as inviolable as the sanctity of this day of yours, in this month of yours, and in this land of yours. Have I conveyed the message?” (Agreed upon).

1525 – ʿĀʾishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: “I once remarked to the Prophet ﷺ, ‘It should suffice you concerning Ṣafiyyah that she is such-and-such.’ One of the narrators explained that she meant: she is short. He replied, ‘You have uttered a word which, if it were mixed with the water of the sea, it would surely taint it.’ She added, ‘Later I mimicked a person in his presence,’ and he said, ‘I would not like to imitate anyone, even if I were to be given such-and-such.’” Reported by Abū Dāwūd and al-Tirmidhī, who graded it sound and authentic.

The phrase “if it were mixed” means: were that single word to blend with the seawater so thoroughly that its taste or smell changed because of its extreme foulness and repulsiveness. This is among the strongest deterrents against backbiting. Allah the Exalted says, “Nor does he speak from whim; it is nothing but revelation sent down” (53:3–4).

1526 – Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “When I was taken up (on the Night Journey), I passed by a people who had fingernails of copper with which they were raking their faces and chests. I asked, ‘Who are these, O Jibrīl?’ He replied, ‘These are the ones who consumed the flesh of people and assailed their honour.’” Reported by Abū Dāwūd.

1527 – Abū Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “The entire person of a Muslim is inviolable to another Muslim—his blood, his honour, and his wealth.” Narrated by Muslim.