Chapter: The Prohibition of Belittling Muslims

Allah the Exalted says, “O you who believe, let not a people ridicule another people; it may well be that they are better than they. Nor let women ridicule other women; it may well be that they are better than they. Do not defame one another, nor call each other by offensive nicknames. Evil is the name of wickedness after faith; and whoever does not repent—such people are the wrongdoers” (49:11). He also says, “Woe to every back-biting slanderer” (104:1).

[Explanation]
The author—may Allah have mercy on him—entitles this section of Riyadh al-Salihin “The Prohibition of Belittling a Muslim.” To belittle a Muslim means to despise him, mock him, ridicule him, demean his worth, and the like. Such behavior is forbidden because it constitutes an assault on your fellow Muslim, whom you are obliged to honor and esteem, for he is your brother; “the believer is the brother of the believer,” as the Prophet ﷺ said.

The author then supports the chapter with the Almighty’s words: “O you who believe, let not a people ridicule another people; it may well be that they are better than they. Nor let women ridicule other women; it may well be that they are better than they.” Allah addresses the believers with “O you who believe,” and this form of address shows that what follows is a requirement of faith and that neglecting it or acting contrary to it indicates a deficiency in faith. Moreover, beginning the ruling with a vocative call underscores its importance, for it alerts the listener to what is about to be conveyed.

He says: “Let not a people ridicule another people,” that is, men; “nor let women ridicule other women,” that is, women. Ridicule may take the form