RismadarVoice Reporters
March 1, 2026
The Chief Imam of Hadejia Emirate, Sheikh Yusuf Zakariyya’u, has cautioned Muslims and other residents of Jigawa State against backbiting and spreading malicious rumours, warning that such acts carry grave consequences both in this life and the hereafter.
Zakariyya’u gave the warning on Sunday during the fifth Ramadan Public Lecture organised by the Jigawa State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), held at the NUJ Secretariat in Dutse, the state capital.
Describing backbiting (Ghiba) and rumour-mongering (Namima) as destructive social vices, the cleric said they erode trust and weaken the fabric of society.
“Ghiba and Namima are like cancer; they eat away at the fabric of society and destroy relationships,” he said, quoting verses from the Qur’an and Hadith to underscore his message.
He explained that Ghiba refers to speaking ill of someone behind their back, while Namima involves spreading rumours or false information about others.
The Islamic scholar lamented that many people engage in these acts knowingly or unknowingly, often disguising them as harmless gossip, particularly in political contexts.
“People now engage in Ghiba and Namima without realising the gravity of their actions. They speak ill of others, spread false rumours, and destroy reputations without batting an eyelid,” he said.
Zakariyya’u identified envy, anger and the desire for social acceptance as some of the root causes of the behaviour. He warned that such habits could result in social isolation, broken relationships and even physical harm.
“The dangers of Ghiba and Namima are real. They can lead to fights, divorces and even killings. We must be careful with our words and actions,” he stressed.
He urged Muslims to exercise restraint, speak only when necessary and ensure their words are truthful and beneficial. He also advised against prying into the affairs of others.
“We must learn to keep our tongues in check and speak only what is good and beneficial. Let us strive to be agents of peace and unity rather than discord and strife,” he added.
The Chief Imam further warned against the misuse of social media, noting that digital platforms have made it easier to spread harmful speech.
“We must be mindful of our online activities and ensure that we are not contributing to the spread of Ghiba and Namima,” he cautioned.
Quoting a Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), he said: “Do you know what is backbiting? They said, ‘Allah and His Messenger know best.’ He said, ‘It is saying something about your brother that he would dislike.’”
Zakariyya’u called on Muslims to seek forgiveness for past transgressions and make conscious efforts to avoid backbiting and rumour-mongering.
“Let us strive to be better Muslims and citizens. Let us work towards building a society that is just, peaceful and harmonious,” he said.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Administration and Finance, Office of the Jigawa State Head of Service, Mr Abdullahi Sa’id, said the state government was considering organizing a sensitization programme for government appointees, particularly those managing social media portfolios, on responsible online conduct.
“We are impressed by the lecture and its impact on the audience. We will consider organizing a similar programme for our appointees to sensitize them on responsible online behaviour,” he said.
Earlier, the Chairman of the NUJ Jigawa State Council, Comrade Ismail Dutse, said the lecture was aimed at educating Muslims on the dangers of Ghiba and Namima, especially during Ramadan.
“We chose this topic because it is a critical issue that affects us all, and we want to use this platform to promote unity and peace in our society,” Dutse said.
He commended the Chief Imam for what he described as a timely and thought-provoking lecture.
