الادب المفرد
Adab al-Mufrad
كتابBook of Avoiding Slander
بَابُ النَّمَّامِChapter: The Tale-Bearer
Hadith 322
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدٍ، قَالَ: حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو نُعَيْمٍ، قَالَ: حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ مَنْصُورٍ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنْ هَمَّامٍ: كُنَّا مَعَ حُذَيْفَةَ، فَقِيلَ لَهُ: إِنَّ رَجُلا يَرْفَعُ الْحَدِيثَ إِلَى عُثْمَانَ، فَقَالَ حُذَيْفَةُ: سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ: ”لَا يَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةَ قَتَّاتٌ.“
Hammam says that we were with Sayyiduna Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) when it was said to him that a certain person conveys people's words to Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him). Sayyiduna Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say: "The tale-bearer will not enter Paradise."
Explanation & Benefits
Shaykh Maulana Usman Muneeb
Benefits and Issues:
➊ The intention of Hudhayfah radi Allahu anhu was that it is not permissible for people to go and report minor matters to those in authority and thereby alienate them; rather, this falls under the category of tale-bearing (namimah). However, if someone is engaged in subversive talk or plotting, or incites people, then it is unanimously necessary to inform the ruler of such matters.
➋ In the chapter, the word "nammam" is used, while in the hadith, "qattat" appears. Imam al-Bukhari rahimahullah wishes to clarify that both words are synonymous. Some linguists have mentioned a slight difference: they say that a "nammam" is one who is present at the time of the incident and then spreads it further with the intention of causing discord, whereas a "qattat" is one who secretly listens to a conversation without the speaker's knowledge and then publicizes it.
➌ One should not pay attention to the words of a tale-bearer, for he is a transgressor (fasiq); he should be made aware of one's disapproval, and he should be advised to desist from such behavior.
➊ The intention of Hudhayfah radi Allahu anhu was that it is not permissible for people to go and report minor matters to those in authority and thereby alienate them; rather, this falls under the category of tale-bearing (namimah). However, if someone is engaged in subversive talk or plotting, or incites people, then it is unanimously necessary to inform the ruler of such matters.
➋ In the chapter, the word "nammam" is used, while in the hadith, "qattat" appears. Imam al-Bukhari rahimahullah wishes to clarify that both words are synonymous. Some linguists have mentioned a slight difference: they say that a "nammam" is one who is present at the time of the incident and then spreads it further with the intention of causing discord, whereas a "qattat" is one who secretly listens to a conversation without the speaker's knowledge and then publicizes it.
➌ One should not pay attention to the words of a tale-bearer, for he is a transgressor (fasiq); he should be made aware of one's disapproval, and he should be advised to desist from such behavior.
Source: Fadlullah al-Ahad: Urdu Commentary on al-Adab al-Mufrad, Page: 322
