They slander me, what can I do?

- I am constantly being slandered and backbitten; what can I do about it?

Dear Brother / Sister,

If they slander you even though you are innocent, it is a thawab for you and a sin for them. You do not suffer any otherworldly harm in this matter; in fact, you benefit from it.

Besides, you should seek refuge in Allah and be patient, and remember that it is a means of testing.

On the other hand, being slandered unjustly is also a means of being freed of one’s sins.

What is meant by patience is not harming the slanderer or others with your hands or tongue. However, if you have evidence to prove the slander, you can use it, and you can use the means at your disposal to vindicate yourself and reveal the injustice.

We think it would be useful to pay attention to the following issues:

a) We should not be close to the subject of the slander. Otherwise, we may be accused. It is narrated that Umar (ra) said:

“If a person goes to suspicious places and is accused by people, he has no right to condemn anyone but himself.” (see Bayhaqi, Shuabul-Iman, 10/559; Ibn Abid-Dunya, as-Samt, 1/311)

b) It is not permissible to respond to slander with slander or to backbiting with backbiting.

c) Staying away from the environment from which the slander comes is a good precaution.

d) It is absolutely necessary to investigate whether the rumor of the slander is true or not because it is possible for the “slander” to be slandered as well.

e) Where people oppress, qadar realizes justice. It is necessary to consider this principle well. I wonder where I have disrespected Allah and He has allowed those slanderers. Therefore, the wisest way is to repent and ask for forgiveness a lot, to try to see our mistakes, and to enter into Allah’s protection after fully obeying Him.

May Allah protect us all from the evil of the devils, both human and jinn. Amin!...

Questions on Islam