A certain shaykh was asked about a slanderer who repents before the one he maligned hears of the insult: is such repentance valid? He replied, “The stronger view is that the ruling differs with people’s circumstances. Most scholars say that if the slandered person finds out, the repentance is not valid; but if he never learns of it, then it is valid, and the slanderer should supplicate for him and seek forgiveness on his behalf ….” End quote.

From this it becomes clear how perilous the tongue is and what accountability attaches to every word. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Are people thrown into the Fire on their faces for anything other than the harvest of their tongues?” Allah, Exalted is He, says, “He does not utter a single word without a vigilant watcher present” (Qaf 50:18).

A Muslim, therefore, must guard his tongue, weigh his words, and keep his speech upright. Allah Almighty says, “O you who believe, fear Allah and speak words that are straight” (Al-Ahzab 33:70).