Talking about other people is an act that is prohibited in Islam. The following will be discussed about the law discussing the goodness of others.
Allah says,
يا أيها الذين آمنوا اجتنبوا كثيرا من الظن إن بعض الظن إثم ولا تجسسوا ولا يغتب بعضكم بعضا أيحب أحدكم أن يأكل لحم أخيه ميتا فكرهتموه واتقوا الله إن الله تواب رحيم
“O ye who believe, stay away from most prejudices because some of the prejudices are sins. And do not look for the ugliness of people. Do not also gossip with one another. Is there one of you who likes to eat the flesh of a dead brother? Then surely you feel disgusted with him. And fear Allah. Lo! Allah is the Recipient of repentance, the Most Merciful.” (QS. Al Hujurat: 12)
The Apostle said,
عَنْ أَبِى هُرَيْرَةَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ -صلى الله عليه وسلم- قَالَ « أَتَدْرُونَ مَا الْغِيبَةُ ». قَالُوا اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَعْلَمُ. قَالَ « ذِكْرُكَ أَخَاكَ بِمَا يَكْرَهُ ». قِيلَ أَفَرَأَيْتَ إِنْ كَانَ فِى أَخِى مَا أَقُولُ قَالَ « إِنْ كَانَ فِيهِ مَا تَقُولُ فَقَدِ اغْتَبْتَهُ وَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ فِيهِ فَقَدْ بَهَتَّهُ
From Abu Hurairah, he said, the Prophet Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam once asked, “Do you know what worship is?” It is you talking about your brother about something he does not like.”
Someone asked, “O Messenger of Allah, how do you think if the person I was talking about was in accordance with what I said?” The Prophet Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam said, “If it is true what you are talking about, then it means you have gossiped. But if what you are talking about is not there, it means that you have slandered him (accused without proof).” (Narrated by Muslim no. 2589, Chapter Forbidden by the Temple)
But what if what is discussed is the good of others? Is it permissible in Islam? Of course, this is permissible because what is forbidden is talking about disgrace.
خَيْرُ النَّاسِ أَنْفَعُهُمْ لِلنَّاسِ
“The best of humans is the most beneficial for others.”
Reply to the Goodness of Others by Praising Goodness
The Apostle said,
من صنع إليه معروف فليجزه, فإن لم يجد ما يجزيه فليثن عليه, فإنه إذا أثنى عليه فقد شكره وإن كتمه فقد كفره …
“Whoever is treated well (by people), he should reciprocate. If he does not get something to repay him, he should praise him. If he praises him then he has thanked him but if he hides it means he has denied it…” (Narrated by al-Bukhari in al-Adabul Mufrad, see Shahih al-Adab al-Mufrad no. 157)
مَنْ صُنِعَ إِلَيْهِ مَعْرُوْفٌ فَقَالَ لِفَاعِلِهِ: جَزَاكَ اللهُ خَيْرًا ؛ فَقَدْ أَبْلَغَ فِى الثَّنَاءِ
“Whoever is treated well then he tells the culprit, “May Allah reward you with kindness,” he has been high in praising him.” (Shahih Sunan at-Tirmidhi no. 2035, cet. Al-Ma’arif)
[AdSense-B]
Do Not Forget the Kindness of Others
Allah says,
وَلَا تَنْسَوُا الْفَضْلَ بَيْنَكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ
“And do not forget the good among you. Indeed, Allah sees what you do.” (QS. Al-Baqarah: 237)
From Ibn Umar, he said, the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam said,
من استعاذ بالله فأعيذُوهُ ومن سأل بالله فأعطوه ، ومن أتى إليكم معروفاً فكافئوه ، فإن لم تجدوا ، فادعوا له ، حتى يعلم أن قد كافأتموه
“Who asks for protection in the name of God, so protect him. And who asks for on behalf of God, then give him. And whoever does a good deed to you, respond to his kindness. If you cannot, then pray for him until he knows that you have given him the right one.” (Shahih) Ash Shahihah (254): (Abu Dawud: 9-Kitab Az Zakah, 38-Chapter ‘Athiyatu Man Sa-ala billah)
لاَ يَشْكُرُ اللهَ مَنْ لاَ يَشْكُرُ النَّاسَ
“One has not realized gratitude to God as long as he is unable to be grateful for the kindness of others towards him.”
From the above arguments, it is clear that when other people have done well, then we must not forget that kindness. So, from that, the law of talking about the goodness of other people is allowed with the aim of remembering the kindness of the person and motivating themselves and others to participate in doing the good that the person has done.
Further reading:
- 12 Dua to Look Beautiful Everyday in Islam
- Effective Prayers for Those Who Hate You
- 10 Prayers at Night of Lailatul Qadar You can Recite
- 8 Prayer for Getting Partner and Fortune
- Importance of Saying Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun
[AdSense-C]
Do Not Tell the Goodness of Yourself to Others
We should not mention our kindness to others. As God says,
“People who spend their wealth in the way of Allah, then they do not accompany what they spend by mentioning their gifts and by not hurting (the recipient’s feelings), they get a reward in the sight of their God. There is no concern for them and neither (nor) do they grieve.” (Surah al-Baqarah [2]: 262)
“O ye who believe, do not eliminate (reward) your alms by mentioning it and hurting (the recipient’s feelings), like someone who spends his wealth because of riya’ to man and he does not believe in Allah and the day after. And the parable of the man is like a slippery stone on which there is land and a heavy rain falls on the stone, and then he becomes clean. They have not mastered anything they have tried; and God does not give instructions to those who disbelieve.” (Surah al-Baqarah [2]: 264)
From Abu Dharr r.a., from the Prophet, he said: “There are three people who will not be spoken to by Allah later on the Day of Judgment, Allah will not see them nor purify them, they will get a painful punishment.” The Prophet said this three times. Abu Dzarr said: “They were really disappointed and lost. Who are they, O Messenger of Allah?” The Prophet said:
“People who outline their clothes because they are proud, people who like to mention the goodness of themselves, and those who manage their trade with oaths of lies.” (Narrated by Muslim)
Therefore, when people do a good deed, praise and reply but when we do, then be quiet so that the good does not turn into a thorn to ourselves.