Juz 18: Al-Muʾminūn to Al-Furqān 20
Section 11 of 18 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
11. Lessons from the Slander: Forgiveness and Avoiding Rumors
The verses following the initial account of the slander against Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) contain profound lessons for the Muslim community. Allah (swt) addresses the believers directly, providing guidance on how to respond to such situations and establishing principles to safeguard community cohesion and individual honor.
Allah (swt) admonishes the believers for their failure to respond appropriately when they first heard the slander:
لَوْلَا إِذْ سَمِعْتُمُوهُ قُلْتُم مَّا يَكُونُ لَنَا أَن نَّتَكَلَّمَ بِهَٰذَا سُبْحَانَكَ هَٰذَا بُهْتَانٌ عَظِيمٌ
“Why, when you heard it, did you not say, 'It is not for us to speak about this. Pure are You (O Allah). This is a terrible calumny'?”
This verse establishes the Islamic etiquette for responding to unfounded allegations - rather than participating in spreading rumors, believers should recognize the gravity of slander and refrain from engaging with it. The phrase "subḥānaka" (Glory be to You) indicates a recognition that such speech is contrary to divine guidance and moral conduct.
Allah (swt) further emphasizes this point, advising believers to avoid repeating such behavior:
يَعِظُكُمُ اللَّهُ أَن تَعُودُوا لِمِثْلِهِ أَبَدًا إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
“Allah admonishes you never to repeat something like this, if you are believers.”
A severe warning follows for those who actively spread immorality within the Muslim community:
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يُحِبُّونَ أَن تَشِيعَ الْفَاحِشَةُ فِي الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ
“Those who love that shameful things spread among the believers, for them there is painful punishment in this world and in the Hereafter.”
This verse establishes a crucial principle in Islamic ethics - those who seek to normalize or spread immorality among believers face divine punishment. This applies not only to those who fabricate falsehoods but also to those who eagerly disseminate them, desiring to see moral corruption spread in society. The punishment described is both worldly and in the hereafter, underscoring the severity of such actions.
Allah (swt) then reminds believers about Shaytan's method of leading people astray:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَتَّبِعُوا خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ ۚ وَمَن يَتَّبِعْ خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ فَإِنَّهُ يَأْمُرُ بِالْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنكَرِ
“O you who believe, do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Whoever follows the footsteps of Satan, (should know that) he commands (nothing but) shameful acts and evil deeds.”
This verse reveals Satan's strategy - he does not typically entice believers to commit major sins immediately but lures them through a gradual process of small steps that eventually lead to significant moral transgressions. Following Satan's footsteps may begin with seemingly minor compromises that progressively lead to greater moral failures.
The incident also offers lessons about forgiveness. When Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) swore not to continue supporting his relative Mistah who had participated in spreading the slander, Allah (swt) revealed:
وَلَا يَأْتَلِ أُولُو الْفَضْلِ مِنكُمْ وَالسَّعَةِ أَن يُؤْتُوا أُولِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينَ وَالْمُهَاجِرِينَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ۖ وَلْيَعْفُوا وَلْيَصْفَحُوا
“The people of grace and means among you should not swear against giving (their charitable gifts) to the kinsmen and the poor and to those who have migrated in the way of Allah. They should forgive and overlook.”
This verse teaches that even when wronged, those blessed with means should continue to show generosity and not let personal hurt prevent them from fulfilling their obligations toward relatives and those in need. Forgiveness is presented as the superior path, particularly for those who seek Allah's forgiveness for themselves.
These verses collectively establish an ethical framework for maintaining community cohesion in times of trial, emphasizing truthfulness, restraint in speech, aversion to spreading rumors, and the cultivation of forgiveness - all essential elements for a healthy Muslim society.