“Qīla wa-qāla”—idle gossip—means that a person busies himself with repeating, “So-and-so said this,” “It was said that,” and the like. Many squanderers today fill their gatherings with such talk: “What was said today? So-and-so said… What do you think of so-and-so?” and similar exchanges that fritter away one’s time. Just as the Law forbids wasting wealth—something Allah has made a means of livelihood for people—it likewise forbids wasting time. Indeed, to squander time in gossip and excessive questioning is undoubtedly more harmful than squandering money: wealth may be replaced, but lost time can never be recovered. Therefore, one must avoid plunging into gossip—“What do you say about so-and-so?” and the like—and avoid excessive questioning as well.

“Excessive questioning” can be understood in several ways. It may refer to repeatedly asking people for things; do not inundate others with requests. If those requests are for money, begging becomes unlawful, and a person may go on begging until, on the Day of Resurrection, not a shred of flesh remains on his face—Allah protect us. It may also refer to incessantly prying into people’s personal circumstances without need or benefit: “What do you say about so-and-so? Is he rich or poor, educated or ignorant?” and so forth. Or it may denote posing many questions about religious matters one does not require—especially during the Prophetic era—lest someone ask about an issue that had not been prohibited and it becomes forbidden because of his question, or about something not yet obligatory and it becomes obligatory on account of his inquiry. This last concern applies only when the question is unnecessary; if a person does need to ask—such as a student of knowledge seeking clarity—then there is no harm in asking, understanding, and dispelling any confusion.