Page 40 - The Struggle of the Messengers

38 The Struggle of the Messengers

Slanders against Messengers

Believers know that all such accusations made against them are
gossip and slander created by Allah to test them. That is because it
is foretold in the Qur'an that all these things will certainly befall
believers. It is revealed as follows in one verse:

You will be tested in your wealth and in yourselves, and you
will hear many abusive words from those given the Book
before you and from the idolaters. But if you are steadfast and
guard against evil, that is the most resolute course to take.
(Surah Al 'Imran, 186)
Allah has promised that these tests will purify those who
endure them in this world. For example, the unbelievers tried, in
their own eyes, to oppress the Prophet Moses (as) with

accusations and insults, but Allah exonerated him:
O you who believe! Do not be like those who abused Moses.
Allah absolved him of what they said, and he was highly
honored in Allah's Sight. (Surat al-Ahzab, 69)
In the same way, they leveled serious accusations against the
Prophet Joseph (as) with regard to his chastity. Although
everyone knew that he had preserved his chastity, that he had
committed no crime, that he was an innocent and immaculate

individual, and although everyone realized this and that all the
evidence proved the Prophet Joseph's (as) innocence, they
nonetheless threw him into prison:
Then, after they had seen the signs, they thought that they
should still imprison him for a time. (Surah Yusuf, 35)

Although the Prophet Joseph (as) has committed no crime, he
spent years in prison. Later on, the truth came out and he was