Gossip and Slander

Do I create false idols by using my words to deceive and slander others?

Do I wish to consume the pain I've caused others, like a vulture feasting on a corpse?

What drives me to belittle others? Do I feel superior by putting them down?

Who am I truly deceiving through gossip and slander? What do my lies do except distort my own reality?

Do I wield my words as weapons against those who challenge my idea of success? What if that idea is just a mirage in a desert of danger?

Do I bear false witness to seek temporary pleasures?

Do I struggle to break free myself from the labels I impose upon others?

What will I wear when I stand exposed? What will cover me but shame when my deceptions are revealed? Who do I shame but myself when I shame others?

How does my false speech dishonour my Creator?

What is my tongue but a double-edged sword? How can I use it to foster peace instead of division?

How can we honour our Creator's name by rejecting harmful speech and only speaking what is true and good?

Manggrove Pit Viper (Trimeresurus purpureomaculatus), Venomous Snake, Viper Snake.jpg

Understanding Gossip and Slander

'Gossip' refers to informal discussions or reports about others, often involving unverified information. 'Slander' is defined as making false, damaging spoken statements about someone, harming their reputation.

Why Do Gossip and Slander Occur?

Gossip and slander often stem from negative human inclinations such as ego, envy, anger, greed, and fear. When we lack self-awareness and a sense of higher purpose, we may use our words to harm others instead of uplift them. This behaviour can lead to division and destruction in relationships.

Key Motivations Behind Harmful Speech:

Ego: A heightened sense of self-importance can lead to viewing others negatively, fostering gossip to elevate oneself.
Envy: Jealousy can drive individuals to undermine others, exposing their flaws to diminish their status.
Anger: Emotional turmoil can provoke harmful speech, especially when seeking revenge.
Greed: The desire for personal success may lead to slandering competitors to hinder their achievements.
Sorrows/Fears: Low self-esteem can prompt individuals to gossip to feel better, often stemming from their own insecurities.
Lust: Desires for forbidden relationships can fuel gossip against perceived obstacles.
Sloth: Laziness in seeking the truth may lead to unverified speech that harms others.
Ignorance: A lack of understanding can result in thoughtless speech that is neither necessary nor kind.

Experiencing gossip and slander can teach us the importance of truth, fairness, and justice, guiding us to avoid similar behavior. Those targeted by such speech may draw closer to a higher moral path, while those who persist in harmful speech risk facing serious consequences.

Ultimately, gossip and slander exist due to our free will. We can choose to use our words to uplift or to harm. This choice determines our path—toward mercy and peace or toward division and punishment. By surrendering to a higher purpose, we can transform our speech from a tool of separation into one of unity and truth.

What are the benefits of 'Gossip' and 'Slander?'

Gossip and slander, often seen negatively, can have surprising benefits in social dynamics and relationships which is often what entices people to engage in this type of speech and behaviour.

Social Bonding

Gossip fosters relationships by creating trust and camaraderie, enhancing group cohesion and community belonging.

Social Regulation

Gossip helps enforce societal norms by highlighting unacceptable behaviours, leading to increased conformity and shared community values.

Protective Mechanism of Slander

Slander can warn individuals of potential dangers, protecting them from unethical behaviour in professional settings.

Personal Reflection and Growth

Being the target of gossip or slander can encourage self-evaluation and personal development, aligning behaviour with social expectations.

Information Dissemination

Gossip effectively spreads important information in communities lacking formal communication, keeping members informed.

Despite their potential harm, gossip and slander can enhance social cohesion, regulation, personal growth, and information sharing, offering a complex perspective on their roles in our lives.

We may mistakenly believe that gossip and slander can empower us, feeding our suspicions and doubts about others and even our Creator. These whispers entice us to see others as enemies, promoting hatred and entitlement while distracting us from our moral compass. They lure us into a false sense of security, convincing us that worldly pleasures outweigh the reality of accountability in the hereafter. By yielding to these temptations, we risk idol worship and become blinded to our connection with God, who observes our every thought and action, with angels recording our deeds in justice.

In our pursuit of superficial satisfaction, we ultimately find ourselves facing the consequences of our words and actions—bitter and painful outcomes that expose our shame. The laughter of the righteous echoes back at us, reminding us of the mockery we once directed at them.

When we become victims of gossip and slander, we learn firsthand the destructive power of words. This experience reveals our true friends, teaches us not to rely solely on flawed humans, and draws us closer to our Creator. Trusting in God allows us to see that even harmful words can serve a greater purpose, fostering patience and compassion within us. Through our wounds, we invite divine light to heal and make peace.

By seeking refuge in God amidst the chaos of malicious words, we gain strength to resist negativity and persevere in goodness. We learn to prioritise His will over others' opinions, striving for truth and integrity in our lives. Our suffering can lead to greater compassion for those wronged by gossip, motivating us to advocate for justice and peace. In doing so, we wield truth as our weapon against falsehood, fearing only our Creator and seeking His pleasure. We glorify and thank Him as we become warriors of His love and light in a dark world.

How do 'Gossip' and 'Slander harm us?

Gossip and slander can significantly harm individuals and communities, affecting personal relationships, mental health, workplace dynamics, and societal norms.

When we fail to recognise our shared humanity, we become less capable of loving ourselves and others. This vulnerability allows us to be lured into harmful conversations, seeking fleeting pleasures through gossip and slander. Speaking ill of others reflects poorly on ourselves; in attempting to shame others, we expose our own flaws. Cursing others ultimately curses us, and fostering division among others leads to internal discord. The same tongue that spreads injustice will testify against us, revealing our lies and mockery.

Do we believe our falsehoods will remain hidden? Do we think our Creator will overlook the harm we inflict through our words? The Most Merciful hears the cries of the oppressed and will not ignore the injustices we perpetrate. By engaging in harmful speech driven by our egos, we distance ourselves from divine mercy. Our gossip invites the wrath of our Creator, leading us to face stern judgment for our actions.

Gossip and slander destroy relationships, betraying loyalty and breaking trust. Healing from such breaches takes time. Without strong relationships, how can we function as a community or draw closer to our Creator? Peace with ourselves requires peace with others, and collective unity is impossible without walking the path of peace.

Engaging in falsehoods and harmful speech blasphemes our Creator, who made us in His image. When individuals commit evil in God's name, they tarnish His reputation and misrepresent His essence, leading others astray.

According to Abrahamic scripture, God possesses the Most Beautiful Names. By reflecting on these attributes and embodying them in our lives, we can spread peace, justice, truth, and love, ultimately sanctifying His name rather than blaspheming it.

Erosion of Trust: Gossip creates an unsafe environment, leading to misunderstandings and a breakdown in communication, which stifles open dialogue.
Mental Health Consequences: Victims of slander may experience anxiety, depression, and isolation, damaging their self-esteem and social connections.
Workplace Disruption: Gossip can create a toxic atmosphere, decrease morale, and hinder collaboration, affecting productivity and career advancement.
Societal Implications: Gossip can perpetuate stereotypes and discrimination, fostering division and undermining social cohesion.

In conclusion, the negative effects of gossip and slander highlight the need for a culture of kindness and respect, encouraging open communication and support to combat these harmful behaviours.

