How can we be saved from the sin of slandering?
- Is the word buhtan derived from the root baht? - Is buhtan a grave slander that will astonish the person who has been slandered? - Are sins recorded for the person or people who slandered as the effect of the slander continues?
Dear Brother / Sister,
Yes, buhtan is a kind of slandering.
In Arabic, the word "buhtan" means a lie a person tells to his friend by feeling conceited. The real meaning of the word is based on a phrase uttered by Arabs when a person is astonished.
Accordingly,"buhtan" is a big lie that astonishes a person. In addition, anything wrong that astonishes a person is called buhtan because it is unreal and false. The following hadith is related to the same issue: "If you say something to your brother’s face that is wrong about him, it means you commit buhtan." (see Razi, Mafatih, interpretation of verse 20 of an-Nisa)
In daily speech, the word iftira is common but in law and ethics the words ifk and buhtan are used more commonly; the word qazf is used for a slander of fornication.
In the Quran, the word buhtan is used in the sense of “slander, groundless slander”.(see. an-Nisa 4/20, 112, 156; an-Nur 24/16)
Fakhruddin ar-Razi explains the word buhtan mentioned in verse 112 of the chapter of an-Nisa, “But if any one earns a fault or a sin and throws it on to one that is innocent, He carries (on himself) (Both) a falsehood and a flagrant sin” as “accusing your believing brother of a mistake or bad deed that is fake.” (Mafatihul-Ghayb, the interpretation of the relevant verse)
Bad words never fit a Muslim. Therefore, it is necessary to repent to Allah due to insulting, slandering and cursing whether it is related to a person’s honor or something else. For, something that Allah has forbidden has been committed. In addition, it is necessary to ask for forgiveness from the people one slandered, insulted or cursed. For, the rights of a person have been violated.
The statements against a person’s honor can vary based on the intention of the person uttering it and the way it is perceived in the community. If it is uttered with the intention of slander or if it is perceived like that in the community, it is a slander. If it is uttered with the intention of insult or if it is perceived like that in the community, it is an insult.
In short, a person who utters those words, which are not appropriate to utter in any case, becomes a sinner.
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Questions on Islam
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- Prophet Isa [Jesus] (Peace be upon him)
- What are the types of backbiting? Why and to what extent is backbiting bad?
- What is the importance of the Quran; how can you describe the Quran?
- What is the importance of the Quran; how can you describe the Quran?
- What are the major sins? What are the seven major sins? Fornication and polytheism (shirk) are major sins; are hidden shirk and fornication of the eyes also among major sins?
- What is the goal and main idea of the Quran? What kind of a book is the Quran?
- What is the goal and main idea of the Quran? What kind of a book is the Quran?
- Are there any verses stating that the Prophet (pbuh) is the explainer of the Quran?
- Can a person who has slandered the Prophet not repent?

