Q: In the below hadeeth, kindly elaborate the point of gossiping as it is quite a common act these days to kill time among the young ones and women.
Sayyiduna Mughirah ibn Shu'bah (radhiyallahu 'anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam) said: 'Indeed Allah has forbidden for you:
1. Disobedience of mothers,
2. Refusing to pay what is due, but claiming what isn't due, and
3. Burying your daughters alive,
and He dislikes for you:
1. Gossiping
2. Asking too much, and
3. Wastage of wealth.
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 5975, 6473, 1477 and Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 4458-4461. Also see Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 4456)
A: Gossipping causes one to fall into several evils, amongst which are la-ya`ni (futile and unnecessary talk), gheebat (backbiting), buhtaan (slander), wastage of time and energy, and losing the chance of learning something beneficial in that time. Hence, it does not behove a true Muslim to get involved in gossipping.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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