Impact of Gossip and Slander on Well-Being

Gossip and slander significantly affect an individual's physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being, impacting both targets and those who engage in such behaviour.

Physical Well-Being

The stress and anxiety from gossip can lead to health issues, including:

Increased cortisol levels
Headaches
Digestive problems
Sleep disturbances
Long-term conditions like cardiovascular disease

Engaging in gossip can also create a tense environment, negatively affecting the health of those involved.

Emotional Well-Being

Gossip and slander can lead to:

Feelings of shame, humiliation, and isolation
Decreased self-esteem and self-worth
Anger and resentment towards gossipers
Guilt or regret among gossip participants

This emotional turmoil can hinder healthy relationships and create a cycle of negativity.

Mental Well-Being

The mental impact includes:

Diminished concentration
Impaired decision-making
Decline in mental clarity
Environment of distrust and paranoia

Worrying about negative narratives can distract from personal and professional growth.

Spiritual Well-Being

Spiritually, gossip can lead to:

Disconnection from personal values and beliefs
Moral dissonance and questioning of principles
Feelings of emptiness or loss of purpose
Fragmented community bonds

This can undermine collective spiritual well-being and create conflict between actions and core beliefs.

The effects of gossip and slander permeate various aspects of life, necessitating recognition and proactive measures to foster healthier communication and a supportive environment. Addressing the root causes of these behaviors can help cultivate a culture of respect and understanding, promoting holistic well-being for all involved.

Gossip and slander exile us, affecting both the Giver and the Receiver, the Speaker and the Listener, the one who speaks and the one spoken about. This occurs on physical and spiritual levels, as well as emotional and mental levels. We become divided personally and within our communities. Our soul feels torn and shattered into countless pieces, like dust and ashes scattered by the wind. We experience separateness, loneliness, and isolation. We feel lost, broken, alone, and scared. "I feel worlds apart from You, with mountains between us. I no longer sense Your Presence. I become depressed, anxious, and trapped within the hardened shells around my heart. I lose sight of my Creator's Face in everyone and everything around me. I become like the orphan and widow within You, crying out for help, but no one hears me. Then I hear the cry of the orphan and widow within me—whom I oppressed, crushed, degraded, and exposed through my harmful speech, refusing to listen or assist. Unless I extend help to You within myself, I will not find redemption. Now I understand that I am in You and You are in me. You hear my call for forgiveness and Mercy, as I have heard Your call within me. I return to You. Without our painful separation, I may never have truly appreciated our Oneness. "

What does Abrahamic Scripture teach about 'Gossip' and 'Slander?'

What does Jewish scripture teach about 'gossip' and 'slander?' In Jewish tradition, the concepts of gossip and slander are addressed with significant seriousness and are rooted in the teachings of the Torah and later rabbinic literature. The Hebrew term for gossip is "lashon hara," which translates to "the evil tongue." This term encompasses any speech that is harmful or damaging to someone's reputation, even if the statements made are true.

The Torah explicitly warns against such behaviour, emphasising the importance of maintaining peace and harmony within the community. For instance, Leviticus 19:16 states, "You shall not go about as a talebearer among your people; you shall not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor." This verse underscores the moral obligation to protect others from harm, including the harm that can arise from spreading negative information.

The Talmud elaborates on these principles, detailing various scenarios and the consequences of engaging in gossip and slander, highlighting that even seemingly innocuous comments can lead to significant damage to relationships and community cohesion. The emphasis on ethical speech is a recurring theme in Jewish thought, with teachings encouraging individuals to speak positively and uplift others rather than tearing them down.

In the teachings of Jesus Christ, there is a strong emphasis on the importance of one's words and the impact they can have on others. Christ warns against the dangers of gossip and slander, advocating for a standard of speech that reflects love, compassion, and integrity. In Matthew 12:36-37, Jesus states, "But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words, you will be condemned." This highlights the belief that words carry weight and that individuals are accountable for their speech.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches about the importance of reconciliation and encourages followers to seek resolution with those they have wronged, further illustrating the value placed on maintaining harmonious relationships and avoiding divisive speech. The teachings of Christ advocate for a community built on trust, respect, and kindness, where gossip and slander are seen as detrimental to the well-being of individuals and the collective.

The Quran addresses the issues of gossip and slander with a clear and direct approach, emphasising the need for ethical communication and the preservation of social harmony. One of the key verses related to this topic is found in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:12), which states, "O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother while he is dead? You would detest it." This vivid imagery serves to illustrate the abhorrence of slander and gossip, equating it to a deeply repulsive act.

The Quran encourages believers to engage in speech that is constructive and beneficial, promoting an environment where individuals uplift one another rather than tearing each other down. Additionally, the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad further elaborate on the importance of refraining from gossip and slander, highlighting that such behavior is not only harmful to the individual being spoken about but also corrosive to the fabric of the community.

The Quran's guidance on this matter serves to foster a sense of responsibility among individuals to speak with kindness and integrity, reinforcing the idea that words can either build or destroy relationships and community bonds.

How Can We Heal from Gossip and Slander to Transform Darkness into Light?

Holding onto the poison of gossip and slander is not a solution; it is better to remain silent than to speak ill of others. Restraining our words without addressing the negative emotions and hatred within us makes us hypocrites and prevents us from truly understanding and helping others. To purify our hearts and transform our speech, we must treat others as we wish to be treated and heal from hatred and suspicion.

Where Do We Start?

Before speaking about someone, ask yourself if you would want that said about you. If not, refrain from speaking. Similarly, when listening to gossip, consider whether you would appreciate others discussing you in that manner. If not, disengage.

When hearing negative comments about someone, question their truthfulness. Avoid believing rumours without reliable witnesses and maintain a mindset of innocence until proven guilty. Make excuses for others and uphold their honour.

Steps to Avoid Harmful Speech:

Avoid listening to gossip and backbiting.
Encourage peace between those in conflict rather than taking sides.
Ensure your speech is true, kind, and necessary.
Never slander or falsely accuse others without evidence.
Do not shame others publicly unless they are proven guilty.
Use respectful language and avoid derogatory terms.

Transforming Speech:

Keep promises and speak truthfully.

Remember God in your speech to discern truth from falsehood.

Encourage others to seek higher truths and recognise the goodness in everyone.

Use your words to advocate for justice, inspire love, and support the marginalised.

Seek forgiveness for past wrongs and pray for others’ mercy and unity.

Speak words that sow seeds of love, kindness, peace, and hope.

Encourage respect and obedience to God’s will, reminding others of what pleases Him.

Utilise your voice for prayer and to draw closer to the Creator.

Let us sing praises to glorify Him and use our words to foster a deeper connection with the divine.

