2. The way of Sayyiduna ‘Umar Bin ‘Abdul ‘Azeez

A person came in the court of Ameer-ul-Mu`mineen Sayyiduna ‘Umar          Bin ‘Abdul ‘Azeez رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه and said something negative about someone.  He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه said: If you want, I can investigate in this matter (what you said). If you are found to be a liar, then you will be subjected to under the following Ayah:

اِنْ جَآءَكُمْ فَاسِقٌۢ بِنَبَاٍ فَتَبَیَّنُوْۤا

If any sinner brings you some news, so (you must) investigate it.

[Kanz-ul-Iman (Translation of Quran)] (Part 26, Surah Al-Hujurat, Ayah 6)

And if you are found to be truthful, then you will come under the ruling of the following Ayah:

هَمَّازٍ مَّشَّآءٍۭ بِنَمِیْمٍۙ(۱۱)

The excessive slanderer, going about excessive slandering.

[Kanz-ul-Iman (Translation of Quran)] (Part 29, Surah Al-Qalam, Ayah 11)

And if you want, I can forgive you. He humbly said: ‘O Ameer-ul-Mu`mineen! Please forgive me. I will not do so (i.e. backbite or tell-tale) again.’

(Ihya-ul-‘Uloom, vol. 3, pp. 193)

3. You brought three evils to me

A person came to a noble saint رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه and relayed some negative things about his (Saint’s) friend to him. Upon this, he said: ‘Alas! You brought three evils to me. (1) You developed hatred in me for my Islamic brother. (2) You made my heart fall prey to whispers because of it and (3) you slandered your honest Nafs (i.e. I used to think you of an honest person but you are weak in keeping up with the secrets!).’ (Ihya-ul-‘Uloom, vol. 3, pp. 193)