navedz.com a muslim's Quest for the truth
An excellent article on the danger of spreading rumours without verification. The Noble Shaykh al-‘Allamah Salih al-Fawzan was asked:
What is the dangers of rumours and spreading speech and narrations without deliberation and verification?
He answered:
It is not permissible to transmit rumours and to spread fear amongst the Muslims and weaken their spirits; this action is from the actions of the hypocrites who spread rumours amongst the Muslims in order to impede them and set them back, and to bring about fear in their hearts. So this is from the actions of the hypocrites, and Allaah (Tabaraka wa ta’ala) says,
“O you who believe! If a rebellious evil person comes to you with a news, verify it, lest you harm people in ignorance, and afterwards you become regretful to what you have done.” [Surah al-Hujurat, 49:6]
And Allaah (Subhanahu ta’ala) says:
“Verily, those who like that (the crime of) illegal sexual intercourse should be propagated among those who believe, they will have a painful torment in this world and in the Hereafter. And Allaah knows and you know not.” [Surah al-Nur 24:19]
And Allaah (Tabaraka wa ta’ala) says:
“When there comes to them some matter touching (public) safety or fear, they make it known (among the people), (meaning they spread it amongst the people), if only they had referred it to the Messenger (meaning in his lifetime (Sallallahu alayhi wassallam) and back to his Sunnah after his death.) or to those charged with authority among them,…” [Surah An-Nisa, 4:83]
Meaning, the rulers (in a Muslim land) or the people who possess good reasoning and sound insight and know how to bring solutions to problems and they can distinguish what is sound from what is false; the matter should be returned to them so they can resolve it. Further, it shouldn’t be a discussion and debate amongst the common folk in their sittings. And whoever hears anything from that they should conceal it and not spread it, and should not be one who seeks to impede and set back the Muslims and spark fear within them. And today, as you all know, we are in the era of rumours, and the means of spreading rumours are widespread due to these new inventions and tools of social communication and everything that is spread on them. So it is upon us to be cautious of that and not to spark fear amongst the Muslims, and that we do not spread except what is good and what causes stabilization of the Muslims. And we know that Allaah (Subhanahu ta’ala) is with those who are patient, and that He is with the Believers.
“Yes, if you hold on to patience and piety, and the enemy comes rushing at you; your Lord will help you with five thousand angels having marks (of distinction).” [Surah ali-‘Imran, 3:125]
Allaah (Tabaraka wa ta’ala) is with His servants, and He won’t forsake them if they maintain truthfulness with Him and turn towards Him. However, it is upon us not to spread these rumours and that we bury them in their tracks, and we save the Muslims from having to hear them. This is because they cause disturbances amongst the Muslims and spark fear amongst those who are in a state of safety, and in that is aiding the people of evil. So it is incumbent to bury them and not to circulate them.
Source: Taken from alfawzan.af.org.sa/node/15657 | Translated by Anwar Wright]
