things about his friend to him. Upon this, the pious person exclaimed: ‘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 of you as an honest person but you are weak in keeping secrets!).’^[1]

4. Tale-teller became quiet

The Imam of the Ahl al-Sunnah, Imam Ahmad Raza Khan  رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْه had immense love for his younger brother, Maulana Muhammad Raza Khan رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْه. Once, Maulana Muhammad Raza Khan رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْه got gold bangles made for his wife. A tale-teller mentioned this to Imam Ahmad Raza Khan رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْه. So while giving a beautiful answer, the great Imam رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْه said: ‘If (my brother) Maulana Muhammad Raza got these bangles made from his own wealth, then I am happy that Allah Almighty has blessed my brother with this much wealth. If he has got them made from my wealth, then I am even happier that my brother considers my wealth to be his own.’ Listening to this reply, the tale-teller returned unsuccessful and disappointed. ^[2]

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب                 صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Dear Islamic brothers! Remember! The way tale-telling opens up doors for backbiting, slandering, hurting feelings, quarrels and various other evils among Muslims, similarly, a great curse it contains is that du’a does not get answered in the court of Allah Almighty due to it. Let us listen to a though-provoking story in regards to this.

Harm of tale-telling

Sayyiduna Ka’b al-Ahbaar رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ narrates that once, a severe drought struck during the time of Sayyiduna Musa عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام. He عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام made Du’a for rain along with the Bani Israel, but it did not rain. He عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام continued this