Here are some Self-Reflection Exercises that might help:

Some Scripture Verses about 'Gossip' and 'Slander'

You shall not steal. You shall not deny falsely. You shall not lie, one man to his fellow. You shall not swear falsely by My Name, thereby profaning the Name of your God. I am the Lord. You shall not oppress your fellow. You shall not rob. The hired worker's wage shall not remain with you overnight until morning. You shall not curse a deaf person. You shall not place a stumbling block before a blind person, and you shall fear your God. I am the Lord. You shall commit no injustice in judgment; you shall not favor a poor person or respect a great man; you shall judge your fellow with righteousness. You shall not go around as a gossipmonger amidst your people. You shall not stand by [the shedding of] your fellow's blood. I am the Lord. You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your fellow, but you shall not bear a sin on his account. You shall neither take revenge from nor bear a grudge against the members of your people; you shall love your neighbour as yourself. I am the Lord. You shall observe My statutes: You shall not crossbreed your livestock with different species. You shall not sow your field with a mixture of seeds, and a garment which has a mixture of shaatnez shall not come upon you. Leviticus 19:11-19

As for the men whom Moses had sent to scout the Land, who returned and caused the entire congregation to complain against him by spreading [a slanderous] report about the Land". the men who spread an evil report about the Land died in the plague, before the Lord. Numbers 14:36-37

You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. You shall not covet your neighbour's house. You shall not covet your neighbour's wife, his manservant, his maidservant, his ox, his donkey, or whatever belongs to your neighbour." Genesis 20:13-14

You shall not murder. And you shall not commit adultery. And you shall not steal. And you shall not bear false witness against your neighbour. And you shall not covet your neighbour's wife, nor shall you desire your neighbor's house, his field, his manservant, his maidservant, his ox, his donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. Deuteronomy 5:17-18

Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses regarding the Cushite woman he had married, for he had married a Cushite woman. They said, "Has the Lord spoken only to Moses? Hasn't He spoken to us too?" And the Lord heard. Now this man Moses was exceedingly humble, more so than any person on the face of the earth. The Lord suddenly said to Moses, Aaron and Miriam, "Go out, all three of you, to the Tent of Meeting!" And all three went out. The Lord descended in a pillar of cloud and stood at the entrance of the Tent. He called to Aaron and Miriam, and they both went out. He said, "Please listen to My words. If there be prophets among you, [I] the Lord will make Myself known to him in a vision; I will speak to him in a dream. Not so is My servant Moses; he is faithful throughout My house. With him I speak mouth to mouth; in a vision and not in riddles, and he beholds the image of the Lord. So why were you not afraid to speak against My servant Moses ? The wrath of the Lord flared against them and He left. The cloud departed from above the Tent, and behold, Miriam was afflicted with tzara'ath, [as white] as snow. Then Aaron turned to Miriam and behold, she was afflicted with tzara'ath. Aaron said to Moses, "Please, master, do not put sin upon us for acting foolishly and for sinning. Let her not be like the dead, which comes out of his mother's womb with half his flesh consumed!" Moses cried out to the Lord, saying, "I beseech you, God, please heal her." The Lord replied to Moses, "If her father were to spit in her face, would she not be humiliated for seven days? She shall be confined for seven days outside the camp, and afterwards she may enter. So Miriam was confined outside the camp for seven days, and the people did not travel until Miriam had entered. Then the people departed from Hazeroth, and they camped in the desert of Paran. Numbers 12

There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community. Proverbs 6:16-19

Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool. Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool. Proverbs 10:18-19

With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbours, but through knowledge the righteous escape. Proverbs 11:9

Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed. Proverbs 11:11

A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret. Proverbs 11:13

The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy. Proverbs 12:22

Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin. Proverbs 13:3

All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the LORD. Proverbs 16:2

A scoundrel plots evil, and on their lips it is like a scorching fire. Proverbs 16:27

A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends. Proverbs 16:28

A wicked person listens to deceitful lips; a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue. Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished. Proverbs 17:4-5

Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool— how much worse lying lips to a ruler! A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it; they think success will come at every turn. Proverbs 17:7-8

Whoever would foster love covers over an offence, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. A rebuke impresses a discerning person more than a hundred lashes a fool. Proverbs 17:9-10

The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts. Proverbs 18:8

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21

A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will not go free. Proverbs 19:5

A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much. Proverbs 20:19

If someone curses their father or mother, their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness. Proverbs 20:20

A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart. Proverbs 21:2

One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty and pull down the stronghold in which they trust. Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. The proud and arrogant person—"Mocker” is his name— behaves with insolent fury. Proverbs 21:22-24

Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is one who gives false testimony against a neighbour. Proverbs 25:18

Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain is a sly tongue—which provokes a horrified look. Proverbs 25:23

Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. Proverbs 25:24

Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down. Proverbs 26:20

The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts. Proverbs 26:22

“Do not slander a servant to their master, or they will curse you, and you will pay for it. Proverbs 30:10

Why did a wicked man blaspheme God? He said in his heart that You do not seek. You saw, for You look at mischief and provocation to give with Your power; upon You Your army leaves [its burden]; You would help the orphan. Break the arm of the wicked, but as for the evil one-You will seek his wickedness and not find [it]. Psalm 10:13-15

A song of David; O Lord, who will sojourn in Your tent, who will dwell upon Your holy mount? He who walks uprightly and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart. He did not slander with his tongue; he did his neighbour no harm, neither did he take up reproach upon his kinsman. A base person is despised in his eyes, and he honours the God-fearing; he swears to [his own] hurt and does not retract. He did not give his money with interest, nor did he accept a bribe against the innocent; he who does these shall not falter forever. Psalm 15

Who is the man who desires life, who loves days to see goodness? Guard your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceitfully. Shun evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it. Psalm 34:13-15

I was forgotten like a dead person, out of mind; I was like a lost utensil. For I heard the gossip of many, terror from all sides when they take counsel together against me; they plotted to take my soul. But I trusted in You, O Lord; I said, "You are my God." Psalm 31:13-15

False witnesses rise up; they ask me of things that I know not. Psalm 35:11

For they do not speak peace, and against the crushed people of the earth they think words of deceit. And they opened their mouth wide against me and they said, "Aha! Aha! Our eyes have seen [what we desired]." And they opened their mouth wide against me and they said, "Aha! Aha! Our eyes have seen [what we desired]." You saw, O Lord, do not be silent; O Lord, do not distance Yourself from me. Psalm 35:20-22

I said, "I will guard my ways from sinning with my tongue; I will guard my mouth [as with] a muzzle while the wicked man is still before me. I made myself dumb in silence; I was silent from good although my pain was intense. My heart is hot within me; in my thoughts fire burns; I spoke with my tongue. Psalm 39:2-4

My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my affliction, and those close to me stood afar. And those who seek my life lay traps, and those who seek my harm speak treachery, and all day long they think of deceits. But I am as a deaf person, I do not hear, and like a mute, who does not open his mouth. And I was as a man who does not understand and in whose mouth are no arguments. Because I hoped for You, O Lord; You shall answer, O Lord, my God. Psalm 38:12-16

All my enemies whisper together about me; concerning me, they think evil. My enemies speak evil of me; "When will he die and his name be lost?" And if he comes to see [me], he speaks falsely; his heart gathers iniquity for him; when he goes outside, he talks. All my enemies whisper together about me; concerning me, they think evil. "An evil thing shall be poured into him, and once he lies down, he will no longer rise."Even my ally, in whom I trusted, who eats my bread, developed an ambush for me. But You, O Lord, be gracious to me and raise me up, so that I may repay them. With this I shall know that You desired me, when my enemy does not shout joyfully over me. As for me, because of my innocence You shall support me, and stand me up before You forever. Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel from all times past and to all times to come. Amen and amen. Psalm 41:5-14

But to the wicked man God said, "For what reason do you recount My statutes, and bring up My covenant on Your mouth? For you hated discipline and threw My words behind you. If you saw a thief, you agreed [to be] with him, and with adulterers is your portion. You let loose your mouth for evil, and you accustomed your tongue to deceit. You sit and talk against your brother; you slander your mother's son. You did these and I remained silent; you thought that I would be like you. I will contend with you and set up before your eyes. You did these and I remained silent; you thought that I would be like you. I will contend with you and set up before your eyes. Understand this now, you who forget God, lest I tear [you] to pieces, and there will be no one to save [you]. One who slaughters a confession sacrifice honors Me, and [I will] prepare the way; I will show him the salvation of God." Psalm 50:16-33

When Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul and said to him, "David came to the house of Ahimelech." Why do you boast of evil, you mighty man? God's kindness is constant. Your tongue plots destruction, as a sharpened razor, working deceit. You loved evil more than good, falsehood more than speaking righteousness forever. You loved all destructive words, a deceitful tongue. God, too, shall tear you down forever; He will break you and pluck you from [your] tent, and uproot you from the land of the living forever. And righteous men will see and fear, and laugh at him. Psalm 52:2-8

Hear, O God, my voice in my prayer; from fear of the enemy You shall guard my life. You shall hide me from the counsel of evildoers, from the gathering of workers of iniquity, Who whetted their tongue like the sword; who aimed a bitter word like their arrow, To shoot at the innocent in secret places; they shoot at him suddenly and do not fear. They strengthen the evil word for themselves; they tell to hide snares. They say, "Who will see us?" They seek pretexts; they have completed a diligent search, hidden within man and in the depths of the heart. And God cast them down; their wounds were [like] a sudden arrow. That which they hoped would make him stumble, their tongue brought upon them; all who see them will shake their heads. Then all men feared, and they declared the work of God and understood His deed. The righteous will rejoice with God and take shelter in Him, and all upright of heart will boast. Psalm 64:2-11

And I made sackcloth my raiment, and I became a byword to them. They talk about me, those who sit in the gate, and [they make] melodies [about me] for those who imbibe strong drink. But, as for me, may my prayer to You, O Lord, be in an acceptable time. O God, with Your abundant kindness, answer me with the truth of Your salvation. Save me from mud that I not sink, that I be saved from my enemies and from the depths of water. Let neither the current of water sweep me away, nor the deep swallow me, and let a well not close its mouth over me. Psalm 69:12-16

He who slanders his neighbour in secret, I cut him down; one whose eyes are raised up high and his heart is expansive, I cannot tolerate him. Psalm 101:5

For the mouth of a wicked man and the mouth of a deceitful man have opened upon me; they spoke with me with a lying tongue. And with words of hatred they have surrounded me, and they have fought with me without cause. Instead of my love, they persecute me, but I am at prayer. Psalm 109:2-3

This is the recompense of my adversaries from the Lord, and those who speak evil upon my soul. Psalm 109:20

A song of ascents. In my distress I called to the Lord, and He answered me. O Lord, save my soul from false lips, from a deceitful tongue. What can He give you, and what can He add to you, you deceitful tongue? Sharpened arrows of a mighty man with coals of brooms. Woe is to me for I have sojourned in Meshech; I dwelt among the tents of Kedar. For a long time, my soul dwelt with those who hate peace. I am at peace, but when I speak, they [come] to [wage] war. Psalm 120

They whetted their tongue like a serpent; the venom of a spider is under their lips forever. Guard me, O Lord, from the hands of a wicked man; from a man of robbery You shall watch me, who plotted to cause my steps to slip. Haughty men have concealed a snare for me, and [with] ropes they spread a net beside [my] path; they laid traps for me constantly. Psalm 140:4-6

The numbers of those who surround me, may the lies of their lips cover them. Let fiery coals descend on them; He will cast them into fire, in wars, so that they will not rise. A slanderer will not be established on earth; a man of violence, the evil will trap him with thrust upon thrust. Psalm 140:10-12

O Lord, place a guard for my mouth; watch the portal of my lips. Psalm 141:3

The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, will you judge her? Will you judge this city of bloodshed? Then confront her with all her detestable practices and say: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: You city that brings on herself doom by shedding blood in her midst and defiles herself by making idols, you have become guilty because of the blood you have shed and have become defiled by the idols you have made. You have brought your days to a close, and the end of your years has come. Therefore I will make you an object of scorn to the nations and a laughingstock to all the countries.Those who are near and those who are far away will mock you, you infamous city, full of turmoil. “‘See how each of the princes of Israel who are in you uses his power to shed blood. In you they have treated father and mother with contempt; in you they have oppressed the foreigner and mistreated the fatherless and the widow. You have despised my holy things and desecrated my Sabbaths. In you are slanderers who are bent on shedding blood; in you are those who eat at the mountain shrines and commit lewd acts. In you are those who dishonour their father’s bed; in you are those who violate women during their period, when they are ceremonially unclean. In you one man commits a detestable offense with his neighbor’s wife, another shamefully defiles his daughter-in-law, and another violates his sister, his own father’s daughter. In you are people who accept bribes to shed blood; you take interest and make a profit from the poor. You extort unjust gain from your neighbors. And you have forgotten me, declares the Sovereign Lord. “‘I will surely strike my hands together at the unjust gain you have made and at the blood you have shed in your midst. Will your courage endure or your hands be strong in the day I deal with you? I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it. I will disperse you among the nations and scatter you through the countries; and I will put an end to your uncleanness. When you have been defiled in the eyes of the nations, you will know that I am the Lord.’” Then the word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, the people of Israel have become dross to me; all of them are the copper, tin, iron and lead left inside a furnace. They are but the dross of silver. Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘Because you have all become dross, I will gather you into Jerusalem. As silver, copper, iron, lead and tin are gathered into a furnace to be melted with a fiery blast, so will I gather you in my anger and my wrath and put you inside the city and melt you. I will gather you and I will blow on you with my fiery wrath, and you will be melted inside her. As silver is melted in a furnace, so you will be melted inside her, and you will know that I the Lord have poured out my wrath on you.’”Again the word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, say to the land, ‘You are a land that has not been cleansed or rained on in the day of wrath.’ There is a conspiracy of her princes within her like a roaring lion tearing its prey; they devour people, take treasures and precious things and make many widows within her. Her priests do violence to my law and profane my holy things; they do not distinguish between the holy and the common; they teach that there is no difference between the unclean and the clean; and they shut their eyes to the keeping of my Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey; they shed blood and kill people to make unjust gain. Her prophets whitewash these deeds for them by false visions and lying divinations. They say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says’—when the Lord has not spoken. The people of the land practice extortion and commit robbery; they oppress the poor and needy and mistreat the foreigner, denying them justice. “I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one. So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done, declares the Sovereign Lord.”Ezekiel 22

