Allaah the Most Exalted says: If you ask them (about this), they say: We were only talking idly and joking. Say: Was it about Allaah, and His Ayat (proofs, evidences, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and His Messenger that you were mocking" (Q9:65) Ibn Umar, Muhammad bin Kab, Zaid bin Aslam and Qatadah (RA) narrated the following Hadith: "In the course of the campaign of Tabuk, a man came up one day and said: "We have seen no people with greater appetite, more lying, more cowardly in battle than those people,". He meant Allaah's Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions.
Anas bin Malik rose and said, in fact, you are a liar and hypocrite (Munafiq) and I will inform Allaah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) about you." So he went to Allaahs Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) but then he was already informed through a revelation. Meanwhile the hypocrite also approached Allaahs Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) when he started his journey and was already on his camel. He pleaded: "O Messenger of Allaah! We were only joking and trying to pass the time while traveling" Ibn Umar (RA) said:
"As if I see him that he was clinging to the saddle belt of Allaahs Messengers (peace and blessings be upon him) camel as it Tan and his legs were being battered by the rough ground and even then he continued pleading, Then Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) kept repeating the above verse and added :
"Make no excuse; you have disbelieved after you had - believed" (Q9:66)
IMPORTANT ISSUES
1. It is such a terrible thing that whoever makes fun in these matters is a disbeliever (Kaafir).
2. The explanation given of the verse 9:65, applied to those who commit such an act, whoever they may be.
3. There is a difference between backbiting and admonition, and loyalty to Allaah and His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him)
4.The difference between forgiveness which Allaah loves andseverity in dealing with the enemies of Allaah.
5. Some excuses are unacceptable.
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited