Darul Uloom Trinidad & Tobago

Q. I am a practicing Muslim and I was recently accused of doing black magic to some close family members who are also practicing Muslims who wear parda and the whole works. They said I did thing to them for them to not see their way and they closed their gates on me when I went to visit. I am innocent and never did anything to them and they got someone and that person called my name accusing me. I think that my family has already passed judgment on me; one of their sons has promised to make my life a living hell and posted a verse of Surah Bakrah about black magic and the punishment for those who buy it. So I would like to know what is the punishment for those who wrongfully accuse innocent people?

A. For the establishment of a Crime (offence) in Islam, the Shariah has laid strict rules of producing mature and sound witnesses to prove that an offence was committed by another person. In the case mentioned, the tendency of Muslims of relying upon the statement of an individual who claims to know things on his own is totally prohibited. Similarly to rely on the information conveyed by Jinns about a person who did something is not acceptable in the Shariah. Islam outrightly rejects such testimonies and information, and calls for sound witnesses who have seen the offense/crime with their naked eyes and have firm and certain knowledge regarding it. In the absence of this, one cannot rely upon the statement of any spiritual person who did not see anything and he simple depends upon what comes to his mind or what is conveyed to him by a Jinn. No crime or offence can be proven in this manner in the Shariah of Islam.

As such, the statement which has been made against you would be deemed as a Slander and an allegation unless it is proven in accordance to the Shariah rules/guidelines. If the charges levied against you cannot be proven, then those making this claim are guilty of defamation, suspicion, backbiting and calumny.

In the Holy Quran, Allah Has warned us about these wicked acts and Has forbidden us from doing them. In Surah Al Hujurat, He says, ‘O you who believe …. Do not defame one another, nor insult one another by names. How bad it is to insult one’s brother after having faith. And whoever does not repent, then such are indeed wrongdoers’. (49:11)

In another verse, Allah says, ‘O you who believe! Avoid much suspicion, indeed some suspicion are sins. And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it. And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is the one who forgives and accepts repentance, Most Merciful: (49:12)

Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that the Prophet (SAW) Said, ‘Beware of suspicion, for suspicion is the worst of false tales’. (Sahih Al Bukhari).

Huzaifah (RA) narrated, ‘I heard the Prophet (SAW) saying, A ‘Qattat’ will not enter paradise’ (Sahih Al Bukhari). A Qattat is a person who conveys disagreeable, false information from one person to another with the intention of causing harm and enmity between them.

Abdullah bin Abbass (RA) narrates, ‘Allah’s Messenger (SAW) passed by two graves and said, ‘Both of them (in the grave) are being tortured, and they are not being tortured for that which they thought was a major sin. This one did not refrain from soiling himself with urine and the other used to go about with calumnies’. (Sahih Al Bukhari).

And Allah knows best.

Mufti Waseem Khan