The Odour of Backbiting

In the time of Rasulullah (saw) the bad order of backbiting, talking behind peoples back used to appear, but it’s not apparent today. The reason was asked to a person of wisdom who replied by saying: “backbite has increased so much that our senses have adapted to this smell and there is not as obvious.” A person who enters a tannery for the first time cannot bare the severe odour. The workers however do not sense the odour as they have become accustomed to it. This is how the state of backbite is at present.

The first hutbe of Omer bin Abdulaziz (r.a.)

“Dear Muslims, I advise you to fear Allah (takwa) as it replaces everything and nothing can take its place. Perform good deeds for your afterlife as Allah is a guarantor for the lives of individuals who work for the hereafter. Straighten your inner self so that Allah can reform your outer being. Continuously remind yourself of death and be prepared before it beckons. You are all going to die like everyone from Adem (a.s.) to your great grandfathers, to you today. This Ummah – Muslims will certainly not fall into conflict upon their creator, prophets and holy books. However they may only part n personal beneficial terms. I give oath to Allah to withhold from someone what is not their right and not to prevent one from receiving their rightful dues.”

Being unjust toward Muslims

Rasulullah (saw) states: “If one takes a Muslims share in oath, Allah will render the flames of hell wajib, and heaven haraam upon them.” Upon hearing this, a man asks: “Oh Rasulullah, what if a minority is taken?” Rasulullah (saw) replies: “even if it’s a tiny sheared branch from a sewak tree.”