From the Master Scholar – Hadrat Maulana Yusuf Binnori رحمه الله
From the Master Scholars -The Outstanding Characteristics of Islam by Hadrat Maulana Sayyed Muhammad Yusuf Binnori رحمه الله
Who does not know that backbiting is a major sin in Islām? This is a sin that is mentioned in the Qur’ān. It has been clarified by means of a unique and strange example. It is quite apparent that in backbiting, a person does not say anything that is contrary to reality. Backbiting entails speaking about the shortcoming of someone in his absence. This is such a bad sin that Allāh Himself speaks about it in the Qur’ān and the Muslims have been prohibited from it.
Who does not know that lying is a major sin? Lying is a sign of hypocrisy. A hypocrite is a person on whose tongue is the claim of Islām but disbelief is hidden in his heart. Who does not know that falsely attributing something to someone, or a false accusation is a major sin? If this false attribution exceeds the limit, people hear it and the person is negatively affected, then this is slander, and it is a major sin. In summary, backbiting, falsely attributing something to a person, slander, all of them are major sins. Warning of Jahannam is given for the person that does them. This is because Islām has established a universal brotherhood amongst Muslims. All believers are but brothers. [Sūrah Hujurāt (the Chambers) 49:10]
The Ahādīth explain unique realities of Islāmic brotherhood. What are the rights of one Muslim upon another? Rasūlullāh said, “A Muslim is a brother of another Muslim. He does not oppress him, he does not hand him over to the enemy, he helps him in time of need, he hides his fault if he commits a sin, and whoever hides the fault of a Muslim, Allāh will hide his faults of the world and the hereafter.” Rasūlullāh also said, “The example of the Muslims is like that of the limbs of a single body. If one limb experiences pain, then the entire body is restless.” Rasūlullāh also said that when a Muslim is a true Muslim, then he will like for his brother what he likes for himself. Moreover, he said that a Muslim is he from whose harm other Muslims are safe. To what extent should this be explained? When a Muslim meets another Muslim, then he says, ‘Assalāmu Alaykum’. If a Muslim sneezes (and says Alhamdulillāh), then one should immediately say ‘Yarhamukallāh’.
It is a sin to swear a Muslim. In essence, there is so much detail in the Qur’ān and Ahādīth that the mind will be baffled. These are the special characteristics of Islām. Other religions cannot claim to be on the same level. Honouring and revering a Muslim is from amongst the foundational rights in Islām.
Well-wishing for a Muslim, helping him, consoling him, thinking good about him etc. These are the aspects of Islām that other ‘civilized’ nations cannot present.
Adapted and Translated from Basā’ir wa ʿIbar vol.1 p.28
The Advice
