A Rise in Gossip and Mockery

Another characteristic will be the increased level of gossip and mockery of other people:

	As Judgment draws near... the most respected people of the age will be flatterers and sycophants. (at-Tabarani )

	There will be an abundance of critics, tale-carriers, backbiters, and taunters in society. (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Muntakhab Kanz al-`Ummaal)

	The Last Hour will not arrive until people come forth who make a living with their tongues, just as cows eat with their tongues. (Tirmidhi)

	A time will come when a man will remain among his people but live in fear of being derided. (ad-Daylami)

However, God informs us that gossip and derision are evil, and commands believers to avoid them. One verse reads:

O you who believe! People should not ridicule others who may be better than themselves, nor should any women ridicule other women who may be better than themselves. And do not find fault with one another or insult each other with derogatory nicknames. How evil it is to have a name for evil conduct after coming to faith! Those people who do not turn from it are wrongdoers. O you who believe! Avoid most suspicion. Indeed some suspicion is a crime. And do not spy and do not backbite one another. Would any of you like to eat his brother's dead flesh? No, you would hate it. And be aware of God. (Surat al-Hujurat, 49:11-12)

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