Page 80 - What the Qur'an Says about Liars and Their Methods

WHAT THE QUR'AN SAYS ABOUT LIARS AND THEIR METHODS
people in the following terms:
They are people who listen to lies and consume ill-got-
ten gains. If they come to you, you can either judge be-
tween them or turn away from them. If you turn away
from them, they cannot harm you in any way. But if you
do judge, judge between them justly. Allah loves the
just. (Surat al-Ma’ida, 5:42)
Allah mentions those believers who heed Him in this matter
in the following terms:
Why, when you heard it, did you not, as male and fe-
male believers, instinctively think good thoughts and
say: "This is obviously a lie?" Why did they not pro-
duce four witnesses to it? Since they did not bring four
witnesses, in Allah's sight they are liars. Were it not for
Allah's favor to you and His mercy, both in this world
and the Hereafter, a terrible punishment would have
afflicted you for your plunging headlong into it [slan-
der]. You were bandying it about on your tongues, your
mouths uttering something about which you had no
knowledge. You considered it to be a trivial matter, but
in Allah's sight it is immense. Why, when you heard it,
did you not say: "We have no business speaking about
this. Glory be to You! This is a terrible slander!"? (Surat
an-Nur, 24:12-16)
In addition, Allah orders the believers to scrutinize carefully
each report they receive from a person of doubtful faith or an un-
believer. Otherwise, a lie or a slanderous accusation may damage
an innocent person. With the mercy of Allah, such a risk is re-
moved.
O you who believe! If a deviator brings you a report,
scrutinize it carefully in case you attack people in ig-

78