هَمَّازٍ مَّشَّآءٍۭ بِنَمِيمٍ 11
Translations
[And] scorner, going about with malicious gossip -
Transliteration
Hammazin mashsha'an binimim
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes a blameworthy person characterized by two major vices: being a 'hammazin' (one who backbites, slanders, or finds fault in others) and a 'mashsha' (one who walks about spreading gossip and discord). Ibn Kathir explains that this person combines both private criticism and public spreading of rumors, making them a corruptor of society. The verse emphasizes the spiritual danger of those who engage in backbiting and talebearing, which are grave sins in Islamic ethics.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Qalam is a Meccan surah that defends the Prophet Muhammad against accusations of the Quraysh and describes the characteristics of the righteous versus the wicked. This ayah is part of a passage describing the attributes of those who reject faith and engage in immoral behavior, providing moral instruction to the early Muslim community facing opposition.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The worst people in the sight of Allah on the Day of Judgment will be the backbiters' (authenticated in various collections). Additionally, 'Backbiting is worse than fornication' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi and others), emphasizing the gravity of this sin condemned in this verse.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah warns believers to guard their tongues from backbiting and spreading rumors, recognizing that such behavior not only harms others but corrupts society and distances one from Allah's mercy. In modern contexts, this extends to gossip on social media and spreading unverified information about others.