“Son of man, prophesy to the mountains of Israel and say, ‘Mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord. This is what the Sovereign Lord says: The enemy said of you, “Aha! The ancient heights have become our possession. Therefore prophesy and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because they ravaged and crushed you from every side so that you became the possession of the rest of the nations and the object of people’s malicious talk and slander, therefore, mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Sovereign Lord: This is what the Sovereign Lord says to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys, to the desolate ruins and the deserted towns that have been plundered and ridiculed by the rest of the nations around you this is what the Sovereign Lord says: In my burning zeal I have spoken against the rest of the nations, and against all Edom, for with glee and with malice in their hearts they made my land their own possession so that they might plunder its pastureland.’ Therefore prophesy concerning the land of Israel and say to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I speak in my jealous wrath because you have suffered the scorn of the nations. Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I swear with uplifted hand that the nations around you will also suffer scorn. Ezekiel 36:1-7

They are all extremely perverse, going tale bearing [like] copper and iron; they are all destructive. Jeremiah 6:28

O that I had in the desert a wayfarers' lodging-place, that I might leave my people and go away from them! For they are all adulterers, a company of traitors! They have directed their tongue treacherously (as) their bows, and they have grown strong in the land not for the sake of truth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not know Me, says the Lord. Let each one beware of his neighbor, and do not trust any brother; for each brother forges plans, and every neighbor spreads slander. Indeed, they deceive one another and do not speak the truth; they have taught their tongue to speak lies, they commit iniquity (until) they are weary. Your habitation is in the midst of deceit; because of deceit they refuse to know Me, says the Lord. Therefore, thus says the Lord of Hosts, I will refine them and test them, for what else can I do because of (the wickedness of) the daughter of My people? Their tongue is a deadly arrow, it speaks deceit; each one speaks peaceably with his mouth to his neighbor, but in his heart he lays a trap for him. Shall I not punish them for these things, says the Lord, shall I not avenge Myself on a nation such as this? I will take up weeping and wailing for the mountains, and a lamentation for the dwellings of the wilderness, because they are withered and without any one passing through, and the lowing of the cattle is not heard; both the fowl of the heavens and the beast have fled and are gone. And I will make Jerusalem heaps (of ruin), a lair of jackals; and I will make the cities of Judah a desolation, without inhabitant. Who is the man so wise that he can understand this? And who is he to whom the mouth of the Lord has spoken, that he may declare it? Why is the land ruined (and) withered like a wilderness, without anyone passing through? And the Lord said: (It is) because they have forsaken My Law, which I set before them, and have not hearkened to My voice, nor walked by it. But they have followed the view of their own heart, and after the Baalim, which their fathers taught them (to worship). Therefore, so thus said the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will feed them-this people-with wormwood, and will give them poisonous water to drink. I will scatter them among the nations, whom neither they nor their fathers have known; and I will send the sword after them, until I have consumed them. Jeremiah 9:1-15

But let him that boasts exult in this, that he understands and knows me, for I am the Lord Who practices kindness, justice and righteousness on the earth; for in these things I delight, says the Lord. Behold, days are coming, says the Lord, when I will punish every circumcised one with his uncircumcision. Egypt, Judah, Edom, the children of Ammon, Moab, and all those cast off to the corners, who dwell in the desert, for all the nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are of uncircumcised hearts. Jeremiah 9:23-35

And they said, "Come, let us devise plots against Jeremiah, for the Torah shall not be lost from the priest, neither counsel from the wise man, nor speech from the prophet. Come, let us strike him with the tongue, and let us not listen to all his words." Hearken, O Lord, to me, and hear the voice of those who quarrel with me. Shall evil be paid instead of good, for they have dug a pit for my life. Remember when I stood before You to speak good for them, to bring back Your wrath from them. Jeremiah 18:18-20

And you, Pashhur, and all those who dwell in your houses shall go into captivity, and you shall come to Babylon and there you shall die and there you shall be buried, you and all your friends to whom you have prophesied falsely. You enticed me, O Lord, and I was enticed, You overcame me and You prevailed. I have become a laughing-stock; everyone mocks me. For whenever I speak, I cry out; I call out violence and spoil, for the word of the Lord has been scorn and mockery for me all day long. Should I say; I will not mention Him, and I will no longer speak in His name, it would be in my heart like a burning fire, confined in my bones, and I wearied to contain it but was unable. For I heard the slander of many, a gathering around; tell and let us tell about him: everyone who was friendly with me awaits my destruction. Perhaps he will be enticed and we will prevail against him, and we will wreak vengeance upon him. But the Lord is with me as a mighty warrior. Therefore, my pursuers shall stumble and did not prevail. They were very much ashamed for they not succeed, a perpetual shame that will not be forgotten. And the Lord of Hosts tests the righteous, He sees the kidneys and the heart. Let me see Your vengeance from them for to You I have revealed my cause. Sing to the Lord, praise the Lord, for He has saved the soul of the poor from the hand of evildoers. Jeremiah 20:6-13

And the officers said to the king, "This man should be put to death now, since he weakens the hands of the men of war remaining in this city and the hands of all the people, to speak to them such words, for this man does not seek the welfare of this people but the harm." And King Zedekiah said, "Here he is in your hand[s], for the king cannot [reply] anything to you." And they took Jeremiah and cast him into the pit of Malchiah the king's son, that is in the prison yard, and they let Jeremiah down with ropes, and in the pit there was no water but mud, and Jeremiah sank into the mud. Jeremiah 38:4-6

On another day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him. And the Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.” Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.” “Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give all he has for his own life. But now stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face.” The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes. His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. Job 2:1-10

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Mathew 5:11-12

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Mathew 7:12

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ Mathew 7:21-23

But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” Mathew 12:36-37

Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? For God said, ‘Honour your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’ But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is ‘devoted to God,’ they are not to ‘honour their father or mother’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: “‘These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” Mathew 15:3-8

But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. Mathew 15:18-19

“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ Mathew 18:15-16

The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’” Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” But Jesus remained silent.The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” “He is worthy of death,” they answered. Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?” Mathew 26:58-68

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Mark 14:38

Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely-be content with your pay.” Luke 3:14

Do to others as you would have them do to you. Luke 6:31

A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. Luke 6:45

For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by all her children.” Luke 7:33-35

Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king.” So Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.” But they insisted, “He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here.” On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean. When he learned that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform a sign of some sort. He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer. The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him. Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate. That day Herod and Pilate became friends—before this they had been enemies. Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. Therefore, I will punish him and then release him.” But the whole crowd shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us! (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.) Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” For the third time he spoke to them: “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him.” But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. So Pilate decided to grant their demand. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will. Luke 23

For this reason they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God. John 5:18

Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me?Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?” “I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, “but I honour my Father and you dishonor me. I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.” At this they exclaimed, “Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death. John 8:42-52

A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.” He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” He answered, “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?” Then they hurled insults at him and said, “You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples of Moses! We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.”The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God,he could do nothing.”To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out. John 9:24-34

Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?” John 10:20

“You are a king, then!” said Pilate.

Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” John 18:37

Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe and went up to him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they slapped him in the face. Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews gathered there, “Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him.” When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” John 19:1-5

So do not obey the deniers. They would like you to compromise, so they would compromise. And do not obey any vile swearer. Backbiter, spreader of slander. Preventer of good, transgressor, sinner. Rude and fake besides. Just because he has money and children. When Our Verses are recited to him, he says, “Myths of the ancients!” We will brand him on the muzzle. Quran 69:10-16

Woe to every slanderer backbiter. Who gathers wealth and counts it over. Thinking that his wealth has made him immortal. By no means. He will be thrown into the Crusher. And what will make you realise what the Crusher is? God's kindled Fire. That laps to the hearts. It closes in on them. In extended columns. Quran 104:1-9

And when Our enlightening Verses are recited to them, they say, “This is nothing but a man who wants to divert you from what your ancestors used to worship.” And they say, “This is nothing but a fabricated lie.” And when the Truth comes to them, the blasphemers say of the Truth, “This is nothing but plain magic.” But We gave them no book to study, and We did not send them any warner before you. Those before them also denied the Truth, yet they have not attained one-tenth of what We had given them. They rejected My messengers, so how was My disapproval? Say, “I offer you a single advice: devote yourselves to God, in pairs, or individually; and reflect. There is no madness in your friend. He is just a warner to you, before the advent of a severe punishment.” Say, “Whatever compensation I have asked of you, is yours. My compensation comes only from God, and He is Witness over all things.” Say, “My Lord projects the truth. He is the Knower of the Unseen.” Say, “The Truth has come; while falsehood can neither originate, nor regenerate.” Say, “If I err, I err only to my own loss; but if I am guided, it is by what my Lord inspires me. He is Hearing and Near.” If you could only see when they are terrified, and there is no escape, and they are seized from a nearby place. And they say, “We have believed in it.” But how can they attain it from a distant place? They have rejected it in the past, and made allegations from a far-off place. A barrier will be placed between them and what they desire, as was done formerly with their counterparts. They were in disturbing doubt. Quran 34:43-54

God does not like the public uttering of bad language, unless someone was wronged. God is Hearing and Knowing. Quran 4:148

O you who believe! Do not place your opinions above that of God and His Messenger, and fear God. God is Hearing and Knowing. O you who believe! Do not raise your voices above the voice of the Prophet, and do not speak loudly to him, as you speak loudly to one another, lest your works be in vain without you realizing. Those who lower their voices before God’s Messenger—those are they whose hearts God has tested for piety. They will have forgiveness and a great reward. Those who call you from behind the chambers—most of them do not understand. Had they remained patient until you came out to them, it would have been better for them. But God is Forgiving and Merciful. O you who believe! If a troublemaker brings you any news, investigate, lest you harm people out of ignorance, and you become regretful for what you have done. And know that among you is the Messenger of God. Had he obeyed you in many things, you would have suffered hardship. But God has given you the love of faith, and adorned it in your hearts, and made disbelief, mischief, and rebellion hateful to you. These are the rightly guided. A Grace and Favor from God. God is Knowing and Wise. If two groups of believers fight each other, reconcile between them. But if one group aggresses against the other, fight the aggressing group until it complies with God’s command. Once it has complied, reconcile between them with justice, and be equitable. God loves the equitable. The believers are brothers, so reconcile between your brothers, and remain conscious of God, so that you may receive mercy. O you who believe! No people shall ridicule other people, for they may be better than they. Nor shall any women ridicule other women, for they may be better than they. Nor shall you slander one another, nor shall you insult one another with names. Evil is the return to wickedness after having attained faith. Whoever does not repent—these are the wrongdoers. O you who believe! Avoid most suspicion—some suspicion is sinful. And do not spy on one another, nor backbite one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would detest it. So remain mindful of God. God is Most Relenting, Most Merciful. Quran 49:1-12

Those who accuse chaste women, then cannot bring four witnesses, whip them eighty lashes, and do not ever accept their testimony. For these are the immoral. Except for those who repent afterwards, and reform; for God is Forgiving and Merciful. As for those who accuse their own spouses, but have no witnesses except themselves, the testimony of one of them is equivalent to four testimonies, if he swears by God that he is truthful. And the fifth time, that God’s curse be upon him, if he is a liar. But punishment shall be averted from her, if she swears four times by God, that he is a liar. And the fifth time, that God’s wrath be upon her, if he is truthful. Were it not for God’s grace upon you, and His mercy, and that God is Conciliatory and Wise. Those who perpetrated the slander are a band of you. Do not consider it bad for you, but it is good for you. Each person among them bears his share in the sin. As for him who played the major role—for him is a terrible punishment. Why, when you heard about it, the believing men and women did not think well of one another, and say, “This is an obvious lie”? Why did they not bring four witnesses to testify to it? If they fail to bring the witnesses, then in God’s sight, they are liars. Were it not for God’s favor upon you, and His mercy, in this world and the Hereafter, you would have suffered a great punishment for what you have ventured into. When you rumored it with your tongues, and spoke with your mouths what you had no knowledge of, and you considered it trivial; but according to God, it is serious. When you heard it, you should have said, “It is not for us to repeat this. By Your glory, this is a serious slander.” God cautions you never to return to the like of it, if you are believers. God explains the Verses to you. God is Knowing and Wise. Those who love to see immorality spread among the believers—for them is a painful punishment, in this life and in the Hereafter. God knows, and you do not know. Were it not for God’s grace upon you, and His mercy, and that God is Clement and Merciful. O you who believe! Do not follow Satan’s footsteps. Whoever follows Satan’s footsteps—he advocates obscenity and immorality. Were it not for God’s grace towards you, and His mercy, not one of you would have been pure, ever. But God purifies whomever He wills. God is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. Quran 24:4-21

But if they violate their oaths after their pledge, and attack your religion, then fight the leaders of disbelief—they have no faith—so that they may desist. Will you not fight a people who violated their oaths, and planned to exile the Messenger, and initiated hostilities against you? Do you fear them? It is God you should fear, if you are believers. Fight them. God will punish them at your hands, and humiliate them, and help you against them, and heal the hearts of a believing people. Quran 9:12

Fight those who do not believe in God, nor in the Last Day, nor forbid what God and His Messenger have forbidden, nor abide by the religion of truth—from among those who received the Scripture—until they pay the due tax, willingly or unwillingly. The Jews said, “Ezra is the son of God,” and the Christians said, “The Messiah is the son of God.” These are their statements, out of their mouths. They emulate the statements of those who blasphemed before. May God assail them! How deceived they are! They have taken their rabbis and their priests as lords instead of God, as well as the Messiah son of Mary. Although they were commanded to worship none but The One God. There is no god except He. Glory be to Him; High above what they associate with Him. They want to extinguish God’s light with their mouths, but God refuses except to complete His light, even though the disbelievers dislike it. Quran 9:29-32

