Daroogh/Lies

Main Topic

This lecture addresses the spiritual disease of Fuzul Goyi (useless speech) with a specific focus on the severe dangers of lying, spreading unverified rumors, and the misuse of social media.

Key Lessons

• Fuzul Goyi encompasses various forms of harmful speech, including lying, spreading unverified news, and making false accusations.
• In the modern era of social media, forwarding unverified messages can make a person complicit in spreading falsehoods and slandering others on a massive scale.
• Muslims must avoid placing themselves in ambiguous situations that invite suspicion, and if caught in such situations, they should proactively clarify matters to protect others from bad thoughts (su'i-zan).
• Giving false testimony (shahadat al-zoor) is a major sin that destroys justice.
• Islam allows minor ambiguity or white lies only in very specific exceptional situations, such as reconciling two quarreling parties, during war, or to bring joy between spouses, but never to cover up evil deeds or deceive others maliciously.

Quranic/Hadith References

• The Prophet Sallallahu alayhi wasallam stated that it is sufficient for a person to be regarded as a liar if they narrate everything they hear without verification.
• The Prophet Sallallahu alayhi wasallam clarified to two Sahabah Radiallahu anhuma that he was walking with his wife during Itikaaf, explaining that Shaytan flows through human veins like blood to create doubt.
• Giving false evidence is mentioned in Hadith as being equivalent to shirk.
• The Quran warns that the curse of Allah is upon liars.

Practical Advice

• Pause and verify any news or article before clicking the send or forward button on messaging apps.
• Do not spread bad news or expose the faults of others even if the news is factual, unless there is a legitimate Islamic need.
• Clear up misunderstandings immediately if you are seen in a scenario that might be misinterpreted by others.