Painful consequence of those who backbite
and look for flaws in people

The beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم passed by some people who had some individuals appointed over them. Among them, some of them would keep the jaws of those people open whilst others would cut their flesh and shove it in their mouths mixed with blood. The beloved Prophet      صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم asked, “O Jibrāˈīl! Who are these people?” He humbly replied, “They used to backbite people and look for flaws in them.”^[1]

The beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم also saw some people in Hell who were hung from branches of fire. He صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم asked, “O Jibrāˈīl! Who are these people?” He humbly replied, “They are the ones who used to swear at their parents in the world.”^[2]

That night, beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم also came to those people who had rags hanging in front of them and behind them. They were grazing like four-legged animals and swallowing thorny grass, thorny trees and the blazing rocks of Hell. The beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم asked, “O Jibrāˈīl! Who are these people?” He humbly replied, “They are those who did not use to pay zakat of their wealth. Allah Almighty has not oppressed them and Allah Almighty does not oppress people.”^[3]

Dear Islamic brothers! Just ponder how destructive and heinous are the acts of backbiting, revealing others’ flaws, swearing at parents and not paying zakat despite it being obligatory upon you. Unfortunately, all these four sins are becoming very common in our society, may Allah Almighty protect us. Therefore, those who are indulged in these evil acts should abandon these acts as soon as possible and repent sincerely; otherwise, if they miss this opportunity and death arrives before