What exactly is Laghw? merely talking haram e.g. gheebat, Qadhf, lying, slandering, rumour mongering, swearing etc.????

· 16 Shawwal 1424 AH1 min readFatwa 10333English

Question

Someone told me that laghw is merely talking haram e.g. gheebat, Qadhf, lying, slandering, rumour mongering, swearing etc. He (from Azhar university) explained that speaking about interests is fine; talking about football is fine; joking around is fine even though they have no benefit. My view prior to his explanation was that laghw is plain and simple: a talk without benefit. Please state to what extent he is correct and elaborate on the definition of laghw. Also can you please say the sin for such an action? I apologise if you?ve already answered this question and for inconveniencing your time. Jazakallah Khair. Remember me in your du?aas.

Answer

The definition of Laghw is very broad. It includes Lies, sin, Shirk, evil speech, anything without benefit etc.

Thus Ulama have mentioned that there are different categories of Laghw, each with a different ruling.

The Highest type of Laghw (and thus the worst type) is that speech which is sin and disobedience i.e. in addition to it having no deeni benefit, it contains deeni harms. It will be necessary and Fard to stay away from this type of Laghw.

The lowest stage would be such speech that carries no benefit nor any harm. It would be better to stay away from this type. Many Ayaat of the Quraan and many Ahadith show that a person cannot be a perfect believer until he abstains from this type of Laghw. (Ma'ariful Quran Vol. 6 Pg. 296, Ahkaamul Quraan of Jassaas Vol.2 Pg.43)

and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

Mufti Ebrahim Desai

Answered by
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Questions about this ruling, answered only from the archive with sources.

Where scholars differ, it’s safer to take the more cautious view.

Fatawa SA is an independent, read-only index of fatawa already published by Darul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah. It is not a fatwa service. For your own situation, please ask a Mufti. Report an issue

For corrections or mistakes, please email us at fatawasa786@gmail.com.

People also ask

Is telling a white lie ever permissible?

“One should avoid speaking lies. Speaking lies is not permissible in Islam. However, in the case where one does not want to make people worried, e.g.”

Mufti Online · 126 fatawa from 5 Darul Iftas on this

What the Darul Iftas say
What counts as backbiting (gheebah)?

“In principle, backbiting a Muslim is a grave sin. In the Qurʾān Majīd, Allah Taʿālā likens backbiting to eating the flesh of one’s dead brother. Numerous stern warnings regarding this sin are also found in the blessed aḥādīth.”

Camperdown · 63 fatawa from 6 Darul Iftas on this

What the Darul Iftas say