Quran 4:148

[Qualities of Allah]

Salam,
What does 4:148 mean, "Allah does not like negative thoughts to be voiced—except by those who have been wronged. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing."

What does this verse mean by "except those who have been wronged?" I read a tafsir and I still did not get it. It said something like "Allah does not like backbiting except when someone oppressed seeks counseling." For some reason, I still do not get it. What does that mean? Like when someone gets bullied and goes to a therapist they can say negative things about the bully?

[QuranSearchCom]

Wa Alaikum As'salam,

‏4:148 لايحب الله الجهر بالسوء من القول الا من ظلم وكان الله سميعا عليما


Allah Almighty does not like us to boast about wrong doings and/or scandalizing ourselves or others, except when it comes to amending and fixing and repenting.  There you would need to make it known that you have wronged the people you have wronged and that you are taking full responsibility and that you are working on fixing:

www.answering-christianity.com/quran_moral_code.htm


Take care,
Osama Abdallah

[QuranSearchCom]

So for example, if I committed zina in the past, Allah Almighty does not like me to scandalize myself about it.  If I already repented and ceased doing the sin, and it's been dead for many years, then no need to resurrect it unnecessarily to anyone and everyone.  You wouldn't need to know for example if I did.  I wouldn't be required to tell you.  However, if I want to marry a woman and she wants to know about my past, then I would required to tell her, because that would now involve marriage and a commitment from both sides.  The same goes if I hold a position for example that would require for this information to be known. 

If I sin, and my sin caused harm to others, such as lying at work that caused someone to get fired or get demoted while it wasn't their fault, then I am required to speak up openly, repent and amend, and pay up for damages.  Otherwise, my repentance will not be accepted by Allah Almighty.  The Quran makes this condition very clear:

www.answering-christianity.com/quran_moral_code.htm  (see entry #248)

[Qualities of Allah]

Jazakallah for the reply brother Osama. I also just found another answer that says that if someone is bad you cannot talk bad about him unless he causes a lot of oppression to people and you want to say the bad things about him in order to WARN them from him. Is that interpretation right?

[Qualities of Allah]

Jazakallah for the reply brother Osama. I also just found another answer that says that if someone is bad you cannot talk bad about him unless he causes a lot of oppression to people and you want to say the bad things about him in order to WARN potential victims from him. Is that interpretation right?

So what do you think about this other interpretation I found?

[QuranSearchCom]

Backbiting is forbidden in the Glorious Quran.  Warning people about a bad person is not backbiting, and you are OBLIGATED to if it causes no harm to you or to others.  But backbiting and scandalizing people is forbidden in the Glorious Quran.  One can't go around and talk about people's personal things that are embarrassing to them.

The Noble Verse certainly touches on all of this.  But there are many other Noble Verses that I gave in the link above.

Jazaka Allah Khayr too, brother.

Take care,
Osama

[Qualities of Allah]

Backbiting is forbidden in the Glorious Quran.  Warning people about a bad person is not backbiting, and you are OBLIGATED to if it causes no harm to you or to others.  But backbiting and scandalizing people is forbidden in the Glorious Quran.  One can't go around and talk about people's personal things that are embarrassing to them.

The Noble Verse certainly touches on all of this.  But there are many other Noble Verses that I gave in the link above.

Jazaka Allah Khayr too, brother.

Take care,
Osama

Thanks but may I ask where it says in the Law that you are obligated to warn people from bad? Just a little question.

[Qualities of Allah]

Thanks but may I ask where it says in the Law that you are obligated to warn people from bad? Just a little question.

[QuranSearchCom]

[006:152]  ....whenever ye speak, speak justly, even if a near relative is concerned; and fulfil the covenant of God: thus doth He command you, that ye may remember.

[004:135]  O ye who believe! stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to God, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for God can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest ye swerve, and if ye distort (justice) or decline to do justice, verily God is well- acquainted with all that ye do.


A Muslim must always be upright and courageous, and always be ready to speak justice and truth irrespective of whom it is against, even if it's against his own self.  So if you know there is truth to be told, then speak up.

Also regarding as witnesses to God, a witness has the moral obligation to speak up and to testify when he/she sees wrong.  Covering up is not something an honest and true witness would do.  So imagine how being a witness to Allah Almighty should be done.  Even if it's a burden, one must do it as long as it brings no serious harm to you and to others.  Must always act wisely.

[Qualities of Allah]

جزاكم الله خيرا

[QuranSearchCom]

Likewise insha'Allah.

[QuranSearchCom]

You can visit entry #229 at www.answering-christianity.com/quran_moral_code.htm.  I've added more points and Noble Verses to this point.

Jazaka Allah Khayr.

Take care,
Osama Abdallah