O you who believe! What is the matter with you, when it is said to you, “Mobilise in the cause of God,” you cling heavily to the earth? Do you prefer the present life to the Hereafter? The enjoyment of the present life, compared to the Hereafter, is only a little. Unless you mobilize, He will punish you most painfully, and will replace you with another people, and you will not harm Him at all. God has power over all things. If you do not help him, God has already helped him, when those who disbelieved expelled him, and he was the second of two in the cave. He said to his friend, “Do not worry, God is with us.” And God made His tranquility descend upon him, and supported him with forces you did not see, and made the word of those who disbelieved the lowest, while the Word of God is the Highest. God is Mighty and Wise. Mobilize, light or heavy, and strive with your possessions and your lives in the cause of God. That is better for you, if you only knew. Had the gain been immediate, and the journey shorter, they would have followed you; but the distance seemed too long for them. Still they swear by God: “Had we been able, we would have marched out with you.” They damn their own souls, and God knows that they are lying. May God pardon you! Why did you give them permission before it became clear to you who are the truthful ones, and who are the liars? Those who believe in God and the Last Day do not ask you for exemption from striving with their possessions and their lives. God is fully aware of the righteous. Only those who do not believe in God and the Last Day ask you for exemption. Their hearts are full of doubts, so they waver in their doubts. Had they wanted to mobilize, they would have made preparations for it; but God disliked their participation, so he held them back, and it was said, “Stay behind with those who stay behind.” Had they mobilized with you, they would have added only to your difficulties, and they would have spread rumors in your midst, trying to sow discord among you. Some of you are avid listeners to them. God is Aware of the wrongdoers. They tried to cause conflict before, and they hatched plots against you, until the truth prevailed, and the command of God became evident—in spite of their dislike. Among them is he who says, “Excuse me, and do not trouble me.” In fact, they sunk into trouble. In fact, Hell will engulf the disbelievers. If something good happens to you, it upsets them; and if a calamity befalls you, they say, “We took our precautions in advance,” and they depart, happy. Say, “Nothing will happen to us except what God has ordained for us; He is our Protector.” In God let the faithful put their trust. Say, “Are you expecting for us anything other than one of the two excellences? As for us: we are expecting that God will afflict you with a punishment from Himself, or at our hands. So wait, we are waiting with you.”

Say, “Whether you spend willingly or unwillingly, it will not be accepted from you. You are evil people.” What prevents the acceptance of their contributions is nothing but the fact that they disbelieved in God and His Messenger, and that they do not approach the prayer except lazily, and that they do not spend except grudgingly. Let neither their possessions nor their children impress you. God intends to torment them through them in this worldly life, and that their souls depart while they are disbelievers. They swear by God that they are of you. But they are not of you. They are divisive people. Were they to find a shelter, or a cave, or a hideout, they would go to it, rushing. And among them are those who criticize you in regard to charities. If they are given some of it, they become pleased; but if they are not given any, they grow resentful. If only they were content with what God and His Messenger have given them, and said, “God is sufficient for us; God will give us of His bounty, and so will His Messenger; to God we eagerly turn.” Charities are for the poor, and the destitute, and those who administer them, and for reconciling hearts, and for freeing slaves, and for those in debt, and in the path of God, and for the traveler in need—an obligation from God. God is All-Knowing, Most Wise. And among them are those who insult the Prophet, and say, “He is all ears.” Say, “He listens for your own good. He believes in God, and trusts the believers, and is mercy for those of you who believe.” Those who insult the Messenger of God will have a painful penalty. They swear to you by God to please you. But it is more proper for them to please God and His Messenger, if they are believers. Do they not know that whoever opposes God and His Messenger, will have the Fire of Hell, abiding in it forever? That is the supreme disgrace. The hypocrites worry lest a chapter may be revealed about them, informing them of what is in their hearts. Say, “Go on mocking; God will bring out what you fear.” If you ask them, they will say, “We were just joking and playing.” Say, “Were you making jokes about God, His revelations, and His Messenger?” Do not apologize. You have disbelieved after your belief. If We pardon some of you, We will punish others, because they are guilty. The hypocrite men and hypocrite women are of one another. They advocate evil, and prohibit righteousness, and withhold their hands. They forgot God, so He forgot them. The hypocrites are the sinners. God has promised the hypocrite men and hypocrite women, and the disbelievers, the Fire of Hell, abiding therein forever. It is their due. And God has cursed them. They will have a lasting punishment. Quran 9:38-68

The believing men and believing women are friends of one another. They advocate virtue, forbid evil, perform the prayers, practice charity, and obey God and His Messenger. These—God will have mercy on them. God is Noble and Wise. Quran 9:71

They swear by God that they said nothing; but they did utter the word of blasphemy, and they renounced faith after their submission. And they plotted what they could not attain. They were resentful only because God and His Messenger have enriched them out of His grace. If they repent, it would be best for them; but if they turn away, God will afflict them with a painful punishment—in this life and in the Hereafter—and they will have on earth no protector and no savior. Among them are those who promised God: “If He gives us of His bounty, we will donate and be among the upright.” But when He has given them of His bounty, they became stingy with it, and turned away in aversion. So He penalized them with hypocrisy in their hearts, until the Day they face Him—because they broke their promise to God, and because they used to lie. Do they not know that God knows their secrets and their conspiracies? And that God is the Knower of the unseen? Those who criticise the believers who give charity voluntarily, and ridicule those who find nothing to give except their own efforts—God ridicules them. They will have a painful punishment. Quran 9:74-79

Those who repent, those who worship, those who praise, those who journey, those who kneel, those who bow down, those who advocate righteousness and forbid evil, and those who keep God’s limits—give good news to the believers. Quran 9:112

O you who believe! Be conscious of God, and be with the sincere. Quran 9:119

Obedience and upright speech. Then, when the matter is settled, being true to God would have been better for them. If you turn away, you are likely to make mischief on earth, and sever your family ties. Those are they whom God has cursed. He made them deaf, and blinded their sight. Will they not ponder the Quran? Or are there locks upon their hearts? Those who reverted after the guidance became clear to them—Satan has enticed them, and has given them latitude. That is because they said to those who hated what God has revealed, “We will obey you in certain matters.” But God knows their secret thoughts. How about when the angels take them at death, beating their faces and their backs? That is because they pursued what displeases God, and they disliked His approval, so He nullified their works. Do those in whose hearts is sickness think that God will not expose their malice?Had We willed, We could have shown them to you, and you would have recognised them by their marks. Yet you will recognize them by their tone of speech. And God knows your actions. Quran 47:21-30

So do not waver and call for peace while you have the upper hand. God is with you, and He will not waste your efforts. Quran 47:35

“To God is your return, and He is Capable of all things.” They wrap their chests to hide from Him. But even as they cover themselves with their clothes, He knows what they conceal and what they reveal. He knows what lies within the hearts. Quran 11:4-5

Who does greater wrong than he who fabricates lies about God? These will be presented before their Lord, and the witnesses will say, “These are they who lied about their Lord.” Indeed, the curse of God is upon the wrongdoers. Those who hinder others from the path of God, and seek to make it crooked; and regarding the Hereafter, they are in denial. These will not escape on earth, and they have no protectors besides God. The punishment will be doubled for them. They have failed to hear, and they have failed to see. Those are the ones who lost their souls, and what they had invented has strayed away from them. Without a doubt, in the Hereafter, they will be the biggest losers. Quran 11:18-22

Successful are the believers. Those who are humble in their prayers. Those who avoid nonsense. Those who work for charity. Those who safeguard their chastity. Except from their spouses, or their dependents—for they are free from blame. But whoever seeks anything beyond that—these are the transgressors. Those who are faithful to their trusts and pledges. Those who safeguard their prayers. These are the inheritors. Who will inherit Paradise, wherein they will dwell forever. Quran 23:1-11

