Listening to gossip is a grave sin that believers must avoid.
In the Holy Quran, gossip is strongly condemned, and multiple verses refer to this topic. In Surah Al-Hujurat, verse 12, Allah warns the believers against certain undesirable behaviors, including gossip, stating: 'O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite one another. And would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother while he is dead? It would be disgusting to you.' This verse clearly shows that gossip is not just a reprehensible act but also an affront to another Muslim's honor. Therefore, if someone listens to gossip and condones it, they become a partner in that sin. In Islam, it is emphasized that one should refrain from listening to gossip, and individuals must strive to avoid such undesirable behaviors. Furthermore, in Surah An-Nur, verse 19, Allah states: 'Indeed, those who like to see sin spreading among the believers will have a painful punishment.' From this verse, one can conclude that encouraging gossip or listening to it results in the divine punishment. Thus, considering these verses, one can say that listening to gossip is not only harmful but sinful, and believers should distance themselves from it and focus on virtuous deeds.
O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite one another. And would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother while he is dead? It would be disgusting to you.
Indeed, those who like to see sin spreading among the believers will have a painful punishment.
One day, two friends were sitting in a cafe and discussing some of their life problems. One of them, without intending to gossip, urged his friend to focus on unresolved issues and refrain from speaking ill of others. He said: Our lives are too precious to hurt someone without cause. That day, they decided to focus only on the good qualities of each other and avoid gossiping and bad-mouthing.