In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: It is enough sin for a person to speak of everything that he hears. [1]
Abu Haatim [Imam Ibn Hibbaan], may Allah have mercy upon him, said: This narration contains a rebuke that a person should not speak about everything he hears until he knows whether it is authentic or not, then he speaks about it. He should not speak about that which is not authentic. [2]
Over two decades ago, “the subject changers” were not much different from those we encounter today, with the key distinction being the influence of social media in our time. Back then, when people jumped into conflicts without grasping the complete picture or aligned themselves with the perpetrator due to feelings of injustice towards themselves or their allies, they would often vanish once their mistakes were exposed. In contrast, today’s subject changers leverage social media to maintain their presence, driven by the aspiration to connect with a larger audience and sway opinions through a variety of speeches and quotations from scholars, all while sidestepping the complexities of their initial engagement.
Once they understand that they are involved in a situation that cannot be easily sidestepped without a lengthy dispute, they switch to a different approach. They might say, “Your words aren’t helpful; it would be wiser to remain silent. Not everything needs to be shared or discussed; this issue doesn’t involve you. I’ve heard from various scholars about this topic, and it’s often better to stay quiet for your own benefit. Just look at how others have handled similar situations!” Over the years, we have received these comments from a variety of voices: honest advisors who understood the circumstances, those who tried to divert attention, individuals making wild guesses, and people caught up in their assumptions. Many of them referenced scholars and even highlighted their connections with certain scholars as proof of their reliable guidance, even though they lacked a full understanding of the issue or were biased in their views because of mutual resentment towards a shared adversary.
Firstly, it is important to recognise that there are various tactics people use to avoid confronting uncomfortable truths. Often, those who try to silence you may present themselves as honest individuals, yet they selectively choose which truths to acknowledge. This can be quite challenging to identify. Additionally, when these individuals engage in discussions and struggle to maintain their stance, they may label you as illogical or accuse you of being overly verbose without contributing anything meaningful. Some people often struggle to accept information that challenges their self-esteem, disrupts their goals, or threatens their sense of status. Acknowledging mistakes or even partial responsibility can be incredibly difficult, even when it would ultimately benefit them. When faced with uncomfortable truths, their immediate attempt is to shield themselves from the pain, leading them to shut down, stop listening, or resist the information. Additionally, when they realise that the quest for control in light of undeniable facts does not work with the other party, they begin to reference scholars, despite their unresolved issues and biases. Therefore, it’s essential to critically assess their claims and the context in which they are made, regardless of the authority they invoke. It’s important not to let them generalise statements that don’t accurately apply to the situation at hand. Seeking to win an argument based on mere words cannot obscure the genuine reality that those words are meant to convey.
Secondly, something interesting has emerged during our social media interactions with some of these individuals. They understand the unique significance of each word, recognising its dual role as both a verb and a noun. They are conscious of the influence words hold, and they intentionally choose their language to create, dismantle, or reshape their circumstances. They know that the way they choose words can profoundly reflect feelings and influence the unsuspecting observer – choosing their words with care, whilst not fully revealing their true intentions. The language they choose is aimed at shaping not only how others feel but also how they interpret the events around them, ultimately crafting their reality.
Therefore, it’s vital to be aware of the language they use, as it plays a crucial role in shaping others’ perceptions and the distorted reality they wish to convey. Many strive to create a narrative from unclear or ambiguous situations that resonate with their goals, consciously choosing words that bolster their desires and ambitions. Thus, it’s essential to look deeper and seek insights from those who truly understand the matter to uncover the actual reality. Abdullah Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, said: Two men came from the East and addressed the people who wondered at their eloquent speeches, so Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “Some eloquent is magic”. [See footnote a]
Imam Abdul Aziz Bin Baz, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
يعني البلاغة وحسن صيغة الكلام والتكلف قد يسحر الناس بهذا، يسحر عقولهم وأسماعهم فيظنونه صادقًا وهو كاذب من كثرة بيانه وحسن تصرفه في الكلام يسحر الناس بهذا، فإذا كان في باطل فهو منكر، وإذا كان في حق فلا بأس، إذا كان إيضاحًا للحق فلا بأس، أما إذا كان في باطل فهو أشد الإثم نسأل الله العافية
Eloquence and the artful construction of speech can captivate the people, enchanting their intellects and hearing- due to the abundance of expression and skillful usage of speech he enchants the people with it, thus they think that it is truth, whereas it is false. When such eloquence pertains to falsehood, it is evil; however, if it serves to clarify the truth, it is acceptable. If it is employed to promote falsehood, it constitutes a grave sin. We ask Allah for well-being. [Paphrased [3]
Indeed, our discontent is not directed at the wise and eloquent expressions of the well-known scholars and their students; rather, it is the conduct of those who wield such words for selfish agendas, to resolve personal vendettas, or to advance baseless doubts.
We ask Allah:
اللهم كما حَسَّنْت خَلْقِي فَحَسِّنْ خُلُقِي
O Allah! Just as You made my external form beautiful, make my character beautiful as well.
Footnote a: Al-Bukhari 5767. Translation of hadith taken from Shaikh Abu Khadeejah’s website – may Allah protect him. https://abukhadeejah.com/types-of-magic-evil-omens-astrology-rumour-mongering-eloquent-speech/
[1]Muqaddimah Saheeh Muslim 1/10; Sharh Muqaddimah Saheeh Muslim’ by Imaam An-Nawawi 1/74]
[2]Muqaddimah Kitaab Al-Majrooheen Minal Muhadditheen’ page 60-64];
[3]https://binbaz.org.sa/audios/1620/25–%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%A8-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B4%D9%8A%D8%A1-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%AD%D8%B1#:~:text=%D9%88%D9%84%D9%87%D9%85%D8%A7%20%D9%85%D9%86%20%D8%AD%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%AB%20%D8%A7%D8%A8%D9%86%20%D8%B9%D9%85%D8%B1,%D9%83%D8%A7%D9%86%20%D8%A5%D9%8A%D8%B6%D8%A7%D8%AD%D9%8B%D8%A7%20%D9%84%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%82%20%D9%81%D9%84%D8%A7%20%D8%A8%D8%A3%D8%B3%D8%8C.
