A reflection on Surah Ali 'Imran 3:135 - Allah's (SWT) mercy toward those who slip in speech and sincerely turn back to Him.
Even with the best intentions, tongues slip. What matters most, and what we try to teach our students at Darus Saulieghien Quraan Academy, is what comes after the slip.
Remembering Allah After the Fall
Allah (SWT) says:
وَٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا فَعَلُوا۟ فَـٰحِشَةً أَوْ ظَلَمُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ ذَكَرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ فَٱسْتَغْفَرُوا۟ لِذُنُوبِهِمْ وَمَن يَغْفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ ١٣٥
"And those who, when they commit an immorality or wrong themselves, remember Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins - and who can forgive sins except Allah?" (Surah Ali 'Imran 3:135)
Backbiting is a wound to another's dignity, but Islam is a faith of return, not despair. Sincere seeking of forgiveness, paired with a firm intention not to repeat it, is what tawbah asks of us.
Making Amends Wisely
Scholars differ on whether the person spoken about must be told. When telling them would cause more harm than good, the safer path is often to speak well of them going forward, make du'a for them, and sincerely seek Allah's forgiveness instead.
The Prophet (SAW) said: "The one who repents from sin is like one who never sinned." (Sunan Ibn Majah 4250) Tawbah is not about carrying guilt indefinitely - it is about a genuine change of direction.
A Gentle Reminder for Our Students
We tell our students that no habit of speech is too old to change, and that Allah's (SWT) mercy is always wider than our mistakes, however long they've lasted.
May Allah (SWT) forgive whatever our students, and we ourselves, have said carelessly, and grant us all a fresh start in how we speak. Ameen.