AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): One of the dangers and harms of the tongue is what scholars of Islamic ethics call sinking into falsehood.
‘Sinking into falsehood’ is described in Islamic ethics as narrating the improper action done by oneself or others just for fun and without any rational or religious need to talk about it.
It would not be considered 'sinking into falsehood' if it is done for the purpose of preventing others from committing sins, giving advice, or the like. But if it is meant to expose someone’s weaknesses and imperfections and humiliate them, such an action will be in the realm of such sins as backbiting, tell-tale, slander, etc.
Talking about sin and wrongdoing can be of two kinds. One is talking about sins and bad deeds that a person has already done, and the other is talking about those that he intends to do and how he intends to do them.
Islam disapproves of talking about sins for the purpose of amusement or spreading improper behavior. The Holy Quran, referring to a question asked by people of hell from people of paradise quotes them as saying, “And we used to enter into vain discourse with those who entered into vain discourses.” (Verse 45 of Surah Al-Mudathir)
This plunging into vain discourse leads to getting used to sins and becomes a reason for entering hell.
The Quran says in another verse, “God has told you (believers) in the Book that when you hear people disbelieving and mocking God's revelations, do not sit with them unless they change the subject.” (Verse 140 of Surah An-Nisa)
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) is quoted as saying in interpretation of this verse that the most sinner of all is the one who is most immersed in falsehood.
The inclination to sin and inappropriate behavior is the main root of sinking into falsehood. The attractiveness of sin lures people to speak about it. When a person speaks passionately about inappropriate things, it means that his thoughts have been dwelling on them.
One of the results is that the ugliness and inappropriateness of sin is hidden, and others are encouraged to commit sin and engage in inappropriate behavior.
Getting rid of this disease, like other moral diseases, is possible by remembering the negative and ugly results of such behavior, which are very ominous and repulsive. One should talk about worldly affairs only as much as is necessary, and instead of useless talk, one should engage in worship and remembrance of God. A good way to avoid sinking into falsehood is to increase acts of worship, prayer, and remembrance of God in life.
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