Among the people are those who say, “We believe in God and in the Last Day,” but they are not believers. They seek to deceive God and those who believe, but they deceive none but themselves, though they are not aware. In their hearts is sickness, and God has increased their sickness. They will have a painful punishment because of their denial. And when it is said to them, “Do not make trouble on earth,” they say, “We are only reformers.” In fact, they are the troublemakers, but they are not aware. And when it is said to them, “Believe as the people have believed,” they say, “Shall we believe as the fools have believed?” In fact, it is they who are the fools, but they do not know. And when they come across those who believe, they say, “We believe”; but when they are alone with their devils, they say, “We are with you; we were only ridiculing.” It is God who ridicules them, and leaves them bewildered in their transgression. Those are they who have bartered error for guidance; but their trade does not profit them, and they are not guided. Their likeness is that of a person who kindled a fire; when it illuminated all around him, God took away their light, and left them in darkness, unable to see. Deaf, dumb, blind. They will not return. Or like a cloudburst from the sky, in which is darkness, and thunder, and lightning. They press their fingers into their ears from the thunderbolts, in fear of death. But God surrounds the disbelievers. The lightning almost snatches their sight away. Whenever it illuminates for them, they walk in it; but when it grows dark over them, they stand still. Had God willed, He could have taken away their hearing and their sight. God is capable of everything. Quran 2:8-20

And if you are in doubt about what We have revealed to Our servant, then produce a chapter like these, and call your witnesses apart from God, if you are truthful. Quran 2:23

Those who violate God’s covenant after its confirmation, and sever what God has commanded to be joined, and commit evil on earth. These are the losers. Quran 2:27

O Children of Israel! Remember My blessings which I bestowed upon you, and fulfill your pledge to Me, and I will fulfill My pledge to you, and fear Me. And believe in what I revealed, confirming what is with you; and do not be the first to deny it; and do not exchange My revelations for a small price; and be conscious of Me. And do not mix truth with falsehood, and do not conceal the truth while you know. And attend to your prayers, and practice regular charity, and kneel with those who kneel. Do you command people to virtuous conduct, and forget yourselves, even though you read the Scripture? Do you not understand? And seek help through patience and prayer. But it is difficult, except for the devout. Those who know that they will meet their Lord, and that to Him they will return. O Children of Israel! Remember My favor which I bestowed upon you, and that I favoured you over all nations. And beware of a Day when no soul will avail another in the least, nor will any intercession be accepted on its behalf, nor will any ransom be taken from it, nor will they be helped. Quran 2:40-48

Do you hope that they will believe in you, when some of them used to hear the Word of God, and then deliberately distort it, even after understanding it? And when they come across those who believe, they say, “We believe,” but when they come together privately, they say, “Will you inform them of what God has disclosed to you, so that they might dispute with you concerning it before your Lord?” Do you not understand? Do they not know that God knows what they conceal and what they reveal? And among them are uneducated who know the Scripture only through hearsay, and they only speculate. So woe to those who write the Scripture with their own hands, and then say, “This is from God,” that they may exchange it for a little price. Woe to them for what their hands have written, and woe to them for what they earn. Quran 2:75-79

We made a covenant with the Children of Israel: “Worship none but God; and be good to parents, and relatives, and orphans, and the needy; and speak nicely to people; and pray regularly, and give alms.” Then you turned away, except for a few of you, recanting. And We made a covenant with you: “You shall not shed the blood of your own, nor shall you evict your own from your homes.” You agreed, and were all witnesses. But here you are, killing your own, and expelling a group of your own from their homes—conspiring against them in wrongdoing and hostility. And if they come to you as captives, you ransom them, although it was forbidden to you. Is it that you believe in part of the Scripture, and disbelieve in part? What is the reward for those among you who do that but humiliation in this life? And on the Day of Resurrection, they will be assigned to the most severe torment. God is not unaware of what you do. Those are they who bought the present life for the Hereafter, so the punishment will not be lightened for them, nor will they be helped. Quran 2:83-86

O you who believe! Do not say ambiguous words, but say words of respect, and listen. The disbelievers will have a painful torment. Quran 2:104

Who is more unjust than him who forbids the remembrance of God’s name in places of worship, and contributes to their ruin? These ought not to enter them except in fear. For them is disgrace in this world, and for them is a terrible punishment in the Hereafter. Quran 2:114

And when his Lord tested Abraham with certain words, and he fulfilled them. He said, “I am making you a leader of humanity.” He said, “And my descendants?” He said, “My pledge does not include the wrongdoers.” Quran 2:124

Those who disbelieve in God and His messengers, and want to separate between God and His messengers, and say, “We believe in some, and reject some,” and wish to take a path in between. These are the unbelievers, truly. We have prepared for the unbelievers a shameful punishment. As for those who believe in God and His messengers, and make no distinction between any of them—He will give them their rewards. God is Forgiver and Merciful. The People of the Scripture challenge you to bring down to them a book from the sky. They had asked Moses for something even greater. They said, “Show us God plainly.” The thunderbolt struck them for their wickedness. Then they took the calf for worship, even after the clear proofs had come to them. Yet We pardoned that, and We gave Moses a clear authority. And We raised the Mount above them in accordance with their covenant, and We said to them, “Enter the gate humbly”, and We said to them, “Do not violate the Sabbath”, and We received from them a solemn pledge. But for their violation of their covenant, and their denial of God’s revelations, and their killing of the prophets unjustly, and their saying, “Our minds are closed.” In fact, God has sealed them for their disbelief, so they do not believe, except for a few. And for their faithlessness, and their saying against Mary a monstrous slander. And for their saying, “We have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the Messenger of God.” In fact, they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him, but it appeared to them as if they did. Indeed, those who differ about him are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it, except the following of assumptions. Certainly, they did not kill him. Rather, God raised him up to Himself. God is Mighty and Wise. There is none from the People of the Scripture but will believe in him before his death, and on the Day of Resurrection he will be a witness against them. Due to wrongdoing on the part of the Jews, We forbade them good things that used to be lawful for them; and for deterring many from God’s path. And for their taking usury, although they were forbidden it; and for their consuming people's wealth dishonestly. We have prepared for the faithless among them a painful torment. But those among them firmly rooted in knowledge, and the believers, believe in what was revealed to you, and in what was revealed before you; and the observers of prayers, and the givers of charity, and the believers in God and the Last Day—upon these We will bestow an immense reward. Quran 4:150-162

We know what the earth consumes of them, and with Us is a comprehensive book. But they denied the truth when it has come to them, so they are in a confused state. Quran 50:4-5

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ΠΑΓΚΟΣΜΙΟΣ ΘΕΟΣ: Μήνυμα Ειρήνης

Promoting peace and harmony from an Abrahamic perspective

Gossip and Slander

What are the benefits of 'Gossip' and 'Slander?'

Social Bonding

Social Regulation

Protective Mechanism of Slander

Personal Reflection and Growth

Information Dissemination

Impact of Gossip and Slander on Well-Being

Physical Well-Being

Emotional Well-Being

Mental Well-Being

Spiritual Well-Being

ΕΓΓΡΑΦΗ ΓΙΑ EMAILS

Gossip and Slander

What are the benefits of 'Gossip' and 'Slander?'

​

Social Bonding

Social Regulation

Protective Mechanism of Slander

Personal Reflection and Growth

Information Dissemination

​

Impact of Gossip and Slander on Well-Being

Physical Well-Being

​

Emotional Well-Being

​

Mental Well-Being

​

Spiritual Well-Being

​

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ΕΓΓΡΑΦΗ ΓΙΑ EMAILS