values, deeming their religious life impeccable. Instead of questioning their own devotion to Allah or lack thereof, they are preoccupied with identifying the shortcomings of others.
In our faith, the purpose behind human creation is crystal clear. Allah, in His infinite wisdom, has placed us in this world as part of a divine test. Based on the merit we accrue during this trial, He will grant us our rightful place in the Hereafter. Every soul will find its destined abode. While some are fated to remain in Jahannam for eternity, others will be ushered directly into the gardens of Jannah. Moreover, there is a significant number who, after enduring the punishment of Jahannam, will ultimately bask in the blessings of Jannah.
Yet, a poignant truth remains: many among us are yet to grasp the gravity of this trial we find ourselves in. Some trivialize it, mistaking the time they are given to mend their ways and plot their course into the afterlife for a period of enjoyment and idleness. But what should one do in a test? Especially when every action is under scrutiny and is being recorded meticulously? They should focus on their own deeds and tasks. This is the most reasonable and prudent course of action. For, should they falter, they alone must bear the consequences. Hence, during this divine evaluation, it is unwise and fruitless to divert one's attention by examining others or being overly observant of one’s peers.
If Only We Focused On Our Own Test
Some people possess a keen awareness of why they came into this world, and rightly so. They embody their commitment to being servants of Allah to the best of their abilities and vigorously avoid sins. They engage in self-reflection, contemplating how their days unfold and the extent to which they fulfill their obligations of worship. The next day, they sharpen their focus and bolster their determination to become a better servant of Allah the Most High. They don't merely content themselves with obligatory acts of worship. In pursuit of a deeper connection with Allah and a continual remembrance of Him, they place immense value on voluntary acts of devotion. They fast on Mondays and Thursdays and continue to perform voluntary prayers, including the night prayer (tahajjud). They strive not to be remiss in mentioning Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) in their hearts and with their tongues. Their only concern is to add a few more chapters to their book of deeds. They have control over their tongue and do not engage in backbiting or slander. They pay attention to the words that come out of their mouth and make a point of refusing to speak ill of others. They know that not a single bad word has ever come out of the mouth of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam).
Such a person has no inclination to cast aspersions on others or pick at their actions. While they have so many blemishes that need to be covered up themselves, they see it as untenably unjust to wander around dissecting other people’s behaviors and blowing the whistle on every infraction or injury they find to be condemnable according to a moral code that they themselves fail to abide by fully. They spend their energy on helping themselves, their families, the relatives who will listen, and their loved ones to become better Muslims. They think every effort they make and every breath they take should be for the sake of goodness.
Obsessed With Seeking Faults
Yet, there exists a group of people who incessantly fixate on others. They imagine themselves as paragons to be looked up to, role models that all Muslims should try to resemble, and consider their religious life exemplary and flawless. Since they see themselves as perfect representatives of everything Islam stands for and overlook their own mistakes, they redirect their attention to others and poke holes in their dignity with judgmental and harsh reproval. Instead of questioning their own servitude, they constantly investigate the flaws of others. Yet, if they could subject themselves to criticism from an outsider's perspective, they would find so many failures to criticize! But because it doesn’t register within their heart or mind on a conscious level what a crucial test they are in, they spend their lives in self-righteous condemnation of others.
Such individuals often disdain others’ way of living as Muslims. They diminish the sense of unity showcased by fellow believers, the services they rendered in the name of Islam, and the dedication they exhibit. Their conversations invariably steer towards highlighting the perceived shortcomings of others, a testament to their hypercritical predisposition.
However, they fail to realize that the people they criticize are ultimately making an effort to strengthen their piety and empower Islam. They cannot convince their sinful nafs that the only thing they need to do is to appreciate and recognize those individuals' sincerity and efforts.
Besides the obvious moral obligation to question their own dedication to the principles of Islam, such a person is also bound to turn their focus on another aspect of their religiosity to be able to claim any modicum of coherence between their proclaimed stance as staunch believers and the objective reality of their situation. Instead of criticizing the services others perform to further the cause of Islam, they should strive to ensure the growth and extend the reach of the branch of service, foundations, institutions, and establishments they are involved in. When someone believes that their own path is the correct and righteous way, it is their duty to strengthen the path they are committed to both through service and belief and to strive to win over those who have deviated from Islamic values. The way to bring people to Islam is not by belittling other Muslim groups who go above and beyond to propagate the message of our religion. Just as a Muslim sees their own path and place of devotion as the best cause to further the greater cause of Islam and sincerely believes in it, the other Muslims they constantly criticize also have the same feelings for their own community and are happily committed to the movement they are a part of and are involved in its endeavors, striving for Islam and the good of all Muslims as much as anyone else. In this case, can there be a logical or conscientious explanation for aggravating and otherizing a Muslim brother or sister who is dedicated to advancing the same goals as those of every sincere believer in this world? The only thing to do for such a believer is to say, "May Allah be pleased with you."
