CHARACTER assassination is a deliberate attempt to destroy someone’s reputation, especially by criticizing them unfairly and dishonestly in their absence, and slandering them usually with the intention of undermining public confidence. According to Islamic teachings, character assassination is a heinous crime. Such an act goes against humanity, ethical values and Islam. Those guilty of any ethical crime of this nature will be severely punished by the Almighty. The use of abusive language against anyone, which has no factual basis, is an act of character assassination. No one has the right to use such language. Criticism based on facts is constructive, but making allegations without any basis, in fact, is the worst kind of crime.
Character assassination is a deliberate effort to damage the reputation, credibility, or standing of a person, group, or organization. It typically occurs when a rival, whether in business, society, or even within a family, decides they wish to take the other person down. Examples of character assassination have occurred throughout history. The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) suffered character assassination when unbelievers spread rumors that He (P.B.U.H) was a magician. They couldn’t stop his message from spreading, so they decided tarnishing his reputation through rumors about his character was the best way forward.
The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) said that the blood, wealth and honor of one Muslim are forbidden to another Muslim. In another place, it is mentioned in the Hadith that the honour and sanctity of a believer are greater than the honour and sanctity of the Kaaba to the Almighty. During the Holy Prophet’s time, certain people in Medina wanted to defame a member of the Holy Prophet’s family. It was a case of character assassination. At that juncture, some verses were revealed in the Quran: ‘Those who desire that indecencies should spread among the believers will have a painful chastisement in this world and the Hereafter. The Almighty knows, and you do not know.’ (Qur’an 24:19)
So, if you criticize someone based on undeniable facts that stand up to objective scrutiny, you are acting lawfully and exercising your moral rights as set forth in the divine book. If your intention is good, your action will be treated as promoting reform. Moreover, you will receive a reward from the Almighty. However, if you abuse someone or use unethical or immoral language without any evidence to support what you say, then you are committing a crime. The use of abusive language against anyone, which has no factual base, is an act of character assassination. No one has the right to use such language. Criticism based on facts is constructive, but making allegations without any basis, in fact, is the worst kind of crime.
In this regard, two courses are open to all: if an individual has an accusation to make against anyone and has undeniable proof to support what they have to say, then they are allowed to express their views. If, on the other hand, they have an adverse opinion about anyone but have no evidence to support their negative remarks, then they have to remain silent. No one is allowed to make damaging remarks against anyone if they cannot produce irrefutable proofs of the truth of their statement.
The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) once said: “If you make a negative remark against someone while that person is innocent, it will have a boomerang effect. Your negative remark will turn back upon you, and you will find that remark being applied to you.”
The practice of character assassination is injurious to the whole of society; it spreads feelings of mistrust, causes misunderstandings, and results in a very dangerous situation where everyone becomes suspicious of other members of society. In such a society, no healthy activity is possible, and no positive planning can be done. The habit of character assassination is bad for all and good for none. The whole of society must be alert to anyone indulging in this kind of activity, and the wrongdoer must be openly condemned. Indeed, social ostracism is the only check by which this kind of baneful habit can be eliminated from society.
Character assassination is more dangerous than physical assassination. Any society that ignores this heinous practice is callous and inhuman. It could be a very destructive phenomenon wherever it is found. The deliberate, malicious, unjustified, and sustained effort to damage the reputation and credibility of an individual or group of persons is the wickedness of the highest order. It could be the slandering of a person, destroying their public confidence, which often leads to the act of lowering one’s character in a bid to ruin the characters of others. These acts are found in families, the political arena, places of worship, organizations, workplaces, etc.
Interestingly, false allegations are the most chronic form of mental abuse one can ever think of. When people can’t kill your dreams and purpose, they will try to assassinate your personality, character, and integrity. In some cases, your spirit will hurt the demons of others. Hence, when those hurt because of your spirit realize hating isn’t enough, they start propagating false accusations about you, thereby killing your character. Sometimes, it is regarded as emotional violence against the other.
In essence, Character assassination, a malicious attempt to damage reputation without evidence, undermines trust and unity in society. Criticism based on facts is valid, but baseless allegations harm individuals and society. It’s crucial to denounce this behavior to protect the fabric of a healthy community.
—The writer is contributing columnist, based in Islamabad.
Email: [email protected]
views expressed are writer’s own.
