Social Harms of Slander
Slander and vilification have destructive impacts on social relations. In Islam, there is no place for such behaviors because if they spread in society, the society’s members will no longer feel safe and secure. In that case, there would be no incentive for cooperation and coexistence and the society would move toward destruction.
It has been narrated from Prophet Moses (AS) that he said, “Satan came to me as a human and told me that if he wants to make a society insecure, he would spread slander in the society and in order to spread slander, he would set the ground for the spread of backbiting because once the society is afflicted by backbiting, it would be afflicted by slander as well.”
Muslims have been ordered to be watchful about the members of their body like tongue, ears, and eyes. The Holy Quran says: “Do not follow what you do not know; the ears, eyes, and hearts will all be held responsible for their deeds.” (Surah Al-Isra, verse 36)
In that case, the spread of baseless words, rumors and gossips will be prevented and the society’s health will be guaranteed.
A healthy society is sensitive against slander and gossips and does not allow individuals’ character and reputation to be undermined.
Verse 12 of Surah An-Nur of the Holy Quran says, “Would that on your hearing this report, the believing men and woman among you had a favorable attitude towards it, and had said, ‘This report is clearly false’.”
This verse shows that members of the Muslim society must have unity and empathy and prevent the spread of slander. Even more, they should consider any slander against others as an slander against themselves.