Besides the obvious moral obligation to question their own dedication to the principles of Islam, such a person is also bound to turn their focus on another aspect of their religiosity. Instead of criticizing the services others perform to further the cause of Islam, they should strive to ensure the growth and extend the reach of the branch of service, foundations, institutions, and establishments they are involved in.
Understanding Backbiting
We must reflect upon this: When an individual indulges in speaking ill of others, does the person being spoken about feel disturbed? Indeed, they do. When they are disturbed, do their feelings of love or animosity towards us intensify? Unquestionably, their animosity heightens. Then how can this be termed as piety when it transforms a brother into an adversary?
However, Allah the Almighty states in His sacred book that Muslims are brothers and warns that when a person talks behind their brother’s back, it is as if they are consuming their flesh. (Al-Hujurat, 10, 12)
Therefore, the believer addressed by these ayahs is not only defying Allah's decree but also letting strife take over and determine the course of their interpersonal relations by alienating a fellow Muslim. By any stretch of one’s perception, it is undeniable that such people only harm themselves by situating themselves in an antipathetic or standoffish outlook towards fellow Muslims. One day, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) posed a question to his revered companions:
"Do you know what backbiting is?"
The companions understood that the Prophet wanted to convey a message and replied:
"Allah Almighty and His Messenger know better."
The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) then framed the following paradigm-defining statement in upholding ideal social relations in his prophetic words:
"Backbiting is to say something about your brother that he would not like."
One of the companions asked:
"O Messenger of Allah! What if what I said about my brother is true?"
The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) replied:
"If what you said is true, then you have backbitten him. If what you said is not true, then you have slandered him." (Bayhaqi)
The warning in the words of our Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) is profoundly striking. If one truthfully maligns another, they sin by backbiting as they tarnish the reputation of a third person. If their words lack truth, it amounts to slander. In either case, a person who backbites is definitely at fault and guilty of gross misconduct. However you look at it, the person committing such an egregious act stands to face dire consequences.
On another occasion, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) asked his companions:
"Who is bankrupt?"
The companions replied:
"The bankrupt person among us is one who has neither money with him nor any property."
After stating that the one who will be bankrupt in the presence of Allah on the Day of Judgment is the one who does not fulfill divine commands, the Prophet then listed the reasons that lead to the bankruptcy of such a person:
"The individual who is truly bankrupt from my Ummah is the one who arrives on the Day of Judgement with the deeds of salah, fasting, and zakat. Yet, he has also wronged others: he has abused one person, falsely accused another, unlawfully consumed someone's wealth, shed innocent blood, and physically harmed others. On that day, those he wronged will be compensated from his good deeds. If his good deeds are exhausted before the compensation is complete, the sins of those he wronged will be added to his account. Consequently, he will be cast into the Fire." (Tirmidhi)
Backbiting Is the Work of the Idle
Generally speaking, when we pay attention to those who talk behind others’ backs and constantly criticize them, we can see that they rarely make meaningful contributions to their society. The commonly accepted rationale that supports this assessment is that a person who is engaged in a productive endeavor does not have time to be concerned with others. On the other hand, the work of the idle and the deplorably obtrusive is to mind anyone’s business other than their own.
Such people not only burden themselves with the sins of others but also cause significant harm to Islamic services and, therefore, to Islam. In reality, by criticizing and obstructing the efforts of those who do good work for the sake of Allah, they are causing harm to Islam. Would a person who truly understands how heavy a burden it is, engage in backbiting or slandering other people?
What a pity to see that while so many people are enemies of Islam, and while our own sins exist, we waste our energy dealing with insensitive fellow Muslims.
One of the prayers we should make when we raise our hands to Allah the Most High should be this: "O Allah! Protect my heart and tongue from speaking even an ill word against my Muslim brothers and sisters. Let not a single word come out of my mouth that would hurt them. Fill my heart with love for my brothers and sisters. Guard me against seeking the flaws and faults of others."
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