إِذْ تَلَقَّوْنَهُ بِأَلْسِنَتِكُمْ وَتَقُولُونَ بِأَفْوَاهِكُم مَّا لَيْسَ لَكُم بِهِ عِلْمٌ وَتَحْسَبُونَهُ هَيِّنًا وَهُوَ عِندَ اللَّهِ عَظِيمٌ

When you were receiving it on your tongues, and were mouthing something of which you had no knowledge, supposing it to be a light matter, while it was a grave [matter] with Allah.

EXEGESIS

Talaqqawnahu (receiving it). Talaqqawna (originally tatalaqqawna) is the plural form of talaqqā. It refers to the slanderous rumour that they took from each other’s mouths. Talaqqā al-qawl means to receive (to hear) something from someone who has sent it forth (alqāhu), like in the verse, Adam received (talaqqā) certain words from his Lord (2:37).[1] Here it means to pass on the rumour from one person to the next,[2] since it is attributed to the tongues (while usually it is the ears that receive words); as if to indicate that the rumour leapt from one tongue to another without them even bothering to register what they had heard, just eager to pass it along.[3]

EXPOSITION

This verse explicitly states what was implied in the previous verse. Those who engaged in the slanderous rumours did so thinking it was not a big deal and that they would not incur God’s wrath by doing so. Specifically, it mentions three major mistakes that they made: they listened to the rumours, they passed them on, and they did so without thinking how grave these actions were.[4] This is the unfortunate consequence of sin; when one gets used to it, they eventually become desensitised to it and do not give to pause when committing it. Some people are so used to constantly engaging in gossip and backbiting that they do not hesitate even when the target is the most beloved Messenger of God.

Like the previous verses, this verse too tells us that the rumours had spread throughout the Medinan society, up to the extent that probably there remained no house or home that had not heard about it.[5]

When you were receiving it on your tongues, and were mouthing something of which you had no knowledge: and were mouthing something would literally translate as: say with your mouths. It has been asked why saying with the mouth is specified, since all speech is done with the mouth. Some have suggested it is because usually speech is the result of what is known in the heart; however, in this case it is something that is said without any knowledge. It has been compared to the verse, They say with their mouths what is not in their hearts (3:167).[6] This is not a good comparison though, as that verse is referring to those pretenders who claim something which they do not believe; whereas this verse concerns those who spoke without thinking about the consequences of their words and without any evidence.

What is clear is that they had no such knowledge of the event, and were basing it on mere gossip. As such, the verse is also proof that one should not speak about that which one does not have knowledge of, similar to the verse, Do not follow that of which you have no knowledge (17:36),[7] especially by doing so in a manner whereby we pretend that we know.[8] It can be considered related to the verse, O you who have faith! If a profligate [person] should bring you some news, verify it (49:6), which demands that we do not act upon that which is not established through knowledge.

Supposing it to be a light matter, while it was a grave [matter] with Allah: while we read in the early verses of the surah how every slander and accusation attacking a person’s chastity is a very serious matter, it becomes even more dire when directed at the Prophet of God since it throws doubts onto his character and thus the whole of religion suffers.

It is telling indeed that there were so many in the Muslim community who spread this vile rumour, without stopping for a moment to think. If they held for the Prophet the basic minimum of dignity and respect, they should never have entered into such discussions. The statement also is a reminder of how dangerous it is to belittle a sin. The attitude of belittling can turn even the smallest of sins into a grave matter; never mind that slandering the wife of a prophet is already in itself a grave sin! As we read in a report from Imam Ali (a): ‘Do not belittle any disobedience regarding God, for it may be that very thing that incurs His wrath, and you are unaware.’[9] In another report he has similarly said: ‘The most grievous of sins is the one a person assumes is insignificant.’[10]

INSIGHTS FROM OTHER TRADITIONS

1. Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.[11]
2. The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool.[12]
3. If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.[13]
4. With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbour, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.[14]
5. Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not.[15]
6. You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness.[16]

[1] Razi, 23/342; Mizan, 15/92.
[2] Tibyan, 7/417; Tabari, 18/78.
[3] Mizan, 15/92; Sharawi, p. 10218.
[4] Muhit, 8/23; Nemuneh, 14/399.
[5] Razi, 23/342-343.
[6] Zamakhshari, 3/219; Razi, 23/343; Muhit, 8/22; Alusi, 9/315.
[7] Razi, 23/343.
[8] Munyah, 19/88.
[9] Khisal, p. 209; Maani, p. 113; Wasail, 1/116-117, h. 291.
[10] Nahj, saying 348.
[11] Psalms 34:13.
[12] Proverbs 10:18.
[13] James 1:26.
[14] Proverbs 11:9.
[15] 1 Timothy 5:13.
[16] Exodus 23:1.