Express views with solid arguments | The Sunday Guardian | 29th July 2012 | Page 10
The Quran records divine disapproval of illogical argument and the making of baseless allegations. According to Islamic teaching, one must express one's views with solid arguments, and all one's statements must be reason-based. As far as the making of allegations is concerned, it is taboo in Islam. This is made clear in the chapter of the Quran entitled Al Qalam (The Pen). The relevant verses are translated as follows: "Do not yield to any contemptible swearer of oaths or to any defamer or one who spreads slander, or to one who places obstacles in the way of good being done" (68, 10-12).
These verses imply that the offenders are non-believers, for a true believer is not allowed to indulge in this kind of behaviour. If anyone claims that he is a Muslim and at the same time uses the language of allegation, he is behaving like those who are without the Islamic fold.
The truth is that everyone is accountable before God. According to the Quran, every word spoken by him is instantly recorded by angels (50:18). This record prepared by angels will be produced before God Almighty on the day of judgement when He will give His verdict and award severe punishment to those who fail to adhere to divine principles.
Reasoned statement is the mark of the pious man. As opposed to this, irrational argument or using the language of allegation is the sign of an irresponsible person or one who has become morally deviant. It is the former who can be called a man, while the latter is nothing but an animal in the form of a man.
The behaviour mentioned in the above Quranic verses is a form of character assassination. Character assassination is a sign of complete defeat. Moreover, making allegations is a very risky game, for it can act like a boomerang.